
#: 28039 S2/Utilities [U]
    04-Jan-90  00:45:45
Sb: ALIAS ver 1.1 announced
Fm: Douglas Boling 72271,1352
To: All

To all,

   Announcing a new version of ALIAS to calm the masses.  Version 1.1 fixes
bugs, adds a new feature, and attempts to be more compatible with various 386
memory management utilities.

   First, the highlights:

   1.     Fixed stupid bug involving consecutive percent signs.
   2.     Now correctly finds the Master Environment block in DOS 3.2
   3.     Works in the OS/2 DOS box
   4.     Support for COMMAND.COM shelling
   5.     Smaller memory requirements on installation.


   Now the details:

   1.     Fixed stupid bug involving consecutive percent signs.
   2.     Now correctly finds the Master Environment block in DOS 3.2

   Sorry about these bugs.  I should have done more testing.  Don't blame Jeff,
these were both my fault.  Alas, you live and learn.


   3.     Works in the OS/2 DOS box

   At one time this was in the original version, somehow it was removed before
we delivered the code.  Anyway, it is back.  Its still useful since although
OS/2 1.2 CMD.EXE stacks commands, the DOS box COMMAND.COM still does not.


   4.     Support for COMMAND.COM shelling

   Boy, did we not anticipate the uproar about not supporting shelling! The
masses have spoken, and we have listened.


   5.     Smaller memory requirements on installation.

   This change is not without some side effects.  By reducing the default
memory requirements ALIAS is now limited to a 16 Kbyte input file and a total
installed size (command stack and alias list) of 44 Kbytes.  This may sound
like plenty but I'm sure someone will soon say that ALIAS 1.0 worked for them
but 1.1 does not.  Anticipating this problem, the constants for the file buffer
size and total installed size are now patchable.  Both parameters are located
in the COM file immediately following the copyright notice.

========================================================================
   One important note.  If ALIAS 1.0 is currently installed on your machine use
version 1.0 to uninstall it.  Using version 1.1 to uninstall ALIAS 1.0 may
result in a hard lockup of your machine.  Sorry, this is due to the extensive
revisions to the code.

Doug
