7.37 conversion overview

Conversion - 7.37 Conversion Overview

Note: The documentation below comes from the original 8.0 manual. It's important to note that there is no formal testing on converting 7.37 to 8.10a, though I have proven converting an 8.0 to 8.1 (strict file replacement) and 8.1 to 8.10a.

It may be prudent then to: 1) follow the below instructions to get to 8.0 2) THEN follow 8.10a instructions for upgrade.

Please report back so this wiki can be updated accordingly!

SYSOPs who are now running Color 64 version 7.37 or the Super ML upgrade may be interested in how much has changed in the new version. Since Color 64 version 8.0 is an upgrade from Super ML, I have divided the update information into two sections so that SYSOPS of both types of systems can see what is different from their BBS system.

Changes from Version 7.37 to Super ML

Here are the changes that were part of the Super ML upgrade (the precursor to version 8.0), that are included in version 8.0:

Some of the added features include: a faster sequential file reader, customizable message headers, faster word wrapping, word wrap in chat mode, built in page-pauser, and added text editor features such as centering, word delete, better uppercase/lowercase switching, etc.
The system now supports ANSI color and graphics conversion built into the system. Also, an improved ASCII conversion was installed.
MCI commands have been added that allow you to put special commands right inside of sequential file messages. Some of the commands included are rainbow mode, slow mode, and a Variable MCI command.
The caller log is now stored in a sequential file, which is maintained automatically. Options in SETUP allow you to define caller log parameters such as the maximum size, and whether you want daily backups.
Several new parameters have been added to SETUP which allow you to customize more of your system. Included is the ability to set levels for features which previously had access levels hard coded into the system.
The drive initialization command routines were revised to allow you to send multiple drive commands to a device by separating commands with an "!" exclamation point character.
Programming features were added to both enhance BBS operation and to allow overlays to be reduced in size. Features include an IF/THEN/ELSE statement, extra commands, and a new set of functions that increase the power and speed of BASIC.
The Wait-For-Call (WFC) screen has been moved into a sequential file named "√wfc". The file included is a very good example of the use of the Variable MCI command built into version 8.0. Also, the user statistics displayed at logon have been moved into a sequential file named "√logon stats".
The "Graphics On/Off" function is no longer located in every overlay. This function has been moved entirely to √bbs.ovl, where it has also been modified to accommodate Commodore, ASCII, and ANSI users.
The "Change Baud Rate" function has been replaced with the "Edit User Stats" function. The command now asks the user for information regarding their terminal setup, such as screen width and screen length. This function resides only in the "√bbs.ovl" overlay.
The Application Plus mod has been updated and built into the BBS system. This modification allows the SYSOP to fully customize the look of the application and the information acquired through it.
Mod Menu has been included with the system. This program allows online games and modules to be tracked through a single menu, storing all the information (such as the drive and filename) in a relative file. An editor is built in that allows modules and games to be easily added to and removed from the menu.
The system now comes with Network 64. The BBS program has been upgraded to take full advantage of Network.

Changes Since Super ML

Here are the changes made since the release of Super ML:

The system is now compatible with both the SwiftLink RS-232 interface and the Schnedler Systems TurboMaster CPU.
The records stored in the password file have been changed and expanded to store more information. Along with the regular information, the records now store a real name, phone number, birth date, and address. Also, the membership name can now include lowercase letters and some non-alphabetic characters.
The date system has been changed so that it is accurate down to a single day. The date is now in the general format "MM/DD/YYYY", so that the year is now a four-digit number. Also, the system is now capable of converting the date to the long English text format (e.g. "Thursday, December 23, 1993").
The latest version of Mod Menu, version 2.0, has been included with the system and built into √bbs.ov2. This new version of the program can support up to 250 modules and adds new features such as charging credits for game plays. Those who do not want to take advantage of Mod Menu's advanced features can use the included "√stock.ov2" overlay.
The drive init command routine has been revised yet again. Now you can send as many commands as you wish (Super ML was limited to two) by separating them with an "!" exclamation point character. Also, the "i" command can now be used to set the drive number stored in DR$, which means that Lt.Kernal users can now make use of LU's 2 through 9.
The SYSC(x) commands have been replaced with commands that are automatically installed by the ML. The commands are now in the format ".XX" where XX is two digits. Also, the PEEK(C(x)) references have been replaced with a set of "variables" in the form "!XX" where XX is two digits.
The USR(x) functions built into Super ML have been replaced by the set of "@X" functions, where X is the number of the function. There are now a total of 31 different functions.
The system can now be configured to use any device as the boot device, and included are utilities which will create custom boot programs based on the configuration of your system. Disk swapping prompts will now be displayed only if your system is configured for floppy drive use.
A new system for transferring your overlays to a Ram Expansion Unit has been created: a fully editable script program that allows you to customize every aspect of the REU transfer.
An upgraded version of Plusterm has been included with the system. This version allows you to take advantage of higher BPS rates available through SwiftLink, and fixes or modifies other features of the original Plusterm programs.
The system now includes Network version 1.26a. This is an upgrade from the original Network v1.24 add-on, and fixes some of the features of version 1.26. Also, Network can be completely switched in or out through SETUP; the Network overlays don't even need to be in your Program Files if Network is switched out!
The Application Plus mod has been revised yet again and is the standard application routine on the system. It now allows you to acquire the new password record information such as the real name and address.
The ANSI conversion routines have been modified to support 15 ANSI colors and are more compatible with the various ANSI terminal programs.
The directory regeneration function in √bbs.xfer has been replaced with a faster routine that can handle any number of files, even large 400+ file directories. Plus, the directory update functions will automatically be able to handle file sizes over 999 blocks.
The "add-drive" mod is now built in, adding 3 auxiliary file groups to the drive setup.
The "Edit DL Description" command has been changed to "View DL Description" and allows callers to view multiple descriptions.
The Scratch DL and Release DL commands now support multiple scratching and releasing.

Upgrading Previous Color 64 Versions

If you are running Color 64 version 7.37 or the Super ML upgrade, then you will be able to convert some of the more important items of your system to the new version 8.0 format. With the included conversion utility called "bbs convert", you will be able to convert your √bbs.parms file, password file, UD directories, Network parms, Super ML sequential files, and your √variables file. Also included is another stand-alone utility called "mf convert" that will allow you to convert the "√mod file" of previous Mod Menu versions to version 2.0.

Unfortunately, you will not be able to convert your current main overlays to work with version 8. This applies to both V7.37 and Super ML systems; there have been too many changes for the older overlays to work properly. However, you WILL be able to convert some of the optional merge-in modifications that you may have installed in the past. There is a utility included called "m-con 50000" that will automatically convert these merge-ins to be compatible with the version 8.0 system. Notice that I said "some" of the optional merge-ins; many of the merges created for the original V7.37 system will not be compatible even if the converter utility is used on them.

To begin converting your system, the first thing you should do is read the installation documentation for version 8.0. Make a backup of your current system and then install the Program Files and Boot Files as instructed, but don't run the SETUP program yet because you should be able to convert your original √bbs.parms file. However, the included utility program won't be able to convert your parms file if you have installed any special modifications in the file (e.g. the add-drive mod). In this case you will have to run the version 8.0 SETUP program after scratching your original √bbs.parms file, making sure to print your current parms first so that you can re-enter them in the new SETUP program. If you haven't made any modifications to the parms file format, then you should copy your original √bbs.parms file to the Program Files drive that you have chosen.

Other than your Program and Boot files, all the original files groups on your system can remain exactly where they are. One exception is your help files; you should erase the old standard help files and copy in the new ones provided. You should make sure that your password file is still present if you must run the version 8.0 setup program, otherwise it will create a whole new password file.