Searchlight 5.1 Supports Windows, Telnet

Posted 2-01-99, 9:31 a.m.

.....................................................................

February 01, 1999 -- Telegrafix is now shipping
Searchlight 5.1, a major upgrade to its popular BBS software product
that adds support for Windows 95, Windows NT and Telnet hosting on
the Internet. Searchlight 5.1 includes both a DOS version and an
advanced 32-bit Windows version that remains compatible with most
DOS based doors and utilities.

"We know that many of our customers need a DOS based product and
don't want to see Searchlight abandon the DOS platform. Version 5.1
responds to both needs with a simultaneous DOS and Windows release".

"The Windows version of Searchlight 5.1 is a tremendous technical
advance over current releases. It's a true 32-bit product, with native
support for Windows multitasking and Windows communications drivers.

The configuration and maintenance programs are all Windows based, and
use Windows GUI controls. This software is fast, modern, fully capable
of taking advantage of today's powerful Pentium and 486 platforms, and
can share a machine with other Windows programs and tasks without
performance problems." As a true Windows product, Searchlight 5.1 does
not rely on DOS or DESQview and can take advantage of the full amount
of memory available in a Windows PC.

Searchlight 5.1 inherets a lot of its advanced technology from Spinnaker,
Telegrafix's advanced interactive Web server system. The work needed to
complete Spinnaker's conferencing and file library capabilities had a
direct impact on Searchlight 5.1. "We learned a lot creating Spinnaker,
and that is going to make Searchlight 5.1 extremely reliable as well as
extremely compatible with Spinnaker". Spinnaker and Searchlight 5.1 can
reside on the same Windows 95 or Windows NT computer, eliminating the
need for operators to run two machines in order to offer both
character-based and Web based services.

Searchlight 5.1 for Windows continues to support DOS based door programs
(including BIOS and DirectVideo support) through a special gateway system
that lets DOS programs communicate with the Windows-based Searchlight.
Version 5.1 provides its own Fossil driver emulation, allowing operators
to run Fossil-driven door programs under Windows or DOS without the need
for a separate Fossil driver package.

Built-In Telnet Support

Searchlight 5.1 for Windows includes native support for Telnet, the
internet protocol most often used to access character-based services.
When run on an internet-connected PC, Searchlight acts as a Telnet host
and becomes accessible to any Telnet client on the internet.
"Searchlight 5.1 works hand-in-hand with the tremendous built-in internet
capabilities of Windows 95 and Windows NT,". "The setup is easy, and there
are no additional software utilities or drivers required. With Searchlight
5.1, you can run a true global BBS."

True Credit System Added

Searchlight 5.1 includes a new credit based accounting system. Users can
have a credit "account", and sysops can "charge" users for features like
file downloading or time spent in a particular area. Unlike time based
accounting in Searchlight 4.5, credits are a persistent attribute of a
user's account, so credits purchased or spent one day are not reset
during subsequent visits.  Sysops who run pay BBS systems can use credits
like cash, requiring users to "pay" for individual BBS features.

DOS Version Included

Systems using DOS are not be excluded from the new version of Searchlight
BBS, because the company includes a DOS build of Searchlight 5.1 with
every upgrade package. "We recognize that many of our customers prefer to
continue using a DOS version, so we are going to continue making one,"
"When you purchase or upgrade to Searchlight 5.1, you'll actually receive
two complete versions -- one for Windows, and one for DOS.

" Although the DOS version of Searchlight lacks Telnet support, it is built
from the same source code as the Windows version and includes the new
credit accounting system, as well as dozens of smaller additions and
changes accumulated from user feedback since the last release.

Searchlight 5.1 Continues Support for RIP, ANSI and Text

Unlike other Windows BBS products, Searchlight 5.1 does not use a
proprietary client program and does not require that callers have Windows.
Searchlight continues its strong support for RIP graphics, ANSI, and
plain-text modes, making Searchlight 5.1 the most accessible Windows BBS
system in the world.

"Proprietary clients didn't make sense in the DOS world, and they don't
make sense in the Windows world either," "Our new version of Searchlight
continues to support the ANSI, RIP and Text based clients that users depend
on. With Searchlight 5.1, you don't have to ask your users to download
multi-megabyte client programs, you don't have to exclude users who come
from non-Windows systems, and you don't have to give up your investment
in ANSI and RIP based artwork."

Searchlight 5.1 also maintains support for existing Searchlight BBS file
structures and add-on utility programs, eliminating the need for complex
upgrade procedures. "With 5.1, you can install and go,"


                            Searchlight BBS Software

Searchlight BBS Version 5.1

............................................................................
 Overview:                           | Feature Summary:
                                     |
 Searchlight BBS is one of the most  | .....................................
 popular dialup BBS systems in the   | * 32-bit Windows Support
 world. A computer, modem and phone  | Includes 32-bit Windows 95/NT and
 line are all you need to set up a   | 16-bit DOS versions Windows versions
 robust Searchlight BBS system       | support Telnet hosting
 featuring configurable menus, an    |
 easy to use graphical interface,    | .....................................
 message conferences, file           | * Graphical Interface
 libraries, email, chatting, and     | Easy to Use  True GUI Interface
 more. You can even install optional | Vector & Bitmapped Images  Digital
 programs, like online databases,    | Sound
 order entry systems and surveys.    |
 Your BBS can be used with just a    | .....................................
 modem -- or it can operate on the   | * Non-Proprietary Client
 worldwide Internet using the Telnet | Works with any RIP, ANSI or TTY
 protocol.                           | terminal Graphical clients for
                                     | Windows, DOS & Macintosh
 Searchlight 5.1 gives you the best  |
 of both worlds: a DOS version you   | .....................................
 can run on older machines, and a    | * Fully Configurable
 32-bit Windows version you can run  | Build Custom Menus  Edit Prompts and
 on modern Windows 95 and Windows NT | Strings No complex script languages
 equipped PCs.                       | Nothing extra to buy
                                     |
 Files:                              | .....................................
                                     | * External Doors Support
 ....................................| Door.Sys, Dorinfo.Def, PCBoard.Sys
 * Searchlight BBS Demo Software     | Support Run any DOS Program Online
 (SLBBS510.ZIP, 3720k).              | Run Doors on the Same PC as Your BBS
 This same file can be your          |
 Registered Version, when            | ....................................
 registered.                         | * Fully Internet Compatible
 ....................................| Integrated Support for Email and
 * Various Support Files are         | Newsgroups Supports Popular Telnet,
 available including upgrade         | FTP, WWW Addons
 patches, development tools and free |
 add-ons.                            |
....................................-......................................
 An online demonstration system is available at (540) 678-4053.  <- Offline
  ................................................................

...............................................................
Searchlight Benefits

An Easy to Use Interface: Many BBS programs let you use the Remote
Imaging Protocol (RIP) to draw menus with graphics and mouse buttons.
But that's all they do. They don't offer true GUI features like
scrollbars or pick lists.  And they can't build RIP menus, so if you
change their defaults, you have to purchase a paint program and draw
the new screens yourself.

Searchlight BBS has RIP support built-in, not tacked-on. Our fully
graphical RIP interface lets you use a scroll bar to navigate through
message lists and file directories. You can read messages and tag files
with mouse clicks and select choices from pick lists, dialog boxes and
graphical menus. And since Searchlight creates RIP on the fly, you can
reconfigure your system without manually redrawing the screens.
We can even incorporate your favorite RIP files automatically.

And Searchlight is the only BBS software that gives you Local
RIP Graphics -- so you can see and use the RIP graphics interface on
your computer (or any computer on your LAN). Other BBS packages make
you call your BBS from another computer if you want to see RIP,
and they can't give you a RIP interface at all if you're using a LAN.

 RIPterm/RipTel Support: TeleGrafx' exciting new RIP products are the only
non-proprietary hosts that support multimedia objects like photographic
quality images and sound effects -- and Searchlight is the first BBS
software to fully support RIPterm 2.0. You can display JPEG images,
associate WAV sounds with events, and display any RIPterm 2.0 compatible
file with Searchlight. Our configuration program makes it easy to use
images and sounds without learning the RIPscrip language or using a
RIP paint program. Just plug in your filenames and go!

And Searchlight supports both RIPterm 2.0 and RIPterm 1.54, so you can
give your RIPterm 2.0 callers multimedia features without sacrificing
support for callers using the older version of RIPterm. No other BBS
software offers you this flexibility -- Searchlight does it automatically.

Simple, Effective Configurability: Some BBS programs offer little or no
opportunity to customize their default menus and prompts. Others make you
buy add-on compilers or source code and force you to write complex program
scripts to make even minor changes.

Searchlight gives you simple, point and click customization so you can
easily modify our menus, build new menu branches, change prompts and
terminology, even redesign your entire system. Install doors and external
utilities by typing the appropriate DOS commands into a form -- you don't
need to understand batch files or error levels. Install your modem with one
keystroke -- we detect your modem brand and automatically make the optimal
settings.

Comprehensive Doors Support: A hobbyist might want to run external
programs ("doors") to let callers play games. A business might need to let
callers run custom applications online. Some BBS programs don't support
doors at all -- others make you purchase a shell utility (like Doorway).

Searchlight supports the most popular door formats, so you can run programs
made for any BBS system. And we're the only BBS to include built-in support
for DOS shells and text-based DOS programs. Just select the "direct video"
option and you can run any DOS program online -- including programs like
FoxPro, dBase, and Paradox or applications created with Clipper or Clarion.

Internet Support: These days, the ability to interface to the global
"information superhighway" is essential. Searchlight's Uumail option
offers seamless support for internet mail addresses, so you can send
and receive internet messages as easily as you do local messages. Your
callers don't have to join a special conference or learn a special
procedure to send internet mail. Just add a "send internet mail" button
to your menu -- Searchlight does the rest!

And when you're ready to move beyond mail and usenet into the realm of
ftp, telnet and world wide web, you'll be glad that Searchlight is fully
compatible and extensively field tested with quality third party internet
utilities from companies like Murkworks, Zialink and Mystic Valley
Communications.

A Complete System: Some companies sell you a stripped down package and
charge extra for the features you need most. Every copy of Searchlight
BBS includes our menu editor and language customization tools, the most
popular file transfer protocols, Fossil and DigiBoard support, a QWK mail
host, a built in DOS shell and a full set of Sysop utilities. We even
include a free RIP terminal that you can distribute to your callers.

Great Customer Service: Searchlight Software offers an unconditional
30 day money back guarantee with no restocking fees. If you add lines,
we credit 100% of your purchase price toward the upgrade. Voice technical
support is free, and it's available both before and after the sale.

........................................................................
Specifications:

* RIP Graphics
 * RIPscrip v2.0 support.
 * Local RIP graphics on the BBS computer.
 * Automatic transfer feature that makes Searchlight faster in RIP mode by
   downloading frequently used menu files and icons on an as-needed basis.
 * Built-in RIP GUI features including scroll bars, pop-up menus and dialog
   boxes.
 * Full screen message and file browsers with mouse file tagging.
 * RIP menu designer and style editor.
 * Copy functions that allow you to easily duplicate existing RIP styles.
 * Automatic selection of RIP, ANSI or Ascii screens.
 * Regulate doors and menu choices by RIP availability or RIP version
   number.
 * Users can select large or small font for viewing and entering messages.

* Full-Screen Editor
 * Supports most common cursor control keys, function keys and WordStar
   command sequences.
 * Uses full ANSI set for fast screen updating.
 * Mouse support (RIP & local).
 * Quote individual lines from original message.
 * Upload text with any internal protocol.

* Menu Building
 * Create and edit menus with mouse-driven menu editing tool.
 * Copy functions that allow you to easily duplicate existing menus.
 * Up to 64 commands per menu with no limit to total number of menus in
   system.
 * Nest menus up to 40 levels deep.
 * Over 100 internal command functions can be arranged in any way you
   choose.
 * Add door programs to any menu.
 * Execute up to 64 commands in sequence.
 * Regulate access to commands and menus by 10 criteria, including RIP
   version.
 * Design custom RIP, ANSI or Ascii screens for any menu (or use built-in
   displays).
 * A point-and-click method of assigning conferences and file directories
   to any menu.

* Doors System
 * Run any text based DOS application online without third-party add-on
   products.
 * FOSSIL emulation feature that lets you run doors and other programs
   that require a Fossil driver through Searchlight's built-in
   communications drivers or DigiBoard ports.
 * Compatible with most existing Door products.
 * Emulates DOOR.SYS, PCBOARD.SYS, DORINFO.DEF.
 * Built-in DOS shell capability.
 * Write your own door programs without serial programming.

* Modem/Serial Support
 * Supports any base address and interrupt (IRQ).
 * 16550 buffered UART support.
 * FOSSIL driver support.
 * Support for Intelligent DigiBoard multiport cards.
 * Support for intelligent Equinox multiport cards.
 * Support for generic BIOS/INT14 drivers.
 * Supports connect speeds up to 115,200 baud.
 * Hands-free automatic modem configuration.
 * Windows version accepts incoming internet (telnet) connections.

* Message System
 * An "instant reply" feature for chat messages that lets you chat without
   interrupting your work in progress.
 * No limit to number of conferences or messages per conference
 * "One file per conference" storage architecture offers the best
   combination of speed, size and reliability
 * Fast message searching in headers and/or text
 * Indexed personal message scans
 * Full thread maintenance including global thread operations (kill,
   forward, download entire threads)
 * Message forwarding, carbon copy, text upload & download, auto purge of
   old messages
 * Attach binary files to messages
 * Support for much larger messages.

* Users and Security
 * Unlimited number of user accounts.
 * Encrypted user passwords for maximum security.
 * 24 independent security flags plus 256 levels.
 * Over 16 million security combinations.
 * Regulate access to conferences, file areas, menu choices, doors, menu
   branches, quoting, netmail features, and more.
 * Read-only conference areas.
 * Upload-only and download-only file directories.
 * Mutually exclusive security groups.
 * Alias names.
 * Caller ID logging.

* Electronic Mail
 * True private mailboxes for each user
 * Read new mail automatically at log-in
 * Recipient name lookup and name completion
 * Internet address support
 * Multizone (4D) Netmail support
 * Carbon copy, alias and group names
 * Automatic mail logging feature

* File Transfer System
 * Unlimited number of directories and files.
 * All directories indexed by name and date.
 * Files from multiple DOS directories may be combined into a single
   Searchlight directory.
 * Individual file passwords.
 * Copy, delete, rename and move files.
 * View internal directories of ZIP, LZH, ARJ and SQZ files.
 * File descriptions up to 400 lines.
 * Dynamic download counts in directory listings.
 * Tag files with mouse clicks or single-keystrokes.
 * Built in Zmodem, Xmodem/CRC & Xmodem/1K.
 * Up to 15 external protocols supported including HSLink.
 * Auto-processing of uploads supported.
 * Partial filename completion.
 * Improved CD-ROM handling procedure that optimizes file transfers from
   CD-ROM discs and other low speed media, especially on multiuser systems.
 * Local upload and download for LAN use.
 * Supports automatic FILE_ID.DIZ importing.

* Multilanguage Support
 * Offer up to 64 languages online.
 * Language files can redefine some or all text prompts and menus.
 * Callers' language choices saved as default for future logins.
 * Choose from popular languages offered by Searchlight Software or create
   your own translations with included tools.

* Sysop Utilities
 * All sysop functions are available from a remote location.
 * Most sysop functions can be run with callers online.
 * Purge old users & messages by date, access level, content, and other
   criteria.
 * Rename users (changes name in messages, too).
 * Global adjustments to user access levels & attributes.
 * Rebuild indexes & repair damaged files.

* Expandability
 * Multizone Fidonet (echomail & netmail) support.
 * QWK offline mail module included free.
 * Internet mail support.
 * Compatible with all front-end mailers & mail tossers.
 * Free high-level software development kit for rapid development of new
   applications.

* System Requirements
 * Minimum 350K RAM per node.
 * Supports most multitasking operating systems including DESQview
   (recommended) and OS/2.
 * Supports most local area network (LAN) systems with unlimited nodes on
   a LAN.
 * Supports up to 10 lines on a single PC (requires 33mhz '486, DESQview
   operating system, Intelligent DigiBoard).
 * Internal program structure that reduces Searchlight's conventional
   memory footprint.

* Upgrades and Technical Support
 * Free unlimited technical support.
 * Voice support available during business hours.
 * Continuous support via BBS, CompuServe, internet mail, and
   Fidonet/SL_NET conferences.
 * No additional charge for support BBS access.
 * 100% of purchase price credited toward license upgrades.

......................................................................
Copyright 1999 Telegrafix/Searchlight Software
......................................................................


"Is your BBS software Year 2000 compliant? Can you afford to wait until
 1999 to find out?"

Searchlight full Year 2000 compliance, including the use of four-digit
date fields in all areas of the system. Other features in the release
include improvements to the product's Telnet hosting feature, Zmodem
file transfer protocol, and internal mailbox system.

Customers currently using Searchlight 5 can download the free upgrade
from Searchlight's web site at http://www.searchlight.com. Customers
using older versions of Searchlight can order upgrades beginning at $50;
new licenses start at $99.

Searchlight 5.1 includes both a native 32-bit Windows product and a DOS
version for backward compatibility with older systems.

"This may be a minor upgrade," said LaRosa, "but it underscores the
advantages to using a living product with ongoing technical support.
Many of Searchlight's competitors have gone out of business or stopped
supporting their BBS software. I know a lot of people plan to continue
running BBS systems past 1999 -- if they're Searchlight BBS customers,
they won't have to worry about date bugs or about getting proper
technical support for their software."

"And they won't have to worry about getting gouged, either," said Vice
President Tim Rossiter. "People are going to start to panic toward the end
of 1999 when they discover that the software they're relying on won't work
in the year 2000. I can imagine someone taking advantage of that by
charging hundreds of dollars for an upgrade to fix the problem. That can't
happen with Searchlight BBS, because we've already built and tested the
solution."

Searchlight has been a leading producer of BBS software since 1987. Since
1995, the company has offered the Spinnaker, a unique Windows-NT based Web
server that features server-side applications, database access, and
scripting, as well as features like file libraries, conferencing, and user
profiles that are traditionally associated with a BBS. Searchlight also
provides internet-related applications development and Web hosting in the
Cleveland area.

"Our Spinnaker product is vital to all of Searchlight's customers for two
reasons," said LaRosa. "First, it gives our BBS customers who want it a way
to upgrade to a Web based product that can use the same conference and file
library structure as their BBS -- a product they can trust because it's
from a company that's been in the business of providing online software for
over 10 years."

"Second, it means Searchlight continues to be a strong, growing enterprise.
Everyone knows that BBS systems aren't considered state-of-the-art anymore,
even though a lot of people still use them. Companies who try to do nothing
but BBS software aren't able to offer customers any kind of stability.
Their stock prices have tumbled; a number have already gone belly-up. Since
Searchlight includes Web development as part of our core business, we can
continue to provide our BBS customers with support and other benefits
associated with a stable company, even if they never choose to upgrade to
Spinnaker."


RISING FROM THE ASHES OF THE BBS

In an era where the meteoritic rise of the Web has all but obliterated the
once-thriving BBS software business, Searchlight Software has proven to be
one of the industry's most resilient phoenixes. According to LaRosa, the
company's success can be traced to 1995, when he, Rossiter and Chief
Engineer Darrell Davis formulated the company's plans for Spinnaker. Later
that year, Spinnaker became the first completely Web-driven product based
on an existing BBS system -- and one of the earliest Web products of any
kind to offer developers access to an applications-based development
environment.

"The key thing Searchlight did right," says LaRosa, "is we embraced the Web
technology and used it for everything it was worth. Our competitors tried
to subvert the World Wide Web. They thought they could outdo the Web by
coming out with their own proprietary browsers and protocols. I can
remember seeing ads that said, in effect, 'buy this product because it's
better than the Web'.

"Of course, they failed. People don't want a proliferation of incompatible
products, they want to rally behind a common standard. Just look at the
history of engineering, you find dozens of orphaned products like the Beta
VHS or the 8-Track Tape that prove the value of standardization.

"The Web had it share of problems back in 1995. Access was slower, browsers
were cruder, and many of the interactive features we take for granted today
didn't exist. At Searchlight we saw that our challenge was to make
something that could take advantage of the standard that was available
then, and could grow to take advantage of the technical advances that would
inevitably come. Spinnaker met both goals admirably.

"I really don't know what happened with our competitors," admits LaRosa.
"Some of them must have had so much invested in their proprietary solutions
that they couldn't turn back. I'm sure that others were simply greedy
enough to believe that they could corner the market. The ones that are
still in business eventually gave up and started building products that
adhere to the worldwide standards. I'm glad Searchlight didn't have to go
through the pain and expense of re-engineering everything from a
proprietary solution. We did it right the first time."

..........................................................................

                    Searchlight BBS Version 5.1 Release Notes
                    ........................................
                    |        Searchlight 5 Servers         |
                    |                                      |
                    | Supporting TeleGrafix's BBS software |
                    ........................................
..........................................................................
* Version 5.1 Release Notes

Introduction

Probably one of the biggest changes to Searchlight BBS in version 5.1 is
the takeover of Searchlight by TeleGrafix Communications, Inc. - the
inventors of RIPscrip graphics. The crew over at Searchlight Software have
decided that they would like to go off and do other things. Not wanting
the product to die, they have allowed us [TeleGrafix] to carry on their
torch. We wish the Searchlight crew the very best for whatever they choose
to do in the future. Our hats off to you all for creating a great product.

Important New Information

For registered users of 5.02 and earlier editions of Searchlight - the
serial number/registration system for Searchlight has been completely
re-done! Sorry to have to spring this on everybody, but anybody who has a
10 or 11-digit registration code provided by Searchlight Software will have
to obtain a new serial number from TeleGrafix. I can already hear the
>groans< of displeasure out there. The new system though will work out
better for everyone though.

Let me take a minute to explain. Like the older Searchlight scheme, your
new 16-digit TeleGrafix serial number will determine the node count of
your BBS.  Searchlight's method only allowed for 1-line, 3-line, 10-line
or unlimited-line scenarios. If someone had a 3-line license, and wanted
to add one more line, they'd have to buy "up to" the 10-line license -
thus spending money for what he doesn't need (e.g., 6 extra lines). With
TeleGrafix's system, you can buy only what you need. What's even better,
you could upgrade your line count anytime, 24-hours a day. All you need
is a web browser, and a credit card. You can still buy lines with a check
if you mail it in, etc.

What's more, the new version 5.1 of Searchlight is both a demo edition,
and the fully registered edition all in one. If you don't run the REGISTER
program, or key in your new 16-digit serial number during install, then
the software will act as a demo copy - letting you play with up to 2 nodes,
and up to 3 user accounts (SYSOP and GUEST count as two of those - but you
can always delete GUEST if you want). That's it. Enough to let you
determine if you want to purchase Searchlight, but not enough to run a real
system. Once you buy a copy and get your serial number, just run REGISTER
and voila, the software becomes fully unlocked. This means - no more
diskettes that have to be shipped out. You can just download your copy at
any time, and be up and running in minutes, not days. And think of this -
no more patch files!

Summary of Changes in 5.1

..........................................................................

* Fixed a minor bug with the new message scan function. If you are a Sysop
  who is invisible (via ALT-I on the main console), when you read new
  messages, you will no longer have to scan them again the next time you
  logon. I don't know if this was considered a feature before or not, but
  sure appears to be something undesired so it's been considered a bug and
  fixed.

..........................................................................

* Fixed a small problem with memory consumption. Earlier beta editions of
  Searchlight required a little bit more memory (conventional) than 5.02
  and earlier releases. Consequently, some testers were getting crashes
  when performing quoting (^KG) in the message editor. This was fixed by
  their increasing their conventional memory size by approximately 10K.
  Since then, we have managed to reduce the memory requirements of
  Searchlight BBS pretty close to what they used to be.

If you get an error 203, you've run out of memory. Free up more memory
and try the system again. In the case of Searchlight, a couple of K can
make all the difference in the world.

..........................................................................

* If you login as "invisible", Searchlight now properly activates the "I"
  indicator on the status line to indicate that you're invisible.
..........................................................................

* Updated status line in RIP local console for the new status line displays.
..........................................................................

* When you logoff as an invisible person, you are no longer prompted to
  enter a quote. If you left a quote, people would know you were on the
  system - thus defeating the invisibility feature. The last user's quote
  remains untouched.

..........................................................................

* Fixed a bug in the Sysop chat module. If the cursor hits the end of the
  line, and no spaces were present in the line between columns 55 and 80,
  then when the line should normally word wrap, it would simply be erased
  from column 55 to the end of the line. Now version 5.1 properly word
  wraps (i.e., breaks) the line in an appropriate place (in this case,
  column 55).

* Fixed a rather important bug in the Windows version of Searchlight. In
  the Windows edition, none of the ALT-key commands normally available on
  the main console would work (e.g., ALT-X, ALT-H, etc.) Now they work.
  This apparently has been a bug in the code since 5.0 was released
  initially.

* The Windows version of Searchlight now automatically maximizes its
  window (thus eliminating those pesky scroll bars).

* Added a slight safety factor to the Options/Info command. If a user
  decides to go in there and change his password, Searchlight will no
  longer allow the user to switch to a totally idiotic password. Of the
  passwords not allowed are the user's NAME or ALIAS, as well as
  passwords like "GOD", "ASDF", "ABC", ".", "-" and others. Also, a user
  is not allowed to set a blank password. Only the SysOp can make these
  kinds of changes via the 2-Sysop/Options/Info command. If this new
  change proves to be a serious inconvenience for SysOps, let us know at
  support@telegrafix.com and we'll make this a configuration option in
  CONFIG.EXE and WSLBBS.EXE.

This change required a new text string to be added to the DEFAULT.LNG file.
It is message 1600! Be sure to rebuild any customized string libraries.
Sorry 'bout this folks, but hey, it's only a single message :)

* Added two new status line displays to the main console. The first one,
  displays the user's name, alias (if applicable) and their location.
  The second displays their security profile (i.e., their security
  attributes, and their security levels).

* Minor change to the 2-Sysop/Option/Access command. When the credits
  field is highlighted, it now displays the allowable credit limits from
  the values (0-32768). Earlier editions allowed a negative number of
  credits which didn't make much sense.

* Fixed something that could be considered a bug. In this programmer's
  mind, it was a very serious one. At the login prompt, the user used to
  be able to hit <ENTER> indefinitely, thus tying up the BBS ad infinitum.
  This is no longer the case. A <ENTER> is now considered to be an invalid
  logon attemp, of which there are only four before the offensive user
  gets the boot.

* Minor glitch with logoff quotes. If on a multinode system, one node has
  logoff quotes enabled, and another disabled - a user logging off of the
  "disabled" system should clear the last logoff quote, not leave it
  pending. In earlier versions, it was left pending and the last user from
  the "disabled" system could appear as the user who left the last logoff
  quote.

* Added the ability to change the system's console colors. There is a new
  menu option in the "General Config" menu of CONFIG called "Console
  Colors".  In WSLBBS, there's a new tab in the node properties page that
  offers the same configuration changes to the console colors.

* Modified the default console colors to something a little less harsh,
  and to colors that won't burn the monitor as quickly.

* Fixed a year-2000 bug in the Sysop editor under the security section.
  The user expiration date wouldn't permit you to enter dates beyond
  Jan-31 2001.  This was a bug discovered after 5.02 was released, but
  fixed before TeleGrafix took over Searchlight.

* Discovered a number of undocumented Message Macros that weren't defined
  in the user manual. These were present in v5.02, but nobody but
  Searchlight new about them:

  ........................................................................
  | * \%D | * Current File Directory (mis-documented as \SB)             |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%E | * External port number                                       |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%H | * Current Confierence (mis-documented as \FD)                |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%J | * User's alias name with spaces replaced by underbars        |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%R | * Effective baud rate                                        |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%X | * Login-ID of current user                                   |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%Y | * Login-ID of current user with spaces replaced by underbars |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%I | * Current user's alias name                                  |
  ........................................................................

* Added some new Message Macros thanks to Craig Johnson:

  ........................................................................
  | * \%Z | * Today's date in long format (e.g., "May 5, 1998")          |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%V | * Current time (e.g., "11:24 am" - obeys 12/24-hour setting) |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%W | * Current date (e.g., "08/12/1998" - obeys USA/Euro setting) |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%? | * Date of current user's last logon                          |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%# | * Total number of calls to the system to date                |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%Q | * Last caller's quote (or "Disabled" or "None")              |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%& | * Total number of calls the current user has made            |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%$ | * Last caller's name                                         |
  ........................................................................
  | * \%@ | * Last caller's alias                                        |
  ........................................................................

* Fixed a bug with two of the documented Message Macros. As per the manual,
  the \SB and \FD macros were supposed to be available to display the
  current conference and file directory, but in reality, they only worked
  in RIPscrip mode. Now they work in ANSI mode as well.

* Fixed a bug with the message macro "\%L". This variable was always
  leaving its answer in 24-hour format regardless of the current 12/24-hour
  setting in CONFIG. This option now displays in 12-hour format if
  requested to do so.

......................................................................

* Note: | * Anybody using this in menus might need to do a tiny bit of
        | reformatting of your menus if the length of the value was
        | important.
......................................................................

* Fixed an error in the manual that had been there for quite some time.
  In Appendix G of the Internal Command Reference chapter, command #190
  -- Sysop Function was incorrectly documenting the available parameters.
  The parameters do not require slashes (/) before them. Putting them in
  just makes the command not work correctly. The documentation has been
  corrected.  Here is the correct parameter listing:

                   ..........................................
                   | * A | * Adjust user options            |
                   ..........................................
                   | * V | * Validate user                  |
                   ..........................................
                   | * I | * View/change user info          |
                   ..........................................
                   | * P | * View/change user preferences   |
                   ..........................................
                   | * S | * View user stats                |
                   ..........................................
                   | * C | * View/change user access levels |
                   ..........................................
                   | * R | * Read user's mail               |
                   ..........................................
                   | * E | * Send mail as a particular user |
                   ..........................................
                   | * L | * List user's mail               |
                   ..........................................
                   | * N | * View user's new mail           |
                   ..........................................
                   | * F | * Find message in user's mailbox |
                   ..........................................
                   | * Q | * Inquire function               |
                   ..........................................
                   | * G | * Mail purge function            |
                   ..........................................

* Documentation is now available electronically in two formats.
  For people with access to a Microsoft Windows machine with a
  printer, there's a Windows manual that can be used to view and
  print high-quality, manual style pages. For those with dot
  matrix printers, or not using Windows, the manual is also
  provided in a print-ready ASCII format.

* Updated the default screen colors for new and demo installations.
  This should not affect users with existing Searchlight installations.
  This was done to provide first-time Searchlight users with a brighter
  first experience; the original colors were dark and dim and gloomy in
  this programmer's humble opinion.

WINDOWS VS. DOS

This version of Searchlight includes separate executables for Windows and
DOS.  To start the DOS version of Searchlight, type SLBBS. To start the
Windows version, type WSLBBS or SLBBS32. See your manual for more
information. The Windows version requires Windows 95 or NT.

If you run the Windows version of Searchlight, pay particular attention to
how you install Door programs. Some old DOS door programs will not function
under the Windows version of Searchlight. Use the following guidelines:

  * For door programs that use Searchlight's BIOS or DirectVideo support,
    no changes are required. These programs will run essentially the same
    was as they do under previous versions of Searchlight.

  * The recommended method of running any other door program is to use
    Searchlight's FOSSIL emulation feature. Configure the door program to
    use a FOSSIL driver and set the Communications Support option in
    Searchlight to 'Fossil'. This is preferable to using other Fossil
    drivers or direct communications with a COM port.

  * If a Door program has built-in DigiBoard support, set the door program
    up as a FOSSIL application, even if you are using a DigiBoard. DOS
    programs that have DigiBoard support rely on DOS DigiBoard drivers,
    which aren't available in Windows. (Do not attempt to load the DOS
    DigiBoard driver under Windows; install their Windows driver instead).

  * If a Door program has no other option except direct COM port access,
    you may or may not be able to use that door under Windows. In
    particular, Windows NT users will find that Door programs are blocked
    from independently opening a COM port while Searchlight is running on
    the same port. Such Door programs are best avoided. Most modern door
    programs have Fossil support.

  * The 'REBOOT' method of program termination is not supported under
    Windows.  For door programs that are set to REBOOT, the Terminate
    method is used instead.

We recommend using Direct Video mode rather than BIOS mode when running
command prompts or utility programs that do not specifically require
BIOS mode. The command interpreter in Windows 95 does not support all the
BIOS video functions when running in a window, hence some programs might
not provide correct screen displays in this mode.

Startup

If you start the Windows version of Searchlight from a batch file or from a
DOS-based front end mailer program, you should use the MS-DOS START command
with a /W switch to prevent Searchlight from starting as an independent
background task. For example:

 START /W SLBBS32 <BaudRate> <TimeLimit> /C

In most cases, you will want to do this so that your mailer does not resume
operation until Searchlight has exited.

Clipboard

The Windows version of Searchlight makes intelligent use of the Windows
clipboard for cut-and-paste operations. Although you can still use the cut
and paste icons on the console toolbar for crude cutting and pasting,
Searchlight offers several new ways for moving data to and from other
Windows applications:

  * To paste text from the clipboard into Searchlight, press CTRL-V
    instead of using the "Paste" icon in the console toolbar. This
    will allow you to paste large portions of text into the message
    editor much faster than you can using the icon. This is also an
    intelligent paste; if you try to paste a large block of text into
    a small input field (like the subject of a message), Searchlight
    takes as much text as will fit and then discontinues the paste
    operation.

  * In the message editor, you can also access the Paste function by
    typing ESC and then selecting "Paste" from the menu.

  * There are several ways to copy text from Searchlight to the clipboard.
    If you want to copy a message or an entire message thread to the
    clipboard, read the message (or any message in the thread) and select
    Other/Forward/Message/Clipboard (or Other/Forward/Thread/Clipboard).
    The text is copied to the clipboard, and you can paste it into another
    Windows program such as a word processor.

  * To copy any other kind of listing or screen display to the clipboard,
    press ALT-P. This command opens a clipboard log; you'll see the "L"
    on the status line turn from lowercase to capital. Provide whatever
    commands are needed to generate the list or output you're interested
    in, and then press ALT-P again to close the log and copy the text to
    the clipboard. You can now paste the clipboard log into another
    Windows application. Notice that you can use this procedure to copy
    listings that are larger than the physical screen size.

  * If you want to copy a small portion of text that's visible on the
    screen, you can also use the Copy icon in the toolbar (the square
    outline icon).  Click the icon, then highlight the desired text with
    your mouse, and press Enter to copy it to the clipboard.
    This procedure is limited to the amount of text that fits on the
    physical screen.

...........................................................................
 Note: | Copy and paste operations only work during a local login and are  |
       | designed primarily for moving data between Searchlight and other  |
       | Windows applications. Remote callers do not have access to        |
       | clipboard operations.                                             |
...........................................................................

Miscellaneous Issues

This section attempts to document miscellaneous issues
that didn't make it into the manual before production.

Events

When Searchlight 5.1 for Windows executes an event, it enables its FOSSIL
driver emulation feature. That means events can call FOSSIL driver
functions for communications. If you are running an event that requires
communications (such as a UUCP poll), configure your software so that it
communicates via FOSSIL driver. (If you are running FXUUCICO, place the
command "driver: fossil" in your UUCICO.CFG file).

RIP File Browser

The Files, New and Zippy command support a parameter, /R, which allows
these commands to work in RIP mode the same way they work in ANSI mode
(ie. the commands do not invoke the file browser).

The Files command asks "Search all directories? Y/N". You can override
this with an /A or /N switch: /A searches all directories without asking,
and /N searches only the current directory without asking. You can add
this switch if you prefer the file browser to start with a list of files
in the current directory instead of a list of directories.

File tagging is quicker if you click on the first column of the display.

Files, New and Zippy commands can take as a menu name as a parameter by
specifying "/M<Menuname>". When provided, this menu is scanned to
determine whether commands like Upload, Copy, Xproto, etc. appear in the
browse window (if the commands are on the specified menu, they are
included).

Qmodem Pro Problem

Qmodem Pro for Windows contains a bug with certain 256 color VGA drivers
that causes reverse-video highlight bars to appear as solid white bars.
This bug affects Searchlight's file and message browser features.
If you experience this problem, try running Qmodem with a different VGA
driver.

File Directories

Searchlight 5.1 requires that there be at least 1 file directory available
at all times. If you are installing Searchlight for the first time, the
INSTALL program will create a directory called 'UPLOADS'. If you are
upgrading, make sure your installation includes at least 1 available
directory at all times and for all access levels.

Default Search Strings

The Files command (internal command 300) and Zippy command (internal 305)
may be provided with a default filename or wildcard (for command #300) or
default search string (for command #305) by placing the desired text on
the parameter line below the command in the menu structure. For example:

 11. Command Number (1) ............ 305
 12. Command Parameters (1) ........ JONES

This command would perform a Zippy search using the search key "JONES".
The user is not prompted to enter a search key in this case.

The files command (#300) can also be provided with a parameter which is
either a filename or a wildcard. A filename with no wildcard characters
provides a list of the current directory from that filename onward.
A wildcard provides a list of filenames which match the wildcard
(ie. *.ZIP or ABF??.TXT).

Default File List Format

Internal commands 300 and 305 can be made to skip the "Display Long File
Descriptions?" prompt by adding a parameter to the command which defines
the desired behavior:

                  ...........................................
                  | /L | Forces long file descriptions      |
                  ...........................................
                  | /S | Forces short file descriptions     |
                  ...........................................
                  | /P | Forces the Yes/No prompt to appear |
                  ...........................................

Using /L, /S or /P overrides the user's default setting.

Example:

 11. Command Number (1) ............ 305
 12. Command Parameters (1) ........ JONES /L

This command does a Zippy scan using the search key "JONES" and always
displays long file descriptions.

Default Directory Search

The "Search All Directories?" question can be eliminated from internal
commands 300 and 305 by using the following parameters:

     ......................................................................
     | /A | Search all directories                                        |
     ......................................................................
     | /N | Do not search all directories (search current directory only) |
     ......................................................................

Example:

 11. Command Number (1) ............ 305
 12. Command Parameters (1) ........ JONES /L /N

This command does a Zippy search on the keyword "JONES", always displays
long descriptions, and searches only the current directory. All three user
prompts (search key, display long descriptions, search all directories)
are eliminated; therefore the listing appears immediately when this command
is executed.

The "Default Directory Search" and "Default File List Format" switches
(used with commands 300 & 305) now also work with the New Files command
(command number 303).

Files System Commands

In older versions of Searchlight BBS, the file oriented commands were
distributed as a separate executable program, FILES.EXE. One of the
limitations of that design was the fact that an explicit command
(internal command 153) was needed to load the files program, and only
files system commands - those with command numbers 300 and above -
could be used on file menus. For example, in Searchlight 2.25, it was
impossible to put a Download command on the same line as a command to
send mail to the Sysop.

Searchlight 3.0 and later combines file commands and main commands into
one program, eliminating this limitation. If you used previous versions
of Searchlight, you may notice that there is no longer a FILES.EXE
program distributed with Searchlight; instead, all files functions are
contained in the main program, BBS.EXE.

As a result, menus in Searchlight 5.1 can contain any internal commands.
File commands, like the commands to list directories, download files, etc.
may be freely placed on any menu wherever they are desired. No special
command is needed to start the files program before executing a files
command, and no special command is needed to exit the files program.

However, Searchlight 5.1 still supports the old command sequences
(command 153 to enter the files area, and command 330 to exit the
files area). Instead of loading a new program, Searchlight 5.1
emulates the actions of the old FILES.EXE program. Therefore, all
existing menus are compatible with Searchlight 5.1, and no changes
to your menus are required unless you want to take advantage of the
new capability to have files and regular commands on the same menu.

If you do decide to create combined menus, a few notes are in order:

  * Searchlight's internal command 153 performs a few special actions:
    it checks to see if a custom directory list for the current
    conference exists, and loads it if available. It also changes the
    area name that appears at the top-right hand corner of the screen
    to the current directory name, and tells the menu display programs
    to search for help files ending in ".FH" instead of ".MH" if help
    is requested. If you load a files-oriented menu directly, without
    executing command 153, the commands will still work, but you should
    be aware that the above actions will not take place. (You can load
    conference lists yourself using the new internal command 201,
    outlined in your manual).

  * Should you execute an internal command 153 which loads a particular
    *.DIR file with a list of available directories for the current
    conference, be aware that this directory list remains in memory as
    the list of available directories until another 153 command is
    executed. This is important if you use internal command 153 in some
    places but not in others.

  * Command 330 (return from files area) performs the following actions
    in Searchlight 5.0: it changes the help file suffix back to ".MH",
    sets the on screen area name back to the current conference name, and
    returns to the menu where the previous command 153 was executed. Use
    this command only if you used command 153 to enter a files menu
    (otherwise, just return to the previous menu with internal command
    number 1).

Upgrading from Version 1.x

If you have any version of Searchlight older than 2.15 and you want to
retain your messages and users after upgrading, you need our 1.x upgrade
utility. You can download the upgrade program free of charge from
Searchlight's Web site (http://www.searchlight.com/files.htm).

RIPscrip Graphics and Version 5.1

Version 5.1 supports RIPscrip 2.x graphics for remote callers.

The DOS edition of the software has RIPscrip 1.54 display capability
for the main console. This means that the sysop will see RIP 1.54 style
graphics on the main system.  At the current time however, if the sysop
is viewing a caller who is accessing the system via RIPscrip 2.0 graphics,
the sysop may not see the same images due to major differences between
RIPscrip 2.x and versions 1.54.

Future versions may enhance the main console RIPscrip support to support
RIPscrip 2, and even higher.

The Windows edition of Searchlight does not currently support RIPscrip
display on the main console. This will be changing in future editions
of Searchlight.

Creating Your Own RIP Graphics

You can create your own RIPscrip graphics for your system by using
RIPaint from TeleGrafix Communications, Inc. You may download a
demo copy of this drawing package from http://www.telegrafix.com.

Acknowledgements

We would like to take the time to acknowledge the assistance of our
Searchlight Beta testers. In particular, Paul Casey and Craig Johnson
for their in-depth crash testing (literally), and for their abilities
to kick the tires on this buggy. Sure, we blew a few tires along the
way, but without your help and support, it might have gone out on the
road with bald tires. Our hats off to you guys, you did a great job!!

                      TeleGrafix Has Gone Out Of Business

                          .............................

                   Former Retail Prices of Searchlight BBS:

.................................................................
 Product                                           Price
.................................................................
 Base System (3 lines)                            US$99.95
 Additional nodes                                 US$19.95 each
.................................................................
 Unlimited node license                           US$499.95
.................................................................
