JN>   looking to convert opus 1.73 to max  would like to know if anyone 
 JN> has any pit falls to look out for.... also the names 
 JN> of the most recent max files needed......
 JN>  
Are you already running a front end to get around the modem speed issue? If 
you are, begin by probably keeping it with minor mods. If you are running 
barefoot still, I would suggest you set up the mailer FIRST before you start 
the BBS conversion. You have two basic choices that work well, BINK and Front 
Door. I chose Bink many years back since it was an offshoot from Opus and I 
found the set up much easier due to the lineage. Your mileage may vary.
If you have a lot of time and work invested in files using OEC, no sweat 
since 99.99% will either run directly or just use accem to decompile them the 
way you used to  use oadecomp. Recompile using mecca and they will be fine.
The overall system flow and operating logic is pretty much the same. You are 
probably using "*.msg" bases. Do the original conversion to SQUISH in that 
same form, after you get it running you can go to the Squish database format. 
(that's right, the squish package and its utilities support BOTH message base 
forms) You will see more messages as well since the "time stamp - dupe issue" 
that never was fixed in opus works in squish. (I had set up squish in *.msg 
with opus).
How extensive is your user database? Max has a cvtuser utility. If you have 
any doubts, there is another route as well. Use Trev's opus to max 2 
converter then use the max cvtuser to go from max 2 to max 3. Keep a clean 
master copy of your opus user base so you can do either if there are any 
problems.
One other suggestion since I have both max 2.02 and 3.01 running, if you jump 
straight to 3.01, don't get clever with the message and file division 
structure until you have been operating awhile. Folks sometimes get snared 
with those and how the access levels changed from 2.x to 3.x  As radical as 
it sounds, the more complex (customized) your 1.73a set up is, you might be 
better off converting to 2.02 first then to 3.01 as a controlled, migration.  
Do you have an offline compuer to do the work on? Or does this upgrade go 
right on your "production" system?
Hope this helps a bit......
--- Maximus 2.02
---------------