MBBSLauncher v1.85

MBBSLauncher v1.85

Bug fix release addressing issues found after v1.80.

Bug Fixes

• Single-instance restore with tray icon — Double-launching when the launcher was minimized to tray would fail to restore the existing window. Fixed by replacing hardcoded version title strings with a version-agnostic window scan.
• App Manager close not cancelling BBS stop delay — Clicking X on App Manager would hide the form but leave the stop delay timer running, causing the launcher to pop back up unexpectedly. Fixed.
• Ghost3 and Auto-Start countdown banners overlapping — When both Ghost3 and Auto-Start countdowns were active simultaneously, they rendered at the same position on screen. Fixed.
• Launcher not restoring after BBS stops when App Manager is hidden — The status monitor timer was paused when App Manager was closed, preventing the launcher from ever detecting a BBS stop. Fixed by keeping the timer running continuously.
• Module Editor task crashing on form close — Closing the main window while the Module Editor was running could cause an unhandled exception. Fixed with proper cancellation and disposal guards.
• GDI font leak in App Manager — A font object was being leaked on every BBS start/stop cycle in the cancel button. Fixed.
• Config Editor section dividers not rendering — Section divider lines in the F12 Config Editor were never visible. Fixed.

Download

Download MBBSLauncher.exe below — no .NET runtime installation required.

MBBSLauncher v1.70

MBBSLauncher v1.70

What's New

App Manager: Opacity Slider

• New Opacity TrackBar (20%–100%) lets you dial in exactly how transparent the App Manager window should be
• Value is shown live as a cyan percentage label and persisted to MBBSLauncher.ini
• Defaults to 60% on fresh installs

App Manager: Resizable Window

• Drag the bottom edge of the App Manager to make it taller or shorter
• Height is saved to INI and restored on next launch
• Program list panel stretches with the window; Cancel button moves with the content

App Manager: DPI-Aware Layout

• Fixed layout at 125%+ Windows display scale — controls are now sized relative to DeviceDpi / 96 so everything stays proportional at any scale
• "Launch 0:30" countdown now fully visible at all DPI settings

Bug Fixes

• Fixed BBS showing "Crashed" after a clean shutdown — stop detection now correctly shows "Stopped"
• Fixed "Launch 0:30" truncated to "Launch" — widened form and status label to comfortably fit the full countdown text
• Fixed Opacity=0 written to INI on startup — SaveSettings() now guarded against firing during initialization
• Fixed paint crash on close — background image loaded with new Bitmap(...) copy to prevent stream-disposal error

Config Migration Improvements

• Version marker moved from [AutoLaunch].Version to [Settings].ConfigVersion
• EnsureVersionMarker() silently upgrades existing installs on next launch — no migration prompt, no data loss
• Ghost3 legacy entries removed from default config (still supported for existing configs)

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Installation

1. Download MBBSLauncher.exe
2. Place it in your BBS directory (same folder as MBBSLauncher.ini if you have one)
3. Run as Administrator

Self-contained — no .NET runtime required. Requires Windows 10/11 x86 or x64.

Existing users: Your settings are automatically preserved. A MBBSLauncher.ini.bak backup is created if migration runs.

MBBS Launcher v1.55

MBBS Launcher v1.55

What's New

🗂️ App Manager (Beta)

A new floating status window that shows the live running state of your BBS and all auto-launch programs at a glance.

• See at a glance whether each program is running, stopped, pending launch, or crashed
• Manually launch or stop individual programs without touching the main launcher screen
• Optional auto-show when the BBS starts
• Open it anytime from the main launcher (configurable in settings)

🔒 Run as Administrator Required

MBBS Launcher now requires administrator privileges for proper operation.

• UAC elevation prompt is automatically displayed on launch
• Ensures reliable process management, foreground window control, and system integration
• Required for correct behavior on Windows 10 and Windows 11

🔍 Auto Launch Duplicate Detection

Auto Launch programs are now checked against running processes before being started.

• If a configured auto-launch app is already running, it will be skipped — no duplicate instances
• Works even if the program was started outside MBBS Launcher
• Skip events are recorded in audit.log for your records
• Manual menu launches (Options 1–8) are not affected

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Installation

1. Download MBBS Launcher.exe below
2. Place it in your BBS directory (alongside MBBSLauncher.ini)
3. Run as Administrator (Windows will prompt automatically)
4. Configure programs via F12

System Requirements

• Windows 7 / Server 2012 or later
• No .NET runtime required — self-contained build
• ~65 MB disk space
• Administrator privileges

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Created with Love in Iowa by Mark Laudenbach
https://github.com/laudenbachm/MBBS-Launcher

v1.5 - Self-Contained Multi-Launch Edition

MBBS Launcher v1.5 - Release Notes

Release Date: February 7, 2026
Build Type: Self-Contained (.NET 8)

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🎉 What's New in v1.5

1. Self-Contained Deployment ⭐

• No .NET runtime installation required!
• Single 65 MB executable with all dependencies embedded
• Zero external DLL files - just one .exe!
• Works on any Windows PC without prerequisites

2. Single Instance Enforcement

• Only one launcher can run at a time
• Double-clicking launcher when already running restores the existing window
• Prevents accidental duplicate launches

3. 5-Tab Configuration Window (F12)

Completely redesigned configuration interface:

• General - BBS path, system tray settings, startup behavior
• Menu Options - Configure all 8 options (1-8) + Option 99 + Module Editor
• Auto-Start - Auto-start BBS on launcher startup with countdown
• Auto-Launch - Multiple programs to launch after BBS starts
• Advanced - Window settings, about information

4. Multiple Auto-Launch Programs ⭐

Replaces Ghost3-specific feature with flexible multi-program support:

• Launch unlimited programs after BBS starts (practical limit ~10-20)
• Each program has:
  • Custom name
  • Program path and arguments
  • Independent delay timer (not sequential)
  • Launch minimized option (doesn't steal focus)
  • Enable/disable toggle
• Visual countdown queue shows all pending launches
• Can cancel individual programs or all at once
• Example: Ghost3 @ 30s, Telnet @ 120s, FTP @ 180s

5. Launch Minimized Feature

• Auto-launched programs can start minimized to taskbar
• Prevents programs from stealing focus from BBS
• Perfect for background services (Ghost3, telnet servers, etc.)

6. Audit Log (formerly error.log)

• Renamed from error.log to audit.log
• Automatic log rotation at 500 KB
• Keeps last ~1 MB of logs (audit.log + audit.log.old)
• Won't grow indefinitely anymore

7. Automatic v1.20 Migration

• Detects v1.20 configuration on first run
• Automatically upgrades to v1.5 format
• Creates backup (MBBSLauncher.ini.v120.backup)
• Migrates Ghost3 settings → AutoLaunch1
• All existing settings preserved

8. Improved UI

• Save/Cancel buttons repositioned for better layout
• Cleaner, more organized configuration interface
• Better visual hierarchy with section labels

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📋 Features Carried Forward from v1.20

All previous features still work:

• ✅ Retro DOS-style blue screen interface
• ✅ 8 configurable menu options (1-8) + Option 99 + Option 0 (exit)
• ✅ Smart process detection (prevents duplicate launches)
• ✅ wgsappgo → wgserver process handling
• ✅ System tray integration with context menu
• ✅ Window position/size memory
• ✅ Mouse + keyboard navigation
• ✅ F1 help, F2 module editor, F12 config
• ✅ ESC minimize (to taskbar or tray)

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🔧 Technical Improvements

• Upgraded from .NET 6.0 to .NET 8.0
• Self-contained deployment eliminates runtime dependency
• Mutex-based single instance management
• Enhanced configuration system with migration support
• Better error handling and logging
• Code organization improvements

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📂 File Structure

What you download:

MBBS Launcher.exe (65 MB) - Single self-contained executable

Generated at runtime:

MBBSLauncher.ini    - Configuration file
audit.log           - Diagnostic log (auto-rotates at 500 KB)
audit.log.old       - Previous log (if rotated)

That's it! No DLL files, no installers, no .NET runtime needed.

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🚀 How to Upgrade from v1.20

1. Backup your current config:

   • Copy MBBSLauncher.ini to a safe location

2. Install v1.5:

   • Extract all files to your launcher folder
   • Run MBBS Launcher.exe

3. Automatic migration:

   • On first run, launcher detects v1.20 config
   • Automatically upgrades to v1.5 format
   • Creates MBBSLauncher.ini.v120.backup
   • Shows confirmation message

4. Verify settings:

   • Press F12 to open configuration
   • Check all 5 tabs to verify your settings
   • Ghost3 settings should be in Auto-Launch tab as "AutoLaunch1"

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🎯 Usage Examples

Example 1: Auto-Launch Ghost3 Minimized

1. Press F12 → Auto-Launch tab
2. Click "Add Program"
3. Name: Ghost3
4. Path: C:\Ghost3\Ghost3.exe
5. Delay: 30 seconds
6. ✓ Launch minimized
7. ✓ Enabled
8. Click OK → Save

Example 2: Auto-Start BBS with 10-Second Countdown

1. Press F12 → Auto-Start tab
2. ✓ Auto-start BBS when launcher opens
3. Countdown: 10 seconds
4. Click Save
5. Next time you open launcher, BBS auto-starts after 10s countdown
6. Press any key during countdown to cancel

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⚠️ Known Issues

None currently reported.

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🚀 Coming in Version 2

The following features are currently in development for a future version 2 release:

• Auto-restart BBS on unexpected exit
• Enhanced monitoring and recovery features

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🆘 Support

• GitHub: https://github.com/laudenbachm/MBBS-Launcher
• Issues: Report bugs at GitHub Issues
• Documentation: See README.md

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👏 Credits

Created with Love ❤ by Mark Laudenbach in Iowa

v1.5 brings significant improvements to deployment, configuration, and automation while maintaining the retro aesthetic and simplicity that made v1.20 great!

Enjoy! 🎉

MBBS Launcher v1.20 - Ghost3 Support & UI Improvements

MBBS Launcher v1.20 Release Notes

Overview

Version 1.20 adds Ghost3 support for BBS door connectivity, along with UI improvements and updated visuals.

🎯 New Features

Ghost3 Auto-Launch Support

• Ghost3 Integration: Automatically launch Ghost3 after The Major BBS starts
• Configurable Delay: Set custom delay (0-300 seconds, default 60) before Ghost3 launches
• Visual Countdown: Green-themed countdown timer with cancellation support
• Flexible Path Configuration: Customize Ghost3 installation path (default: C:\Ghost3\Ghost3.exe)
• Independent Operation: Ghost3 runs separately - no monitoring or management needed

Updated Interface

• New Background Image: Refreshed launcher screen with updated text
• Improved Help Dialog (F1):
  • Larger font (11pt) for better readability
  • No word wrapping - displays as formatted
  • Wider window (820px) to accommodate content
  • Resizable for user preference
• Resizable Configuration Window (F12):
  • Now fully resizable for low-resolution displays
  • Minimum size: 650x600px
  • Works great on 1024x768 monitors
  • Maximize button enabled
  • Clean header with Save/Cancel buttons always visible

UI/UX Improvements

• Consistent checkbox alignment throughout configuration
• Improved Ghost3 settings layout matching BBS auto-start style
• Better button positioning and visibility
• Professional header layout in configuration editor

📋 What's Ghost3?

Ghost3 is a program that allows The Major BBS to connect to old school BBS doors. This optional feature is perfect for sysops running classic door games alongside their BBS.

How it works:

1. Enable Ghost3 in Configuration (F12)
2. Set the path to Ghost3.exe
3. Configure launch delay (how long after BBS starts)
4. Launch your BBS (Option 5 - Go!)
5. Ghost3 automatically starts after the countdown

🔧 Configuration

Access all new settings via F12 Configuration Editor:

Ghost3 Auto-Launch Settings:

• ☑ Auto-launch Ghost3 after BBS starts (for BBS door support)
• Path: C:\Ghost3\Ghost3.exe (customizable with Browse button)
• Delay: 60 seconds (adjustable 0-300)

📸 Screenshots

See the updated launcher interface with new background and improved visuals in the screenshots folder.

🐛 Bug Fixes & Improvements

• Fixed configuration editor button visibility issues
• Improved form resizing behavior
• Better layout consistency across all configuration sections
• Enhanced help documentation with Ghost3 information

💾 Download

File: MBBS Launcher.exe
Size: 1.3 MB
Requirements: .NET 6.0 Desktop Runtime (Windows x86)

🔄 Upgrading from v1.10

Simply replace your existing MBBS Launcher.exe with the new version. Your configuration file (MBBSLauncher.ini) will be automatically updated with new Ghost3 settings on first run.

📖 Documentation

• Press F1 in the launcher for updated help documentation
• Press F12 to access the configuration editor
• See README.md for full installation and usage instructions

🙏 Credits

Created with Love ❤ by Mark Laudenbach in Iowa

📝 Notes

• Ghost3 is optional - the launcher works perfectly without it
• Ghost3 must be installed separately if you want to use this feature
• Administrator rights may be required depending on installation location (see README for details)

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Full Changelog: See CHANGELOG.md for complete version history

MBBS Launcher v1.10

Features (from previous releases)

• System tray support with minimize to tray
• Auto-start with Windows option
• Quick access to website, demo BBS, and Discord
• All links now clickable in the UI
• System tray icon with context menu

MBBS Launcher v1.00

Version: v1.00

• Initial release
• Classic retro DOS-style interface with authentic MBBS look
• Configurable program launcher (Options 1-8, 99, and 0 for exit)
• Clickable menu buttons plus traditional keyboard input
• Auto-launch at Windows startup (optional)
• Smart process detection and management
• Auto-hide/show functionality when launching programs
• Single-file executable with embedded resources
• INI-based configuration with automatic BBS folder detection
• Built-in configuration editor (F12)
• Custom Windows application icon
• Window position and size memory
• 16:9 aspect ratio with scalable interface

🐛 Bug Disclosure

This was coded by a guy who Googles "how to exit vim" every single time. There WILL be bugs. There WILL be spelling mistakes. There WILL be profanity shouted at my monitor. You've been warned!