• Wildcat 8

    From Greg Youngblood@1:123/131 to Robert Wolfe on Tuesday, July 02, 2019 03:35:02
    Re: RE:Are things going down?

    So tell me Robert what is going to be new in release 8?

    I thinking or hoping 16 bit doors again and then running on Windows 7, 8.1
    and 10.


    Anything more???

    --- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
    * Origin: The Ghetto BBS (1:123/131)
  • From TERRY ROATI@3:640/1321 to Greg Youngblood on Tuesday, July 09, 2019 10:30:12

    Hello Greg,

    It will not support 16 bit doors, best solution I found is to run GameSrv on a Oracle VM running XP Pro SP3.

    Are you still using Wildcat as I have not been able to connect to your system.

    I recently upgraded my system to get ready for Wildcat 8.0, I went from WIN 10 Pro 32 bit to 64 bit and can definitely see some things are now faster. Everything works fine on Wildcat 7, I also upgraded Oracle Virtual Server from 32 bit to 64 bit as well, Gamesrv still works fine.

    Terry - 3:640/1231 tfb-bbs.org

    See Comments below from Hector for more details.

    We will have a pure 32 bit v8.0 and a new 32/64 bit mixed bag v8.0
    version. It will be 100% compatible which is why we have a mixed
    32/64 version. wcBASIC WCX has to be stay 32 bit for now and odds
    are very good, the initial release will have a 454 Build number, that
    will allow mixing any 7.0.454.x release with 8.0. But v8.0 will
    some new important security features OpenSSL v1.1 which is a must and DKIM
    ECDH Encryption support (not important, but we need be among the first to have it).

    But we are not going to just have 3 different systems; 32 bit v7.0, 32
    bit v8.0 and 32/64 v8.0 The only difference is the new things
    mentioned.

    We will always support all version that customers have, including 7.0,
    6.0 and even 5.0, but if you need thiings that might have been fixed or only available on newer versions, well, as a standard practice, people may need to upgrade. Thats no different than yesteryears.

    But things are going to change - RAPIDLY. The AUP/Distribution will change although not with the first release of V8.0 but that plan could
    change too. We need to move on. Can't be the old way any more and
    after 25-30 years, its about time. Should of had the 64 bit version YEARS ago and almost immediately after we are finished with the new
    32/64 v8.0 compilation, almost immediately, we got wcNAVIGATOR on the agenda! Can't wait for that project to start!

    But nothing will be released until v8.0 is stable. Soon, we will
    announce an official update to 7.0.454.7 that has some updates. Its has been available on the Alpha AUP server for a number of months.




    On Jul 02, 2019 03:35am, Greg Youngblood wrote to Robert Wolfe:

    Re: RE:Are things going down?

    So tell me Robert what is going to be new in release 8?

    I thinking or hoping 16 bit doors again and then running on Windows 7,
    8.1 and 10.


    Anything more???

    --- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
    * Origin: The Ghetto BBS (1:123/131)
    --- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
    * Origin: The File Bank BBS! (3:640/1321)
  • From Robert Wolfe@1:116/17 to Greg Youngblood on Monday, July 15, 2019 23:19:36
    Re: RE:Are things going down?

    So tell me Robert what is going to be new in release 8?

    I thinking or hoping 16 bit doors again and then running on Windows 7, 8.1 and 10.


    Anything more???

    --- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
    * Origin: The Ghetto BBS (1:123/131)

    For 16-bit doors, you still need XP or Server 2003 32-bit.

    --- Wildcat! v8.0.454.8 (May 16 2019), Editor Mod v2.1
    * Origin: Lean Angle BBS * Southaven MS * winserver.org (1:116/17)
  • From Joe Martin@1:104/57 to Robert Wolfe on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 07:25:33
    Anything more???

    --- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
    * Origin: The Ghetto BBS (1:123/131)

    For 16-bit doors, you still need XP or Server 2003 32-bit.

    Robert...

    I have been able to compile my DOS apps using Windows 10 32bit just fine
    and run the programs. While I haven't tried to access the COM port
    under Windows 10, are you aware of any issues in that area? I know the compiled apps work find under DOS v6.22 though.

    FWIW, I just recently (last few weeks) upgraded all my machines to run
    under Win10 (mixture of 32/64) so I haven't had much seat-time with the
    DOS stuff on it. So just curious.

    Regards,

    Joe Martin

    --- ViaMAIL!/WC v2.00
    * Origin: ViaSoft Support BBS - Back online at 303-953-0568 (1:104/57)
  • From Robert Wolfe@1:116/17 to Joe Martin on Monday, July 29, 2019 20:07:52
    I have been able to compile my DOS apps using Windows 10 32bit just fine
    and run the programs. While I haven't tried to access the COM port
    under Windows 10, are you aware of any issues in that area? I know the compiled apps work find under DOS v6.22 though.

    Unfortunately, since I do not do any comm functions under Windows 10, I
    cannot say. The only thing I do that would be similar to that is run
    PX/WINS under Netserial and Windows Server 2008 32-bit.


    FWIW, I just recently (last few weeks) upgraded all my machines to run
    under Win10 (mixture of 32/64) so I haven't had much seat-time with the
    DOS stuff on it. So just curious.

    Yeah, not too keen on the NTDVM in Windows 10 to be honest.
    --- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
    * Origin: Lean Angle BBS * Southaven MS * winserver.org (1:116/17)
  • From Greg Youngblood@1:123/131 to Robert Wolfe on Saturday, September 07, 2019 01:36:32
    Re: Wildcat 8

    For 16-bit doors, you still need XP or Server 2003 32-bit.

    Ah I see the sysop is still being left behind, too bad being we are/were the people that supported Mustang Software and then Santronics Software.

    I guess some people do in fact forget who got them where they are!

    --- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
    * Origin: The Ghetto BBS (1:123/131)
  • From Terry Roati@3:640/1321 to Greg Youngblood on Monday, September 09, 2019 11:02:12
    Greg,

    I don't always agree with the way Hector does things and like you would like
    to see him do more such as do updates / fixes to PXW where possible.

    If Hector did not take over Wildcat, it would be gone with the wind like the competition at the time.

    Hector's income stream is from corporations not Fidonet Sysops, think about
    how much time Hector spends supporting Sysops for free whether you are on the AUP or not.

    Greg, there is usualy a way around most issues, what are you wanting?

    Most of us running 16 bit doors do it by running Game Server on a 32 bit win
    XP Pro on a VM.

    Just another point of view.


    On Sep 07, 2019 01:36am, Greg Youngblood wrote to Robert Wolfe:

    Ah I see the sysop is still being left behind, too bad being we
    are/were the people that supported Mustang Software and then Santronics Software.

    I guess some people do in fact forget who got them where they are!

    Terry Roati - 3:640/1321 tfb-bbs.org

    ... Platinum Xpress & Wildcat!..... Nice!!!!
    --- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
    * Origin: The File Bank BBS! (3:640/1321)
  • From Jeff Smith@1:282/1031 to Terry Roati on Monday, September 09, 2019 02:04:30
    Hello Terry,

    I don't always agree with the way Hector does things and like you would like to see him do more such as do updates / fixes to PXW where possible.
    If Hector did not take over Wildcat, it would be gone with the wind like the competition at the time.

    Hector's income stream is from corporations not Fidonet Sysops, think about how much time Hector spends supporting Sysops for free whether you are on the AUP or not.

    I got into BBSing with Wildcat v3 in the DOS days and stayed with WC till WinServer came out. I liked WC and was ok with where is it was headed. I then started to notice a change in focus in Jim Harrer. This was I think a result of

    BBS software as a whole losing ground to internet browsers growing popularity in the middle 90's. And to Mustangs dwindling financial resources in the late 90's.
    I think in his mind Harrer always had his Wildcat customers close to his heart.
    But the future of 'Commercial' BBS software packages was fading. As a result Wildcat! was sold to Santronics. I continued to run WinServer for a time but the
    business attitude of Hector pretty much ended it for me and my continued use of
    Wildcat. I found it was much easier to talk to Andrea when contacting Santronics for anything.

    Now days I run BBBS, Mystic, and Synchronet. With BBBS being the only BBS software that I have paid money ($100) for it's use. The equivalent current node version of Wildcat would cost me thousands.


    Jeff

    --- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-4
    * Origin: Fidonet: The Ouija Board - Anoka, MN - bbs.ouijabrd.net (1:282/1031)
  • From Thomas Kloos@1:116/110 to Greg Youngblood on Monday, September 09, 2019 16:31:56
    There is always more than one way to "skin a cat". There are several door server "services"
    around that have tons of registered doors, and you use an EXE file to connect the them.
    BBSlink is one of them. Times change, technology changes, its all part of life.
    I don't think
    anyone left anyone behind per se. Just my opinion...

    For 16-bit doors, you still need XP or Server 2003 32-bit.

    Ah I see the sysop is still being left behind, too bad being we are/were the people that supported Mustang Software and then Santronics Software.

    I guess some people do in fact forget who got them where they are!


    ...Thomas Kloos 1:116/110
    --- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
    * Origin: --- Nothing is so simple that it can't get screwed up. (1:116/110)
  • From Terry Roati@3:640/1321 to Jeff Smith on Tuesday, September 10, 2019 09:42:12
    Hello Jeff,

    I totally understand where your coming from, I like you started with version 3 and moved onwards from there with a 15+ year from before the end of last year.

    Wildcat has always been a commerical BBS software and was always at the top of BSS software but as you know the internet changed everything.

    I am glad Jim Harrer had the forsight to sell Wildcat to Santronics or else it would also be gone. I am very sure all the Santronics commerical customers are glad as well.

    It's down to choice, pay for Wildcat or go another direction.

    The good thing is you are still around and enjoy being a sysop. I guess for
    you the challenge is run and configure a few BBS softwares.

    16+ years ago I ago I had over 1000+ callers on 2.5 nodes, I was living in the Philippines at the time and made a lot of life long friends, most being sysops but also callers as we wouild have a couple of events every year.

    That's the part I miss most, but luckily we still have a good bunch of sysops left in Fidonet who love this hobby.


    On Sep 09, 2019 02:10am, Jeff Smith wrote to Terry Roati:

    Hello Terry,

    Now days I run BBBS, Mystic, and Synchronet. With BBBS being the only
    BBS software that I have paid money ($100) for it's use. The equivalent current node version of Wildcat would cost me thousands.


    Terry Roati - 3:640/1321 tfb-bbs.org

    ... Platinum Xpress & Wildcat!..... Nice!!!!
    --- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
    * Origin: The File Bank BBS! (3:640/1321)
  • From Robert Wolfe@1:261/20 to Thomas Kloos on Saturday, September 14, 2019 16:06:39
    There is always more than one way to "skin a cat". There are several
    door server "services"
    around that have tons of registered doors, and you use an EXE file
    to connect the them.
    BBSlink is one of them. Times change, technology changes, its all
    part of life. I don't think
    anyone left anyone behind per se. Just my opinion...


    Thomas, welcome aboard! :) Nice to see you here!

    I agree with this PoV as well. If anything, this would give a reason/excuse to
    port EXE-based doors to wcCODE ;)


    --- InterEcho 1.20
    * Origin: Omicron Theta/WC4 * Memphis TN * wc4.winserver.org (1:261/20)