Lotus Express - The Communications Program Specifically for MCI Mail
                       Copyright 1988 David W. Batterson


     One of the hindrances to increased usage of e-mail has been its lack of
easy access.
     For me, using e-mail is as easy and stress-free as jumping in the jacuzzi.
But, on the other hand, I don't look with favor upon spreadsheet programs.
     My experience has shown me that for most computer users, email is too much
of a hassle to deal with.
     So along came Lotus Express with an idea to make sending/receiving
e-mail easier, specifically for MCI Mail subscribers.  [There's a program which
does the same for CompuServe users.]
     Other communications programs can do the same, although most require the user to write "scripts" to do the job.  These scripts let you log
on automatically, check for mail, send messages, and then log you off.
     Lotus Express does this without requiring scripts.  It's a "fill
in the blanks" program.  You install it by typing in your time zone, MCI Mail
user name, password, access number, and so forth.
     It then automatically checks for mail each time you load it.  However, you
can disable that function by using the "Communications Manager."
     Lotus Express is a RAM-resident program, designed to run in the
background.  It will then dial MCI Mail at regular intervals (three hours is
the default setting), download any mail you have in your "Inbox," and will send
any mail that you have previously prepared.
     You can also run the program in regular mode, rather than TSR (Terminate
and Stay Resident) mode.
     You prepare mail for sending in the program's editor, which it lamely
calls the "Reader."  Once you finish editing and hit the "Transmit" command,
Lotus Express is ready to send the text file.
     However, it waits 15 minutes--you can change this setting also--and then
does its thing.  To send right away, you must add the "Now" command.
     A great idea--but not executed in a very elegant manner--is Lotus Express'
ability to send binary files (spreadsheets, grpahics, BASIC programs, etc.). 
It saves you having to call the other party's computer directly.
     You do this by adding an "Attachment" to your e-mail.  You MUST send a
message with any binary file; otherwise it won't work.
     For instance, you might say:  "Stephen, here's that publications file from
PFS: First Publisher that we discussed today.  Print it, and let me know your
reaction ASAP."
     You enter a pathname, such as C:\PUB\BOFFOPIC, and the program sends
that file automatically using the X.PC protocol.  Up to 100 binary files can be
sent with a message.
     Now I had never heard of X.PC, having always used XMODEM and YMODEM
protocols.  X.PC is used by the Crosstalk Mk.4 program [that version ONLY!].
It's an error-checking protocol; it's just not that popular.
     The big problem with this binary-sending process is that the recipient
must also be using Lotus Express to retrieve the message/binary file.
     Lotus Express hasn't set sales records like Lotus 1-2-3 or WordPerfect.  I'm sure the shareware program ProComm is outselling it by
far.
     There are some other drawbacks.  The TSR mode uses a lot of memory--220K
minimum--and if using other software which requires 512K, you are going to be
in trouble.
     Also, there are conflicts with other programs.  You can't load Lotus
Express from within DESQview, Microsoft Windows, or XTREE.  However, you can
load these operating environments AFTER loading Lotus Express.  There are
specific instructions for using it with Sidekick, SQZ! and other programs.
     To use it in stand-alone mode, you load it from the DOS prompt, and then
remove it from memory by pressing Alt-Shift-End.
     I use MCI Mail on a daily basis.  For my usage, I find Mirror II (a
Crosstalk Clone) quite acceptable.  I cannot recommend Lotus Express very
highly, and would do so ONLY if Lotus programmers went back to work and made
some drastic changes.
     In the meantime, if you have to send binary files, just do as I do and
call directly computer-to-computer.  It's not difficult.  It only takes a
little reading of your communications software manual plus some trial and
error.
     For more information on Lotus Express, contact MCI Mail, 1150 17th Street,
NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC  20036; (800) 444-6245.
                                       #
David Batterson writes about the online industry, does computer consulting, and
has written/edited software manuals.  Send comments via MCI MAIL: DBATTERSON.