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-
- September 15, 1986
-
- Dear CP/M(tm)-80 User,
-
- As a public domain enthusiast you are probably aware that there have
- been many attempts in the past to improve CP/M by adding to its
- capabilities via memory-resident overlays and Command Processor (CCP)
- replacements. In this document you will be informally introduced to
- ConIX(tm), a new and extensive approach to improving the performance,
- functionality, and usability of your CP/M system. ConIX is the latest
- and greatest upgrade that's actually bringing users back to CP/M!
-
- ConIX (Console Input Executive) is the proud flagship product of
- Computer Helper Industries Inc., a New York based company specializing
- in CP/M and UNIX software as well as computer consulting. ConIX was
- first introduced to the marketplace in October of 1983. Since then it
- has been thoroughly debugged, improved, and an entire product line
- has been developed around it. It has also been reviewed favorably by
- Computer Language in June 1985, and Micro/Systems Journal in May 1986.
-
- Since 1983 it has developed a respectable following amongst CP/M users
- who have paid as much as $165.00 for its powerful UNIX-like features
- and vastly improved user interface. Today, in an unprecedented move,
- CHI is releasing the operating system portion of ConIX into the
- public domain as Shareware.
-
- Shareware, as you may know, is a vehicle by which financially viable
- companies can place software into the public domain and still receive
- the payment they deserve for their product. More importantly, it gives
- the consumer the ability to ``test drive'' a full-up version of the
- product without fear of losing hard-earned money on software that may
- not suit individual needs.
-
- ConIX is compatible with 48K+ CP/M 2.2/3.0 and equivalent systems,
- including emulation software. It runs with and does not replace
- CP/M, thus providing 100% compatibility with existing software and
- data files. ConIX uses as little as 1/2K TPA memory, and 0-27K
- disk minimum. Easy one-minute installation requires no system or
- time-consuming BIOS modifications.
-
- ConIX Shareware includes all the software in the regular advertised
- product, with the exception of some satellite utility software that
- is not necessary for the operation of the operating system itself.
- The capabilities provided by ConIX include:
-
- * Path Searching
- * Automatic Overlay Searching by Extension
- * I/O Redirection and Pipes via Memory or Disk
- * Vastly improved and redesigned User Areas
- * End-of-screen output page pause
- * 8 Megabyte capacity Print Spooler
- * 22 New BDOS System Calls
- * User Definable Function Keys
- * Command line memory access and debugging
- * Virtual disk system
- * Type-Ahead Buffering with Echo and Cancel
- * Over 300 Data Variables and Aliases
- * Multiple commands per line
- * Prompt displays user number and drive R/O status
- * Upper/Lower Case and true Argument Handling
- * Filename argument pattern matching
- * User definable I/O devices
- * Over 100 built-in (non-transient) commands
- * Sophisticated Memory Management System
- * Ability to trade ConIX-specific software with registered
- ConIX Operating System owners
-
- Also included in the Shareware package is our ConIX Pull-Down Menu
- System which adds the following capabilities:
-
- * Set ConIX features on-the-fly without having to refer to
- system documentation
- * All ConIX default settings can be changed temporarily or
- saved for recall each time ConIX is loaded
- * Set ConIX to automatically load and execute after cold boot
- * Fully menu-driven, with helpful prompts and built-in plain-
- English explanations of all menu functions
- * Quick one-keystroke loading and execution from any drive
- and/or user area
-
- We have also included our regular printed documentation in machine-
- readable form with each chapter stored in a separate file for ease
- of manipulation.
-
- As you can see, even though limited in scope as compared to our
- regular version, this is indeed no trivial package. It is not
- software developed for the public domain, and as such registered
- ConIX owners receive nothing but the best support services.
-
- ConIX Shareware is available on-line on many popular bulletin board
- systems nationwide for your downloading pleasure. If you wish to
- avoid any applicable usage and phone charges, you may find it more
- cost-effective to obtain a copy of ConIX Shareware directly from
- the manufacturer for merely the cost of the disk format and shipping
- according to the following price list:
-
- Disk format charge:
-
- 8" SSSD Standard $ 5.00
- 5-1/4" DSDD 48 TPI Soft Sector $ 5.00
- 5-1/4" SSDD 48 TPI Soft Sector $ 6.00
- Other formats $ 10.00
-
- Shipping and handling charge:
-
- UPS Ground USA $ 4.50
- Air Mail Canada and Foreign $ 10.00
-
- If you wish to receive a copy of ConIX Shareware, total the applicable
- charges and send a check or money order to the manufacturer at the
- address below. Be sure to include complete details as to the computer
- brand and desired format type.
-
- ConIX Shareware Offer #0986SC
- Computer Helper Industries Inc.
- Post Office Box 680
- Parkchester Station, NY 10462
-
- All orders must be prepaid to be eligible for this special offer.
-
- Remember, ConIX Shareware is available without charge on-line via many
- bulletin board systems nationwide. This offer is merely an accommodation
- for those who wish to avoid potentially costly downloading and connect
- time fees.
-
- For your information, regular prices for ConIX are $19.95 to $29.95 for
- registered, complete, fully supported versions. These prices include
- the ConIX Pull-Down Menu System with fully commented source code FREE
- (a $24.95 value)! Other ConIX-related commercial products include
- the ConIX Programming System ($29.95), which replaces the obsolete
- SUBMIT system with a full-featured programming language; the ConIX
- Library I - XCC Utilities ($24.95), which is a set of over 25 general
- purpose utilities that take advantage of the new ConIX features and
- BDOS Syscalls. You will be eligible to purchase these products after
- becoming a registered ConIX owner.
-
- We hope you will take the time to try ConIX on your system, and welcome
- your comments with great enthusiasm. Representatives of CHI are
- available at the address above or may be reached on-line on the
- CompuServe Easyplex Mail System via user ID# 71320,762 (GO EASYPLEX).
-
- We thank you very much for your support.
-
- (Trademarks: ConIX - Computer Helper Industries Inc.
- CP/M - Digital Research Inc.)