************************************************************** "T H E O F F I C I A L B B S F A Q" A Complete Reference Guide To Setup An Online Service BBS, Internet Service provider (ISP) or Intranet Edition no. 7 April 1997 Copyright (C) 1994-1997 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Author/Editor - CLAIRE WALTERS E-MAIL: Clairew@tiac.net bbsfaq@sysopworld.com >>>>>>>> T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S <<<<<<<<< ************************************************************** CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE BBS FAQ ************************************************************** 1.1 - INTRODUCTION 1.2 - LEGAL NOTICES 1.3 - WHERE CAN I DOWNLOAD THE BBS FAQ? 1.4 - SIDEBAR NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR 1.5 - NAVIGATING THROUGH THIS DOCUMENT ************************************************************** CHAPTER 2 PC COMMERCIAL BBS SOFTWARE ************************************************************** 2.1 - DOS BASED BBS SOFTWARE 2.2 - HOST PROGRAMS FOR WINDOWS ************************************************************** CHAPTER 3 PC SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS SOFTWARE ************************************************************** 3.1 - DOS BBS SOFTWARE (shareware/Freeware) 3.2 - OPEN YOUR WINDOWS TO THE WORLD! ************************************************************** CHAPTER 4 BBSing WITH OS/2 ************************************************************** 4.1 - OS/2 Q&A 4.2 - OS/2 SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS SOFTWARE 4.3 - OS/2 COMMERCIAL BBS SOFTWARE ************************************************************** CHAPTER 5 PC HARDWARE ************************************************************** 5.1 - PC HARDWARE 5.2 - NETWORKING YOUR PC BBS 5.3 - CD-ROMS & YOUR PC BBS ************************************************************** CHAPTER 6 ADD-ONS AND UTILITIES FOR PC BBSES ************************************************************** 6.1 - BBS ADD-ONS/UTILITIES 6.2 - FILE CHECKING PROGRAMS 6.3 - QWK MAIL 6.4 - BBS DOORS 6.5 - ANSII & the PC BBS ************************************************************** CHAPTER 7 SYSOPING WITH MACINTOSH/APPLE *************************************************************** 7.1 - What hardware is needed to run a BBS on a Macintosh? 7.2 - SETTING UP THE PHONE LINES WITH A MACINTOSH 7.3 - MODEMS & THE MACINTOSH BBS 7.4 - Commercial BBS software for the Macintosh 7.5 - Text based, Shareware & Keyware Macintosh BBS software 7.6 - The Macintosh and Public Networks ************************************************************** CHAPTER 8 UNIX AT YOUR SERVICE ************************************************************** 8.1 - UNIX Q&A 8.2 - UNIX SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS SOFTWARE 8.3 - COMMERCIAL UNIX BBS SOFTWARE 8.4 - UNIX HARDWARE ************************************************************** CHAPTER 9 BBSING WITH AMIGA ************************************************************** 9.1 - AMIGA COMMERCIAL BBS SOFTWARE 9.2 - AMIGA SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS SOFTWARE 9.3 - AMIGA HARDWARE -WHAT IS THE BASIC HARDWARE I WOULD NEED TO SETUP AN AMIGA BBS? ************************************************************** CHAPTER 10 SYSOPS SURFING THE INTERNET HIGHWAY ************************************************************** 10.1 - CONNECTING YOUR ONLINE SERVICE TO THE INTERNET 10.2 - INTERNET PROVIDERS 10.3 - SATELITE SERVICES 10.4 - CONNECTING YOUR ONLINE SERVICE TO THE WEB 10.5 - WEB SERVER SOFTWARE 10.6 - SERVER SOFTWARE ************************************************************** CHAPTER 11 - NET IT UP ************************************************************** 11.1 - GETTING YOUR BBS ON AN ECHO NETWORK ************************************************************** CHAPTER 12 SETTING UP FILE LIBRARIES ************************************************************** 12.1 - SHAREWARE VENDORS 12.2 - ENCOURAGING YOUR USERS TO UPLOAD ************************************************************** CHAPTER 13 LEGAL ISSUES FACING THE BBS SYSOP ************************************************************** 13.1 - INTRODUCTION 13.2 - THE LEGAL RISKS 13.3 - THE MAJOR ISSUES AND SOME SUGGESTIONS 13.4 - Incorporation 13.5 - Closing Thoughts and Some Legal Resources 13.6 - The Internet Law Journal ************************************************************** CHAPTER 14 MISC RESOURCES AND TIPS FOR SYSOPS *************************************************************** 14.1 - SO YOU WANT TO BE A SYSOP? 14.2 - HOW MUCH DO I CHARGE MY USERS? 14.3 - CAN I MAKE MONEY RUNNING AN ONLINE SERVICE? 14.4 - BUILDING YOUR ONLINE COMMUNITY. 14.5 - BOOKS & OTHER SOURCES FOR SYSOPS 14.6 - CARRIER DETECTED 14.7 - TAKIN' A SPIN THRU THE CD-ROM SHOWROOM 14.8 - CLIENT SOFTWARE - HELPING YOUR USERS SIGN-ON ************************************************************** CHAPTER 15 BUILDING AN INTRANET ************************************************************** 15.1 - What is an Intranet? 15.2 - Internet vs Intranet 15.3 - Intranet resources on the World Wide Web ************************************************************** I - GLOSSARY II - SPONSORS INDEX III - INDEX ************************************************************** CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION TO THE BBS FAQ ************************************************************** =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.1 - INTRODUCTION =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= [1.1.1] - Why was The Official BBS FAQ written? August 29th, 1994 Every day, I'd sign-on to local BBSes to download my e-mail and review the Usenet newsgroups. After reading alt.bbs for a few months, I noticed the same questions being asked over and over again. One day, I read a message asking if there was a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for the alt.bbs newsgroups. If not, the poster asked if someone would be willing to write one. The idea appealed to me. I've never run a BBS of my own; however, I've signed-on a wide variety of bulletin board services all over the United States. I've helped sysops setup their boards plus I've done computer tech support. Additionally, as a consultant and writer, I was particularly attracted to the idea of assisting computer users in their enjoyment of BBSing. From all of this combined experience, I decided to develop the much-needed FAQ. To begin the project, I posted a message in March of 1994 to alt.bbs newsgroups, calling for people to contribute to the BBS FAQ. The mail started flowing-in immediately and continued for weeks. The overall response was great! All sorts of people were willing to offer their time and knowledge to the long-awaited FAQ. I created a Table of Contents based on my own knowledge and on the questions/suggestions I saw in the newsgroups. I then gathered information from various sources to build the comprehensive guide that follows. The end-product is intended to aid those who use bulletin boards as well as to assist those who run them or want to setup BBSes of their own. The Official BBS FAQ was built BY the people of the Net, FOR the people of the Net. Many thanks to all who contributed. Regards, Claire Walters ------------------------------------------------------------------ [1.1.2] - ABOUT THE AUTHOR/EDITOR Claire Walters, D.B.A Windsorware Author/Editor: "The Official BBS FAQ" Computer Consultant: Specializing in, not limited to; freelance Writer, web editor/designer, software documentation & custom Windows help files e-mail: clairew@tiac.net clairew@pluto.njcc.com WindsorWare's web site: http://pluto.njcc.com/~clairew/ ------------------- About WindsorWare ------------------- Nov. 1995 Hi everyone! My name is Claire Walters and I want to take a few minutes to tell you about myself and WindsorWare. October 1995 I moved to a town 20 minutes north of Boston, MA. Prior to this I lived in the Princeton area of New Jersey. Approximately 4 years ago, I did tech support for an online service. After that I started doing freelance computer work. Most of the work I did was trouble shooting for home users, small offices, installing software, setting up new systems, tutoring & assisted in setting up several BBSes. Writing has always been second nature to me which led to my interest in writing Windows help files. Up to date, I have a few help files distributed with shareware and wrote help files for custom applications used in offices. WindsorWare has been established for a little over 3 years. Today, I specialize in writing Windows help files, software documentation, web pages and designing Windows applications. When I'm not sitting in front of the computer I try to enjoy life to the fullest! I have a 13 year old son (Ryan) who I enjoy spending time with. I have many inetrests - music, sports, traveling, dancing, good food, walks along the ocean, photography, spending time with my friends and being with that special person in my life. Hope you learned a little about WindsorWare. Now it's time to go on and learn how to setup an online service! Enjoy! ------------------------ Products by WindsorWare ------------------------ JANUARY 1996 ANNOUNCEMENT! WindsorWare releases IAK - Internet Address Keeper (c) IAK beta version 1.4 Internet Address Keeper (c) by, Claire Walters d.b.a WindsorWare ----------------------------------- * WHAT IS IAK? IAK was created for users who logon to multiple BBSes/online services to have one simple address book. IAK can work with ANY Microsoft Windows application. Most client software from online services such as; America Online, Compuserve and even a Unix shell account does not provide an address book as simple and yet powerful as IAK. This application will eliminate the need to use multiple address books that are provided with the client software from these online services. IAK is not only an address keeper. Create lists to store URLS to your favorite World Wide Web pages, FTP or telnet sites! Use the handy comments field for phone numbers, notes, etc.. IAK is available via ftp at: ftp.njcc.com - directory: pub/bbsfaq/ WWW: http://pluto.njcc.com/~clairew/wwprod.html ------------------------------------------------------------------- [1.1.3] - CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Special thanks goes to my family, Nancy T. & Sherri R. - Brian Kramer Owner/Systems Administrator - bjkramer@pluto.njcc.com New Jersey Computer Connection Home of The Official BBS FAQ Public Access Unix Site - pluto.njcc.com Voice: 609-896-2799 - Fax: 609-896-2994 - Dialups: 609-896-3191 Dialup or Telnet to njcc.com and log in as, guest for more information. WWW: http://www.njcc.com/ - Danny Klopfer. Without Danny the BBS FAQ web site would not be possible. Thank you Danny for giving the BBS FAQ a home on the web! :) Unirom 664-A Freeman Lane Suite 449 Grass Valley, CA 95949 USA 1.916.477.8392 1-800-862-2457 (USA ONLY) Fax: 1.916.477.8390 Email: sales@unirom.com http://www.unirom.com/cdroms/ CHIEF HTML EDITOR ------------------ Troy Davis BlackCat Communications http://www.blackcat.net/ MAC EDITOR ------------ Kathy Styles CONTRIBUTORS/WRITERS --------------------- Since March of '94 when I called for writers to help me gather info for the BBS FAQ I received a wonderful response. Now, it's a year since the birth of the FAQ and several others have offered there time to supply info that is now included in the FAQ. Without the help of all the writers the BBS FAQ would not have been possible. Originally there were approximately 20 writers, since then the number has grown. I'd like to express my special thanks to the original writers who helped me build the foundation to this document and to everyone who continue's to contribute which makes it possible for me to maintain the FAQ. Best Regards, Claire Walters -------------------------------------------------------------------- [1.1.4] - THE ADVISORY BOARD As of March 1996 I have invited a few selected industry leaders in the online world to join me in the continued development of the BBS FAQ. CHAIR OF THE BOARD: * Claire Walters WindsorWare Consulting P.O Box 32 Swampscott, MA 01907 HONORARY MEMBER: Dave McClure Executive Director Assn of Online Professionals - info@aop.org (703) 924-9692 (703) 924-9594 Fax (703) 264-1750 BBS Telnet aop.org http://www.aop.org/ MEMBERS: Andre Durand andre@durand.com Durand Communications, Inc. 147 Castilian Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93117 (805) 961-8700 voice, (805) 961-8701 fax http://www.durand.com/ ----------------------- AFA Karen - afakaren@aol.com business consultant Assistant Forum Leader on MCM Pres. of the Online Services SIG of AOP :D AOL: keyword: BBS ====================================================================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.2 - LEGAL NOTICES =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= [1.2.1] - DISCLAIMERS The BBS FAQ is announced periodically in the following newsgroups; alt.bbs alt.bbs.allsysop alt.allsysop alt.bbs.misc comp.bbs.misc It is intended for those who want to start a BBS/Online service or for those sysops already running a BBS who may be seeking further information. All information in this article is believed to be correct at the time of writing. However, please recognize that this is an evolving document and that the information that follows may contain inaccuracies. Please direct suggestions for improvement or corrections to the editor/author at, clairew@tiac.net The editor/author is not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned herein. Some of the text included in this document is descriptions written by the software authors/companies themselves. I (Claire Walters) does not express any opinions or favoritism towards any sofware mentioned in the BBS FAQ. ------------------------------------------------------------------ [1.2.2] COPYRIGHT NOTICE "The Official BBS FAQ" is Copyright 1994-1997, by Claire Walters. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED You are granted the following rights: I. To make copies of this work in original form, so long as (a) The copies are exact and complete. (b) The copies include the copyright notice and these paragraphs in their entirety. (c) The copies give obvious credit to the author, Claire Walters. (d) The copies are in electronic form only. II. To distribute this work, or copies made under the provisions above, so long as, (a) this is the original work and not a derivative form. (b) you do not charge a fee for copying or for distribution. (c) you ensure that the distributed form includes the copyright notice, this paragraph, the disclaimer of warranty in their entirety and credit to the author. (Claire Walters) (d) the distributed form is not in an electronic magazine or within computer software (prior explicit permission may be obtained from Claire Walters) (e) the distributed form is the NEWEST version of the article to the best of the knowledge of the distributor. (f) the distributed form is electronic. You may NOT distribute this work by any non-electronic media, including but not limited to books, newsletters, magazines, manuals, catalogs, and speech. You may not distribute this work in electronic magazines, CD-ROMS or within computer software without prior written explicit permission. These rights are temporary and revocable upon written, oral, or other notice by Claire Walters. This copyright notice shall be governed by the laws of the state of Massachusetts. If you would like additional rights beyond those granted above, write to the author (Claire Walters) at, Clairew@tiac.net --------------------------------------------------------------------- [1.2.3] - TRADEMARK INFORMATION The software & products mentioned in this FAQ is the properties and trademark of their respective owners. ====================================================================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.3 - WHERE CAN I DOWNLOAD THE BBS FAQ? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= A new release of "The Official BBS FAQ" will be announced periodically in the following newsgroups: alt.bbs alt.bbs.allsysop alt.allsysop alt.bbs.misc comp.bbs.misc OTHER ONLINE SERVICES * America Online - PC Telecom forum (keyword: PTC) - BBS Corner (keyword: BBS) * Compuserve ------------------------------------------------------------------ [1.3.1] - FTP SITE Download the ASCII version via the following FTP sites. * FTP.NJCC.COM Directory: /pub/bbsfaq/ * ftp://members.aol.com/windsrware/bbsfaq.zip ------------------------------------------------------------------- [1.3.2] - The BBS FAQ via World Wide Web THE OFFICIAL BBS FAQ WEB SITE Browse the bbs faq, bbs faq dedicated message boards and more! http://www.sysopworld.com/bbsfaq/ * America Online PC Telecom Forum. (AOL Keyword: PTC) Go to "BBS Bonanza" area BBS Corner: (AOL keyword: BBS) Download the ASCII version via WWW at; http://www.blackcatdesign.com/bbsfaq.zip http://members.aol.com/windsrware/bbsfaq.zip =============================================================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--= 1.4 - SIDEBAR NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--= [1.4.1] - THE EDITORS CORNER UNDER CONSTRUCTION =============================================================== [1.4.2] - Comments, Corrections, Deletions or Additions The BBS FAQ is constantly being maintained. This is a large task to keep up with since the online industry is rapidly changing & growing. To the best of my knowledge the info provided is correct. Due to this rapid process of changes in the industry, we all know FTP, Web sites & BBSes go down & pop-up each day, companies change their contact info, new BBS software being developed each day, etc.. Any comments, corrections, deletions or additions for this FAQ please send e-mail to the author/editor, Claire Walters - WindsorWare at: bbsfaq@sysopworld.com =============================================================== [1.4.3] - WHAT'S NEW IN THIS EDITION? Changes since Edition no. 4 - 11/95 ------------------------------------- - More user friendly for easier navigation - Index, glossary and sponsors index has been added. - Web server software section This addition will be listing web server software - Several existing software listings have been updated. - New discussion about building an Intranet Changes Since Edition no. 3 ------------------------------ - Additons to section 14.5. Quick reference guides listing, URLS, E-mail addresses & FTP sites useful for sysops. - New sections added to the FAQ have "(NEW)" noted next to the topic in the table of contents. - 9.4 - INTERNET AMIGA STYLE. No info was provided for this section & has been removed. - Many more additions! Changes since Edition no. 2 (2-23-95) --------------------------------------- - Access the BBS FAQ via WWW. See section 1.5.2 - Mindwire, FirstClass & several other software descriptions added. Changes since Edition no. 1 (8-29-94) ---------------------------------------- - VERY IMPORTANT! The FTP site in which the BBSFAQ is archived has been changed. Please note the new site is: FTP.NJCC.COM - Many cosmetic changes for easier navigation - Mac section has been updated - Several descriptions added in the PC DOS shareware section =============================================================== [1.4.4] - DONATIONS As of March 1996 I'm asking for donations for the BBS FAQ. Anyone who downloads the BBS FAQ and finds it useful please make a donation. I'll continue to maintain and release the FAQ to the alt.*.bbs newsgroups. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. Check or money order can be made payable to: Claire Walters or WindsorWare WindsorWare P.O Box 32 Swampscott, MA 01907-0032 =============================================================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.5 - NAVIGATING THROUGH THIS DOCUMENT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= [1.5.1] - Tips and hints Navigating the ASCII version of the BBS FAQ. I'm sure you want to get started as soon as possible with your research for setting up a BBS/Online service or Intranet. The BBS FAQ is a large document and continues to grow with the ever changing online industry. This document is a large reference guide to help those decide on and give ideas for, software, hardware, resources, and other misc. information when setting up an online service. As the FAQ continues to grow I have focused on it being as user-friendly as possible. Since Edition no. 5 I added an index. With the addition of the index this trimmed down the table of contents. The table of contents shows only the main topics and the index includes all the sub-topics within. To view all the sub-topics included in the whole document I suggest going directly to the index. Once you find a particular topic you'd like to read, using the "find" feature in the wordprocessor your using to view the BBS FAQ, type the name or number of the topic. Another feature I have added is a TOPICS listing to each section. The topics listing of all the main headings for the particular article. (Example below) TOPICS IN THIS SECTION * Company profile * Features of the product * Pricing information * Company contacts * Order form(s) From this listing you view what is included for this particular section and jump to a particular heading within the article using "search". Hope this helps. Enjoy! ************************************************************** CHAPTER 2 - PC COMMERCIAL BBS SOFTWARE ************************************************************** =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.1 - DOS BASED BBS SOFTWARE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= [2.1.01] - Worldgroup Software TOPICS IN THIS SECTION: * Galacticomm, Inc. - Company Profile * Applications for Your Web Site * Entertainment Collection for Worldgroup * Spice Up Your Worldgroup Chat Sessions * Online Interaction For Your Users * A Place Where Friends Meet * Entertainment Teleconference General Features * Game Modules General Features * Requirements * Fax/Online for Worldgroup * An Outgoing Fax Service For Your Organization * Easy Management and Viewing of Information * Configure Your System For Exceptional Security and Accounting * General Features * Security Features * Requirements * Omni-Mall for Worldgroup * Online Ordering and Real-Time Credit-Card Verification * Flexible and Easy Configuration * Market and Sell Your Products Online * General Features * Security Features * Requirements * Hardware Options for Worldgroup * The GalactiBox * The G-Box is not just an Expansion Chassis * GalactiBoard * Easy to Configure * GalactiBox Features * Intelligent Serial Kit for Worldgroup * Host Controller Boards * Port Modules * Easily integrates with Worldgroup * Everything is included * SuperSerial XP Host Controllers Specifications * Worldgroup Developer's Kit * An open platform for developing online applications * General Architecture * Terminal-Mode Modules * Client Apps * Server Agents * Development Requirements * Development Kit Features * Security Mechanisms * The secure solution for remote access * A firewall to your LAN * Password protection * Five models of Worldgroup * Locks and Keys * Assigning Locks and Keys * Classes of users * Security you can trust * Direct Pricing Information ----------------------------------- * Galacticomm, Inc. - Company profile ------------------------------------ Company: 4101 SW 47th Avenue, Suite 101, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33314 Corporate Headquarters: (954) 583-5990 Sales: (800) 328-1128 Technical Support: (954) 321-2404 Fax: (954) 583-7846 Online Service: (954) 583-7808 URL: http://www.gcomm.com Incorporated: July 1985 Privately held; 46 employees Board of Directors: Timothy J. Stryker, Chairman of the Board Scott J. Brinker, Robert N. Stein Company Management: Scott J. Brinker, President/CEO Michael Hunt, Executive Vice President Chris Robert, Vice President of Engineering Richard Skurnick, Plant Manager and Senior Engineer Sheri Robert, Director of New Media Marketing Don Adler, Director of ISV Relations Mission Statement: To do really cool things in the field of computerized communications, and make a buck at it. Overview: Developer of multiuser communications software and hardware for workgroup, Internet and online applications. Markets: Companies looking to set up Web sites, private online services and workgroup environments over the Internet or Intranet. Customers include small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions and government agencies. Historical Progress: 1996 -- Introduced Worldgroup v2.0 with the Worldgroup Plug-in for Netscape. Enables users to launch client/server apps directly over the Web. 1995 -- Introduced Worldgroup, Galacticomm's second generation of online interactive software. Worldgroup offers a client/server architecture with a Windows-based multimedia interface. Introduced Worldgroup Internet Server, an all-in-one solution for Web, Internet and online applications. Introduced Internet Connectivity Option (ICO) v2.0 with real-time e-mail and messaging over the Internet, improved stack, pass-through SLIP/CSLIP/PPP, SMTP and NNTP. 1994 -- The Major BBS v6.25 added new open architecture at connectivity level. Introduced ICO v1.0, offering built-in TCP/IP and support for telnet, ftp, and Web server. Also introduced Intelligent Serial Kit (ISK) harnessing Equinox Systems, Inc.'s intelligent multiport hardware for increased I/O performance with support for up to 256 simultaneous users on a single PC. 1993 -- Launched The Major BBS v6.1 with enhanced Windows support and multilingual/ multiprotocol architecture for online graphics capability. 1992 -- Major architectural shift with The Major BBS v6.0. No longer needed source code to integrate add-ons, and offered native protected-mode operation. 1991 -- Released The Major BBS v5.3 with Novell NetWare LAN support. Acquired Galactic Innovations, a third-party development firm led by Scott Brinker. Now offered The Major Database, Dial-Out, Kyrandia and more. 1990 -- The Major BBS v5.2 offered BBSETUP for automatic hardware detection and configuration, and optional protected-mode support. Also manufactured the GalactiBoard, an 8-port serial card with 16550 UARTs. 1989 -- The Major BBS v5.07 unveiled new extended editions (File Library, MenuMan, Entertainment, and Shopping Mall), direct-connect support for X.25 packet-switching networking. 1988 -- The Major BBS v5.0 released. Also developed the GalactiBox (16-slot COM 1-4 expansion chassis). 1987 -- First commercial sale of The Major BBS v4.0. Third-party developers began writing add-on utilities and games. 1986 -- Developed Model 16 (16 modem modules on one card) and Galacticomm Software Breakthrough Library (engineer-oriented toolkit for multiuser applications). Wrote The Major BBS v1.0 as an in-house demo application for the Model 16. Version 2.0 released as shareware. 1985 -- Initially formed to run a network of multiuser game systems. Products: Worldgroup -- online system software for Windows/DOS platforms. Includes the Worldgroup Plug-in for Netscape. License for eight simultaneous users included. System can be expanded with User Six-Packs to support up to 256 simultaneous users. Worldgroup Internet Server -- Bundled product combining Worldgroup, the Advanced Internet Option, Dial-Out and Dial-Up Options. License for 20 simultaneous users included. Worldgroup Enterprise Server -- Bundled product combining Worldgroup, the Advanced Internet Option, Omni-Mall, Novell Option, Dial-Out and Dial-Up Options. License for 128 simultaneous users included. Connectivity Options -- User Six-Pack, X.25 Software Option, Advanced Internet Option, Dial-Out Add-on, Novell Option, Dial-Up Option. Add-on Options -- Advertising/Announcement Ticker, Entertainment Collection, Fax/Online, Omni-Mall, Search and Retrieve, Worldgroup Developer's Kit. Hardware -- GalactiBoard, Intelligent Serial Kit. Third-party Applications -- Over 100 Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) produce add-on products for Worldgroup including: catalog shopping, multimedia databases, video teleconferencing, group schedulers, document management tools, classified ads, multiplayer virtual reality games, and newsfeeds. Support: Readily available technical support. Full-time staff of engineers dedicated to providing voice support (954-321-2404, from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm M-F, EST); 24-hour support via the Galacticomm Demo System (954-583-7808, N-8-1); fax (954-583-7846); or the Internet (support@gcomm.com). Distribution: Worldwide distribution through Galacticomm's direct sales force (Internet e-mail: sales@gcomm.com) and a network of dealers, retailers, value-added resellers, and systems integrators. Distribution by Ingram Micro, Tech Data and DistribuPro. ----------------------------------- * Applications for Your Web Site ----------------------------------- - Plug in interactive client/server apps with Worldgroup A complete suite of applications hot-linked to your Web site. Catalog shopping with real-time credit card verification. Polls and questionnaires with instant graphical display of results. A fax server offering up-to-the-minute information. Video conferencing. Multimedia databases. Classified ads. Shared file libraries. Private discussion areas and chat sessions with shared "white board." And no CGI or Java programming required. With the freely distributable Worldgroup Plug-in for Netscape Navigator (and Microsoft Internet Explorer coming soon), dozens of ready-to-go applications can be launched directly from your users' browsers. No cost-per-user licensing fees mean all your employees, customers and business partners can enjoy your client/server apps over the Web. The Worldgroup Plug-in needs to be installed on your users PCs only once. A user who already has an account on your Worldgroup server will be seamlessly logged on. Those users who have not yet established an account will be asked to create one, using a simple sign-up dialog box. Add a few simple commands to your HTML files to fire off any Worldgroup app. When a user clicks on a link to an application, the plug-in connects to the Worldgroup server specified by an EMBED tag in your HTML file - and opens a telnet session through the same TCP/IP stack as the user's browser. The application is launched independently of the browser, so the user can continue to access this Windows client application - even after clicking away to another location on the Web. Your Worldgroup server and Web server do not necessarily have to be operating on the same machine - or even in the same location. Worldgroup works in conjunction with your favorite Web server - or you can use the Web server software built into Worldgroup. Easy to install, easy to administer. With Worldgroup, you can provide rich Web content with the ease of use people expect from their PCs. The high-impact graphics, sound, animation and context-sensitive help go way beyond basic HTML technology. Plug and Play Web Apps The Worldgroup baseline product includes online surveys, group messaging, shared file libraries and teleconferencing. Add a link to the polls and questionnaires module and you've got instantaneous information about the people on your site at your fingertips. Using pop-up screens, in minutes you'll create your own market research questionnaires, application forms and opinion polls. Intelligent branching lets you configure polls with questions that vary depending on answers received. You or your users can view tallied results online at any time. Print bar graphs or pie charts of the results or export the data for use in other applications. Set up surveys that different audiences - such as employees, customers and suppliers - have access to. After they complete the questionnaire, you can give them special files, demo software or upgrade their security access. Bring workgroup applications directly to your site with group messaging. All the popular features of today's leading messaging packages are supported - distribution lists, a spell checker, carbon copies and more. Configure up to 10,000 group discussion areas for different topics and define specific access levels for each user or classes of users. Forum messages are organized in both chronological order and topic "threads" to easily track conversations. Users can find messages fast with the "quickscan" feature and boolean keyword searches. URLs in messages are automatically recognized. With a single click on a highlighted address, users can link to Web sites, ftp files, launch telnet connections, or send Internet mail - all while maintaining a persistent session with your Worldgroup application. Liven things up with Rich-Text Format (RTF) messages with user-defined fonts, colors and styles. And Worldgroup's e-mail application can be used as your complete wide-area private messaging system or can interface to your existing e-mail package. Set up a link to the file libraries module and you've got the easiest way to organize and share files over the Web - a powerful improvement over ftp's limited implementation for file exchange. Find files by browsing through full-screen listings or searching by library, category, file name, file date, upload date and popularity. Use wildcard and boolean keyword expressions too, and keyword searches even extend into the text of the file. You can display the contents of ZIP files before downloading as well. Visitors to your Web site can tag hundreds of files for download, then conveniently transfer them with the click of a button. And, since all Worldgroup applications are multithreaded, these transfers are carried out in the background - freeing your users to access other online applications or Web pages in parallel. Worldgroup's teleconference is perfect for group meetings in real time over the Web. Discussions are displayed in a scrolling format with each person's name before his or her message. Ideas can be sketched using the collaborative drawing board. Visitors to your site also can exchange files directly from their teleconference session, at a background priority, while continuing their conversation. And, with their Web browser open, they can click on URLs that are automatically highlighted in discussion text, enabling a group of users to explore the Web together. * Add More Apps Add a complete client/server online shopping system. Provide 24-hour catalog sales of products, services and online time. With the Omni-Mall option, visitors to your Web site can scan through product catalogs and place or cancel orders at will. Your online mall can have multiple stores, each with several departments and its own products. To increase the selection of items and system revenue, you can rent space to other merchants. Associate multiple images, sound clips and text files with products in your stores for a multimedia sales presentation. Omni-Mall supports automated online credit card processing in real time. And credit card transactions are protected with the built-in encryption capabilities. Charge the appropriate sales tax using variable tax tables. Set up quantity discount levels, shipping methods, delivery schedules, weight rates and handling charges to be included on the invoice. Use Omni-Mall in conjunction with Fax/Online and automatically fax invoices to your store managers for just-in-time order fulfillment. Fax/Online also provides a database of up-to-the-minute documents. Employees can fax documents around the world without ever leaving their desks - and customers can visit your site and fax themselves the information they need. Maintain a list of phone number patterns - such as commonly used numbers and area codes - for different rate structures or to restrict calls. Quickly customize your menus to all of your Worldgroup applications with our object-oriented, point-and-click design environment. Add hypermedia graphics, digital sounds and multiframe animations without complex programming. With Worldgroup, you update the content of your applications from Windows dialog boxes -- whether you are local or remote to your server - making it very easy to maintain your site and keep it fresh. * Develop Your Own Web Applications Use Visual Basic and our developer's kit to create your own Worldgroup apps, or modify existing ones. A well-documented client/server API and application source code are included. Or just plug and play any app already available through our network of over 100 independent software vendors (ISVs). Of course, you can still include any Java applets, VRML worlds or any other HTML files you've already developed - Worldgroup works hand-in-hand with other leading Web technologies. * Efficiently Manage User Access Take your site beyond incomplete "page hit" auditing. User accounts bring demographic data, usage information and access control to your Web site. Generate real mailing labels - as well as e-mail distribution lists - for direct marketing campaigns. Conduct surveys to gather meaningful information about those visiting your site. Track system and user activities with the built-in audit trail - you can configure which events are recorded and create reports for further analysis. Automatically grant access to information and features based on who the user is. Software locks and keys determine how each user will view or access information and applications. Set up security keyrings, time restrictions, options for billing and expiration dates for individual users or classes of users. * Fulfill All Your Communication Needs Provide interactive client/server computing using the Internet or your Intranet as a TCP/IP network. The network-centric integration of Worldgroup applications achieves group productivity over the Web. Visitors efficiently use their time by performing multiple tasks simultaneously -- such as downloading files while ordering merchandise from your online store. Any new applications -- or new versions of existing ones -- will be updated automatically in the background. And these applications, once downloaded to a user's PC, can be used even without a connection to the server. Users also can access your Worldgroup server via modem, Novell IPX/SPX, TCP/IP, ISDN and X.25. From one central hub, you can manage the same set of information for all your users. With these connectivity methods, Worldgroup serves as a secure bridge between workgroups, the Web and the world. Provide your dial-up users with secure proxy and dedicated SLIP/CSLIP/PPPaccess out to the Internet using the Advanced Internet Option. Offer a range of Internet services such as ftp, telnet, rlogin, finger, NNTP newsgroups, IRC, SMTP and POP3 mail. * Update Your Web Site Today Web solutions for commerce, business communications, publishing, education and more. See for yourself. Check out our Web site at http://www.gcomm.com/ and download the free Worldgroup Plug-in. When you decide to buy a Worldgroup server, you can even place your order online. All Worldgroup products are covered by a no-nonsense 30-day money-back guarantee, and prices start at $595 list. For the name of your nearest dealer, or for more information regarding products and training courses, call 1-800-328-1128 (954-583-5990 outside the U.S. and Canada). ---------------------------------------------- * Entertainment Collection for Worldgroup ---------------------------------------------- * Spice Up Your Worldgroup Chat Sessions Host an online get-together for your callers that is jam-packed with amusement and excitement. The Entertainment Collection includes interactive arcade, word and adventure games, and features the Entertainment Teleconference - a multiuser chat extravaganza. * Online Interaction For Your Users Add a new level of excitement by using actions, sounds and images to enhance your users' real-time chat sessions. Let your users express themselves with animated words, such as hugs, waves, shrugs and smiles. Associate sound clips with these actions and those callers with sound cards will hear the sighs, chuckles and music that can accompany these actions. Users can select their favorite actions by clicking on icons in the action-word toolbar. For example, if Chris selected "laugh," the text "Chris is laughing at you" could appear on the screen accompanied by the sound of laughter. For visual impact, users can submit photos of themselves that, once approved by the Sysop, are available to other users as thumbnails or full images. Users can actually see who they're talking to - or images that represent them. * A Place Where Friends Meet Establish thousands of virtual rooms where your users can meet - each room can have its own topic, moderator and action lists. They can whisper secret messages to one another, invite people into their own private room, or sneak away into a one-on-one chat mode. A user list gives an at-a-glance update of those in the room - updated in real time as users enter and leave. To share ideas, users in a room can launch a common drawing board and sketch images using a wide selection of tools and colors. The drawing can even be saved to disk for future reference. * Entertainment Teleconference General Features - Capitalize on Worldgroup's client/server architecture and let your users enjoy multimedia teleconference sessions. - Support multiuser chat sessions over local networks, modems, and optionally the Internet, ISDN and X.25. - Establish multisystem teleconferences by linking to other teleconference systems. - Establish thousands of secure public and private rooms in which your users can meet. - Associate software security "keys" with each room - only users who hold the key can enter the room. - Configure hundreds of action commands that your users can select from a tool bar. Define up to two action lists for each room. - Appoint Tele-Sysops - helpers who can post credits and disconnect or squelch abusive users. - Associate sound clips with each action. - Approve user-submitted photos that can be viewed by others as thumbnails or full images. - Maximize your users' time with the background file transfer feature - accessible directly from the Teleconference menu. - Your users can configure topics for their private channels, enable/disable sounds, determine how text will display on their own screens and more. - Users in a room can launch a shared drawing board with the click of a button. * Game Modules General Features Deliver a full suite of multiplayer, terminal-mode games for your users to enjoy: - Provide casino-style games, including Tele-Blackjack, Tele-Poker and Tingo (teleconference bingo). - Let your users purchase lottery tickets and try to win free online time or credits with Super Lotto. - Offer battleship, arcade and word games with Super Nova, Androids and Hangman's Secret Cove. - Feature real-time text adventure games with Fazuul and Kyrandia. * Requirements - Worldgroup v1.01 or higher - 11MB disk space Call Us Today Enhance your real-time chat sessions. Attract hundreds of users to your Worldgroup system with this fun-packed entertainment module. Call your favorite Galacticomm dealer, or call us direct at 1-800-328-1128 (or 954-583-5990 outside the U.S. and Canada). Galacticomm, Entertainment Collection and Worldgroup are trademarks of Galacticomm, Inc. All other products are trademarks of their respective companies. ----------------------------- * Fax/Online for Worldgroup ------------------------------ * An Outgoing Fax Service For Your Organization Ensure that your sales and customer support staff always have the latest information at their fingertips. With Fax/Online you can use your Worldgroup system as a fax server, sharing a group of fax/modems and a document database to efficiently fax messages and information kits around the world. Your users can call in and request up-to-the-minute-information, and it will be faxed to them directly from your server. If you're running a for-profit system, you can generate revenue by charging users for toll calls and for each page of information faxed. * Easy Management and Viewing of Information A user entering the Fax/Online module will see the list of the documents to which he has access. When sending a fax, your user is prompted for information about where the fax is going and has the opportunity to type a message to accompany the file. A Windows caller can use the built-in viewer to display documents on his screen or output to any printer attached to his PC. * Configure Your System For Exceptional Security and Accounting Fax/Online lets you protect your system against those who might try to run up your phone bill or annoy others at your expense. You can set up your system to restrict or block calls to any number that you choose (such as emergency numbers or pay services). You can define software security "keys" required by users to access certain numbers (such as international numbers). Before permitting a fax transmission, Fax/Online checks that the user has the appropriate access key and credit balance to make the call. * General Features - Provide an easy to use fax service with a client/server interface and context-sensitive online help. - Add documents by simply faxing them to a fax modem on your Worldgroup server. - Set up different rate structures for various calling areas. - Define charges for first page and subsequent pages, depending on the destination. - Automatically deduct credits from your users' accounts before a fax transmission is attempted - refunds will be given for any unsuccessful fax attempts. - Keep your users informed - Fax/Online will automatically e-mail your users with the outcome of each fax attempt. - Send an announcement to users still logged on to your system as to the status of their fax transmission. - Protect your build and send queues from the effects of power outages or system shutdown - both queues are maintained on disk. Upon system restart the fax delivery will pick up where it left off. - Configure the number of transmission retries and the number of minutes between attempted transmissions. - Use Fax/Online in conjunction with any Class 2 or 2.0 CCITT Group 3-compatible fax modem. - Save time by sending faxes in the background while continuing to access other services. * Security Features - Establish a list of numbers that users cannot access, such as calls to emergency or pay services. - Define numbers that need added security, such as calls to exclusive clientele or staff members. Provide software keys to those users who can fax to these numbers. - Use software keys to restrict access to certain documents on your system. Only users who have the key will be able to view or fax these documents. - Automatically verify that your users have enough credits in their account before sending each fax transmission. - Directly fax invoices to the store managers of your online shopping service (requires the Omni-Mall add-on option, sold separately). * Requirements - Worldgroup v1.01 or higher - 5MB disk space - One or more fax modems supporting EIA Class 2 or Class 2.0 standard and the CCITTGroup 3 standard Place Your Order Today Extend the efficiency and reach of your online service. Provide up-to-the-minute information by fax to your users around the world. Call your favorite Galacticomm dealer, or call us direct at 1-800-328-1128 (or 954-583-5990 outside the U.S. and Canada). Galacticomm, Fax/Online and Worldgroup are trademarks of Galacticomm, Inc. Omni-Mall is a trademark of Datasafe Publications, Inc. All other products are trademarks of their respective companies. ------------------------------- * Omni-Mall for Worldgroup ------------------------------- * Online Ordering and Real-Time Credit-Card Verification Offer a fully interactive online shopping and order-entry environment from your online service with the Omni-Mall add-on module for Worldgroup. Omni-Mall is perfect for 24-hour sales of your products, services or online time, and even lets you rent space to other merchants. For real-time credit card verification, a Point of Sale (POS) Dial module is included. * Flexible and Easy Configuration Your online mall can have multiple stores, each run by its own merchant. Each merchant has control over his or her own store, organizing it into departments and structuring the product line. Built-in editors help your merchants define unique attributes such as the accepted payment options and purchase limits for each store, department names, product handling charges, retail prices and inventory limits. * Market and Sell Your Products Online Promote products in your stores using images, sound and unlimited length text files - your customers can browse stores online, select the products they want to buy and then pay using a variety of encrypted payment options including American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, COD, purchase order, and online credits. Omni-Mall will add the appropriate sales tax and shipping costs. You can fax an invoice directly to the store manager (with the Fax/Online add-on option). A receipt of the order can be sent via e-mail to the customer. * General Features - Enjoy the Worldgroup client/server interface with context sensitive help. - Provide the greatest choice of access to users with ANSI/ASCII terminal mode support. - Associate thumbnail graphic images with each store to show customers what the store is offering. - Describe each product with up to three images (BMP, GIF, JPG, TIFF, PCX, etc.). - Attach sound (WAV) files to your products as attention-getters or to provide spoken descriptions. - Offer downloadable software products, graphical images or database information - customers can download the files they have paid for directly from your store as e-mail file attachments. - Define a manager for each store - your store manager can securely add, edit or delete departments and products. - Automatically fax invoices to store managers (requires the Fax/Online add-on option). - Charge the appropriate sales tax to purchases made from each store using the built-in tax table. - Operate over a variety of networks - including the Internet. * Security Features - Offer data protection to your customers - all credit card numbers are mathematically verified and encrypted in the client/server mode. - Provide airtight security and account management by defining a software "key" that users must have to enter each store - users without this key will not have access. - Define those customers who may order products with a purchase order - you can grant them software keys that allow access to this payment option. - Use software keys to set up guest accounts and different access levels for users; control who sees information or can perform functions; determine whether a customer gets wholesale or retail pricing; and more. - Protect against fraudulent activity by setting a purchase limit for each store - the system will automatically reject any order that exceeds this limit. - Check the validity of your customer's credit card using the real-time credit-card verification feature. * Requirements - Worldgroup v1.0 or higher - 248KB memory, 305KB with POS Dial module enabled - 1MB disk space - If using the installed POS Dial module, one modem set to no data compression and no error correction on a dedicated outgoing phone line Place Your Order Today If you're looking for the most open, cost-effective way to provide online ordering, call your favorite Galacticomm dealer, or call us direct at 1-800-328-1128 (or 954-583-5990 outside the U.S. and Canada). Galacticomm, Fax/Online and Worldgroup are trademarks of Galacticomm, Inc. Omni-Mall is a trademark of Datasafe Publications, Inc. All other products are trademarks of their respective companies. ---------------------------------- * Hardware Options for Worldgroup ---------------------------------- Expand Worldgroup with multi-user hardware You know your online service is successful when two lines just aren't enough for your expanding user base. As your system activity increases, you can incrementally add capacity for six more channels at a time with User Six-Packs - up to 256 simultaneous users on a single PC. We harness Worldgroup's power to support large line counts with the GalactiBox and the GalactiBoard. Both of these high-performance, multi-user hardware options will increase your PC's modem capacity. * The GalactiBox The GalactiBox, or "G-Box" for short, is a 16-slot, AT-size expansion chassis specially designed for connecting large numbers of internal modems, fax/modems, or serial cards to Worldgroup. The G-Box also supports GalactiBoards, voice/DTMF interface cards, or any 8-bit I/O option cards, to expand the hardware addressing potential of these cards for multi-line, multi-user, or multi-tasking applications. The G-Box comes with an interface card and cabling to plug right into an expansion slot in your PC. With 16 internal modems in your G-Box, you won't have to worry about stacks of modems getting knocked over or giant tangles of cables in the back of your PC. There are just 16 standard RJ-11 phone cables connecting the telephone lines to the back of your G-Box, one cable linking the G-Box to the computer, and one power cord for the G-Box. If you order internal modems at the same time that you order your G-Box, we'll install and test them for you. This way, we can "burn-in" the entire unit, and you'll get a box that's ready to plug-and-play without modification. We carry a complete line of internal modems that we've tested for reliability with Worldgroup. You can also order a G-Box unpopulated and install your own modem cards. Installing them is easy. You just open up the G-Box and slide in up to 16 Hayes-compatible modems. With the G-Box, you can start small and expand later. Once you fill up one G-Box, you can add more. You can install up to four G-Boxes with 64 modems using just one COM port address. You can use all four of your COM port addresses to reach a line count of up to 256 by "nesting" up to 16 G-Boxes into an additional G-Box and connecting that to one slot in your computer. * The G-Box is not just an Expansion Chassis The GalactiBox can be used as a standard 16-slot I/O expansion chassis, but its real power comes from its ability to multiplex a group of otherwise identical PC/AT/ISA option cards into one set of I/O addresses. Simply put, if you tried to place 16 identical modems into a regular expansion chassis, none of them would work. All of the modems would respond at the same set of I/O port addresses, creating bus contention. The G-Box has a unique port-stacking feature that lets you connect multiple ports without addressing conflicts. Port stacking takes advantage of the high order address bits (A10-A15) that are ignored by almost all serial port cards made for the PC. Instead of one modem on a COM port address, you can have 8, or 16, or even 64 with four G-Boxes. * GalactiBoard If you'd like to expand your system eight modems at a time, or if you prefer external modems, the GalactiBoard ("G-Board") is an excellent solution. This eight-port serial card connects up to eight external Hayes-compatible modems or computer terminals, or other devices to your system. The GalactiBoard can be used in any PC with the standard PC/AT/EISA bus. The G-Board was designed for use with Worldgroup, but can work with other multi-user applications as well. You just insert the G-Board into one of the expansion slots in your computer and connect external modems to the eight cables. On high-volume systems, if you run out of expansion slots for your G-Boards, you can place them in a GalactiBox. You can insert up to 16 G-Boards into one G-Box, for a total of 128 serial ports. Like the G-Box, the G-Board also minimizes cabling. One 30-inch "octopus" cable is included with the G-Board. It plugs into the back of the G-Board and splits into eight male RS-232C connections, which can be plugged directly into external modems. We carry a complete line of external modems. * Easy to Configure Galacticomm's multimodem software does not use conventional hardware interrupts, like those associated with COM1 and COM2 serial ports. We use a much more efficient time-sliced interrupt scheme that supports many more channels than regular interrupt-based or polling-based architectures. Interrupt conflicts are never an issue. All 16 lines can answer to the same phone number. When you're installing your phone lines, simply ask your phone service to configure them as a single "hunt group." You can purchase the GalactiBox and GalactiBoard from your favorite Galacticomm dealer, or call us direct at 1-800-328-1128 (or 305-583-5990 outside the U.S. and Canada). These products include a one-year parts and labor warranty. * GalactiBox Features - 16 I/O expansion slots per GalactiBox - Supports internal modems, serial cards, fax cards, GalactiBoards, or 8-bit I/O option card - Up to four GalactiBoxes can connect 64 modems on a single COM port address - Up to 16 G-Boxes can be nested to 1 machine - Compatible with the PC/AT and EISA bus - Automatic wait-state generation: 0 to 15 wait-states - Up to 16 interrupt sources on the GalactiBox bus (one per slot), with the appropriate programming of two on-board 8259A interrupt controls - One or two interrupts on your computer's bus, with edge-regenerating logic - Input power selectable to 110 or 220 volts, 50 or 60 cycles AC - 200 watt power supply - GalactiBox does not support: memory, DMA (Direct Memory Access), bus arbitration, Interrupts 0, 1, 6, 7 GalactiBoard Features - 8 EIA-232D-compatible serial ports on one card that plug into PC/AT/EISA-compatible expansion slot - Each port has a 16550-type UART with 16-byte receive and transmit FIFO buffers. - Supports 300 to 57,600 bits per second transfer rate - 14 addressing modes, DIP-switch selectable. All modes (except mode 8) are free of addressing conflicts with COM1/2/3/4 serial ports - Configure up to 7 G-Boards (56 ports) using only 4 channel groups - Configure up to 32 GalactiBoards (255 ports) using G-Boxes and 8 channel groups - 30-inch cabling included. Each connector is clearly marked "PORT 0" through "PORT 7" on both sides - RS-232C DTE pinouts for direct connection to modems or other devices. - Signals supported on each port: Ground, Transmit, Receive, RTS, CTS, DCD, DTR - Each serial cable may be extended up to 50' in length - Interrupt support, for custom programming your own applications. (Worldgroup does not use conventional I/O interrupts) All specifications subject to change without notice Galacticomm, GalactiBoard, GalactiBox and Worldgroup are trademarks of Galacticomm, Inc. ------ * Intelligent Serial Kit for Worldgroup Double your system's performance with intelligent multi-user hardware Only Galacticomm gives you the power to support up to 256 simultaneous users on a single PC. You'll never have to worry about tangles of cable, stacks of computers, or layers of multitasking software with Worldgroup. Match our software breakthrough with multi-user hardware, and you can greatly expand the modem capacity of your PC beyond COM1/2/3/4. To give you screaming performance for a huge number of simultaneous users, we've teamed up with Equinox Systems Inc. Now, you can rack up dozens of high-speed modems to a single PC with our Intelligent Serial Kit. Originally, our software only worked with non-intelligent serial boards. Your CPU (and our software) had the full burden of handling every byte of data that was piped in or out of your system in real time - a heavy load under today's high speed modems. Now, by using the Intelligent Serial Kit (ISK), you can offload much of the nitty-gritty piping of data from the CPU to the intelligent hardware. The ISK is an expandable I/O subsystem that takes advantage of Equinox's new RISC-based SuperSerial Technology (SST). Equinox's intelligent multiport cards free up tremendous system resources, and solidly boost your system's potential throughput to over 590,000 aggregate CPS - more than double any other single-PC solution. The table to the left illustrates the results of our field testing with Equinox hardware. We successfully demonstrated 225 simultaneous file transfers at 19.2 Kbps and 173 simultaneous transfers at 38.4 Kbps - with no degradation in performance. All of this was handled by a single Pentium machine. The testing also demonstrated a record number of transfers at 115,200 bps and 230,400 bps. Our software is the first commercial online service platform to support 230K speeds - just in time for 28.8K modems and ISDN to take off on a wide scale. Ironclad Reliability Equinox SST products feature advanced multistrike surge protection. Every line of every port is protected against voltages as high as 15kV - protecting your connections from real-world surge hazards. * Host Controller Boards Start with a single host controller card. It plugs right into an expansion slot in your PC and provides the intelligent communications processor to offload the CPU serial communications workload. Host controllers are available for the ISA bus system. Just plug in the host controller and connect your choice of modules. The Intelligent Serial Kit requires minimal system resources, so difficult-to-solve system conflicts are virtually eliminated. After installation, the comprehensive online diagnostics ensure simplified maintenance. Only the Intelligent Serial Kit provides this feature, and even lets you view the real-time data and status of any port. * Port Modules As your line usage grows, add port modules in increments of 8 or 16 ports - up to a total of 128 ports with a maximum speed of 115,200 bps or 64 ports with a maximum speed of 230,400 bps. Expand from 8 ports to 128 ports in a single slot. The host controller card links to the port modules with a 4' cable and a RJ45 connector. * Easily integrates with Worldgroup The software driver for the Intelligent Serial Kit interfaces directly to the server's communication engine using the Galacticomm Custom Device Interface (GCDI). In the tradition of our open architecture, the GCDI enables independent vendors - such as Equinox - to add new connectivity to Worldgroup by creating a DLL that automatically links into the underlying architecture at run time. The openness of this interface ensures that your system will keep pace with the constant change of communications technology. Non-intelligent hardware, such as GalactiBoards and GalactiBoxes, offer a cost-effective alternative for increasing your modem capacity - and are the recommended solution for systems with fewer than 30-40 lines. The GalactiBox is an expansion chassis with slots for up to 16 internal modems or serial cards. The GalactiBoard is an eight-port serial card for external modems, terminals, or other computers running communications software. Both products work in parallel with the ISK. * Everything is included The Intelligent Serial Kit includes Equinox's SST 8- or 16-channel port modules, the intelligent software driver, the Equinox host controller, all RJ45 cabling, adapters for modem connections, and documentation. Kits supporting speeds of up to 115.2 Kbps are available in 16-, 32-, 64-, 96-, and 128-line counts. Kits supporting speeds of up to 230.4 Kbps are available in 16- and 32-line counts. Each kit comes with a five-year warranty and world-class support from both Galacticomm and Equinox. * SuperSerial XP Host Controllers Specifications Processor: 30 MHz Equinox SuperSerial Processor (2 SSPs provided on SS128) Performance: SS64 - 64 ports @230 Kbps SS128 - 128 ports @115 Kbps Bus Interface: 16-bit ISA Memory Map: 16 Kb (shared) On-board SS64 - 512 Kb Memory: SS128 - 1 MB Power 5V @ 1A + 5% plus port module Requirements: requirements if powered from host Expansion Bus: SS64 - single expansion bus, connects up to 4 modules SS128 - dual expansion bus, connects up to 4 modules per expansion bus, 8 modules total Cable - 4' host cable supplied w/SS64; two 4' host cables supplied w/SS128 Bus Length - 500' max between modules Connectors - HD-22 Cable - 6-twisted-pair, low-capacitance, shielded SuperSerial XP Port Modules (8 or 16) Application: Locate near host for direct connect or distribute within a facility using optional expansion bus cables and external supplies 8-port Modules: RM8-RJ (RJ-45) 16-port Modules: RM16-RJ (RJ-45) Performance: 8-port modules - 64 ports @230 Kbps 16-port modules - 128 ports @115 Kbps Interface: Type - RJ45 Signals - TXD, RXD, CTS, DSR, DCD, DTR, RI, GND Surge Protection: All ports, all signals, multi-strike Power 8-port modules - 5V @0.6A Requirements: 16-port modules - 5V @1.2A Power Sources: Host powered - modules receive power from host computer when connected via supplied 4' host cable(s) Externally powered - optional power supplies required w/expansion bus cables All specifications subject to change without notice Galacticomm and Worldgroup are trademarks of Galacticomm, Inc. Equinox is a registered trademark of EQUINOX Systems Inc. SuperSerial is a trademark of EQUINOX Systems Inc. ------------------------------- * Worldgroup Developer's Kit ------------------------------- * An open platform for developing online applications Worldgroup's client/server online platform is a foundation for others to build upon. A large effort has been made to ensure you have the tools and techniques you need in order to write add-on applications as well as customize existing ones. This development environment harnesses the power of server-side C code coupled with the ease of design and extensibility of client-side Visual Basic (VB) code. * General Architecture The Worldgroup server software runs on your host machine under DOS. It manages agents, the server portion of client/server applications. The client software, Worldgroup Manager, runs on the users' PCs under Windows and manages apps. Client apps make requests of the server. These client requests are serviced by server agents. The server also supports terminal-mode modules. These modules provide an ASCII/ANSI/RIP interface for non-client users. The design of the Worldgroup platform allows developers to get involved at several levels: - Customizing existing client apps using VB - Developing new client apps in VB utilizing existing server agents (E-mail, Forums, File Libraries, etc.) - Customizing existing server agents or terminal-mode modules - Developing new applications involving apps, agents, and terminal-mode modules The link between apps and agents is handled by the Galacticomm Client/Server Protocol (GCSP). The best thing about this multithreaded, error correcting protocol is that you, as a developer, don't have to worry about it. The communications link on both the client and server sides is managed entirely by the GCSP engine. Since we've already taken care of the details involved in managing the actual client/server link, you don't have to handle the low-level I/O at all. This leaves you free to focus on the functionality of your application. * Terminal-Mode Modules Terminal-mode plug-in DLLs exist on the server for providing an ASCII/ANSI/RIP interface to applications. Generally, a terminal-mode user is in one module at a time. Modules are organized as state machines, allowing users to move from state to state. Terminal-mode modules can intercept users at logon or logoff as well as register global command handlers for interacting with users when they are within other modules. High-level API calls exist for making it as easy as possible to provide a terminal-mode interface. However, your terminal-mode application can also access the low-level channel routines, including interrupt level routines. * Client Apps Armed with the GCSP engine, Visual Basic, and the myriad of other tools available under Windows, client apps run the show. They can utilize 100% of the resources on the client machine: intricate graphics, sound, animation, video, etc. You can create and modify such apps easily because of the work Microsoft and hundreds of other companies have put into Windows-based development tools. Visual Basic is powerful. What it doesn't do for you, hundreds of add-on tools will. You can even access the Windows API calls directly from VB, including your own C libraries, so you have complete control over the client environment. For communicating with the server, client apps read and write data in the form of dynapaks. A dynapak consists of a name and a value. The value can be either a block of data (a structure, record, e-mail message, etc. up to 16K in length) or a DOS file. The GCSP engine handles the transport of all dynapak requests and values. The app makes the requests, the agent services them, and the GCSP engine is the go-between. The client GCSP engine doesn't just transport dynapaks to and from the server. It caches them as well, transparently increasing the apparent throughput of the link (and thus the apparent responsiveness of the application). The client GCSP engine can even service dynapak read and write requests while operating on deck (offline, but still able to perform many functions within the context of a system). In many cases, an app can execute the same code whether operating online or on deck. When an app makes a request identical to an earlier one whose result is still in the client-side cache, the GCSP engine doesn't need to be online with the server agent in order to service the request. An app reads and writes dynapaks by making calls to API routines in the GCSP engine. To sit around and wait (with a Windows hourglass displayed) for a response from the server, synchronous flavors of read and write exist. To continue to operate while waiting for a response from the server, asynchronous flavors of read and write also exist. Using synchronous calls, app code is very linear. Using asynchronous calls, app code is more event-driven. Most apps will use a mix of synchronous and asynchronous calls depending on circumstance. In summary, Visual Basic is the development environment with extensibility for most any need, and dynapaks are the tool used for communicating between client apps and server agents. * Server Agents Server agents run as plug-in DLLs on the Worldgroup server PC. When a read or write request comes in from a client, the server GCSP engine automatically routes it to the read or write handler in the appropriate agent. From there, the agent is free to service the request in any way it chooses. When ready with a response, the agent simply hands that response off to the engine for transport. A request can be responded to immediately, or it can take some time. To be called back repeatedly by the engine over time (cycled), the agent simply calls cycleme() with a routine address to call every chance it gets. By cycling, agents can perform things like database searches in order to respond to a request. An agent can also communicate with other channels, wait for real-time events, or perform many tasks in order to service a client request. The client can handle doing many things at once, since it's running under Windows. Although not running under Windows, the server can multitask as well. Up to 30 requests can be outstanding on any given channel at any given time. Each request has its own context with per-request memory to keep track of its status. Except for conflict checking where necessary, the engine shields the agent from having to be aware of this fact. The engine calls the agent when a request comes in, calls its cycleme() routine as requested, maintains the request's context, and eventually transports the agent's response to the client. Develop your vision today. Tap into the power to bring your vision online. The Worldgroup Client/Server Developer's Kit is available from your favorite Galacticomm dealer, or call us direct at 1-800-328-1128 (or 954-583-5990 outside the U.S. and Canada). * Development Requirements Server Borland C++ 4.5 Borland Turbo Assembler Phar Lap 286|DOS Extender 3.1 Worldgroup Client/Server Developer's Kit Client Visual Basic for Windows 3.0 Professional Edition Sheridan Software's 3-D Widgets Worldgroup Client App Developer's Kit or Client/Server Developer's Kit * Development Kit Features Client API - 30 threads per user - Each app is a separate VB .EXE - Automatic version control and background updating - Transparent file transfer handling - Online or offline capability - Callback custom control allows for synchronous or asynchronous operation - Dynapak prioritization capability - Greater than and less than dynapak reads for generating lists of data with one function call - Routines to view dynapak data as it comes in - Generic agent for rapid client development - Local data storage is dynapak based - Extensive documentation and source examples Agent API - 30 requests per channel - Per-request memory - Dynapak manipulation routines - Event-driven, C-based DLL technology - Data format conversion routines (VB "types" to C "structs") - Output queues and threads handled by the GCSP engine - Priority issues handled by the GCSP engine - Generic dynapak data file for storage - Accounting functions (deducting, awarding, exempting credit use) - Security functions (checking keys, setting locks, changing classes) - Extensive documentation and source examples Terminal-mode API - Full Screen Editor services - Full Screen Data entry field display/edit routines - File Transfer Facility routines for terminal-mode file transfers - State machine, C-based DLL technology - Routines to allow for individual channel manipulation - Accounting functions (deducting, awarding, exempting credit use) - Security functions (checking keys, setting locks, changing classes) - Multilingual support - Date, time, and file handling suite - Routines for dealing with message file configuration options - Global command API - Complete Btrieve database API - Extensive documentation and source examples ----------------------------- * Security Mechanisms ----------------------------- * The secure solution for remote access Today, more and more business is being conducted online: electronic commerce, information dissemination, exchange of sensitive data and more. In this open computing environment, the security of your system is critical. That's why Worldgroup offers an airtight security architecture. Worldgroup safely lets you offer online services to customers and prospects without risking the integrity of your LAN security or the confidentiality of your internal workgroups. * A firewall to your LAN Unlike many remote access programs, your users can't access your DOSprompt. At no point do you risk a user having DOS-level control over your system. In fact, Worldgroup's protected mode operation makes it impossible to execute DOS applications (which run in real mode) while the system is online. Protected mode gives Worldgroup the multitasking abilities to support up to 256 simultaneous users on a single PC. * Password protection When new users log on to your system, they must create User-IDs and passwords. By keeping their passwords private and changing them frequently, users ensure the security of their User-IDs. To help protect your system against intruders, the server hangs up if a caller guesses the wrong password three times. If this happens, an audit trail entry will note the time, date, User-ID and channel of the attempted logon. This hang-up feature discourages hackers from making dozens of guesses until they figure out a password. * Five models of Worldgroup To get you started, we've created five categories with default security settings. During installation, select one as a starting point and then fine-tune as needed. The Public Model gives first-time callers access to all harmless services (reading/writing messages, downloading files, etc.). The Customer Service Model gives prospects access to some services, but reserves the more valuable services for customers. The Sign-up Model gives applicants the ability to enter their names and addresses, but they can't access anything until you give them authorization. The For-Profit Model lets first-time callers sign up and access limited test-drive services, while paying customers can enjoy all of your system's user services. The Private Model brings stringent access control for private or in-house online systems. Callers can't log on unless you've assigned them a User-ID and password. No new user applications are accepted. * Locks and Keys Because of the open distribution of the Worldgroup client program, which runs on the user's PC, the server manages all security access levels through its Locks and Keys architecture. You control access by placing locks on features and issuing keys to authorized users. You activate a lock by telling it to screen users for a specific key. Users can pass through an activated lock if you have assigned the same key to the user. The server will check the user's keys before fulfilling any request. * Assigning Locks and Keys You can set locks at three levels: the Menu Tree, the modules (e.g., e-mail, forums, etc.) and through Security and Accounting configuration options. Menu Tree locks determine which menu options specific users can access. These locks are configured offline at the Sysop's console. For your ASCII, ANSI and RIP terminal mode callers, you can choose to hide the option, dim it, or show it. If a user selects a menu option that he doesn't have a key for, he will be notified that the requested option isn't available. You can also use Menu Tree locks for your client/server menus. If a user doesn't have the required key, you can choose to hide the option or show it. Because the client runs on the user's PC, however, all security issues are best handled by the server. Server locks on the modules or in Security and Accounting options prevent unauthorized access from terminal mode and client users alike. Module locks determine which activities are offered to which users within individual modules. Set these locks online when you create libraries, forums, polls and so forth. If a User-ID doesn't have the required key for the module, he will be denied access. Over 1,000 user-configurable parameters are available in CNF, the offline configuration facility for the Worldgroup server. Special Security and Accounting CNF options let you customize user access restrictions and most of the accounting settings. * Classes of users For ease of management, you can create millions of classes of users, such as PROSPECT, CUSTOMER, STAFF, SYSOP, etc., with associated keyrings of services they can access. Assign keys to classes or individual users. You can have up to 10,000 classes of users. For each class, you can specify a time limit, whether to exempt incidental charges, a debt limit and the keys users will have. Configure a class to automatically expire to another class after a certain number of days. Inactive accounts can be automatically purged. For pay-for-use systems, the server can meter online time by the second. You can grant users a certain amount of prepaid time. If you allow users to run up a tab, you can generate a report once a week or once a month for billing purposes. * Security you can trust As data theft on the Internet and online services continues to make headlines, companies are seeking foolproof ways to share information and resources with field staff, customers, vendors and the world at large. Worldgroup provides this security with Locks and Keys that grant individual users and groups access to different areas of the server. If you'd like to offer remote access to LAN, modem and (optionally) X.25, ISDN and Internet users, Worldgroup is your secure solution. For more information or to order Galacticomm products, call your favorite Galacticomm dealer, or call us direct at 1-800-328-1128 (or 954-583-5990 outside the U.S. and Canada). Galacticomm, Locks and Keys and Worldgroup are trademarks of Galacticomm, Inc. ------------------------------ * Direct Pricing Information ------------------------------ April, 1996 Worldgroup Version 1.0, 8-user $595.00 Launch plug-and-play client/server applications from your Web site. Includes customizable surveys, shared file libraries, group messaging, SMTP mail and teleconference with collaborative drawing board. Built-in Web server software -- or use in conjunction with your existing Web server. Supports up to eight sinultaneous users via TCP/IP. Requires 486 or Pentium-class PC, 8MB of RAM and DOS 5 or higher. Includes freely distributable Worldgroup Plug-in for Netscape Navigator that will launch Windows client applications from users' browsers. Worldgroup Dial-Up Server $795.00 Ideal for setting up your own online service or bulletin board system. Includes 8-user license of Worldgroup and Dial-Up Option for modem support. Worldgroup Internet Server $1,995.00 Become an Internet Service Provider and offer dial-up users secure proxy and dedicated SLIP/CSLIP/PPP access out to the Internet, as well as a range of Internet services, such as ftp, telnet, rlogin, finger, NNTP newsgroups, IRC and POP3 mail. Includes 20-user license of Worldgroup, Dial-Up Option, Advanced Internet Option and Dial-Out add-on. Worldgroup Enterprise Server $7,995.00 A complete online interactive software platform. Offer online shopping with secure credit card verification, customizable surveys, shared file libraries, group messaging, teleconference with collaborative drawing board, ftp, telnet, rlogin, finger, NNTP newsgroups, IRC, SMTP and POP3 mail. Support for TCP/IP, modem, Novell LAN and ISDN callers. Includes 128-user license of Worldgroup, Dial-Up Option, Novell LAN Option, Advanced Internet Option, Dial-Out add-on and Omni-Mall add-on. Add-on Options -------------- Fax/Online Add-on Option $249.00 Provides an outgoing online fax service for your system. Users can fax pre-scanned images and ASCII text files from your document database, view or print faxes from the built-in viewer, inquire about fax rate charges, and send copies to others. Requires EIA Class 2 or 2.0/CCITT Group 3 fax modems. Entertainment Collection Add-on Option $295.00 Includes the Action Teleconference, a chat extravaganza with action words, sounds and images; multiplayer text adventures, ANSI-graphics, Flash and teleconference games; and more. Omni-Mall $995.00 Extends your system into an online shopping mall of products and services. Users can scan through product catalogs at no obligation, view images of available items, and place or cancel orders at will. Supports automated online credit-card processing and data encryption. Connectivity Options -------------------- Dial-Out Add-on Option $195.00 Allows users on your system to transparently connect to other computers via TCP/IP and optionally modems, serial links or X.25 connections. A flexible script language lets you configure features or areas of other systems your users can access. Dial-Up Option $295.00 Supports modem access to your Worldgroup system. Novell LAN Option $295.00 Allows users on your Novell LAN without TCP/IP connectivity to access your Worldgroup system. Supports Novell NetWare IPX/SPX channels. User Six-Pack, each $295.00 Supports up to six additional simultaneous users. Installs effortlessly and leaves all existing configuration and data files intact. Up to 41 User Six-Packs can be added for a total of 256 simultaneous users (support for the last two users is included at no charge). Advanced Internet Option $495.00 Provides dial-up users with secure proxy and dedicated SLIP/CSLIP/PPP access out to the Internet, as well as a range of Internet services, such as ftp, telnet, rlogin, finger, NNTP newsgroups, IRC and POP3 mail. X.25 Software Option $995.00 Connects your system to an X.25 packet-switching network without the need for a PAD. Requires the PC XNet Card - see X.25 Network Hardware. Developer's Kits ---------------- Worldgroup Developer's Kit $495.00 Modify client-side applications, server-side agents and existing Worldgroup add-ons or write your own Worldgroup add-on options. Contains the Visual Basic source for baseline client apps (e.g. e-mail, file libraries, etc.). Includes the server-side engine in LIB form and the C source code to all server-side apps, files necessary to recompile the run-time executable, two of the utilities and certain standard DLLs. Documentation is included. Requires a registered copy of Worldgroup, the Phar Lap 286|DOS-Extender SDK, Borland C++ 4.5, Visual Basic Pro 3.0 and 3-D Widgets from Sheridan Software. Visual Writer Pro 2.25 and Visual Speller 1.0 required to modify Worldgroup's message center. Advanced Internet Option and Internet Connectivity Source Code required to modify existing Internet capabilities or to develop your own Internet add-ons. Extended C Source Developer's Kit $495.00 Contains the C sources to many of the offline programs, such as the configuration editor, the menu tree management utilities and screen drawing tools. Also contains the C source to GCOMM.LIB, a collection of low-level routines used by Worldgroup and its offline utilities for DOS functions, operator I/O, text message management, etc. Requires the Worldgroup Developer's Kit. (All source code listed below requires the Worldgroup Developer's Kit and a registered copy of the specific add-on option.) Fax/Online Developer's Kit $ 99.00 Dial-Out C Source Code $295.00 Entertainment Collection C Source Code $450.00 Requires Brushed Aluminum set of VBXtasy by Spinoza Ltd to recompile the client app. Internet Connectivity Option Source Code $495.00 Contains source code to Worldgroup's Internet capabilities included in the baseline package and Advanced Internet Option. Requires Advanced Internet Option. Omni-Mall C Source Code $995.00 Development Tools ----------------- DOORWAY by TriMark Engineering $49.95 Provides access to DOS applications on a separate computer. 286|DOS-Extender SDK by Phar Lap $414.00 Break the 640K DOS memory barrier and access up to 16MB of extended memory in protected mode. X.25 Network Hardware --------------------- PC XNet Card from OST $1,295.00 A dual-port X.25 interface that connects directly to equipment from SprintNet, CompuServe, Autonet and other packet-switching networks. Multi-User Hardware ------------------- GalactiBoard $495.00 An 8-port EIA-232D serial interface for connecting external modems, terminals, or other computers running communications software. Uses 16550-type UARTs for efficient high-speed file transfers. Cable assembly included which provides 8 male DB-25 connectors with DTE pinouts. Update Program -------------- Automatic Software Update Program $395.00 Per year, per registration number. Receive all significant new software updates to Galacticomm products you have purchased as soon as we've fully tested them. (International ASUPs are $495/year.) For "one-shot" updates, give us a call for pricing. Intelligent Serial Kits ----------------------- Enables Worldgroup to take advantage of Equinox Systems Inc.'s intelligent multiport SuperSerial hardware - delivering unsurpassed performance. Each ISK includes Worldgroup intelligent driver software, Equinox host controller, 8- or 16-port module(s), power supplies, cables, modem adapters, and documentation. 16-line (up to 115.2 Kbps) $1,975.00 32-line (up to 115.2 Kbps) $2,735.00 64-line (up to 115.2 Kbps) $4,255.00 96-line (up to 115.2 Kbps) $5,865.00 128-line (up to 115.2 Kbps) $7,385.00 16-port upgrade (up to 115.2 Kbps) $ 925.00 16-line (up to 230.4 Kbps) $1,885.00 32-line (up to 230.4 Kbps) $2,805.00 8-port upgrade (up to 230.4 Kbps) $ 665.00 8-port Intelligent Serial Board $ 745.00 Shipping Options ---------------- 2nd day air, anywhere in U.S. $16.00 Next day air, anywhere in U.S. $26.00 Canada and Mexico $48.00 International software Call for quote Hardware orders Call for quote The prices above include shipping and handling charges for software shipments via the courier of our choice. We can also ship via the courier of your choice; call for details and pricing. All Galacticomm products include a 30-day money-back guarantee! For the name of your nearest dealer, to order direct from us, or for information regarding training courses, call 1-800-328-1128 (954-583-5990 outside the U.S. and Canada). All prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. Prices listed are in U.S. dollars. All hardware, unless otherwise specified, conforms to North American standards. Galacticomm, Dial-Out, Entertainment Collection, Fax/Online, GalactiBoard, Advanced Internet Option, User Six-Pack, Worldgroup and X.25 Software Option are trademarks of Galacticomm, Inc. All other products are trademarks of their respective companies. =============================================================== [2.1.02] - SEARCHLIGHT BBS TOPICS IN THIS SECTION: * CONTACT INFO * Searchlight BBS Version * Files available at the Searchlight web site * Feature Summary * Searchlight Benefits * Specifications * RIP Graphics * Full-Screen Editor * Menu Building * Doors System * Modem/Serial Support * Message System * Users and Security * Electronic Mail * File Transfer System * Multilanguage Support * Sysop Utilities * Expandability * System Requirements * Upgrades and Technical Support * Searchlight Software Price List --------------------------------------------- ----------------- * CONTACT INFO ----------------- Searchlight Software 6516 Detroit Avenue Cleveland, OH 44102 voice: (216) 631-9290 fax: (216) 631-9289 BBS: (216) 631-9285 orders: (800) 988-LITE WWW: http://www.searchlight.com/ The info below was updated January 1996 --------------------------- * Searchlight BBS Version --------------------------- Overview: Searchlight BBS is one of the most popular dialup BBS systems in the world. A computer, modem and phone line are all you need to set up a robust Searchlight BBS system featuring configurable menus, an easy to use graphical interface, message conferences, file libraries, email, chatting, and more. You can even install optional programs, like online databases, order entry systems and surveys. Your BBS is available to anyone with a modem -- it doesn't require a special client program or an Internet connection. ------------------------------------------------ * Files available at the Searchlight web site ------------------------------------------------ Searchlight 4.5 Demo Software (DEMO450.ZIP, 1042k). Searchlight 4.5 Documentation (DOCS450.ZIP, 237k). Various Support Files are available including upgrade patches, development tools and free add-ons. ------------------- * Feature Summary ------------------- Graphical Interface Easy to Use True GUI Interface Vector & Bitmapped Images Digital Sound Non-Proprietary Client Works with any RIP, ANSI or TTY terminal Graphical clients for Windows, DOS & Macintosh Fully Configurable Build Custom Menus Edit Prompts and Strings No complex script languages Nothing extra to buy External Doors Support Door.Sys, Dorinfo.Def, PCBoard.Sys Support Run any DOS Program Online Run Doors on the Same PC as Your BBS Fully Internet Compatible Integrated Support for Email and Newsgroups Supports Popular Telnet, FTP, WWW Addons An online demonstration system is available at (216) 631-9285. ------------------------ * Searchlight Benefits ------------------------ An Easy to Use Interface: Many BBS programs let you use the Remote Imaging Protocol (RIP) to draw menus with graphics and mouse buttons. But that’s all they do. They don’t offer true GUI features like scrollbars or pick lists. And they can’t build RIP menus, so if you change their defaults, you have to purchase a paint program and draw the new screens yourself. Searchlight 4.5 has RIP support built-in, not tacked-on. Our fully graphical RIP interface lets you use a scroll bar to navigate through message lists and file directories. You can read messages and tag files with mouse clicks and select choices from pick lists, dialog boxes and graphical menus. And since Searchlight creates RIP on the fly, you can reconfigure your system without manually redrawing the screens. We can even incorporate your favorite RIP files automatically. And Searchlight is the only BBS software that gives you Local RIP Graphics -- so you can see and use the RIP graphics interface on your computer (or any computer on your LAN). Other BBS packages make you call your BBS from another computer if you want to see RIP, and they can’t give you a RIP interface at all if you’re using a LAN. RIPterm 2.0 Support: TeleGrafx’ exciting new RIPterm 2.0 is the only non-proprietary host that supports multimedia objects like photographic quality images and sound effects -- and Searchlight 4.5 is the first BBS software to fully support RIPterm 2.0. You can display JPEG images, associate WAV sounds with events, and display any RIPterm 2.0 compatible file with Searchlight 4.5. Our configuration program makes it easy to use images and sounds without learning the RIPscrip language or using a RIP paint program. Just plug in your filenames and go! And Searchlight 4.5 supports both RIPterm 2.0 and RIPterm 1.54, so you can give your RIPterm 2.0 callers multimedia features without sacrificing support for callers using the older version of RIPterm. No other BBS software offers you this flexibility -- Searchlight does it automatically. Simple, Effective Configurability: Some BBS programs offer little or no opportunity to customize their default menus and prompts. Others make you buy add-on compilers or source code and force you to write complex program scripts to make even minor changes. Searchlight gives you simple, point and click customization so you can easily modify our menus, build new menu branches, change prompts and terminology, even redesign your entire system. Install doors and external utilities by typing the appropriate DOS commands into a form -- you don’t need to understand batch files or error levels. Install your modem with one keystroke -- we detect your modem brand and automatically make the optimal settings. Comprehensive Doors Support: A hobbyist might want to run external programs ("doors") to let callers play games. A business might need to let callers run custom applications online. Some BBS programs don’t support doors at all -- others make you purchase a shell utility (like Doorway). Searchlight supports the most popular door formats, so you can run programs made for any BBS system. And we’re the only BBS to include built-in support for DOS shells and text-based DOS programs. Just select the "direct video" option and you can run any DOS program online -- including programs like FoxPro, dBase, and Paradox or applications created with Clipper or Clarion. Internet Support: These days, the ability to interface to the global "information superhighway" is essential. Searchlight’s Uumail option offers seamless support for internet mail addresses, so you can send and receive internet messages as easily as you do local messages. Your callers don’t have to join a special conference or learn a special procedure to send internet mail. Just add a "send internet mail" button to your menu -- Searchlight does the rest! And when you’re ready to move beyond mail and usenet into the realm of ftp, telnet and world wide web, you’ll be glad that Searchlight is fully compatible and extensively field tested with quality third party internet utilities from companies like Murkworks, Zialink and Mystic Valley Communications. A Complete System: Some companies sell you a stripped down package and charge extra for the features you need most. Every copy of Searchlight 4.5 includes our menu editor and language customization tools, the most popular file transfer protocols, Fossil and DigiBoard support, a QWK mail host, a built in DOS shell and a full set of Sysop utilities. We even include a free RIP terminal that you can distribute to your callers. And now, every multi-line copy of Searchlight includes Fred Chat Central. With multiple chat rooms, line by line or split screen chatting, private chat sessions, and a dazzling RIP graphics interface, Fred is easily the hottest chat program in the BBS universe. You can’t buy Fred anywhere for any price -- but you can get it free when you order a three, ten or unlimited line copy of Searchlight BBS! Great Customer Service: Searchlight Software offers an unconditional 30 day money back guarantee with no restocking fees. If you add lines, we credit 100% of your purchase price toward the upgrade. Voice technical support is free, and it’s available both before and after the sale. ----------------- * Specifications ----------------- * RIP Graphics - RIPscrip v2.0 support. - Local RIP graphics on the BBS computer. - Automatic transfer feature that makes Searchlight faster in RIP mode by downloading frequently used menu files and icons on an as-needed basis. - Built-in RIP GUI features including scroll bars, pop-up menus and dialog boxes. - Full screen message and file browsers with mouse file tagging. - RIP menu designer and style editor. - Copy functions that allow you to easily duplicate existing RIP styles. - Automatic selection of RIP, ANSI or Ascii screens. - Regulate doors and menu choices by RIP availability or RIP version number. - Users can select large or small font for viewing and entering messages. * Full-Screen Editor - Supports most common cursor control keys, function keys and WordStar command sequences. - Uses full ANSI set for fast screen updating. - Mouse support (RIP & local). - Quote individual lines from original message. - Upload text with any internal protocol. * Menu Building - Create and edit menus with mouse-driven menu editing tool. - Copy functions that allow you to easily duplicate existing menus. - Up to 64 commands per menu with no limit to total number of menus in system. - Nest menus up to 40 levels deep. - Over 100 internal command functions can be arranged in any way you choose. - Add door programs to any menu. - Execute up to 64 commands in sequence. - Regulate access to commands and menus by 10 criteria, including RIP version. - Design custom RIP, ANSI or Ascii screens for any menu (or use built-in displays). - A point-and-click method of assigning conferences and file directories to any menu. * Doors System - Run any text based DOS application online without third-party add-on products. - FOSSIL emulation feature that lets you run doors and other programs that require a Fossil driver through Searchlight's built-in communications drivers or DigiBoard ports. - Compatible with most existing Door products. - Emulates DOOR.SYS, PCBOARD.SYS, DORINFO.DEF. - Built-in DOS shell capability. - Write your own door programs without serial programming. * Modem/Serial Support - Supports any base address and interrupt (IRQ). - 16550 buffered UART support. - FOSSIL driver support. - Support for Intelligent DigiBoard multiport cards. - Support for intelligent Equinox multiport cards. - Support for generic BIOS/INT14 drivers. - Recognizes all connect speeds up to 28,800. - Supports locked baud rates up to 115,200. - Hands-free automatic modem configuration. * Message System - An "instant reply" feature for chat messages that lets you chat without interrupting your work in progress. - No limit to number of conferences or messages per conference - "One file per conference" storage architecture offers the best combination of speed, size and reliability - Fast message searching in headers and/or text - Indexed personal message scans - Full thread maintenance including global thread operations (kill, forward, download entire threads) - Message forwarding, carbon copy, text upload & download, auto purge of old messages - Attach binary files to messages - Support for much larger messages. * Users and Security - Unlimited number of user accounts. - Encrypted user passwords for maximum security. - 24 independent security flags plus 256 levels. - Over 16 million security combinations. - Regulate access to conferences, file areas, menu choices, doors, menu branches, quoting, netmail features, and more. - Read-only conference areas. - Upload-only and download-only file directories. - Mutually exclusive security groups. - Alias names. - Caller ID logging. * Electronic Mail - True private mailboxes for each user - Read new mail automatically at log-in - Recipient name lookup and name completion - Internet address support - Multizone (4D) Netmail support - Carbon copy, alias and group names - Automatic mail logging feature * File Transfer System - Unlimited number of directories and files. - All directories indexed by name and date. - Files from multiple DOS directories may be combined into a single Searchlight directory. - Individual file passwords. - Copy, delete, rename and move files. - View internal directories of ZIP, LZH, ARJ and SQZ files. - File descriptions up to 400 lines. - Dynamic download counts in directory listings. - Tag files with mouse clicks or single-keystrokes. - Built in Zmodem, Xmodem/CRC & Xmodem/1K. - Up to 15 external protocols supported including HSLink. - Auto-processing of uploads supported. - Partial filename completion. - Improved CD-ROM handling procedure that optimizes file transfers from CD-ROM discs and other low speed media, especially on multiuser systems. - Local upload and download for LAN use. - Supports automatic FILE_ID.DIZ importing. * Multilanguage Support - Offer up to 64 languages online. - Language files can redefine some or all text prompts and menus. - Callers' language choices saved as default for future logins. - Choose from popular languages offered by Searchlight Software or create your own translations with included tools. * Sysop Utilities - All sysop functions are available from a remote location. - Most sysop functions can be run with callers online. - Purge old users & messages by date, access level, content, and other criteria. - Rename users (changes name in messages, too). - Global adjustments to user access levels & attributes. - Rebuild indexes & repair damaged files. * Expandability - Multizone Fidonet (echomail & netmail) support. - QWK offline mail module included free. - Internet mail support. - Compatible with all front-end mailers & mail tossers. - Free high-level software development kit for rapid development of new applications. * System Requirements - Minimum 350K RAM per node. - Supports most multitasking operating systems including DESQview (recommended) and OS/2. - Supports most local area network (LAN) systems with unlimited nodes on a LAN. - Supports up to 10 lines on a single PC (requires 33mhz '486, - DESQview operating system, Intelligent DigiBoard). - Internal program structure that reduces Searchlight's conventional memory footprint. * Upgrades and Technical Support - Free unlimited technical support. - Voice support available during business hours. - Continuous support via BBS, CompuServe, internet mail, and Fidonet/SL_NET conferences. - No additional charge for support BBS access. - 100% of purchase price credited toward license upgrades. ------------------------------------ * Searchlight Software Price List ------------------------------------ Here's a complete list of Searchlight Software's products and prices. You can order Searchlight products via WWW at: http://www.searchlight.com/ If you prefer to order by phone, call 1-800-988-LITE during business hours (10am to 6pm EST). Searchlight BBS Software Single Line Version .................................. $ 99 1 to 3 Line Version* ................................. $179 1 to 10 Line Version+ ................................ $299 Unlimited Line Version+ .............................. $399 * Includes FRED Chat Central + Includes Spotlight, Super Survey and FRED Chat Central Spinnaker Web Server Spinnaker Beta Release Available Now ................. $250 Spinnaker Full Release Available January 1996 ........ $495 Searchlight Products Uumail Internet Mail/News Tosser ..................... $129 Online Checks Direct ................................. $129 Spotlight User Editor/Profiler ....................... $ 35 Super Survey ......................................... $ 35 FRED Chat Central .................................... $ 25 Third-Party Products Holonet Signup Package ............................... $ 75 RIPaint Professional ................................. $180 RIPdraw .............................................. $ 35 DESQview 386 w/QEMM .................................. $125 Digiboard PC/8e ...................................... $675 License Upgrades Single to 3 Line Upgrade* ............................ $ 80 Single to 10 Line Upgrade* ........................... $200 Single to Unlimited Upgrade* ......................... $300 Three to 10 Line Upgrade ............................. $120 Three to Unlimited Upgrade ........................... $220 Ten to Unlimited Upgrade ............................. $100 * Includes FRED Chat Central =============================================================== [2.1.03] - PC BOARD BBS TOPICS IN THIS SECTION: * FEATURES * REQUIREMENTS * PCBoard ADD-ONS * PCBoard PRICING * Site License Pricing * Dealer or Reseller's * Competitive Discounts * Payments * PCBoard Order Form * Products * Contacting PCBoard * Extended BBS Support Access * INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTORS ------------------------------------------ ------------ * FEATURES ------------ - Packet switch support - Full Internationalization of dates & code page - FOSSIL support for virtually any intelligent serial card(/M code) - File attachment to messages - Multiple daily events - Full support for 2 byte international character sets - Built-in .QWK message packet support - Jukebox & "slow" CD-ROM support - Incoming Fax support - Carbon-Copy list support - Return Receipt message support - Caller-ID support - ALIAS support by conference area - RIPscrip support for remote callers - PPL (PCBoard Programming Language Compiler) (Optional) - Automatic 16550 UART recognition & support - Intelligent & non-intelligent multi-port serial card support - Full screen text editor - ANSI graphics support - Full color operation - Thread reading of messages - Supports up to 65,535 conference (message base) areas - 36 file transfer protocols supported - Supports 37,767 DOORS per conference - Real-Time 255 channel node chat (CB chat) - Long message headers for all NetMail programs including Internet, Usenet & others. - Local network logins for in-house e-mail support - Direct connect support for in-house serial networks & PADS - Communicates directly with OS/2 COMM drivers to allow large number of multiple nodes under OS/2 - Automatically detects OS/2 operation for time-slice control - Full network support for any NetBIOS compatible network, including Netware, LAN tastic, 3-Com, Vines & more. - Full remote DOS access for SysOp if desired - True & complete multi-lingual language support --------------- * REQUIREMENTS --------------- IBM PC compatible Minimum 320k RAM DOS 3.1 or higher Modem to support remote dial-in - PCBoard/M Needs 80386 CPU or higher since code is written using 80386 instructions for maximum speed. ------------------- * PCBoard ADD-ONS ------------------ * PPL Compiler The PPL Compiler allows you to change or add features to your PCBoard system. Simply write your code in a BASIC like language, compile, and attach your results to PCBoard. * PCBoard Toolkit The PCBoard Toolkit allows you to write extensive DOOR programs in either C or C++ (Borland or MS). Clark Development provides all the communication, display and file routines needed to produce a truly professional PCBoard DOOR program. PCBoard Bulletin Board Software ------------------------------- PCBoard is the premiere Host Information Systems Software (BBS Software) Available. PCBoard has been setting the standard for the BBS industry since 1983. PCBoard supports dial-in and local connections. Every package of PCBoard includes support for standard and non-standard COM ports, plus intelligent and non-intelligent multi-port hardware at no extra charge. PCBoard is available in 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 1000 and 1000+ node (concurrent users) packages. PCBoard supports as many as 16 dial-in lines on a single PC using Multi-port hardware with OS/2 or DESQview. PCBoard includes support for 255 channel node chat (CB Chat), RIP Graphics, Multiple Languages, QWK Message Packets, 65,535 Conferences, and up to 36 File Transfer Protocols, etc.. Please refer to our product literature for a full description. -------------------- * PCBoard PRICING -------------------- * Site License Pricing ------------------------ Site Licences are available. Please call for additional information. * Dealer or Reseller's ----------------------- PCBoard is available from many dealers and distributors. Be sure to ask for it by name - PCBoard. * Competitive Discounts ------------------------ Competitive trade-in discounts are available. For more information please call. * Payments ------------- Payments accepted by VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Checks by Phone, Cashiers Check, Money Orders or Personal Checks. School District and Government Agency Purchase Orders are accepted. * PCBoard Order Form Effective June 1, 1996 ------------------------------------------ To: Clark Development Company, Inc. 3950 South 700 East, Ste 303 Murray, UT 84107-2173 800.356.1686 (Orders only please) 801.261.1686 (Voice) 801.261.8976 (BBS) Name: ____________________________________________________________ Business: ____________________________________________________________ Addr: ____________________________________________________________ City: _______________________________ State: ______ Zip: _______ Country: _______________________________ FAX: ______________________ Phone: _________________________ Date: ___________________ V/MC/AE #: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Exp: ______________ Print Name on Card: ___________________________________________________ Signature for credit card orders: _____________________________________ * Products DOS/WIN/OS/2 QTY ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PCBoard 2 User $ 99.00 ________ PCBoard 5 User $ 149.00 ________ PCBoard 10 User $ 199.00 ________ PCBoard 25 User $ 249.00 ________ PCBoard 50 User $ 299.00 ________ PCBoard 100 User $ 399.00 ________ PCBoard 250 User $ 499.00 ________ PCBoard 1000 User $ 999.00 ________ *** All Packages include the PCBoard Programming Language (PPLC) *** PCBoard Internet Collection (PCB/IC) $ 99.00 ________ MetaWorlds Personal Server (2 user) $ 99.00 ________ MetaWorlds Community Server (8 user) $ 249.00 ________ MetaWorlds Enterprise Server (Unlimited) $ 499.00 ________ PCBoard MetaWorlds Interface Kit $ 199.00 ________ MetaWorlds Client/Server Option $ 199.00 ________ MetaWorlds Developers Kit $ 299.00 ________ PCBoard Toolkit ($150 with PCBoard Purchase) $ 179.00 ________ DOORWAY $ 40.00 ________ PCBoard World Wide T-Shirt $ 17.50 ________ PCBoard CD-Rom $ 49.00 ________ Subtotal ________ Utah Sales tax (Utah residents only) 6.125%: ________ Shipping and Handling: Federal Express 2nd Day Air (US 48 States Only!) $ 10.00 _______ (Single item. Add $4.00 for each additional item) Federal Express Next Day Air (US 48 States only!) $ 17.00 _______ (Single item. Add $4.00 for each additional item) Alaska & Hawaii Residents add $10.00 Federal Express Canada Next Day (All major Cities) $ 28.00 _______ (Single item. Add $7.00 for each additional item) All other locations Call: _________ Total Enclosed: _________ All products above are shipped with complete printed documentation. For items not listed above, including all upgrade orders, please give us a call at 800.356.1686 or 801.261.1686 between 8:00am and 5:00pm, M-F, MT. All CDC software products are sold with a conditional 30 day money back guarantee. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with the software product, return the package to your original place of purchase for a full refund. Shipping charges are not refundable. Checks require 10 business days clearing before product shipment. ---------------------- * Contacting PCBoard ---------------------- Clark Development Company Inc. Voice: 801-261-1686 3950 South 700 East Suite 303 FAX: 801-261-8987 Murray, UT 84107-2173 Orders: 800-356-1686 http://www.pcboard.com Telnet: bbs.pcboard.com E-mail: Sales: sales@saltair.com ----------------------------- * Extended BBS Support Access ----------------------------- Extended Salt Air BBS access allows you to contact the Clark Development support BBS in Salt Lake using special dedicated phone lines which provide 2 hours of daily on-line time. ----------------------------- * INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTORS ----------------------------- BRAZIL: Alexandar Mandic Voice: 55.11.816.3245 Mandic BBS LtDA Fax: 55.11.816.3245 Rua Jerico, 39 BBS: 55.11.816.3911 Sao Paulo, SP 05435-040 Brazil DENMARK: Morten Olsen Voice: 45.32.47.30.15 Danish Key Board BBS Fax: 45.32.47.30.16 International House BBS: 45.32.47.30.40 Bellacenter 2300-S Copenhagen Denmark FRANCE: Lionel Bruno Voice: 33.1.48.99.35.35 Microtel Amiposte Fax: 33.1.48.99.43.33 71, rue Cheret BBS: 33.1.48.99.43.00 9400 Ctreeil France NETHERLANDS: Arthur Mol Voice: 31.2155.28631 The Owl's Nest Fax: 31.2155.26527 Hazepad 25 BBS: 31.2155.12571 3766 JL Soest Netherlands NORWAY: John Nordbo Voice: 47.52.717170 EuroNet Fax: 47.52.716071 Hasselgt 31 BBS: 47.52.716021 Haugesund, 5501 Norway PORTUGAL: Luis Silva Voice: 351.61.313834 MSmac, Lda Fax: 351.61.314226 R.Princesa Benedita BBS: 351.51.312935 LT 7 1 Drt 2560 Torres Vedras Portugal SAUDI ARABIA: Mohammed Albatati Voice: 966.1.478.8314 B.E.S.T PCBoard Info. Fax: 966.1.477.1908 P.O Box 2132 BBS: 966.1.478.6703 Riyadh 11451 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia SINGAPORE: Tee Tong Chiew Voice: 65.337.6213 Comsertrac Computer Centre Fax: 65.337.2952 #1 Spohia Road BBS: 65.336.5351 #06-25 Peace Centre Singapore, 0922 SOUTH AFRICA: Ian Gerada Voice: 27.11.789.6192 Fincompt Technologies Fax: 27.11.789.6081 355 Kent Avenue BBS: 27.11.482.1277 Randburg, Transvaal 2125 South Africa SPAIN: David Llamas Gaberenet Voice: 34.3.589.1101 Abaforum Fax: 34.3.589.4483 Rambla del Cellar 65 BBS: 34.3.589.3888 SantCugat, Barcelona, 08190 Spain SWEDEN: Peter Svensson Voice: 46.8.664.2557 CPS Sound & Vision Fax: 46.8.728.8430 Skeppargatan 102 BBS: 46.8.736.0410 S-115 30 Stockholm Sweden SWITZERLAND: Ueli Maurer Voice: 41.64.562.233 Hitline Communications Fax: 41.64.561.133 Hintermaettistr. 5 BBS: 41.64.560.200 Switzerland UK: Alastair Mclntyre Voice: 44.0324.482435 ALMAC Computer Services Fax: 44.0324.665155 141 Bo'ness Road BBS: 44.0324.665371 Grangemouth, Stirlingshire FK3 9BS, Scotland United Kingdom SOLVENIJA: Boris Horvat Voice: 38.61.211.553 ABM d.o.o Fax: 38.61.221.838 Ziherlova 43/40 61000 Ljubljana Slovenija =============================================================== [2.1.04] - TBBS-The Bread Board System UNDER CONSTRUCTION =============================================================== [2.1.05] - WILDCAT! TOPICS IN THIS SECTION: * CONTACT INFO * TECHNICAL SUPPORT * PRODUCTS AND PRICING * Wildcat! 5 for Windows 95/NT * True Client/Server Technology * So What is Client/Server? * Isn't It Complicated? * Standard Wildcat! 5 Modules * Optional Wildcat! 5 Modules * How Do I Set Up a Client/Server BBS? * How Do Callers Connect? * What Internet Services Can I Offer? * What Hardware Will I Need? * What about Novell and LANtastic Networks? * Can it Run Doors? * Release Information and Pricing * What are the Plans for the DOS Version of Wildcat!? -------------------------------------- ---------------- * CONTACT INFO ---------------- Mustang Software Inc. P.O. Box 2264 Bakersfield, CA 93303-9943 (805) 873-2500. WWW: http://www.mustang.com/ ---------------------- * TECHNICAL SUPPORT ---------------------- - Free technical support by phone Monday-Friday, 9 am-5pm Pacific Time (805) 873-2550 - Automatic notification of program updates - Software upgrades at a reduced price - 24-hour access to Support BBS - BBS access to download utilities written by Mustang software - PC Vendor Forum on CompuServe (GO PCVENA) ------------------------ * PRODUCTS AND PRICING ------------------------ - Wildcat! 4 Single Line - economical and easily installed BBS software flagship product requires only a telephone line, a personal computer and a modem. Suggested Retail Price: $129 - Wildcat! 4 MultiLine 10 - extends the functionality of Wildcat! 4 Single Line by supporting up to 10 simultaneous users through your LAN, multitasking environment or combination. Suggested Retail Price: $249 - Wildcat! 4 MultiLine 48 - has all the features of the MultiLine 10 with support for up to 48 concurrent users. Ideal solution for medium-sized LANs. Suggested Retail Price: $499 - Wildcat! 4 MultiLine Platinum - supports up to 250 concurrent users with all the features of the other MultiLine packages. Includes a complimentary one year subscription to the Platinum Customer Access Program. Suggested Retail Price: $799 - Wildcat! 4 BBS Suite - includes everything you need to set up and maintain a complete BBS environment: Wildcat! MultiLine Platinum BBS, wcPRO database utilities, wcFAX-on-demand server, wcGATE Internet/MHS mail gateway, wcCODE development toolkit and a Includes a complimentary one year subscription to the Platinum Customer Access Program. Suggested Retail Price: $999 - wcPRO Utilities - provides powerful user, message and file database maintenance capabilities. Also includes wcFAX, our fax-on-demand processor. Suggested Retail Price: $99 - wcGATE Internet/MHS Messaging Gateway - enables callers to send and receive Internet E-Mail and news from your BBS without having to know a single Internet command. Also supports satellite connections as well as Novell's MHS. Suggested Retail Price: $149 - wcCODE Custom Online Development Engine - lets you develop custom applications to enhance or change Wildcat!'s operation. BASIC-like syntax makes it easy to use the more than 250 built-in functions. Suggested Retail Price: $149 - Auto Update Plan - for those who have purchased Wildcat! 4, this is the easiest and most economical way to receive all minor updates for 12 months. Suggested Retail Price: $50/year - Platinum Customer Access Program - priority customer service plan includes priority technical support phone line answered by specially trained staff in under 5 minutes. Suggested Retail Price: $199/year - QmodemPro for Windows - winner of the 1994 Dvorak Award for Outstanding Telecommunications Technology, this product combines data, fax, and Remote Imaging Protocol (RIP) graphics into one outstanding package. Suggested Retail Price: $99 - QmodemPro for DOS - still the best DOS-based communications program on the market. Includes RIP graphics, off-line mail reader, a full line of file transfer protocols and a full-featured phonebook. Suggested Retail Price: $99 - QmodemPro for Windows/Network 5 Pack - includes a 5 user pack of QmodemPro for Windows with a network install program and support for Novell's NASI/NACS modem sharing protocol. Suggested Retail Price: $399 - Off-Line Xpress for Windows - the new Windows version of the classic Off-Line Xpress .QWK-compatible mail reader. Includes spell checker, address book, search and filtering. The perfect choice for managing your BBS mail. Suggested Retail Price: $49 -------------------------------- * Wildcat! 5 for Windows 95/NT -------------------------------- 01/16/96 * Interactive Multimedia Reaches the On-line Application Market Mustang Software is developing a system to empower the corporate, business, small office and hobbyist community to offer full on-line multimedia to customers, staff and prospects. It will be released as Wildcat! 5 for Windows 95 and Windows NT and it has entered beta testing at several hundred locations. Wildcat! 5 is a true Windows 95 or Windows NT client/server application designed to provide a BBS-based solution for a broad range of customers. It delivers an exciting interactive multimedia experience for callers by allowing the system operator to make use of familiar multimedia tools, including JPEG and GIF editors, for customization of the caller interface. For backward compatibility all aspects of the system are accessible via standard ANSI connectivity but when accessed using the free remote client, the caller is greeted with an exciting multimedia experience. The support engine for offering remote graphics to the caller is included at no additional cost, and the Wildcat! Navigator suite is slated for free distribution. Wildcat! 5 takes full advantage of the new multitasking in Windows 95 and the robust server operations in Windows NT to provide a solution for every online need. The Windows 95 platform has been selected to support small to medium load systems while the Windows NT platform was chosen to provide high performance on-line solutions utilizing its single and multi-processor support. ---------------------------------- * True Client/Server Technology ---------------------------------- The Bulletin Board System arena is the latest market segment to be courted by advertisements touting the benefits of "client/server" technology. However, upon closer inspection, "client/server" is often used to refer to the use of a proprietary remote program (the client) to dial into a BBS application (the server). While the use of a remote graphic client is an exciting aspect of many of the newer BBS technologies including Wildcat! 5, it does not represent true client/server functionality at the application program level, the location where its true power can be unleashed. ----------------------------- * So What is Client/Server? ----------------------------- Client/server, at its simplest level, is an architecture that involves client processes requesting service from server processes. Client/server computing recognizes that those client modules need not all be executed within the same memory space, that is, the processes that distribute the information need not all be a part of the same single p