==========================
=     CHANGELOG.TXT      =
==========================

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15 October 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    When the portal is called with a name starting with static, it will begin
    to generate a list of all public/verified realms with their descriptions
    and the proper quick link address.    This allows to generate content pages
    that list all realms without needed registration.

    Modified:                                  Databases:
      ./portal.pl                                Tag

    Affected:
      Only the portal would be affected.


14 October 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    The system now understands what to do with the 'Verified' attribute
    associated with users in terms of realms.   Any realm that is configured
    to be verified, will show up publicly only to those who are in fact
    verified themselves.   If you are not, you will not see the realm nor can
    you actually enter it.

    Modified:                                  Databases:
      ./portal.pl                                Realm
      ./config/realm.pl                          Tag
      ./Ethereal/Database.pm 
      ./Ethereal/Login.pm

    Affected:
      Only the Portal and Host Control Panel are affected.


  Change:
    There new exists the functionality for hosts to link directly to the portal
    of their realms.   And in the end, even allowing for patrons to bookmark
    directly to that point as well.   The link is required to be a symlink
    so that the system understands to undertake the additional processing.

     http://baseaddress/go/realmname

    The above is an example.  Where go is the symlink that will trigger the
    response and realmname is the name of an actual realm.  

    Modified:
      ./portal.pl

    Affected:
      Only the portal is affected.

13 October 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    Administrators can now post to the weblog without having the post filtered
    and additionally cloned into the Community Board as to allow for 
    announcements to coincide with discussions on the matter.

    Modified:
      ./admin/system.pl

    Affected:
      Only the administrative control panel is affected.


   Change:
     Changes to the contribution system as to account for the new currency
     system that paypal has decided to make use of.  This also allowed me
     to code in a more useful donations message for both the donator and
     the receiving end.

     Modified:
       ./donations.pl

     Affected:
       Only the donations page is affected.


08 October 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    A new class of gummies has been added into the system.   Called contributor
    class, as they will only be accessible to verified patrons.   This allows 
    an additional layer that can allow people who donate to show them off

    Modified:                                  Databases:
      ./admin/system.pl                          Gummy
      ./config/puppet.pl 
      ./Ethereal/Database.pm

    Affected:
      Puppet Configuration and the System Control Panel are affected.


  Change:
    Ability for administrators to exempt realms from displaying banners has
    been added.  This modification has been done to the Host Control Panel
    itself as to simplify coding.

    Modified:                                  Databases:
      ./commandline/webchatcmd.pl                Realm
      ./config/realm.pl                          Tag
 
    Affected:
      Banners and administrative access to the Control Panel is affected.


  Change:
    Quick addition of code as to have the default handle automatically selected
    when making a post.  Making it much easier to work with.

    Modified:
      ./board.pl

    Affected:
      Message board is affected.


07 October 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    The system now allows you to send out a pre-defined message to all of the
    realms.   Since it is not formatted like others, it allows for the
    administrators to insert complex code if so desired.   WebBanner is the
    name and its purpose is implied by the bane.

    Modified:                                  Databases:
      ./commandline/webchatcmd.pl                Realm
      ./Ethereal/Database.pm                     WebchatText
      ./Ethereal/Who.pm

    Affected:
      Only the command line script is affected.


  Change:
    The message boards have been adapted as to allow for a certain amount of
    administration.   Administration, being the ability to see all posts being
    made as to save the administrator from having to scan through the list at
    all times.

    Board notice message has also been changed as to be a bit more useful to
    the users.  Specially when attempting to determine where the post is
    currently hiding.

    Modified:                                  Databases:
      ./board.pl                                 Realm
      ./portal.pl                                Tag
      ./config/realm.pl                          WebchatText

    Affected:
      Realm Configuration and Boards are affected.


03 October 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    Quick change to the way that the Quick Log showed entries.   Basically, it
    has been condenced as to make things more efficient, take up less space and
    allow for messages to be displayed individually.  

    Modified:
      ./weblog.pl

    Affected:
      Only the weblog is affected.


01 October 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    Changes in response were made to the weblog.   Now if it is called with the
    quicklog.pl filename, the script will interpret it as a SSI request and 
    display a stripped down version of the weblog itself.   Quick and easy
    and simple.

    Modified:                                  Databases:
      ./weblog.pl                                Tag
    
    Affected:
      The weblog is affected if used with its alternate name.


  Change:
    Message boards have been changed a bit to meet different needs.   The first
    change was done as to allow people to look at posts made on the board
    without being required to log onto the system itself.   As one can tell
    this will make it easier for realms to link it off their homepages and not
    expect people to be members or log onto Ethereal Realms in order to simply
    see posts.

    Another change was brought about by the way that the weblog function.  This
    is basically the addition of a link on the Puppet that links to the Bio
    script which will list contact information if so desired.

    The default behaviour of the boards has been changed to support boards that
    actually have activity.    While this is currently not the case the activty
    based filter will actually make things cleaner and is honestly a better
    default.

    The ability to have a board outside the standard realms is now possible.
    This is done by detecting the name of the script, meaning that sysboard.pl
    instead of the traditional board.pl will bring the person to a board that
    does not exist anywhere else.    Useful if a system wishes to have system
    specific boards used for coding et cetera.

    Modified:                                  Databases:
      ./board.pl                                 Tag

    Affected:
      Message boards is the only affected sub-system.


30 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    A new script as added to the current list as to allow for the display of 
    posts in the Weblog.   This is essentially a read only script with some
    navigational options thrown in to make life more interesting.   Since the
    script itself does not contain any important information the links are not
    as closely guarded as they could be, however the use of encoded links still
    remained a priority.

    A minior correct was also made to the message boards during this
    modification.  This was in reguards to the title display.

    Modified:                                  Databases:
      ./board.pl                                 Tag
      ./weblog.pl
      ./Ethereal/Database.pm


  Change:
    The Admiinistrative Control Panel now has the support added in to manage
    and add entries to the systems weblog.   This required the addition of a new
    table to the database (Weblog) and the addition of a new script which has
    not yet been added.

    Modified:                                  Databases:
      ./admin/system.pl                          Tag
      ./Ethereal/Audit.pm                        Weblog (new)

    Affected:
      For now only the Control Panel is affected.


  Change:
    Puppeteer Configuration and Bio have been adapted to work with the new
    functionality.    The first will allow for management of the information on
    the contact list, while the other will neatly display the information as to
    hopefully cut down on clutter and provide additional information to the 
    user itself.

    Modified:                                  Databases:
      ./bio.pl                                   Tag
      ./config/puppeteer.pl

    Affected:
      Affected scripts are system.pl, puppeteer.pl and bio.pl


29 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    A new field can be controlled from the Puppet Control screen, as to allow
    for contact information to not be displayed.    This is essentially a 
    privacy feature being added into new functionality.

    A change was also done to the Administrative Control Panel, adding a new
    section which allows for the addition and removal of possible contact
    information.   All of which done in a fairly standard interface for new
    administrative scripts.

    Modified:                                  Databases:
      ./admin/system.pl                          Contact (new)
      ./config/puppet.pl                         Puppet
                                                 PuppeteerContact

    Affected:
      The Administrative Control Panel and Puppet Configuration pages for
      now are the only ones affected.


28 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    Consolidation of all the administrative scripts into one massive container.
    Unlike the supervisors Control Panel, this variant makes use of symbolic 
    links in order to know which script that is currently using it and act 
    accordingly.  

    This simplifies coding to a certain extent and in this case allows for the
    bookmarking of the specific sections if so desired.  

    Removed:                                  Databases:
      ./admin/access.pl                         Tag
      ./admin/chat.pl
      ./admin/font.pl
      ./admin/gummy.pl
      ./admin/realm.pl
      ./admin/text.pl

    Created:
      ./admin/system.pl

    Affected:
      All former scripts are affected as they are replaced with the container.


27 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    Canon handle interface no longer makes use of self contained forms, instead
    it uses the cleaner design of using Checkboxes mixed in with one
    encompassing form.   This also has the side effect of allowing for mass
    removals if need be.

    Modified:
      ./config/realm.pl

    Affected:
      Only the Realm Control Panel is affected.


  Change:
    Quick change as to Carbon Copy (CC) Email when donations are made.  As it
    seems that PayPal itself is no longer sending out Email to notify people 
    that donations are made.

    Modified:
      ./donations.pl

    Affected:
      Only the donations script is affected.


25 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    A change was done to the code as to allow Detached Comm Panels from working
    with Internet Explorer only.  This is due to oddities that appear from using
    other browsers such as Netscape Navigator in reguards to how it functions
    in with different frame modes.

    Modified:
      ./realm.pl
      ./Ethereal/Comm.pm

    Affected:
      Netscape browsers will be affected.


24 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    Detachable Comm Panels have been added into the system.  As of yet 
    Internet Explorer is the only browser under which is works without a problem
    with Netscape 6.0 working fairly well under Auto-Scroll mode.   More changes
    will be done to correct this.

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./realm.pl                                WebchatText
      ./Ethereal/Comm.pm
      ./Ethereal/Database.pm

    Affected:
      All chat modes excluding basic may be affected.


  Change:
    Making use of normal HTML attributes, hot-keys were added in to the Comm
    Panel as to make navigation much faster in general.   Unfortunately, there
    a difference between Internet Explorer and Netscape which means the
    behaviour changes.   For those making use of Internet Explorer they will 
    need to press enter.

      Alt+P: Sends off a post.
      Alt+T: Selects the text box.
      Alt+R: Refreshes the frame / restarts stream. 
      Alt+Z: Brings up the post zoom window.
      Alt+G: Brings up the colour selection chart.

    All of these keys are generated when the widget is formed or the link is
    created in the case of the Zoom window and Colour selection chart.  There
    is no effort needed by supervisors/hosts.

    Modified:
      ./realm.pl
      ./Ethereal/Comm.pm
      ./Ethereal/Post.pm
     
    Affected:
      Only those making use of the ALT-Key combinations will notice the change
      however the above scripts/modules were modified.


23 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    A new section was added in order to create the ability for users to zoom
    their posts into a new window.  This new window would not be a replacement
    for the Communications Panel, but instead offer the ability to see posts in
    a larger area before sending it back down the line for posting.

    Other advantages include the ability to store longer posts in another window
    while making quicker posts to the realm itself.  This in itself may or may
    not make the use of the LZOOMER macro widespread.

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./Ethereal/Comm.pm                        WebchatText
      ./post/colours.pl

    Affected:
      Colours Display will now change behaviour based on the name of the script
      which in this case would be zoom.pl instead of the conventional 
      colours.pl.  Any realm making use of the new macro LZOOMER will be able
      to use the new functionality.


19 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    Code was added into the Private Message and Communications Panel code as to
    allow for a change of focus if the option for Javascript is enabled.  This
    will speed up posting by changing focus to the post textarea once submitted
    all without using a mouse.   The Post-Tab-Enter combination grants the user
    a quick posting method as well.

    Modified:
      ./Ethereal/Comm.pm
      ./post/private.pl

    Affected:
      Posts made publicly and privately will see the difference.


18 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    Modifications where made to the Realm Control Panel in order to automatically
    send Emails to a user informing them of their ban on a realm.  This message
    is also sent to another address as to keep track of mailed bans.

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./config/realm.pl                         Tag
      ./Ethereal/Database.pm                    WebchatText

    Affected:
      The Realm Control Panel is affected.


  Change:
    Modification to the regular expressions in the sanity check in order to make
    sure that posts with certain characters that Perl extrapolates are escaped
    properly.   This was especially noticed in posts which had a certain amount
    of question marks.

    Modified:
      ./Ethereal/Filter.pl

    Affected:
      Anyone who loves to use an excessive amount of ? will be happy.


17 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    A sanity check was added to all posts being made within a realm.  This means
    that anyone posting a series of attached characters beyond a certain length
    will find that the string will have spaces embed as to allow the browser to
    do a normal wrap around. 

    While some people may think this Draconian, it does allow for a less
    annoyed chat experience when dealing with people who feel overly creative 
    and give into their yearnings for posting drivel.

    One can also have their Email addresses linked off.  This makes life a bit
    simpler and prevents the truncation/abuse.	

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./board.pl                                Tag
      ./Ethereal/Comm.pm 
      ./Ethereal/Filter.pm

    Affected:
      Message Boards and Realms themselves are affected if you post Email
      addresses or hyperlinks.    


16 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    Added functionality to allow for streams to be ended when the user so
    wishes to.  This in return will allow the user to save posts when he or she
    deems it necessary and also allows for a cleaner exit of the realm.

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./Ethereal/Comm.pm                        Post
      ./Ethereal/Post.pm                        Tag

    Affected:
      Stream or Auto-Scroll users will see the changes.


12 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    The original concept for the system was to have three methods of access for
    realms.  The first being the one that most people know of based on the 
    behaviour of public realms, which the second has been used in some lesser
    form to restrict access to certain realms.

    A new access control has been added to complete the initial schematic done
    a few years ago.   The following access control modes exist:

      Relaxed    - General login access with possible bans
      Restricted - General login access with restriction to canon handles
      List       - Restricted login access based on reverse bans

    These access methods also required the change to the system as to allow 
    administrative overrides on bans for the Realm Control-Panel.  Without
    which a realm that selected an improper mode would not be able to back out
    from the change done to it.

    As a result, an administrator with administrative access can still enter a
    realm that would normally deny him access.   This access only applies to 
    the control panel and would not allow him/her to post or access the realm
    itself.

    Since list access is a Canon handle only realm, certain logic changes have
    been made.  Essentially, they can send and receive private messages due to
    the fact that no one else in the room has a system level handle.   They
    still have the same limitations when creating them however.

    All patrons entering a realm that restricts to canon handles, will soon
    discover that they will automatically be switched to the first available
    canon handle.  Without this, problems would arise as to illegal characters
    making posts et cetera. 

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./portal.pl                               WebchatText
      ./realm.pl
      ./config/realm.pl
      ./Ethereal/Comm.pm
      ./Ethereal/Database.pm
      ./Ethereal/Login.pm
      ./post/private.pl  

    Affected:
      Many scripts were effected directly and are seen above. List level access
      will not be seen by most as a matter of protocol on the current 
      development environment other then in hybrid realms which are not common
      knowledge.


  Change:
    Quick change to the database and scripts to allow the filter phrase to be 
    changed.  A more comedic example of this would be to change the default
    **** with the word smurf.   

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./config/realm.pl                         Realm
      ./ethereal/Comm.pm                        Tag

    Affected:
      Direct changes seen at the Hosts Control Panel and any post made in a 
      realm that restricts such material.

  Change:
    Administrative override has been added to the Realm Control-Panel as to
    allow administrators in aiding supervisors when certain settings have gotten
    them banned from their own realms.

    Modified:
      ./config/realm.pl

    Affected:
      Only the realm control panel is affected.


  Change:
    Ability for bans to become mostly permanent has been put into place.   This 
    is also accomplished in order to prepare for proper realm access modes in
    which LIST based access inverses the behaviour of the ban list.

    Modified:
      ./config/realm.pl

    Affected:
      While the change is only found in the Realm Control-Panel, people will
      notice the change for a bit longer when they are banned.


08 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    Major changes in functionality were added to the dice roller in order to
    patrons more control when making the roll of a dice.    Functionality that 
    has been added is as follows:
      Damage modifier
      Variable botches and difficulty levels
      Ability to drop an amount of high and low rolls
      Ability to add a comment or action with roll

    This change comes effectively after input from the hosts and patrons.  With
    this in place, future need for changes should be lessened.

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./post/dice.pl                            Tag

    Affected:
      Only the dice roller is affected.   Secondary effects will be seen when 
      posts are made with the additional functionality.


  Change:
    Modification to the nightly automation script that will round down times used
    in statistics sent to the hosts.   Makes the output look a bit cleaner and 
    will also have the effect of making the output more consistent even if the
    system takes a bit longer to complete the task et cetera.

    Modified:
      ./commandline/webchatcmd.pl
      ./Ethereal/Date.pm

    Affected:
      Only the nightly automation script will be affected.


07 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    New script added to display all gummies ranging from the administrative ones
    that we all know and love to the general list which is by far the largest.
    This allows users to become more familiar with the various choices and not
    spend hours on end working on puppets by simply selecting a different gummy
    every post.

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./config/gummies.pl                       Tag

    Affected:
      Only the Puppet Configuration page will reflect the change.   And this
      is done with a tag and not a code change.


  Change:
    The ability for hosts to control the dimensions of the Communications Panel
    and the Remote Control have been put into place.   All of this can be 
    controlled from the hosts Control Panel and will result in immediate changes
    so one should be aware of the numbers placed.

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./realm.pl                                Realm
      ./config/realm.pl                         Tag
      ./Ethereal/Database.pm

    Affected:
      Realm Control Panel and Realm display are both affected.


06 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    A quick change that will make it harder for people to accidently remove
    puppets and files in their home-pages.   The only change is the addition of
    a checkbox besides the button which is required before the action can take
    place. 

    Modified:
      ./home.pl
      ./config/puppet.pl

    Affected:
      Only Puppet Configuration and the Home page module are affected.


05 September 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    A change to the control-panel allows for hosts to specify one Email address
    which will be used specifically to get automated archives of the public posts
    made in that realm before they would normally be cleared.

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./commandline/webchatcmd.pl               Realm
      ./Ethereal/Database.pm                    Tag
      ./Ethereal/Pull.pm

    Affected:
      Only the background night process script is affected, and more
      specifically only if you are doing realm level statistics.


  Change:
    Added the ability for hosts using the Realm Control Panel to dictate the 
    position of the timestamp.   The default is at the bottom which is the 
    more classical position used by WBS, then of course you can have it at
    the top and non-existent.

    If you select the removed position, the time will not show under any post
    other then posts that are sent privately.  The reason for this being that
    there is information that can be useful, and if anything they should be
    tracked.

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./Ethereal/Comm.pm                        Realm
      ./Ethereal/Database.pm                    Tag

    Affected:
      Primary effects are felt when making the posts, and then secondary 
      effects can be observed as the post is pulled from archives, logs
      and guest access.
   

31 August 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    A change was done in order to allow rooms to be promoted and demoted based
    on their status.   The logic is fairly simplistic, even if it may take a
    bit of thought as to why it works the way it does.   It goes as follows:

     Demotion:
      Only public realms can be demoted.  Hybrids carry information that should
      not exist in private realms, as a result they must be removed.

     Promotions:
      Hybrids and private realms can be moved up.  Public realms remain where 
      they are.

    The script has also been cleaned up a bit to generate less HTML, making it
    faster and allowing at the same time for multiple realms to be affected
    with the click of a button. 

    Modified:
      ./admin/realm.pl
      ./Ethereal/Audit.pm

    Affected:
      Only the Realm Administration page is affected.
       

29 August 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    Some changes in preparation for the planned changes in the portal itself. 
    This essentially is a change to allow for hosts to specify a description of
    the realm for display in another locale.

    Other changes were subsequently done to the portal in order to allow for
    a javascript description handler.   This means that any patron who has
    javascript enabled will be given a realm description is one is available
    saving them from going deeper into the links.


    Modified:                                 Databases:
     ./portal.pl                                Realm
     ./config/realm.pl                          Tag
     ./Ethereal/Database.pm                     WebchatText
    
    Affected:
      Only realm configuration is affected. 


28 August 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    The ability for the message boards to support 'topics' or subsections
    related to a different matter.   For legacy reasons, every realm will make
    use of a 'general' topic for which all existing messages will be placed.

    This is also useful for new realms who have not yet setup topics.  This
    also means that 'general' is always there no matter what.  Something that
    supervisors will need to be made aware of.

    Modified:                                 Databases:
      ./board.pl                                Board
      ./config/realm.pl                         BoardTopic (new)
      ./Ethereal/Audit.pm                       Tag
      ./Ethereal/Database.pm

    Affected:
      Board and realm configuration are directly affected.


27 August 2002
------------------------------

  Change:
    Changed the login sequence of the registration and login scripts to accept
    passwords of fifteen characters.   This is only meant to avoid the annoyance
    of selecting a longer password and receiving warning bells because it is
    longer then the stored and used eight character passwords.

    Modified:
      ./registration.pl
      ./config/puppeteer.pl
      ./Ethereal/Login.pm

    Affected:
      All scripts which require authentication, puppeteer conf and reg.
          

  Change:
    Adapted the active/suspend functionality to support more then one entry at
    a time.   This means that you can mass suspend and activate without waiting
    for each individual entry to be processed.

    Modified:
      ./config/puppeteer.pl
 
    Affected:
      The puppeteer configuration script is the only affected component.
     

  Change:
    Users can now see how much Internal Mail they have when entering through the
    portal itself.   This effectively allows them to see if something new 
    arrived or determine the need for a visit.

    Modified:
      ./portal.pl
      ./Ethereal/Database.pm

    Affected:
      Only the portal is affected with this change.
