Welcome to BulkRate 2.5b2. This document contains important info not included in the manual.
BulkRate is an offline reader for FirstClass BBSs that runs on the Macintosh. It can capture messages for offline reading and replying, and can automatically retrieve attached files for you. BulkRate is shareware - $25 US.
If you re-upload BulkRate to other BBSs or services, please include all the files that came with it, especially the documentation.
Send bug reports or suggestions to greg_neagle@digitalpopcorn.com or to the OneNet BulkRate conference.
Note that my e-mail address has changed.
･･ Changes in version 2.5b2 ･･
I had reports of crashes with BulkRate 2.5b1 on SE/30s. I don't have an SE/30, but I do have a Mac Plus, and BulkRate 2.5b1 did crash on the Plus. 2.5b2 appears to run fine on a Mac Plus running System 6.0.4 and a PowerMac 7500/100 running System 7.5.3 (My main development machine). I hope that measn it will behave on most if not all the machines in between.
2.5b1 refused to upload attached files. Fixed.
It was impossible to enter multiple phone numbers in the Connection settings in 2.5b1. Fixed now.
2.5b1 incorrectly displayed dates and times in some international formats (it did fine with the standard US date format). This has been fixed.
There still seems to be a strange occasional problem that results in a "File not open error" which is not fatal, but causes the current window to display garbage. I'm still trying to reproduce this one reliably so I can fix it. Closing the window will allow you to continue normally in most cases.
･･ New in version 2.5b1 ･･
BulkRate 2.5b1 adds the ability to connect over a TCP/IP network. The main Service window and the Service settings dialogs have been changed to allow you to enter TCP/IP information.
To configure a Service file to use a TCP connection, choose "Service setup" under the Service menu.
Under "Connect via:" select TCP/IP.
In the TCP/IP section, enter the TCP/IP host name nder "Connect to:", and the appropriate port number under "Port:". Typically the port number is 3000 or 3004.
TCP Caveats:
Because of the network overhead, TCP connections over a modem are slower than "straight" modem connections - so mail exchanges will run more slowly. Worse, the already-slow FC CLUI message editor gets even slower under a TCP/IP connection, so sending messages will be even slower than normal.
The FirstClass CLUI appears to have yet another bug - XModem1K downloads refuse to work under a TCP/IP connection, so BulkRate steps down to a XModem-128 file transfer. Uploads still work with 1K blocks.
If your TCP connection is via modem (SLIP or PPP or TCP over ARA) - don't run a script that has some services connecting via regular dial-up modem, and some that connect via TCP. This is almost guaranteed to fail, since once the PPP connection is up, the modem port is no longer available for "regular" connections.
Why did I jump from 2.2b1 to 2.5b1?
2.2b1 never made it to official release status. After 2.2b1 was released, I added the TCP code. I felt that was a major enough change to warrant a bigger version number jump.
･･ New in Version 2.2b1 ･･
BulkRate 2.2b1 adds the ability to access serial ports other than the standard Macintosh modem and printer ports. The modem settings dialog has been changed in order to allow you to select from any available serial port.
(Technical note: BulkRate is now CTB-aware and should be able to access any serial port registered with the CommToolbox via the Communications Resource Manager.)
If you do not need to access serial ports other than the regular modem or printer port, I do not recommend that you test this software at this time.
･･BulkRate registration update:･･
The cost to register BulkRate is $25.
If you live outside of California, you may register BulkRate by Visa or MasterCard through DigitalPopcorn Online Services, a Los Angeles-based online service that is an authorized reseller of BulkRate. The price is $25. You should still send me the registration request and appropriate credit card info via e-mail (greg_neagle@digitalpopcorn.com) or snail mail - I will forward the credit card info to DigitalPopcorn for processing.
If you live in the UK, you might be interested in a service provided by John R. Macrae of MacTel.
Bank charges and other costs associated with sending foreign currency overseas are a great disincentive to computer users outside the US who use the vast amount of high quality shareware which is available. John Macrae runs a non-profit making shareware payment service from the UK which caters for the needs of UK users. He will be happy to answer any questions on this service by email at the following addresses:
John_R._Macrae@iconex.mactel.org,Internet (daily)
John R. Macrae,InfoWEB UK (daily) - Tel: 01992 503242
John R. Macrae,MacTel Iconex (daily) - Tel: 0115 945 5444
John R. Macrae,MacTel Metro (rarely) - Tel: 0181 543 8017
John R. Macrae,MediaWorx (weekly) - Tel: 0131 539 6003
