FirstClass Overview

FirstClass® is an electronic messaging and conferencing system, designed for ease of use and high speed over network or modem.  It can be used for electronic mail, groupware discussions, as a public access bulletin board system... or as all three at the same time.  With FirstClass you can:

   •  Send and receive mail & files to/from other users 
   •  Browse, contribute and subscribe to special mail groups (“conferences”)
   •  Chat in real-time with users of other computer platforms
   •  Access other information services through gateways
   •  Connect to external databases

All of this is accomplished through a familiar, multitasking graphical user interface that's easy and fun to use.
 
The FirstClass DeskTop
 
When you log in to FirstClass a window is opened with the title “DeskTop”.  This is your starting point in the system.  All mail, conferences and files are accessed by starting at the desktop.

When you first log in you will see a number of items on the desktop, including your “MailBox” (where private messages are sent and received) and a Help  folder (where the online documents you're reading right now are stored.)  There may be other icons on your desktop like “Conferences” or “News” which the administrator of your system has placed there.

You can double click on any of these icons to open them up and browse the information within.

FirstClass allows you to open multiple windows at once so you can quickly switch between tasks.  You can be reading your mail, switch to a conference then chat with an associate connected via modem—each in a different window and each at the same time.

The FirstClass Menus
 
The top bar of the screen contains the pull-down menus for FirstClass.  These are grouped according to the functions they provide:
 
◊ File provides commands to operate on files such as Delete or Close.

◊ Edit provides editing commands such as Cut and Paste, as well as commands to change personal information such as your password. 

◊ Message provides the electronic mail commands such as “Send” to send a message.
 
◊ Conference provides commands for conferences.
 
◊ Service provides setup commands and services such as chatting.

◊ View provides commands to change the way you view the information on the screen. 
 
Logging Out
 
To log out of FirstClass, choose “Disconnect” or “Quit” from the File menu.