Q - What's new in version 4.4 of the palace server ?

This FAQ gives you the official release notes covering the new features and changes in version 4.4 of the palace server software - annotated to help you figure out what it all means.

WHAT'S NEW IN THIS RELEASE ?

The UNIX 4.4.1 Palace Server has many new features. These include: SCRIPT FILE (pserver.dat) NOW SPLIT The former pserver.dat (or even older, pscript) script file has now been split into two files. If any of you have been running a palace for a long time - or if you are running a version older than 4.4 anywhere, you remember a file called the pserver.dat. This file has been split into two parts.

- the preferences file (pserver.pref) containing your Palace preferences
- the script file (pserver.pat) containing room information for your Palace

If you are coming to Chatserve for the first time and you have the old file format, that's not a problem. Send in your pserver.dat file, or up,oad it to your new account. This file will be read in and automatically split file into your .prefs and .pat files when you run the server.

SITE AND PROFILE PAGES

In version 4.4, Communities.com introduced site pages and user pages. These pages were part of the palace directory and were hosted by Communities.com at their facility. Since Communities.com has closed, the directory, site pages and user pages have dissapeared. A great subsitute directory is avaialable at The Palace Tools Website - a site operated and maintained by the volunteer Palace Developer Group.

THE PALACE VIEWER

The Palace Viewer was another new innovation in version 4.4. It allowed logins to your palace via a web browser and it replaced the old web based client - Instant Palace. The Palace Viewer was routed through the servers at Communities.com and is, therefore, no longer available sinc they closed their doors. We still support Instant Palace and will help you get that set up for your palace if you want.

CHANGES TO GOD AND WIZARD TERMS

In version 4.4, the terms 'god' and 'wizard' were changed to 'owner' and 'operator', respectively. The change in terms was not complete, however, and you will still see the old terms in some places, like your log files. The old commands that used the old terminology still work as well.

CHANGES TO EXISTING COMMANDS

The `page command is now a guest command by default. In versions prior to 4.4, only members (people with client reg codes) could use page. If you want you can still restrict access to the 'page command using the 'setrank command.

The `avatarurl command now has expanded functionality as described below.

NEW COMMANDS

Several new commands have been added and some have been modified in how they work:

New `roomsfile command

There is a new owner command, `roomsfile, that lets you set your Palace template file (.pat). By default, this is a file named 'pserver.pat. With this new command, you can switch which file your palace uses.

Using a new template gives your Palace a new look and feel. What this means is you don't have to have just one set of rooms and scripts for your palace. You can have several 'pat' files and switch them for special occassions, or to suit your moods. The 'pat' file contains all the info for your rooms, scripts, etc - so by switching the 'pat' file you can completely remodel your palace in an instant.

The syntax is: `roomsfile psdata/patfilename

The default pat file is stored in installdir/palace/psdata/pserver.pat. For convenience, we recommend you place any additional pat files you may add in the same location.

If no argument is given, the current rooms file setting is displayed. If an argument is given, the rooms file name is set to the argument value. If you set the rooms file name, it warns you that the change won't take effect until the next server restart.

New `showranks command

There is a new owner command, `showranks, to show the command rank settings.

The syntax `showranks

Each command and its current rank is displayed. If the rank has been changed from the default (via the `setrank command), the default rank is shown in parenthesis after the current rank.

New `entrypage command

This command was associated with the palace directory operated by communities.com and is no longer supported.

New `allowedurls command

There is a new owner command, `allowedurls, that lets you create a list of "authorized" URLs that can contain an embedded Palace Viewer applet pointing to your Palace. This lets you control the web content surrounding this link to your Palace. For example, if you operate a family-oriented Palace site, you probably don’t want links to your Palace site appearing in web pages containing adult content.

This command was associated with the palace directory operated by communities.com and is no longer supported.

New `avatarurl command

There is a new owner command, `avatarurl, that lets you create a custom avatars library for web clients accessing your Palace. It also sets the URL where this custom library is located. Custom avatars are used only for web-based clients (InstantPalace or The Palace Viewer).

The syntax is: `avatarurl on - This enables custom avatars `avatarurl off - This disables custom avatars `avatarurl URL - This sets the URL where the custom avatar library is located.

New `pinprop command

There is a new owner command, `pinprop, that controls the prop worn by a pinned user. Previously, when a user was pinned, he or she had to wear the chains prop. Now server operators can control use of this feature.

The syntax is - `pinprop [on|off]

The arguments "on" and "off" turn the use of this feature on and off (it is on by default).

When no arguments are given, the command takes the first prop that the issuer of the command is wearing and sets it to be the pin prop. You must be wearing a prop to do this.

The default is "on" and the default prop worn is the one with prop ID 1280 (the chains prop).

New `sitepage command

This command was associated with the palace directory operated by communities.com and is no longer supported.