Subj : Echolist Maintenance
To   : All
From : Ben Ritchey
Date : Sat Mar 11 2017 10:28 pm

Hi All,

The extended maintenance on the Echolist is nearing completion, thanks for your

patience. :)

Due to numerous and frequent Database corruptions, and the lack of support for
the existing system (Echobase 3.48, now deprecated, author abandoned), the
decision was made to fix it once and for all. I decided to reverse-engineer the

Database and re-write the software from the ground up (no source). This
endeavor has completed an Alpha stage and is entering a Beta stage for extended

testing. Once complete, it will be brought online with 99% transparency to the
previous system.

All existing Mod Add/Upd/Del submissions will work as before. The only major
change is the lack of a Rules sub-system which can/may be added later depending

on feedback received {g}. Existing RULE keywords will just be ignored as will
anything else that doesn't apply to existing keyword formats.

Important keyword errors (such as missing required keywords) will be reported
in ELIST. ALL submissions will be reported in the ELIST conference, successful
AND errors alike. Email/Netmail replies will NOT be sent out at first, subject
to change, of course. :)

The only enhancement so far, aside from new reporting formats, is the ability
to Delete or Clear applicable fields, simply by entering a line with JUST the
appropriate keyword, by itself.

The main advantage here, obviously, is the availability of source code and the
ability to make timely changes as needed, as FIDOnet evolves. Any and all
feedback/problems should be reported in the ECHOLIST conference. As noted,
ELIST is strictly for the MaintBot replies.

p.s. for those interested, EList v4 is being coded in PowerBASIC CC v5 :) and
no, for now, the source code is not being distributed. {chuckle}


.- Keep the faith, --------------------------------------------------.
|                                                                    |
|    Ben  aka cMech  Web: http|ftp|binkp|telnet://cmech.dynip.com    |
|                  Email: fido4cmech(at)lusfiber.net                 |
|    (:)       Home page: http://cmech.dynip.com/homepage/           |
`----------- WildCat! Board 24/7  +1-337-984-4794  any BAUD 8,N,1 ---'

... Insanity is hereditary - you get it from your kids.
--- GoldED+/W32-MSVC v1.1.5-b20161221 ... via Mystic BBS!
* Origin: FIDONet - The Positronium Repository (1:393/68)