GAP BBS, Version 6.6 Release Notes

All Dates have been converted to 4 digit years. Because of this, the
User File, the Forum File, and the GAP Configuration File need to be
converted.

To Convert from a prior version of GAP BBS, you will need to run the
CNVGAP.EXE file to convert the above three files.

    Before running the Conversion Program, MAKE A BACKUP!

        Run the Conversion Program ONE TIME ONLY!.

If you attempt to run it on data files that have already been
converted, it will not succeed and the files will be corrupted.

The Conversion Program (CNVGAP.EXE) will backup and then modify the
following files:

  GAPBBS.CNF
  FORUM.DAT
  USERS.DAT
  USERS.IDX

If you are running more than 1 Node, run the Conversion Program on
your Main Node. After the conversion process, install the new GAP
program files and copy the converted GAPBBS.CNF file from your Main
Node to your other Node directories and manually make any changes from
within the new GAPSETUP program.

Because the GAPSYS.DAT file is no longer used (this was your registration
file that contained your Licensed To and BBS Names), you need to make
sure you have a BBS Name configured in GAPSetup.


Specific Changes you should know about:

GAP Menu

  Registration Window only shows Board Name since Licensed To name no
  longer exists.

  The Free Disk space Window is no longer displayed since DOS only
  supports up to 2 gig hard drives so the free disk space is meaningless
  if you have hard drives larger than 2 gigs.

  In User Defined Screens:

    the ANSI Command of LICENSE is no longer supported.
    the ANSI Command of DISKx is no longer supported.


GAP Setup

  If you haven't already, you need to enter a Bulletin Board Name since
  this info used to be derived from the License file.


GAP Maintenance

  The DOS version of this Utility program is no longer supported. It was a
  3rd party product that was bundled with GAP BBS and hasn't been updated
  since 1992. It is not Y2K compatible and we do not have the source code
  to make it so. The Conversion Program will delete any GAP Maintenance
  related files that it knows about. If you've been using GAP Maintenance
  to do periodic Packing or Rebuilding of your Data Files, you should run
  the program one final time and have it create a Batch File that can be
  used to automate the maintenance chores.

  The Windows version of GAP Maintenance (as well as GAPPack and
  GAPRebuild) is available for download.


GAP Call

  During the conversion, all Caller Log related files will be deleted:

    CALLER*
    CALL.DAT
    DWNLOAD.*
    FORUMJN.*
    OPENDOOR.*

  These files will be regenerated automatically.

  Because CALL.DAT needs to be deleted, all reports generated from
  GAPCALL will start with the date you performed the conversion.


QWK / Fido / GAPNet

  All programs relating to QWK and Fido Message exchange have been
  converted to 4 digit years and should work just fine. This includes
  REPIMPRT, QWKEXPRT, and GAPNET. Although the DOS version of GAPNET has
  been updated, we recommend that you use the Windows version instead.


Windows Programs

  The provided Windows programs require Windows 95/98 with a screen
  resolution set to at least 800x600 (1024x768 minimum recommended).

    The DOS based programs will not run correctly on NT due to serial
    port problems with NT, so NT is not an option.

  If you intend to run the Windows version of GAPMenu, you must make sure
  to run the FIXDTR program so that it can patch the Windows Communication
  Driver to prevent it from dropping carrier when a Comm Port is closed.


Step by Step Upgrade Instructions

  BACK UP YOUR BBS FILES AND DIRECTORIES!

  Run the CNVGAP.EXE Conversion program (ONE TIME ONLY!)

  Install the new GAP BBS files.

  Your BBS should now function as it did before but with all dates using
  4 digit years and directory paths expanded.

  If you used the DOS based Installation Program, and you are running your
  BBS under Windows 95/98, we recommend that you install the Windows
  version of GAP Menu, GAP Net, GAP Maintenance, GAP Rebuild and GAP Pack.

  If you used the Windows based Installation Program, these programs were
  automatically installed with appropriate short cuts to them.


Support

GAP BBS is supported via the GAP BBS Web Forum at http://www.gapbbs.com
only. We will not reply to private E-Mail or accept Voice Calls regarding
this software.

If you experience a conversion, installation, configuration, or other
problem, please visit the GAP BBS Web Site and use the Support Options
that are available there.

