                           Maximus 3.01 README
                           ===================

Introduction
------------

Maximus 3.01 is a flexible bulletin board package for the DOS and OS/2
operating systems.  Version 3 is a major upgrade from previous
versions of Maximus.  Among other features, it includes:

 * MEX, an advanced extension language including many advanced
   language features, such as dynamic strings, structures,
   functions, pass-by-reference arguments, and more.

 * Support for multi-level, hierarchical message and file areas.
   Maximus supports an unlimited number of message and file areas.

 * A message tracking system that allows organizations to effectively
   track problem reports and ensure that problems get answered on a
   timely basis.

 * Internal support for RIP graphics, including a ready-made set of
   RIP graphics icons and screens.

 * Native support for DOS and OS/2.

Many more options and features are included:

- For information on features new to version 3, please see
  WHATSNEW.300.

- For general information about Maximus, please see the program
  documentation in MAX.DOC.

- For information on upgrading from Maximus 2.x or 3.x, please see the
  appropriate section below.


Obtaining the DOS and OS/2 versions of Maximus
----------------------------------------------

The DOS and OS/2 versions of Maximus can be found in the following
files:

max301p.zip - OS/2 executables
max301r.zip - DOS executables
max301c.zip - common executables (required for both DOS and OS/2)

These files are available from the support BBS on +1-613-389-8315.

The latest version of Maximus can also be found on the SimTel and
Hobbes archive sites.  At the time of writing, these sites are:

ftp://oak.oakland.edu/SimTel/msdos/bbs/max301*
  and
ftp://ftp.cdrom.com/pub/os2/comm/max301*


Documentation offer for noncommercial users
-------------------------------------------

Lanius sells an official printed and bound copy of the Maximus
manual.  This is normally only sold with a licensed copy of the
program, but we are now allowing noncommercial users to order a copy
of the manual separately.

The printed manual is 466 pages long, perfect-bound (glued back
binding), dimensions 7" by 9", with a glossy black and red cover.

To order a copy of the manual, please see ORDER.FRM file (included
in the distribution package) and select the "MAXDOC" product.


Maximus in commercial environments
----------------------------------

Maximus may be used free of charge by noncommercial users (with no
strings attached).

However, you must purchase a license before using Maximus in a
commercial environment.

To determine whether or not you are a commercial user, please see
LICENSE.DOC.


Ordering a copy of Maximus
--------------------------

For information on ordering a copy of Maximus for commercial use,
please see ORDER.FRM for our Canadian Dollar pricing.

We also have order forms with U.S. Dollar and Deutsche Mark pricing
(USA.FRM and DEUTSCH.FRM, respectively).

We accept VISA and American Express payments for overseas users only.
If you live outside the U.S. and Canada and wish to pay by credit
card, please see ORDER.FRM.


Beta Win32 version of Maximus
-----------------------------

We have now made available a public beta of the Win32 version of
Maximus for Windows NT and Windows 95.

This beta is contained in the max301n.zip archive.  You can obtain
this archive from the support BBS on +1-613-389-8315.  We will also
try to make this file available on the SimTel Windows NT archive
site on the Internet.

However, since the Win32 version is in beta, we make no guarantees
regarding its reliability or performance.  We also do not
necessarily guarantee that it will become an officially-supported
product.


Documentation errata
--------------------

- Section 6.5 - External Program Translation Characters

  When using the "%L" parameter, the resulting "-pX" text is
  actually one less than the port number.  For example,
  0=COM1, 1=COM2, and so on.

- Section 8.13 - Session Monitor

  The SM program accepts an optional parameter giving the name of
  the pipe on the server machine.  To run SM from a workstation, you
  must specify the full MCP pipe name, such as:

        SM \\server\pipe\maximus\mcp

- Section 15.3 - input_ch() function

  When using the CINPUT_SCAN flag, the extended keystrokes will
  actually be returned in a single call to input_ch().  When an
  extended key is entered by the user, the lower 8 bits of the
  return coded will be 0, and the upper 8 bits will be the scan code
  of the key.

- Section 15.3 - readln() function

  In fact, readln() returns -1 (not 0) when end-of-file is
  encountered.  A return code of -1 means that either an error
  occurred or end-of-file was reached.

- Appendix G: SCANBLD commands in batch file

  The commands given in the sample batch file to run SCANBLD are
  incorrect.  To correct the examples, simply remove the "user.bbs
  area.dat" portion of command.  For example, the "scan" portion
  of the WFC batch file should look like this:

    :scan
    rem * This command should invoke your scanner. For example:
    squish out squash -fEchoToss.Log
    scanbld user.bbs area.dat local matrix @echotoss.log
    goto loop


Upgrading from Maximus version 3.00
-----------------------------------

Simply run the installation program and select the "upgrade" option.
The installation program will scan your Maximus directory, and if it
detects a MAX.EXE or MAXP.EXE that matches the release version of
Maximus 3.00, it will assume that you are upgrading from 3.00 and
perform the upgrade accordingly.

The 3.00 to 3.01 upgrade should be painless.  The installation program
will not modify anything except the executables in your \MAX
directory.

Maximus 3.01 is only a maintenance upgrade, so no new features were
added between 3.00 and 3.01.  However, the 3.01 upgrade fixes most of
the common problems encountered in the 3.00 release.


Upgrading from Maximus version 2.x
----------------------------------

To upgrade an existing Maximus 2.x installation, you must follow the
steps given below.  (To install a new version of Maximus, please see
section 3 of the program documentation.)

1. Back up your existing system.

2. For DOS only, ensure that you have at least 560k of free
   conventional memory.  Maximus itself requires much less than this
   amount to operate normally, but the install program needs at
   least 560k to compile some of the system files.

3. Run the install program and select "upgrade".  Specify the path
   to your existing Maximus installation.  The install program will
   install the new executables, upgrade your control files, and
   modify your configuration to make it compatible with Maximus
   3.0.

4. After the installation program has converted your system, look
   through the control files (particularly msgarea.ctl and
   filearea.ctl) to see if the conversion program has flagged any
   problems.

5. Change to your \max\olr\dats directory and run "del *.*". This
   will cause a one-time loss of the users' off-line reader area
   mappings.  Users who upload packets which are replies to
   messages created by Max 2.x will be prompted to enter a new area
   when uploading those packets.

6. Change to your \max directory and run "cvtusr -p".

7. Change to your \max directory and run "fb -a".

8. If you are running Maximus on a network, ensure that the
   "SET MAXIMUS=C:\MAX\MAX.PRM" statement exists in the
   AUTOEXEC.BAT (or CONFIG.SYS for OS/2) on all machines that
   run Maximus nodes.

   The install program will automatically add this statement when
   you run the upgrade, but if you want to run Maximus on other
   machines on a network that have separate CONFIG.SYS/AUTOEXEC.BAT
   files, you must insert this keyword manually.

This completes the automatic upgrade procedure.  For information on
manually upgrading an existing copy of Maximus, please see
UPGRADE.TXT.


Maximus 2.x to 3.x upgrade notes
--------------------------------

1. Maximus 3.0 is not compatible with language files from
Maximus 2.0.  The install program will automatically comment out all
of your 2.0 language files and install the new English language from
the 3.0 distribution.

2. Maximus 3.0 enables password encryption by default.  To turn off
password encryption, please add the "No Password Encryption" keyword
to the System section of MAX.CTL before any users log on to the new
3.0 system.

3. Maximus no longer supports the "-z" command-line parameter. The
OS/2 PMSnoop utility has been replaced by SM.  OS/2 users must
modify their .cmd files to remove all references to the "-z"
parameter and PMSnoop before completing the upgrade.

4. The command-line parameters for SCANBLD, MR and FBP have changed.
Please read the documentation and update your BAT/CMD files to use
the new format.


Maximus 2.x compatibility notes
-------------------------------

1. MaxiBank version 2 is not compatible with Maximus 3.0.  Tests
have shown that MaxiBank does not correctly handle the new user
file.  In particular, it randomly grants SysOp access to users who
access the time bank.  We strongly suggest that you disable MaxiBank
before upgrading to Maximus 3.0.  (The MexBank MEX program, included
in the Maximus distribution, can be used to add a "time bank"
feature to Maximus 3.0.)

2. The new version of MAXPIPE cannot spawn .cmd files directly or
execute internal OS/2 shell commands.  If you need to do this,
simply add a "cmd /c" before the name of the program to execute.
For example, given the following line in MENUS.CTL:

   Xtern_Dos       maxpipe.exe_%P_test.cmd         Normal "Run Test"

You must change it to this to make it work correctly with the new
MaxPipe:

   Xtern_Dos       maxpipe.exe_%P_cmd_/c_test.cmd  Normal "Run Test"


Using Maximus with LANtastic for OS/2
-------------------------------------

The OS/2 version of LANtastic has known problems with named pipes.
If you run Maximus-OS/2 on a LANtastic network and see "SYSxxxx:
DosTransactNPipe" messages in the log, please contact Artisoft to
obtain the named pipe patches.


File format information
-----------------------

The STRUCTS.ZIP file (as created by the install program in \MAX)
contains the C-based structure definitions for a number of
Maximus-specific files.


Contact information
-------------------

For more information on Maximus, please contact:

email:  sales@lanius.com        (sales inquiries)
        tech@lanius.com         (problem reports and technical support)

CompuServe: >INTERNET:sales@lanius.com (sales inquiries)
            >INTERNET:tech@lanius.com  (problem reports and technical support)

BBS:    +1-613-389-8315
FAX:    +1-613-634-3058

Post:   Lanius Corporation
        777 Downing St.
        Kingston, Ont.
        CANADA  K7M 5N3

                                    ###

