New Features Abound For PCBoard v15.2, The World's Most Popular BBS Software Built-in Internet Gateway, FIDO Networking and PCBMail v1.0 Now Available Innovative PCBoard Programming Language (PPL) v3.0 Redifines The BBS Market Salt Lake City, UT -- Clark Development Company announces the release of v15.2 of PCBoard BBS software and v3.0 of PCBoard Programming Language Compiler (PPLC). PCBoard v15.2 offers numerous upgrades, additions and even includes PCBMail v1.0, a true Microsoft Windows e-mail client for PCBoard. With this release, PCBoard now supports more than 2 billion registered users. Topping the list of new features in v15.2 are built-in Fido networking and Internet-UUCP support that allow PCBoard users to take advantage of the world's web of networks. Callers now have the ability to export messages from the system's message base, dial the Internet service provider, upload or download packets, then import the new mail and news into the PCBoard message base at double the speed of add-ons. PCBoard v15.2 even supports long conference names, up to 60 characters per conference, so end-users can work with the same newsgroup name as the Internet. PCBoard Mail Manager for Microsoft Windows (PCBMail v1.0), now included with every PCBoard package, allows local users to participate in both local and worldwide e-mail and shared message bases/newsgroups from a native Microsoft Windows application, eliminating the need for a separate e-mail package. The powerful combination of PCBoard and PCBMail provides a complete, integrated solution allowing users easy local and remote access to their messages. Additionally, with PCBMail, messages can be sent directly, without the need for another gateway. PCBMail is extremely useful in the corporate environment where employees regularly access the BBS locally, or through a network. "PCBMail is a big plus for end users and will be heavily used in corporate and government settings," said Steve Klingler, Clark Development Company's General Manager. "Since PCBMail is a native Microsoft Windows e-mail application, and is integrated with PCBoard, it is now easier than ever to participate in worldwide e-mail and message bases." A new credit accounting system in PCBoard v15.2 allows the system operator to configure their PCBoard BBS to track the caller's connect time and activities while logged on to the system. Each activity can be set for various credit or debit amounts and the SysOp can define peak hours and off- peak hours or holidays, which can be billed at variable rates. Several key features have been added not only for the caller, but for the system operator as well. Users can edit, sort or perform duplicate/missing analysis on an unlimited number of files, and directly import file descriptions. New support for 25 and 50 line video modes, plus rules-based, automatic file classification and deferred maintenance capabilitiess are also now included. Uniqie to PCBoard, the PCBoard Programming Language Compiler (PPLC), gives system operators the tools to change and modify the functionality of their system. A SysOp can now create any type of on-line environment they choose. Using PPLC, the system operator can modify any of PCBoard's operational characteristics by writing a small "BASIC-like" program, compile it with the PPL Compiler, and attach the result (a.PPE executable file) to their native operation -- either as a new or changed menu, a system prompt, and even a display file. These features make it possible for the system operator to gain control over the entire operation of the BBS system. Now, with the release v3.0 of the PPLC, Clark Development has added support for dBASE database and index files. "dBASE file access in the PPLC will be a tremendous benefit to those who need to track additonal information about their callers or look up information in existing databases, such as registeration, sales and other corporate databases," said Klingler. Installed on every continent, PCBoard offers true multilingual language support by allowing users to modify and create language files. For instance, systems in Asia use a 16-bit or "double-byte" character set to represent kanji characters, and PCBoard even supports character sets such as Arabic which read right to left. The multilingual support includes a variety of date and value formats useful in environments where multiple languages are required. For example, PCBoard is used in State Employment Agency BBS's, allowing job seekers to access information in Spanish or English. PCBoard v15.2 includes enhanced QWK networking and file attachments. Callers can download all thier Forum and e-mail messages in a single packet to read and respond to offline, thereby saving time and money. PCBoard requires and IBM PC or compatible computer with a minimum of 450K of RAM, a hard disk, DOS 3.1 or higher, and a modem to support remote dial-in operation. Although new features such as Fido, Internet UUCP, enhanced QWK, dBASE file access and PCBMail have been added, the price for PCBoard 15.2 remains at $150 for a two-node system, $250 (five nodes), $350 (10 nodes), $550 (25 nodes), $750 (50 nodes), $950 (100 nodes), $2,000 (250 nodes), $7,000 (1,000 nodes), and larger packages are available upon request. The PPLC is free with the purchase of 25-node and larger systems, or separately for $80. PCBoard v15.2 and PPLC v3.0 are scheduled to ship at the end of August, 1994. For more information on Clark Development Company or their other add-ons including the PPL Compiler and the PCBoard C/C++ Door Developers ToolKit, please call Clark Development Company at (801) 261-1686 or (800) 356-1686. For a free copy of their fully operational 2 line demo version of PCBoard, use your modem to call Clark Development's BBS, Salt Air, at (801) 261-8976 (up to 28.8K Baud; N8-1 modem settings; ANSI, ASCII, and RIP Graphics). CONTACT: Valdis Hellevik/Marissa Verson InterActive Public Relations, Inc. ph: 415/703-0400 fx: 415/703-0469 mci: 641-2083