INTRODUCING TheNet X-1J Release 2
        
This  is probably the last version of TheNet X-1. I  have  agreed 
with  Bill  Beech,  NJ7P, that we will join  forces  for  further 
versions,  taking the best of TheNet Plus 2 and TheNet  X-1.  The 
new ( composite ) will be called TheNet X-plus 3.

This  version  is a modification to TheNet X-1J  and  includes  a 
small  number  of changes that I had promised. I  am  aware  that 
there are many other ideas that have been proposed such as  DAMA. 
These  will  be  input to the wish-list for  the  joint  version. 
Specifically the changes from TheNet X-1J are :

       
     * An S-meter function in the heard list
     * A Voltmeter function for the other two ADC channels
     * Support for the TexNet '*** LINKED to' syntax
     * A bug fix to the BBS, ALIAS and DXCLUSTER commands
     * The ability to change the user's command prompt list
     * The ACL function has had a feature added to speed it up
        
The  S-meter  is  a companion to  the  deviation  meter  function 
created  in TheNet X-1J. With TheNet X-1J, an add-on card  for  a 
TNC2 clone provided 4 channels of analogue reading capability  to 
the  node.  To  the deviation meter function  is  added  received 
signal  strength  and  two channels of  DC  voltage  measurement. 
Remote  stations' deviation and signal strength ( in dBm  or  'S-
meter' format ) are shown against each station in the heard list. 
The  DC  voltage reading function can be  configured  to  display 
voltage,  temperature  or  a  number  of  similar   measurements. 
Callsign matching has been speeded up to help ACL searching.
        
The  change to the user command list allows the sysop to  control 
which  commands  are shown in the error prompt as well  as  which 
commands are enabled.

If  you use the ACL system, it is essential that you consult  the 
overview guide to understand the changes.
        
A menu driven windowing patch utility with context sensitive help 
is included.

Utilities for printing passwords in a sysop-friendly manner and a 
utility  for changing the help text attributable to  John  Bednar 
WB3ESS  are  also  provided. Modifications for  the  MFJ1278C  by 
WB0YRQ are included in the bankswitching details.

The previous releases introduced the following :
        
   A complete IP router,
   The Receive Deviation meter,
   Control of 'Slime Trails',
   Information text messages 160 characters long,
   Multiple line INFO, CTEXT and BTEXT messages,
   Nodes broadcasts occur 60 seconds after power up,
   Optional reconnect to the node after remote disconnect,
   PARMS, MODE etc may be managed by offset & value,
   Digipeat uplink & downlinks may be selectively enabled,
   Level 4 retries ( min ) is now 1,
   An MTU command allows MTU settings to be changed for IP use,
   Node alias handling is optionally case sensitive,
   TALK will optionally pass 8 bit data,
   The RESET bug in versions prior to TheNet X-1J has been cured,
   The ability to remotely set the node's alias,
   The ability to listen for 3 extra aliases & invoke BBS etc,
   Selective node broadcast control for 'hash' nodes,
   A UI command to send arbitrary UI commands,
   Access control list capabilities,
   Multi-user conferencing ( the 'TALK' command ),
   A CWID keyer,
   Better SYSOP authentication,
   MHeard list showing callsigns, packets heard & time since last heard,
   MHeard list shows whether a station is a node and / or TCP/IP station,
   A Closedown command to remotely shut the node down,
   A DXCluster command that operates like the BBS & Host commands,
   A Btext command to set the node's beacon text message,
   A Ctext command to set an optional alias connect text message,
   The ability to enable or disable any command,
   Improved command prompting with only valid commands shown,
   Routes show optionally as alias:callsign or callsign alone,
   Additional control over system reset,
   KISS as an alternative to the crosslink protocol,
   Hardware handshake controlled host mode operation,
   MODE command for configuring additional parameters,
   BBS command to auto connect to a remote BBS,
   HOST command to auto connect to another BBS or Host,
   BYE or QUIT commands to disconnect,
   STATS command to display internal statistics,
   MANAGER command for system manager access,
   AUDIT command to set system audit levels,
   Bug fixes ( e.g. info messages too long crashing the node ),
   Changes to the NODES command,
   An improved nodes broadcast algorithm for the crosslink port,
   Split port nodes broadcast intervals,
   Ability to enable & disable nodes broadcasts selectively on each port,
   CQ apologises nicely if disabled,
   Most Escape commands have been replaced with MODE parameters,
   Beacon messages may be digi'd,
   CALIBRATE command for remote checking of Tx deviation,
   LINKS command to show current level 2 links,
   Configuration of the beacon period,
   Auto routing of 'connect' to either BBS, DXCluster or HOST,
   Remote dump of entire neighbour lists for all nodes.

Dave G8KBB @ GB7MXM
QTHR