
                       Lora Bulletin Board System and
                          Electronic Mail Interface

                               Version 2.33-7

       Copyright (c) 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 by Marco Maccaferri
                             All rights reserved


    How to upgrade
    =====================================================================

    Here is the right procedure to upgrade Lora in your system:

    1. Change to your system directory (normally called C:\LORA) and
       uncompress inside it the original archive, LOS233-7.ZIP.

    2. Run LOS233-7.EXE

    The program will upgrade the files that are changed with this
    release.

    Note: the upgrade procedure will patch the original 2.33-6
          executable files only.


    Changes made from version 2.33-6
    =====================================================================

    - Fixed a bug that hangs the machine when using the internal tic
      processor.

    - Fixed a bug with the file listing command.

    - Fixed a bug with the import empty message option.

    - Fixed a bug when tagging files during a file listing.

    - Fixed a little bug (debris on the line) with the ^OC embedded
      command, not working properly in certain situations.

    - Added the dialing directory to the terminal emulator. The structures
      are not available because they need to be expanded and defined
      a little more.

    - Fixed a bug that puts real big numbers inthe seen-by and path lines
      using the OS/2 version.

    - Now the serial routines under OS/2 initializes the SIO drivers for
      RTS/CTS handhsaking.

    - The date format field in the BBS / General options menu, now has
      effects on the date displayed during the file listings. Change it
      as you need.


    Changes made from version 2.33-5
    =====================================================================

    - Added support for new USRobotics V32terbo 21600 connect speed.

    - Added support for the V.FAST connect response at 28800 baud.

    - Fixed a bug in the passthrough areas: the AREA: line is now added
      correctly.

    - In the previous whatsnew.txt file it's incorrectly stated that
      the subscription days left are displayed with the ^F9 embedded
      command. The correct command is ^F1.

    - Fixed a problem with the verify of packet passwords when the
      passwords are less than 8 characters.

    - Added support for the CARRIER <baud> connect responses. That's the
      factory setting for some modems.

    - Fixed a bug updating the download counters with CD-ROM file areas.

    - Fixed a bug with the internal upload protocol handler that cannot
      updates the user's upload kbytes and number fields.

    - Now the answers from the message and file area managers (named
      Areafix and Raid) are originated by Lora-BBS vX.YY rather than
      Areafix and Raid.

    - Added the command NODELIST to build the nodelist indexes from a
      batch file.

    - Fixed a bug with modems that cannot report the connect flags in
      the form "CONNECT 9600/V32/V42B".


    Changes made from version 2.33-4
    =====================================================================

    - The language file has changed (4 lines added).

    - The subscription field of the users editor is now active and fully
      functional. There are two system files that can be displayed
      according with the subscription date:

      SUBDATE.*  - Is displayed when a users calls your board after
                   the subscription date has expired.

      SUBWARN.*  - Is displayed when the number of days before the
                   expiration date is less that 31 days.

    - Added the embedded command ^F9 that shows the number of days before
      the subscription expires.

    - The user editor is now built into LSETUP under the Manager menu.

    - Added the B???????.* system file. It is shown to the user with the
      BPS rate as specified behind the B. B2400.* would be shown to
      a 2400 BPS caller and B14400.* would be shown to a 14400 BPS
      caller. You can make a file for the following BPS rates:

                                   300
                                  1200
                                  2400
                                  4800
                                  7200
                                  9600
                                 12000
                                 14400
                                 16800
                                 19200
                                 38400

    - Added the FGOODBYE.* system file. It is displayed when the user
      decides to hangup after a file transfer. Do not use embedded
      commands that pauses the file otherwise the user can't use the
      automatic logoff.

    - Made a lot of fixups to both the serial port handling and video
      functions routines to prevents uncontrolled loops and speed
      bottlenecks even with windowed sessions.

    - Added the 'Quote header' parameter to the BBS / General options
      menu. The reply header is displayed at the top of a message that is
      quoted in a reply.

      The following macro characters may be used within this
      field:
          
      @  Expands into the person's name to which the original message
         was addressed.
          
      #  Expands into the person's name who posted the original message
         (the one being replied to).
          
      `  Expands into the date that the original message (the one being
         replied to) was posted.
          
      ~  Expands to the time that the original message (the one being
         replied to) was posted.
          
      For example, if the following reply header was specified:
          
                In a message originally to @, # said:
          
      Would expand in a message to:
          
                In a message originally to All, Joe User said:

    - Added the 'Quote string' parameter to the BBS / General options
      menu. This allows you to select the string of characters which
      Lora will place before any message text that is quoted in a reply.
      This is useful for separating quoted message text from reply
      message text within a message. For example, a message quote string
      specified as the ">" character might look like this:
          
	  Ŀ
           > I have been using Lora BBS for two          
	   > months now and love it!			  
	  						  
	   I have to agree with you there, John.	  
	  
          
      In this example, you can see that the message text that is being
      quoted begins with the defined Quote String.  This makes the
      message easier to understand.

      Two macro characters are also supported within the quote
      string.  They are:
          
      @  This macro character is expanded within message text into the
         upper-case initials of the person who is being quoted or
         replied to.
          
      #  This macro is expanded into the lower-case initials of the
         person who is being quoted or replied to.

      ~  This macro is expanded into the initials of the person who is
         being quoted or replied to without changing the case.
          
      For example, if the quote string was specified as "@>", quoted
      message text might look something like this:
          
	  Ŀ
           JP> I have been using Lora BBS for two        
	   JP> months now and love it! 		  
	  						  
	   I have to agree with you there, John.	  
	  

      This gives an even better idea of which message text is being
      quoted.

    - Added the flags definitions for both Areafix and Raid processors.
      Now you can define up to 32 flags for your downlinks like the flags
      you have with the users.

    - Increased the size of the netmail akas. Now you have 20 slots at
      your disposal.

    - The 'Translate to' field of the cost manager has been increased in
      width to allow telephone credit card numbers.

    - Added the 'packers engine'. Now the Manager/Packers menu allows
      you to define the packers/unpacker for both the QWK mail
      door and the Fidonet mail processor. You can define the pack/unpack
      commands and the identification bytes for each packer, this allows
      you to add packer without changing the executable files.

      The packers identification string is made by pairs of hexadecimal
      numbers representing the bytes that can be found at the byte position
      specifyed by the 'Offset' parameter.

    - Added the 'Netmail messages tracker', that checks every netmail
      message that your system imports for valid origin and destination
      nodes. You can enable or disable the message tracker with the
      Mailer / Miscellaneous / Track msgs. option.

    - Added the TIC file processor. Now each file area has a TIC tag field
      (like the echomail tag) and three forward lines.

    - Added the item 'Import TIC.CFG" to the File menu, that allows you to
      import your existing TIC configuration. This item imports only the
      file area names, paths and forward, due to the internal handling of
      the TIC processor, the passwords are defined in the Manager / Nodes
      menu and are unique for each node, you cannot define a different
      password for the same node in different areas.

    - Added the file area processor (named Raid) to allow your downlinks
      to add, remove and query their echo file areas status. The provided
      RAID_HLP.TXT shows you the commands available.

    - There is a new LMSG.EXE that should fix some problems. It has a
      new command line switch: -L that allows you to reply-link the
      messages by subject. It works for Squish and QuickBBS message bases
      only, it will completed in the next release.

    - For everyone has complained about the midnight trap that occurs
      with Lora/2: check your scheduler setup (Manager / Events menu)
      and be sure that your events covers the entire 24 hours range.
      That means that the last event must end at 24:00 and not at 23:59.


    Changes made from version 2.33-3
    =====================================================================

    - Improved the screen output routines.

    - This beta was recompiled using the Borland C/C++ 1.0 for OS/2.
      The previous release was compiled with an early beta of the
      Borland compiler.

    - The language files are changed (one line was added). Make sure to
      update your custom files.

    - LMSG -I over a Fido *.MSG area, causes the creation of the
      MSGTOIDX.DAT file. This file will be used by the personal mail
      scan to find out the messages in the Fido areas.

    - Improved the Squish message scan.


    Changes made from version 2.33-2
    =====================================================================

    - Several improvements are made to the outbound scanning routines.
      Note that a new file appears in the Lora's system directory:
      QUEUE.DAT. This file contain an index to the outbound packets
      and should be deleted only if you must completely rescan the outbound
      directories.

    - Fixed a bug with the download counters that weren't updated when
      using the file list parameter.

    - Added the check on the fidouser.lst file in the nodelist
      directory as an alternative to the names.cfg file.

    - Added the 'Carrier mask' parameter to the Modem/Hardware menu,
      that allows you to specify the bit mask with which the carrier
      must be detected (normally it's 128).

    - Added the 'DCD drop timeout' parameter to the Modem/Hardware menu,
      that allows you to specify a timeout in seconds for which the
      carrier must be down before hangup the line. This avoids some
      problems with extremely noise lines.

    - Now the input routines accepts the entire ASCII character set,
      except for the unprintable codes (below 0x20). With this "fix" it's
      now possible to use country-specific characters in messages and
      in every input request. I think that the Chinese character set may
      be used too.

    - Improved the speed of LMSG when packing Squish and QuickBBS
      message bases.

    - LMSG now correctly updates the QuickBBS LASTREAD pointers.

    - When a user uploads a file into a filebox, his/her name will always
      be put following the file's description, regardless of the setting
      made with LSETUP. This allows the filebox owner to know who has sent
      the files without guessing it.

    - If your menus are made by external ANSI/Avatar files, if the user
      presses an hotkey, the file's output is stopped immediately, and
      the key processed.

    - Fixed the file request loops, without using the index files.

    - Now the .ILO files works correctly when Lora rereads the outbound
      queue.

    - Fixed the strange reactions when creating new echomail areas (like
      strange areas.bbs and newareas.bbs popping-up everywhere).

    - Fixed a bug using the Areafix processor from a point.

    - Added the embedded command ^WkN<flags> that shows the rest of the
      line if the specified user's <flags> are zeroed.

    - Added the password protection feature to the file indexes for the
      file request. Just add the password after the file name, like the
      following:

      $C:\Lora\PROTECT.IDX !PWD

    - Added the parameter /P to instruct Lora not to interpret any
      embedded command when reading files with the menu types 5 and 97.

    - Fixed a bug when packing Squish messages using LMSG: the loss of
      the high water mark and lastread pointer.

    - Added the 'Internet mail' type-flag to the message areas setup.
      It's act like a normal netmail area, but the fidonet's to and
      address fields are automatically filled with the data found in the
      configuration file (see the 'Internet gateway' menu) and the system
      will ask you the destination internet address to send the message
      to.

    - Added the 'Internet gateway' menu to the lsetup's 'Global' menu.
      You can define the user's name and fidonet address of your zone's
      internet mail gateway.

    - Added the ASCII control file NAMES.CFG. In that file you can list
      the names and addresses of people you write most, in the following
      format:

      Marco Maccaferri, 2:332/402.1
      Mario Battacchi, 2:332/403


    Changes made from version 2.33-1
    =====================================================================

    - If you experience missed duplicate messages situations, try to
      delete the files DUPES.IDX and DUPES.DAT. I have changed the
      duplicate check method, something has gone wrong and the files
      aren't perfectly up-ward compatible.

    - Fixed the 'Limited hours' answer bug.

    - Bug del QWK che causava uno sharing violation se si faceva un
      download subito dopo aver mandato le repliche.

    - Fixed a bug with the duplicate uploads check.

    - Made some changes with the share file management, this may be
      improves the system security with the share loaded.

    - Added some embedded commands that where missing from the 'User
      display' menu parameter. Now the commands available are exactly
      the same as with the external file commands.

    - Added the file request file index. You can put a line in the
      OKFILE.LST file (or whatever you call it) like the following:

          $C:\Lora\FILES.IDX

      And Lora will look inside this file to search the files requested
      instead of looking inside every directory every time. This may speed
      up the scan process and considerably improve the overall performance
      with CD ROMs and other slow devices (like file areas on remote file
      servers under network).
      You can mix the old search method with the new as you wish, you can
      also adds multiple file indexes (if you limits the file requests on
      certain areas to certain nodes).

    - Added the external program FILEIDX that allows you to create the
      index files. The command syntax is very simple, if you start the
      program without parameters it shows the command summary. Following
      is an example on how the create a file index:

          FILEIDX C:\Lora\FILES.IDX AREA 1 5 7 RANGE 50-200 300-400

      This line creates the file index C:\Lora\FILES.IDX and includes the
      files inside the areas 1, 5, 7, the areas from 50 to 200 and the
      areas from 300 to 400 (bounds included).

    - The external protocols support has been fixed and now is usable:
      with the download command you can specify the %1 paraneter that will
      be replaced by the file name to be downloaded (only if the control
      file isn't specifyed too).
      With the upload command you can specify the %1 (destination path
      without the trailing backslash) and %2 (file name to be received)
      parameters.
      With the control files and download / upload commands, you can
      specify every external program parameters (take a look at the
      description of the menu type 10 - External programs in the sysop's
      manual).

    - LMSG has finally been updated. This is a completely new version
      of the message maintenance utility, it still needs some changes
      and enhancements, but now it's usable.

    - Added the switch /L=<filename> to every GOTO or GOSUB menu types
      (including the line-editor and mail reader one) to check for the
      menu name inside the file <filename>.MNU instead of inside the
      language's default menu file.
      *IMPORTANT* Do not include the file extension, Lora automatically
      adds the .MNU extension.


    Changes made from version 2.32a
    =====================================================================

    - Startig with the current beta, there is a new registration key
      code that overrides the previous numeric code. Every registered
      user as of 07-03-93 will be automatically upgraded to the new
      registration code, at no extra charge, by simply upgrade the
      software. Make sure that the code is installed properly by looking
      at the General / Registration menu of LSETUP: the new key code is
      an alphanumeric string up to 24 characters. If the field doesn't
      show anything, please contact the author immedialy to obtain an
      usable key. If the key is installed properly you can see the new
      serial number at the rightmost top corner of Lora's mailer screen.
      It shows something like this: "Lora-DOS v2.33.1/00023". Don't
      worry if it's different from the old serial number: it's because
      the new key code has also a new serial number generator.

    - An OS/2 version of LoraBBS is now available, write to the author
      for more information on how to request the files.

    - Fixed a bug with the 'Aftercaller exit' and 'Aftermail exit'
      parameters, that won't works at all.

    - Now the commands issued after a %FROM command in a message to
      areafix assumes that the simulated node has an access level equal
      to the originating node.

    - Added the 'Import empty msgs.' parameter to the Mailer / Mail
      processing menu. This option allows you to choose if import empty
      (without a line of human readable text) messages or not.

    - Added the 'Tear line' field to the Mailer / Mail processing menu.
      This allows you to define a custom tear line to put instead of the
      built in one. This option is available only to registered users.

    - Added the 'Show missing files' option to the BBS / General options
      menu. This option allows you to show the missing files using the
      file list and locate files commands.

    - The language file has been expanded to allow a complete
      customization of the file listings row.

    - Added the menu commands '57 - Read parent message' and '58 - Read
      child message' to read messages following the reply links. For the
      Squish messages only the first reply is handled.

    - Added two embedded commands that works only inside a menu display
      string: ^KC - Displays the number of the reply to this message.
      ^KP - Displays the number of the message that this message is a
      reply to.

    - Added the 'Random redial time' option to the Mailer /
      Miscellaneous menu. If this option is set to yes, means that the
      redial time specified in the current event will be treated as an
      average time between each call. So if you set the redial time to
      20 seconds, the true redial time will be between 10 and 30 seconds
      randomly.

    - The 'lastpwdchange' field of the user record now will be updated
      correctly.

    - Added the external protocol engine. The BBS menu has now a new
      item: 'Ext. protocols'. From this item you can set up every
      external protocol you need. Following is a list of the parameters
      required for each protocol:

      Active           - Select if the protocol can be used by the
                         users.

      Name             - Name that appears in the protocol selection
                         list.

      Hotkey           - Key to select this protocol from the selection
                         list.

      Download command - DOS command that invokes the protocol to send
                         one or more files to the user. You must include
                         the name of ther control file (below). The
                         normal file names translation characters can be
                         used (see the full documentation for more
                         details).

      Upload command   - Same as the above but the protocol is invoked
                         to receive one or more file from the user.

      Log file name    - Name of the log file that the protocol
                         generates. You must be sure that the downloads
                         and the uploads are logged into this file.

      Control file     - Name of the file that contains the names of the
                         files to be downloaded by the user.

      Download string  - String that must be put on the control file to
                         inform the protocol that it's a download
                         request. The %1 symbol will be replaced by the
                         complete file name to be sent.

      Upload string    - Not used at this time.

      Download keyword - Keyword that identifies a successful download
                         in the log file.

      Upload keyword   - Keyword that identifies a successful upload in
                         the log file.

      Filename word    - Word position of the file name in the
                         upload/download log row.

      Size word        - Size of the file word position in the log row.

      CPS word         - CPS made word position in the log row.

      I know that isn't much, but an example on how to enable external
      protocols will follow as soon as possible.

    - Added the flags to disable the internal protocols (if for any
      reason you use only external protocols) to the BBS / General
      options menu. WARNING: BY DEFAULT THIS FLAGS ARE SET TO NO, SO THE
      INTERNAL PROTOCOLS ARE DISABLED, REMEMBER TO SET IT TO YES AFTER
      THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE.

