MCR Change List on 3/3/2025:

 Enhancements:
 
 - Enhanced mention handling: user can use the /mentions command or
   press the UP hotkey to reset the mention counter to zero (0) and 
   also review all previous mentions for the current session.

 - User can press the PGUP hotkey as a shortcut key for /scroll
   
 - Seconds are included in the timestamp in widescreen (132 column) mode.

 - Passwords get masked when using trust commands (identify, register, 
   roompass, update password, & roomconfig password).

 
 Fixes:
 
 - Added an IAMHERE immediately after connecting before joining a room. 
   This fixes auto-joining the lobby (or the configured room) on startup.
   In addition, mrc-session now also passes user's terminal size, security 
   level, IP address, and sysop's name to the MRC server on startup. 

 - The to_site property in messages from the server no longer needs to be 
   considered when allowing an incoming message from mrc-connector to 
   mrc-client. This resolves the issue of messages from ddial users not 
   appearing in mrc-client, as well as other types of messagea 
   (e.g.: !weather <city name> $).
     
 - Fixed user list (nick list) refresh when someone joins a room or their
   client session times out.
   
 - Stats on the status line no longer wait for user input to get updated.
   
 - Commands not strictly defined in mrc-session are no longer stopped from 
   being sent out to the server. This means server commands are no longer 
   required to be issued with /quote (but it will still work for things like 
   /quote help for the server command list).
   
 - The HOME, END, INSERT, and PAGEDN keys no longer send an empty message
   if accidentally pressed.
 
 - mrc-connector.js now announces a user's departure immediately before
   sending the LOGOFF command.
   
 - Fixed an issue in mrc-client.js where the new_alias function saved
   the new default alias string, but didn't actually use the new alias
   string for the current session.
      
 
 New Features:
 
 - Basic twit filter implemented. Hides messages from problematic chatters.
   Usage:
   -  /twit add nameoftwit    Filters out nameoftwit's messages.
   -  /twit del nameoftwit    nameoftwit's messages are re-allowed.
   -  /twit list              Lists twits the user has added.
   -  /twit clear             Empty's the user's twit list.
   Twit names are saved per-user to mrc-client.ini (separated by ~ character)
   and remembered in future sessions.

 - User can press the LEFT and RIGHT arrow hotkeys to change their outgoing 
   message color. The selected color is indicated by the > symbol to the left 
   of the inputline, and gets saved and reused in future sessions.

 - Added "commands" option under [startup] in mrc-client.ini. This is a 
   comma-separated list of commands defined by the sysop to execute when a 
   user enters MRC. For example, including "chatters" will automatically
   display chatters in the current room on startup after displaying the motd 
   screen and joining the room (requested by Amessyroom of Too Lazy BBS).

 - Local system messages for the user get displayed in the chat window (e.g.:
   email notifications, new echomail posts & replies, etc.). This way the user
   doesn't need to wait until leaving MRC to be notified of such things.

 - Added /r as a shortcut to reply to the last private message.

 - User can use the CTRL+D shortcut to clear the inputline, rather than 
   having to repeatedly press backspace.
 
 - Optional "MRC for Synchronet" splash on startup. Sysop can customize it 
   by editing the mrc-splash.msg file, or just disable it entirely by setting 
   splash = false in mrc-client.ini.

   
 Housekeeping:

 - Massive reorganization of the /help information. All help info on local 
   commands is now contained in external msg files. Redundant and obsolete 
   commands have been removed, and text has been added to bring awareness
   to additional server command availability by typing /quote help
   
 - "banners" is not a command that the server expects to receive from clients
   in the USER context, so the banners definition in mrc-session.js, the 
   associated function call in mrc-client.js, and the associated setting 
   in mrc-session.ini have been removed. 
   
 - Updated readme.txt file, including info on the toggle_nicks setting that
   was missed in the previous update.


Known issue:

 - Strings starting with semicolons do not go out, because they are recognized
   by InputLine.js as sysop command prefixes. Maybe the "submit" command can
   be overridden to bypass this.
         

 Acknowledgements:
 
  Big thanks to StingRay, cr1mson, paulie420, and MeaTLoTioN for testing
  and providing helpful feedback, and as always to StackFault for insight.

xtrn/mrc/mrc-client.example.ini

@@ -5,10 +5,15 @@ ping_interval = 60
 [startup]
 room = lobby
 motd = true
-banners = true
+commands = 
+splash = true
 
 [aliases]
 
-[client]
-;change this to true if you want show the nick list on connect.
-show_nicks=false
+[theme]
+
+[msg_color]
+
+[show_nicks]
+
+[twit_list]

xtrn/mrc/mrc-connector.js

@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ f = undefined;
 if (!settings.ssl)
 	settings.ssl=false;
 
-const PROTOCOL_VERSION = '1.3.1';
-const MAX_LINE = 256;
+const PROTOCOL_VERSION = '1.3.2';
+const MAX_LINE = 512;
 const FROM_SITE = system.name.replace(/ /g, "_");
 const SYSTEM_NAME = system_info.system_name || system.name;
 
@@ -221,8 +221,10 @@ function mrc_receive(sock) {
         line = sock.recvline(MAX_LINE, settings.timeout);
         if (!line || line == '') break;
         latency_tracker.forEach(function(m) {
-            if (m.line===line.trim()) {
+            if (m.line===line.trim() || 
+                (m.line.indexOf("~STATS") >= 0 && line.indexOf("~STATS") >= 0 ) ) {
                 client_send({ from_user: "SERVER", to_user: 'CLIENT', body: 'LATENCY:' + (Date.now() - m.time) }); 
+                log(LOG_DEBUG, 'Latency: ' +  (Date.now() - m.time) );
                 latency_tracker = [];
             }
         });
@@ -239,14 +241,12 @@ function mrc_receive(sock) {
             fMa.write(message.body.substr(message.body.indexOf(':')+1).trim());
             fMa.close();
         }
-        if (['', 'ALL', FROM_SITE].indexOf(message.to_site) > -1) {
-            if (['', 'CLIENT', 'ALL', 'NOTME'].indexOf(message.to_user) > -1) {
-                // Forward to all clients
-                client_send(message);
-            } else {
-                // Send to this user
-                client_send(message, message.to_user);
-            }
+        if (['', 'CLIENT', 'ALL', 'NOTME'].indexOf(message.to_user) > -1) {
+            // Forward to all clients
+            client_send(message);
+        } else {
+            // Send to this user
+            client_send(message, message.to_user);
         }
         yield();
     }
@@ -274,6 +274,7 @@ function main() {
 
         Object.keys(clients).forEach(function (e, i) {
             if (!clients[e].socket.is_connected) {
+                mrc_send(mrc_sock, clients[e].username, "", "NOTME", "", "", "|07- |12" + clients[e].username + " |04has left chat|08.");                
                 mrc_send(mrc_sock, clients[e].username, '', 'SERVER', '', '', 'LOGOFF');
                 client_send({ from_user: clients[e].username, to_user: 'SERVER', body: 'LOGOFF' }); // Notify local clients
                 delete clients[e];

xtrn/mrc/mrc-help-main.msg

+
N
B__[ 
H
WList of available commands
N: 
B]_____________________________
+
W
H/
Cinfo
N

H
K:
N View information about a BBS
H
K:
N 
H/
Cinfo
N 
H#
+
W
H/
Ct 
Kor 
W/
Cmsg

K:
N Send a direct message
H
K:
N

H/
Ct
N 
Hnick
N 
H
Bmessage
+
W
H/
Cr
N

H
K:
N Reply to last direct message
H
K:
N 
H/
Cr
B message
+
W
H/
Cjoin
N

H
K:
N Move to a new room
H
K:
W
/
Cjoin
N 
Hroom_name
+
W
H/
Ctopic
N

H
K:
N Change room topic:

H/
Ctopic
W topic
+
W
H/
Crooms
N

H
K:
N List available rooms
+
W
H/
Cusers
N

H
K:
N List users
+
W
H/
Cwhoon
N

H
K:
N List users and BBSes
+
W
H/
Cmotd
N

H
K:
N Display the Message of the Day
+
W
H/
Cscroll 
Kor 
CPGUP
K:
N Scroll the chat window
+
W
H/
Cmentions 
Kor 
CUP
K:
N Reset mention counter and review mentions
+
W
H/
Cscroll_nicks
N  
H
K:
N Scroll the nicklist
+
W
H/
Ctoggle_nicks
N  
H
K:
N Show/hide the nicklist
+
W
H/
Ctoggle_stats
N  
H
K:
N Toggle MRC stats view
+
W
H/
Ctheme
N

H
K:
N Select a theme 
H
K..........
N see
H
K:
N 
H/
Chelp
N 
Htheme
+
W
H/
Ctwit
N

H
K:
N Twit List management 
H
K....
N see
H
K:
N 
H/
Chelp
N 
Htwit
+
W
H/
Cquit
N

H
K:
N Exit the program
+
W
H
CLEFT
K/
CRIGHT
W

K:
N Change your text color 
H
K..
N see
H
K:
N 
H/
Chelp
N 
Hnick
+
W
H
CCTRL
K+
CD
N

H
K:
N Clear the input line
+
NFor a list of additional 
HSERVER
N commands, see 
H/
Cquote
N 
Hhelp
\ No newline at end of file

xtrn/mrc/mrc-help-nick.msg

+
N
B__[ 
H
WNick customization options
N: 
B]_____________________________
+
H
W/
Cnick_prefix 
K:
W 
NSet a single-character prefix for your handle
+
N
eg.
H /
Cnick_prefix
N 
H@
+
W
H/
Cnick_color
N  
H
K:
W 
NSet your nick color
+
H

N
G02
H
W 
N
C03
H
W 
N
R04
H
W 
N
M05
H
W 
N
Y06
H
W 
B09
W 
G10
W 
C11
W 
R12
M 13
W 
Y14
W 15
+
W
H/
Cnick_suffix 
K:
W 
NSet an eight-character suffix for your handle
+
N
eg.
H 
N/
H
Cnick_suffix 
W<afilz>
+
+
N You can include pipe color codes in your nick_prefix and
+
N nick_suffix. Get as creative as you want!
+
+
H
B 
NExample: 
H
B@
CUserName
B<
GaFiLZ
B>

xtrn/mrc/mrc-help-theme.msg

+
N
B__[ 
H
WHow to set a custom theme
N: 
B]______________________________
+
+
N Usage:
+   
W
H/
Ctheme 
N
Hnameoftheme
+
N 
\ No newline at end of file

xtrn/mrc/mrc-help-twit.msg

+
N
B__[ 
H
WHow to use the twit list
N: 
B]_______________________________
+
+
N Basic twit list implemented! Hides messages from problematic 
+
N chatters.
+
+
N Usage:
+   
W
H/
Ctwit 
N
Hadd 
H
Bnameoftwit 
K:
W 
NFilters out nameoftwit's messages
+   
W
H/
Ctwit 
N
Hdel 
H
Bnameoftwit 
K:
W 
Nnameoftwit's messages are re-allowed
+   
W
H/
Ctwit 
N
Hlist           
K:
W 
NLists twits the user has added
+   
W
H/
Ctwit 
N
Hclear          
K:
W 
NEmpty's the user's twit list

xtrn/mrc/mrc-session.js

@@ -16,7 +16,10 @@ function MRC_Session(host, port, user, pass, alias) {
         alias: alias || user,
         stats: ['-','-','-','0'],
         mention_count: 0,
-        latency: '-'
+        latency: '-',
+        msg_color: 7,
+        twit_list: [],
+        last_private_msg_from: ""
     };
 
     const callbacks = {
@@ -41,10 +44,10 @@ function MRC_Session(host, port, user, pass, alias) {
     function send_message(to_user, to_room, body) {
         if (body.length + state.alias.length + 1 > 250) {
             word_wrap(body, 250 - 1 - state.alias.length).split(/\n/).forEach(function (e) {
-                send(to_user, '', to_room, state.alias + ' ' + e);
+                send(to_user, '', to_room, state.alias + ' ' + format("|%02d", state.msg_color) + e);
             });
         } else {
-            send(to_user, '', to_room, state.alias + ' ' + body);
+            send(to_user, '', to_room, state.alias + ' ' + format("|%02d", state.msg_color) + body);
         }
     }
 
@@ -80,7 +83,7 @@ function MRC_Session(host, port, user, pass, alias) {
                     break;
                 case 'STATS':
                     state.stats = params.split(' ');
-                    emit('stats'); //, state.stats);
+                    emit('stats'); 
                     break;
                 case 'LATENCY':
                     state.latency = params;
@@ -90,6 +93,10 @@ function MRC_Session(host, port, user, pass, alias) {
                     emit('message', msg);
                     break;
             }
+            if (msg.body.search(/just joined room/) > -1 ||
+                msg.body.search(/session has timed-out/) > -1) {
+                send_command('USERLIST', 'ALL');
+            }
         } else if (msg.to_user == 'SERVER') {
             if (msg.body == 'LOGOFF') {
                 uidx = state.nicks.indexOf(msg.from_user);
@@ -97,8 +104,13 @@ function MRC_Session(host, port, user, pass, alias) {
                     state.nicks.splice(uidx, 1);
                     emit('nicks', state.nicks);
                 }
-            }
+            } 
         } else if (msg.to_user == '' || user.toLowerCase() == msg.to_user.toLowerCase()) {
+            
+            if (user.toLowerCase() == msg.to_user.toLowerCase()) {
+                state.last_private_msg_from = msg.from_user;
+            }
+            
             if (msg.to_room == '' || msg.to_room == state.room) {
                 emit('message', msg);
             }
@@ -112,9 +124,9 @@ function MRC_Session(host, port, user, pass, alias) {
                     state.nicks.splice(uidx, 1);
                     emit('nicks', state.nicks);
                 }
-            } else if (msg.body.search(/just joined room/) > -1) {
-                send_command('USERLIST', 'ALL');
-            }
+            } /*else if (msg.body.search(/just joined room/) > -1) {
+                send_command('USERLIST', 'ALL'); // moved above to msg.from_user == 'SERVER'
+            }*/
             emit('message', msg);
         }
     }
@@ -122,6 +134,10 @@ function MRC_Session(host, port, user, pass, alias) {
     this.send_room_message = function (msg) {
         send_message('', state.room, msg);
     }
+    
+    this.send_notme = function (msg) {
+        send("NOTME", "", "", msg);
+    }
 
     this.send_private_messsage = function (user, msg) {
         msg = '|11(|03Private|11)|07 ' + msg;
@@ -140,7 +156,11 @@ function MRC_Session(host, port, user, pass, alias) {
             password: pass,
             alias: state.alias
         }) + '\r\n');
+
+        this.send_command('IAMHERE');
+        mswait(20);
         this.send_command('USERLIST', 'ALL');
+        mswait(20);
         this.send_command('STATS', 'ALL');
     }
 
@@ -181,50 +201,53 @@ function MRC_Session(host, port, user, pass, alias) {
     }
 
     const commands = {
-        banners: {
-            help: 'List of banners from server' // Doesn't do anything?
-        },
-        chatters: {
-            help: 'List current users'
-        },
-        bbses: {
-            help: 'List connected BBSs',
-            command: 'CONNECTED'
-        },
+        
+        // This section has been cleaned up significantly.
+        //         
+        // Server commands no longer need to be strictly defined 
+        // here.
+        //
+        // Some commands are still defined if they have specific 
+        // function calls attached to them in mrc-client.js 
+        // (e.g. /motd) and or are local command shortcuts 
+        // (e.g. /t and /r).
+        //
+        // Any command not defined here (or in mrc-client.js) will
+        // be assumed to be a server command. The server will 
+        // inform the user if a command is invalid.
+        //
+        // The "help" properties are no longer needed, since 
+        // help is contained in external .msg file. They have been
+        // left commended out to provide reference.
+        // 
+        
         help: {
-            help: 'Display this help message',
+            //help: 'Display this help message',
             callback: function (str) {
-                emit('help', 'List of available commands:', '');
-                for (var c in commands) {
-                    emit('help', c, commands[c].help, commands[c].ars);
-                }
-                emit('local_help');
+                emit('local_help', str);
             }
         },
         info: {
-            help: 'View information about a BBS (/info #)',
+            //help: 'View information about a BBS (/info #)',
             callback: function (str) {
                 this.send_command('INFO ' + str);
             }
         },
-        join: {
-            help: 'Move to a new room: /join room_name',
+        join: {            
+            //help: 'Move to a new room: /join room_name',
             callback: function (str) { // validate valid room name?
-                str = str.replace(/^#/, '');
+                str = str.replace(/^#/, '');                
                 this.send_command(format('NEWROOM:%s:%s', state.room, str));
                 state.room = str;
                 state.nicks = [];
                 this.send_command('USERLIST', 'ALL');
             }
         },
-        meetups: {
-            help: 'Display information about upcoming meetups'
-        },
         motd: {
-            help: 'Display the Message of the Day'
+            //help: 'Display the Message of the Day'
         },
-        msg: {
-            help: 'Send a private message: /msg nick message goes here',
+        msg: { // This is largely overtaken by /t, but we'll still handle it.
+            //help: 'Send a private message: /msg nick message goes here',
             callback: function (str) {
                 const cmd = str.split(' ');
                 if (cmd.length > 1 && state.nicks.indexOf(cmd[0]) > -1) {
@@ -232,8 +255,8 @@ function MRC_Session(host, port, user, pass, alias) {
                 }
             }
         },
-        t: {                                                                       // added as shorthand for /msg
-            help: 'Shorthand for /msg: /t nick message goes here',
+        t: {
+            //help: 'Send a private message: /t nick message goes here',
             callback: function (str) {
                 const cmd = str.split(' ');
                 if (cmd.length > 1 && state.nicks.indexOf(cmd[0]) > -1) {
@@ -241,70 +264,41 @@ function MRC_Session(host, port, user, pass, alias) {
                 }
             }
         },
+        r: {
+            //help: 'Reply to last private message: /r message goes here',
+            callback: function (str) {
+                if (state.last_private_msg_from) {
+                    this.send_private_messsage(state.last_private_msg_from, str);
+                }
+            }
+        },        
         quote: {
-            help: 'Send a raw command to the server',
+            //help: 'Send a raw command to the server',
             callback: function (str) {
                 this.send_command(str);
             }
         },
         quit: {
-            help: 'Quit the program',
+            //help: 'Quit the program',
             callback: function () {
-                handle.close();
                 emit('disconnect');
+                handle.close();
             }
         },
         rooms: {
-            help: 'List available rooms',
+            //help: 'List available rooms',
             command: 'LIST'
         },
         stats: {
-            help: 'Return anonymous server stats',
+            //help: 'Return anonymous server stats',
             command: 'statistics'
         },
         topic: {
-            help: 'Change the topic of the current room',
+            //help: 'Change the topic of the current room',
             callback: function (str) {
                 this.send_command(format('NEWTOPIC:%s:%s', state.room, str));
             }
-        },
-        users: {
-            help: 'Display list of users'
-        },
-        whoon: {
-            help: 'Display list of users and BBSs'
-        },
-        afk: {
-            help: "Set yourself AFK (Shortcut for STATUS AFK)",
-            callback: function (str) {
-                this.send_command('AFK ' + str);
-            }
-        },
-        register: {
-            help: "Register handle on server (MRC Trust)",
-            callback: function (str) {
-                this.send_command('REGISTER ' + str);
-            }
-        },
-        identify: {
-            help: "Identify as a registered user (MRC Trust)",
-            callback: function (str) {
-                this.send_command('IDENTIFY ' + str);
-            }
-        },
-        update: {
-            help: "Update user registration (MRC Trust)",
-            callback: function (str) {
-                this.send_command('UPDATE ' + str);
-            }
-        },
-        trust: {
-            help: "MRC Trust Info (MRC Trust)",
-            callback: function (str) {
-                this.send_command('TRUST ' + str);
-            }
-        }
-        
+        }          
     };
 
     Object.keys(commands).forEach(function (e) {
@@ -312,11 +306,11 @@ function MRC_Session(host, port, user, pass, alias) {
             this[e] = commands[e].callback;
         } else if (commands[e].command) {
             this[e] = function () {
-                this.send_command(commands[e].command.toUpperCase());
+                this.send_command(commands[e].command);
             }
         } else {
             this[e] = function () {
-                this.send_command(e.toUpperCase());
+                this.send_command(e);
             }
         }
     }, this);

xtrn/mrc/mrc-splash.msg

+
N

H
K.
N 
H
K.
N . 
H
K~
N 
H
K~
N 
H
K~
N 
H
K.
N 
H
K~
N 
H
K~
N 
H
K.
N 
H
K~
N 
H
K~
N 
H
K~
N 
H
K~
N 
H
K.
N 
H
K~
N 
H
K~
N 
H
K~
N . 
H
K.
N 
H
K.
+
N 
H
K.
N 
H
K.
N . 
H.
N 
H
B88888b.d88b.
N  
H
B888d888 .d8888b 
W.
N .
H
K .
N 
H
K.
+ .
N .
H
K 
W.
K 
N
B.
W 
B8
H88
N 
H
B"888
N 
H
B"88b 
N
B8
H88P"
N
B  d
H88P"
N

B.
H
K 
W.
N . 
H
K.
+ 
N.
H
K 
W.
K 
N
B.
W 
B.
W 
B8
H88
N  
B8
H88  
N
B8
H88 
N
B8
H88
N

B8
H88
N
B
.
W 
B.
H
K 
W.
N .
+
H
K . 
N.
H
K 
W.
K 
N
B.
W 
B8
H88
N  
B8
H88  
N
B8
H88 
N
B8
H88
N

BY8
H8b.
N

B.
H
K 
W.
N . 
H
K.
+ . .
N . 
H.
N 
B8
H88
N  
B8
H88  
N
B8
H88 
N
B8
H88
N

B"Y8
H888  
W.
N . 
H
K.
N 
H
K.
+ ` .
N 
H
K.
N  
H
K=
N==
H=========================
N==
H
K=
N  
H
K.
N 
H
K. '
+
N

H
K-=[
N 
H
CM
N
Culti 
HR
N
Celay 
HC
N
Chat for
W 
H
CSynchronet
N 
H
K]=-

xtrn/mrc/readme.txt

@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@ colour codes are permitted:
 
   http://wiki.mysticbbs.com/doku.php?id=displaycodes#color_codes_pipe_colors
 
-I may write a CTRL-A to pipe converter at some later date.
 
 mrc-connector.ini:
 
@@ -77,11 +76,16 @@ mrc-client.ini:
     above instructions while editing '/sbbs/ctrl/services.ini'.
   - The 'ping_interval' setting should be left at the default value unless you
     have a good reason for changing it.
-  - The values in the [startup] section determine which room the client joins
-    on startup, and whether the Message of the Day and banners are displayed.
-  - Change show_nicks in the [client] section to always display the nick list
-    when connecting to the MRC server.
-
+  - The values in the [startup] section control the following:
+      room:     Which room the client joins on startup.
+      motd:     Whether the Message of the Day is displayed.
+      commands: Any additional commands to execute, eg: "chatters" to display
+                the list of active users in the room on startup. Use commas 
+                to separate multiple commands.
+      splash:   Whether the "Multi Relay Chat for Synchronet" splash is shown
+                on startup.
+  - The [aliases], [theme], [msg_color], [show_nicks], and [twit_list] sections
+    are for user settings which get added or updated any time a user uses them.
 
 
 4) MRC Stats
@@ -123,19 +127,35 @@ see "Yes" next to your BBS in the SSL column.
 6) Themes
 
 MRC comes with several customizable theme files. These can be added/edited as
-the system wishes. The client automatically detects any available theme files 
+the sysop wishes. The client automatically detects any available theme files 
 matching the pattern:
 
     mrc-theme-<theme_name>.ini
 
-Available themes are listed in /help. User selects a theme by typing 
+Available themes are listed in /help theme. User selects a theme by typing 
 /theme <name>, and the selected theme gets saved to settings for future
 sessions.
 
 If a theme file is not available, the classic blue theme gets used by default.
 
+To customize the splash that gets shown on startup, edit the mrc-splash.msg
+file. Or just disable it by setting splash = false in mrc-client.ini
 
-7) Support
+
+7) Known issues
+
+- Outgoing messages beginning with a semicolon do not get sent out to the MRC
+  server. For example, a winking face emoticon:  ;)  or  ;-)
+  
+  This is because the ; character is used by the inputline.js library to 
+  indicate the start of a sysop command. In the case of the MRC client, such
+  text is simply ignored and does not get sent over.
+  
+  As a workround, you may simply insert a space in front of the message you 
+  want to send that starts with a semicolon.
+
+
+8) Support
 
 - Post a message to 'echicken' in the Synchronet Sysops area on DOVE-Net
 - Find me on irc.synchro.net in #synchronet