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v1.5 - Self-Contained Multi-Launch Edition

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@laudenbachm laudenbachm released this 07 Feb 10:34
v1.5
489fbe0

MBBS Launcher v1.5 - Release Notes

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

🎉 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

📋 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)

🔧 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

📂 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.

🚀 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"

🎯 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

⚠️ Known Issues

None currently reported.

🚀 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

🆘 Support

👏 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! 🎉

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