Short:        NComm V3.0. Released the 1st of October 1993
Uploader:     jawil aid no
Architecture: m68k-amigaos


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NComm/NComm.news
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NComm V3.0: Released the 1st of October 1993
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is finally here, and this time it's not a fake...  :-)

I have to apologize for the long time it has taken to develop this new
version  of NComm.  It took quite a lot of time to make NComm look and
feel  like  a  real  OS 2.0 program.  A lot of care had to be taken to
still  keep  the program compatible with OS 1.3.  Actually, NComm will
look  just  as  good under 1.3 as it does with OS 2.0 or 3.0.  This is
much thanks to Nico François and his ReqTools.library.

You  will quickly notice that this is not a complete version of NComm.
NComm  2.0  was  cracked  the  same  day as it was released and I have
certainly  lost  a  lot  of  registrations  on that.  Even if the copy
protection  had been better, some persons would certainly have managed
to crack it after some time.  A new step has therefore been taken with
NComm  3.0.   Unfortunately,  I  had  to  remove  the  code  for a few
important  functions.  This will hopefully encourage users to register
and  certainly  makes  it  impossible to turn the unregistered version
into  a registered version.  If you want to have a complete version of
NComm, you should register (or pay your upgrade fee if you are already
a registered user).

EXTREMELY  IMPORTANT:  Cheques (except from EuroCheques written out in
norwegian kroners) will no longer be excepted as payment for NComm due
to  very  expensive  cashing  fees  ...  Also, the general pricing has
changed,   please   refer  to  the  "Register.doc"  file  for  further
information about registering or upgrading.

Apart  from the OS 2.0 look and the new OS 2.0 support functions, some
persons  will probably not notice an enormous difference between NComm
2.0  and  NComm  3.0...at first.  The underlying changes are, however,
quite  big.   Several  bugs  have been fixed and a lot of changes have
been  made.   This  especially  goes for the script language.  Numeric
variables  and  arithmetics  are  a  few  of the things that have been
added.  Please see below for a complete list of changes in NComm since
version 2.0...

Two  versions  of  the reqtools.library have been included, one for OS
1.3  and  one  for OS 2.0 and above.  Click on the "Install13" icon if
you want to install NComm for use with 1.2/1.3, otherwise click on the
"Install20"  icon.   A custom IBM font has also been included, in some
cases it may be preferable to use this font instead of the NComm font.

I have not included all the XPR-protocols listed in the protocol menu.
This  is  mainly because most people don't want to download a few 100K
extra because of some protocols they never use.  When registering your
version  of  NComm,  please  specify  if you want additional protocols
installed on your NComm 3.0 disk...  (all will not fit).

There  have  been  a  lot  of  demands  about  improving  the terminal
emulation  in  NComm.  Not many changes have been made to that part of
the program, although it certainly can be much improved and made quite
a  lot  faster.   I have unfortunately been quite busy lately and also
lack  specific  information  about  the different emulation protocols.
However,  if  you  keep  on  supporting  this product, I will probably
include  this  and  several  other  things  (like  XEM support) in the
future.  The custom font support will probably also be improved a bit.

If  you  have suggestions or source code for future versions of NComm,
it  is  certainly welcome.  Bugreports are also very much appreciated.
Please note that the email addresses mentioned in the previous version
of  NComm  are  no  longer valid.  The best way to reach me is via the
Rodelĝkka  (M)BBS, which is also the new support BBS for NComm.  Refer
to the "doc/NComm.doc" file for further information.

Note:   NComm  3.0  will  probably  not work on a 512K machine anymore
(unless  you  are  using  a two color config file).  It is recommended
that at least 600K of memory is available when starting NComm.

Below, you will find a list of things that have been fixed or added in
this version of NComm:

Xfer bugs
---------
o XPR protocols that attempted to call any of the four XPR extension
  functions would crash NComm. This was a really dangerous bug and
  is also the reason why Jmodem crashed when using NComm 2.0. I
  must say that it is a miracle that Zmodem worked at all... :-)
o XPR protocols that attempted to do a serial read after flushing the
  serial input would crash NComm. This bug could actually cause
  crashes whem using any XPR protocol, including Zmodem.
o Icons were not created for Xmodem / Ymodem / txt files when downloading
o Auto-activated downloads performed with EXPR protocols would be placed
  in the current system directory instead of the current download directory.
o NComm crashed if it received characters after receiving the error message
  "Unable to open XPR library".
o Error messages during transfer are now cut off so they fit in window.
o The "Use WB Screen" option in the menu was not ghosted during downloads.
  If you tried selecting it during a transfer, NComm would crash if you
  were using KickStart 1.2 / 1.3 ...

Terminal bugs
--------------
o When using the 80 x 24 mode, the status line covered the last three
  pixels of the main terminal window. Reported by several persons :-)
o NComm sent the x,y coordinates in wrong order when a VT100 terminal
  asked for a query. The results were unpredictable :-)
o The "Destructive BackSpace" option now works when using half duplex.
o Terminal colors were mapped wrong when using 4 colors.
o The main terminal window will keep its original size if NComm is unable
  to open a split window (the size was previously halfed)
o It was difficult to select the IBP character set. Although currently
  in use, it would not be checkmarked in the menu.
o Flashing text didn't work if you cleared the screen when using text
  snapping (previously called OS2 snapping)
o When using ConClip and pasting the clipboard, NComm sent a null
  ('\0') to many. Was normally harmless, unless using emacs :-)

Dialling bugs
-------------
o The serial port crashed if the "max ringing" number was set to
  something different from zero and "RINGING" was received.
o When connecting to a bulletin board, config and several other things
  will be loaded before starting the attached script. This fixes problems
  with script commands being overridden by phonebook settings.
o NComm now restores the "Redial at logoff" menu flag after loading
  a new configuration file.

Scrollback bugs
---------------
o The scrollback previously only sent and remembered text currently
  visible on screen when marking a long line.
o NComm would refuse to append to a Scrollback or Capture file. The
  original file would be overwritten.
o NComm now ghosts the "View Scrollback" functions if buffer is empty.
o Amiga System Shortcuts entered while positioned in the scrollback will
  no longer be threated as commands to the scrollback window.

Script/ARexx bugs
-----------------
o The "CONVERSE" command now has higher priority than the "WHEN" command
  when waiting for a string that is also searched for with a WHEN command.
  This fixes problems with the error message "Unknown Command ''".
o The ARexx "message" function crashed when displaying a very long line.
o The ARexx "menuselect" function did not handle subitems
o The script language "DORX" command didn't do anything :-)

Other bugs
----------
o NComm didn't clean up nicely if it was unable to open a screen/window
o The serial port stayed open if there wasn't enough memory to start.
o The phonebook "sort" function was unable to sort within a specific area.
  The sort function now works as mentioned in the documentation.
o The OS2 Snapping option (now called "Text Snapping") was not always
  ghosted when using KickStart 1.2/1.3. If selected when using 1.2/1.3,
  the results were unpredictable :-)
o Changing any of the default transfer directories caused enforcer hits
  (and sometimes trashed memory).

OS 2.0/3.0 changes
-------------
o Added Reqtools.library support. Reqtools.library looks much nicer
  than the previous req.library. It has full 1.2/1.3 and 2.0/3.0
  support and looks good with both versions of the operating system.
  All the ReqTools requesters in NComm support automatic shutdown.
  This avoids the highly irritating "Please close the current requester"
  messages. Note: Magic FileRequester does not patch the reqtools.library
  correctly when using the ShareIDCMP and ReqHandler features!
  NComm checks for the existance of MFR and will disable automatic
  shutdown of the file requester if present (this avoids crashes).
o All NComm windows now have a much nicer 2.0 look that much resembles
  the look of the requesters in the reqtools.library.
o Support has been added for all 2.0/3.0 screenmodes via the reqtools lib
  ScreenMode requester. You may now run NComm in for example DoublePAL
  or Productivity Mode. This also means that NComm will no longer
  phreak out if you are using DoublePAL on the WorkBench screen.
o NComm now uses interleaved BitMaps (supported by OS 3.0 and above).
  This avoids flashing when scrolling and even speeds up text output.
  If you are using OS 3.0, you don't need CpuBlit anymore.
o When using OS 3.0, menus will get the "New Look" (light background).
o All NComm windows that are displayed will be centered on the screen
  (unless the window is snapshot).
o Full Public Screen support has been added. The public screen name is
  the same as the rexx port name, i.e. "NComm" for the first copy of
  NComm and "NComm_#" for additional copies (# is 1 or more).
  When selecting a Public Screen, NComm asks if it should "shanghai"
  windows. If you turn this option on, NComm will steel any windows
  that would normally open on the WorkBench screen. By using this
  option, you may for example easily run a Shell window on the
  same screen as NComm...
o The "NEWCLI" environment variable has been renamed to "NEWSHELL"
  which is more according to the 2.0 style guide :-) The same thing
  goes for the system menu.

ARexx changes
--------------
o It is now possible to Shift-Select a script icon when starting
  NComm from WorkBench. NComm will automatically detect if this is
  an ARexx file or a normal script file.
o NComm now uses '|' instead of ',' as a seperator between ARexx
  telephone numbers (',' is used as a modem delay command).
o Upto 60 characters (previously 40) can be entered in a requester
  brought up with the ARexx "STRINGREQ" function. The same thing
  also goes for the normal script language.
o A "NCommToFront" command has been added. It simply brings the NComm
  screen to front. The same thing goes for the normal script language.
o New "GetBoardName" command returns the name of the current board.
o New "GetBoardNum" command returns the current board phone number.
o New "GetLogTime" command returns the current logon time.
o New "GetDlDir" command returns the current download dir.
o New "GetUlDir" command returns the current upload dir.

Terminal changes
----------------
o The 80 x 24 option will now open a screen that is 640 x 204 pixels.
  This reduces memory and also looks better.
o Several finnish and swedish users have requested a character set that
  both receives IBM and SF7 correctly (all 8-bits) but sends SF7
  (7-bits). This is supported when using the new "S87" character set.

Script changes
---------------
o The script language has been much improved and now has numeric
  variables (sort of) and arithmetics (+, -, *, /, %, ^). Numbers
  are completely compatible with text strings and you may therefore
  easily convert back and forth between text and numbers. A part
  of a text string can be used as a numeric argument by using the
  "STRPART" function. A "STRLEN" function has also been added, it
  returns the string length. Off course, you may also use numbers
  for making do/while/repeat loops. In general, the NComm script
  language is now almost as powerful as ARexx...
o I have a added a $RAND variable that returns a random number
  between 0 and 65535. To get a number within a specific range,
  multiply with (range + 1) and divide with 65536.
o The new variable $Boardname contains the name of the current board.
o The new variable $Boardnum contains the current board phone number.
o The new variable $Logtime contains the current logon time.
o The new variable $Dldir contains the current download dir.
  (Note: Change IRIS scripts that refer to standard variable with same name)
o The new variable $Uldir contains the current upload dir.
  (Note: Change IRIS scripts that refer to standard variable with same name)
o The "Start Script" option in the menu works as a toggle but the
  text in the menu did not reflect this. NComm now displays "Stop
  Script" in the menu if a script is running.

Screen changes
---------------
o Added "Use WB Palette" option that automatically gives you the same look
  in NComm (on a custom screen) that you have on your WorkBench screen.
  A nice feature is that you may grab and modify the WorkBench palette by
  entering the palette requester and clicking on "OK". If you turn off
  the "WB Palette" option, the modified palette will be used.
o Custom font support has been added. The translation menu still selects
  which type of translation that should be performed. If you are
  using an IBM font, you should normally set the translation to ISO (no
  translation). Custom fonts are unfortunately not _fully_ supported since
  the console device is not able to display characters in the range 0x80
  to 0x9f... These characters will appear as blanks. I hope to add some
  functionality in the next version of NComm that makes it possible to
  display these characters by using custom text routines. It may be
  preferable to use the inbuilt NComm IBM emulation if you need these
  characters but normally you won't notice much of a difference.
o I've added a "Line Editing" option that puts outgoing split screen
  characters in a buffer until carriage return is pressed. You may in
  other words edit the line by using "backspace" before sending it off.
o A sample option has been added to the list of "beep" options. Any 8SVX
  sample may be loaded and will be played back when a beep (Ctrl-G)
  is received (OS 2.0/3.0 has the same option when a DisplayBeep is
  performed. You may want to disable either "DisplayBep" or the
  "Sample" option in NComm if you're not running 1.2/1.3) ...
o The terminal, split screen and scrollback windows will automatically
  be snapshot when saving the config and will remember their previous
  positions when starting NComm the next time.
o I've added an "ANSI Pens" option that arranges the screen pens so that
  NComm 3.0 will look as good as possible with the original NComm ANSI
  palette. The palette may need a few modifications, though. If you
  are using a normal OS 2.0 palette, you should turn this option off.

System changes
--------------
o NComm no longer starts a background process (with cback.o) since
  many programs depend on NComm being sticky. If want NComm to work
  the old way, I recommend inserting "alias NComm run >NIL: <NIL: NComm"
  in your "S:Shell-Startup file". Note: This change also means that
  NComm is depending on the Shell stack size. Set your stack size to at
  least 10000 bytes. NComm will refuse to start if the stack is too small.
  Add "stack 10000" to the "S:Shell-Startup" file if necessary.
o NComm now puts up an intelligent requester on the WorkBench screen if
  it for some reason is unable to start. Previously, NComm just flashed
  the screen and just about everything could be wrong :-)
o Several persons want to disable the NComm "Quit (Yes/No)" requester.
  This has now been made an option via the environment variable
  "NCOMM_NOQUITREQ". If you want to disable the Quit requester, add the
  following line to your "S:User-Startup" file: SETENV NCOMM_NOQUITREQ "TRUE"

Serial changes
--------------
o The LockSerial option has been removed. Since NComm from now on is
  sticky, there is no need for such a function. I also saved a few K
  by removing it. This function was as far as I know quite buggy.
o NComm now expunges the current serial device when starting up or
  when changing the device driver. This makes it possible to switch
  between devices that both use the cia.resource, i.e. devices that
  both handle the internal serial port...
o NComm now tries opening the current serial device in "shared mode"
  before giving up.
o A copy of NComm can be started even if the serial port will not open.
  This is extremely handy if you want to edit the phonebook, macrokeys
  or modem setting while another program is currently using the port.
  If the serial port listed in the config file is faulty, you will no
  longer be "dead locked", simply enter NComm and change the device.
o A "Serial Open" option has been added to the menu. If the serial port
  did not open, you may try opening it again later. You may also choose
  to close the serial port if another program needs it.

Dialling changes
----------------
o When logged on, NComm will not attempt to dial entries selected
  from the dial menu. Instead, they will be marked as selected in
  the phonebook and will be dialled after logoff if the "Redial
  after logoff" option is turned on.
o NComm now displays "Next: Unlisted number" before dialling a
  number that is not listed in the phonebook.
o The phonebook is stored at connect for updating the "last on /
  # of times on" info. Persons who are using a disk-drive or have
  temporarily modified the phonebook may want to disable this
  functionality by turning off the new "Log Phone-Info" option.
o The dial window now also shows information about your username
  on this board and the number of times logged on (Note: The
  Escape, Delete and Space hotkeys are still valid although
  not listed in the window anymore).

Xfer changes
------------
o NComm now clears the "Last Error" field in the xfer window
  when reading/writing a new file. This avoids a lot of confusion.
o If the "File Comments" option has been turned on, NComm
  will also add the final CPS rate to the file note :-)
o Four new XPR protocols have been added to the menu: Bimodem,
  Bmodem Plus, VMS and Uue-Ascii. The script shortcuts are
  "i", "p", "v" and "u", accordingly.

Phonebook changes
-----------------
o The phonebook edit and select modes are now handled via two seperate
  windows. Both windows will be visible when editing. This makes it
  much easier to edit multiple records or to look up current phonebook
  settings (if you click in the select window while the edit window is
  open, your changes, if any, will be saved and you will move to the
  new entry). It is highly recommended that NComm is set to use
  overscan width if you want both windows to be completely visible
  at the same time. Otherwise, the windows will overlap.
o Each phonebook entry now has a "Show In Menu" selector that defines
  if this entry should show up in the quick dial menu. This makes it
  possible to keep the phonebook sorted and at the same time mask out
  entries that are rarely dialled from the dial menu...
o Phonebook entries can now use any of the four dial prefixes defined
  in the modem setup menu for dialling the bulletin board. This is
  very useful when dialling boards that need special init strings.
o I've added a "PB Password" option that makes it possible to protect
  your phonebook with a password. You always have to enter the password
  when loading the phonebook. The passwords stored in the phonebook will
  be encoded to illegible gibberish..
o A "username" can be defined for each phonebook entry, making it
  possible to send of the username from a script or a macrokey with
  the '\u' string...
o The phonebook now also shows the number of times you have connected to
  this board (if the log phone-info option has been turned on).
o Double-clicking on a phonebook entry will bring up edit window

Scrollback changes
------------------
o The scrollback only shows the end of the scrollback buffer the
  _first_ time you open the window. It will remember the previous
  scrollback position if you bring it up multiple times.
o When saving the scrollback (or doing a capture), you previously had
  to respond to two requesters if the file existed. NComm now brings
  up a combined "Delete / Append / Cancel" requester.
o It is now possible to print the scrollback or a scrollback block
  by selecting save from the menu and entering "PRT:" in the
  filename gadget (leave the directory field blank).

Modem Setup changes
-------------------
o A part of the Norwegian state called "Statens Teleforvaltning" (normally
  called Statens Tulleforvaltning --- the department of jokes) has decided
  that it shall not be possible to redial a telephone number from a modem
  more than three times within a minute. After some time you won't be allowed
  to dial the number again at all (it will be added to a blacklist). This is
  totally unacceptable if you want to quickly connect to a bulletin board. In
  general, the blacklist system makes redialling a pain in the a**. I have
  added an option to NComm's modem setup menu that tries to work its way
  around these limitations. It is called "Avoid Blacklist" and off course
  does nothing illegal or dangerous. Unfortunately, this work-around will
  only work with some telephone centrals. I will not inform anyone about
  how it works in detail since I don't want S.T.F. to get this knowledge,
  but, as mentioned, it does nothing illegal. If you have purchased a modem
  that spits out "DELAYED" or "BLACKLISTED" messages, try turning this option
  on and see if it helps. With most telephone centrals, it will totally solve
  your problems with these messages.
o If case the work-around above doesn't work at your place, I have added a
  "DELAYED" string gadget that makes it possible to define the string that
  is reported by your modem if a call is delayed. The default action is
  to dial the next number in the queue (or redial this number) until the
  number can be dialled again. A "max delayed" gadget makes it possible
  to define the number of "DELAYED" messages that will be accepted before
  aborting dialling completely (if set to zero, NComm will never abort).
o Three more init string gadgets have been added. This makes it possible
  to have different init strings for different types of boards or modems.
  This is extremely useful if you want to connect to a modem that won't
  handshake correctly unless you use a special init string.

That's it folks... Comments, suggestions and bug-reports are welcome!