BCHECKERS -- Version 2.0 -- is released!
========================================

NEW FULL RELEASE WITH BIG IMPROVEMENTS!!!

As a sysop of a FidoNet BBS, I was disappointed in the lack of a good,
non-interactive checkers door. Sure, there were some that allowed inter-
node play and the like, but these were expensive and few offered any 
decent ANSI graphics and the simple ability to have callers make moves 
on alternate logons. I also wanted to try my hand at programming in C, 
having learned a number of other programming languages. BCheckers is the 
result of this effort; and at only $5 is a bargain in shareware.

BCheckers offers the following sysop features (and more I've probably
overlooked in these docs):

-  As you would expect, BCheckers monitors carrier detect functions, to
   automatically recover when a user drops carrier.                    
                                                                       
-  Includes a fully-adjustable inactivity timeout monitor. A warning is
   sent 5 seconds before the caller is ejected.

-  Share-aware file i/o for use in multi-node BBS systems. You must have 
   DOS's SHARE.EXE loaded for multi-node use.             

-  Supports most popular BBS door information files, such as DORINFO1.DEF,
   EXITINFO.BBS, CHAIN.TXT, DOOR.SYS, etc.  

-  Displays and updates a QuickBBS-style status line, with information 
   available to the sysop such as user name, location, baud rate, time left, 
   function keys, ANSI and AVATAR settings, and so on.
   
-  Keeps track of a user "wants-chat" indicator, just like the one in
   RemoteAccess, QuickBBS and other BBS systems. Allows for sysop page from
   the door, and integrated chat mode.

-  Provides the sysop with all the standard function keys for adjusting user 
   time, hanging up on or even locking out the user -- and sysop shell to DOS.

-  Full support for locked baud-rates of up to 115200 baud, using the FOSSIL 
   driver for maximum compatibility with any system. If a FOSSIL is not
   available, BCheckers will use its own communications routines. Auto-detect 
   of local operation. 

-  BCheckers is also DesqView and Windows aware. 

-  Supports non-standard comm ports!

-  Game status and Hall of Fame bulletins

-  Free upgrades from previous versions
                                    
-  CONFIGURATION FILE SYSTEM makes it easier to set up and run!
 
NEW FEATURES:

-  Hall of fame is now updated in real time and is available from the
   main menu. Can be run as a separate door (for example, as a login
   bulletin). Displays percentages to the nearest hundredth.

-  Combined the "start new game" and "join game" functions.

-  Added a play-the-computer mode and "giveaway" checkers.

-  Added the "nogiveaway" and "nodeepening" config file options.

-  The maintenance function is now run whenever BCHECK20.BBS is opened.
   There is no need to run it manually.

-  The screen is no longer re-drawn between moves in "play the sysop"
   mode. Both the sysop and the remote user view the board from their
   own vantage point.

-  Legal moves are now provided to the user in the form of a scrolling
   pick-list. The screen no longer flashes legal destination squares,
   which often confused callers.

-  Changed inactivity warning so it's less likely to mess up the screen.

-  Door logfile is now BCHECK20.LOG. File i/o errors now write a log
   entry to this file to assist with troubleshooting.

-  A game's "time remaining to move" is now displayed in days/hrs/mins
   as appropriate.

-  Games are saved from "play the sysop" and "internode" play (to be
   completed with normal, alternate-logon play).

-  Added draw-request and comment-saved indicators for post-move options.

-  Fixed split-screen chat so returning to the door is less likely to
   scroll and mess up the screen.

-  Sysop can now cancel a "blitz" page with the ESC key.

-  Added internode play in REAL TIME, and the ability to complete
   previously started games by internode play.

-  Eliminated the game status bulletin. Instead, BCheckers can now
   output a FIDO-style message packet containing netmail to notify your
   callers when it's their turn to move.

BCHECKERS is coming soon to a DDSDOORS or DOORNET distribution site in your 
area, or you can download the latest version directly from the author at the
DIRT CHEAP web site (http://dcs.taciturn.net). 
