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- INTRODUCING BACKMAIL
- *********************
-
- DATELINE: COMDEX LAS VEGAS, NOV. 12, 1988
-
- ALETHIC SOFTWARE INTRODUCES
- A NEW KIND OF MICRO-COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS FOR IBM-PC & COMPATIBLES.
- NOW AVAILABLE AS SHAREWARE ON THIS SYSTEM.
-
- The Program
- ***********
- BackMail is a communications program. Ho hum? Well, it's a lot
- more than just that.
-
- You use BackMail to communicate with other people who have the
- program. It allows you to create your own personal electronic
- mail network. BackMail is a background (memory resident) program
- that sends and receives files, programs, and messages while you
- are using your computer to do whatever it is you usually do with
- it. In the background, it dials up people on your mail list and
- delivers your mail. It also answers your phone and collects mail
- from other BackMailers.
-
- BackMail doesn't interfere with the normal use of your phone for
- voice messages. Turn down the bell on your telephone and BackMail
- while you work; BackMail will ring the speaker on your computer
- when you get a voice call. BackMail keeps track of when the
- people on your mailing list are available to receive messages. If
- the line is busy, or there's no answer, BackMail will try again
- the next time that destination is available. All of this, in the
- background, automatically. BackMail is fast; you won't notice any
- slowdown in your foreground programs. You can forward letters,
- reply to messages, do bulk mailings. You can send or receive any
- file format. Your personal mailing list can contain over 1000
- different phone numbers.
-
- Already have a flock of memory resident programs using up your
- RAM? Don't worry. BackMail uses only 35K of RAM (nope, that's not
- a misprint)!
-
- BackMail uses ordinary phone lines and standard (300, 1200 or
- 2400 Baud modems). It will communicate with anyone else who has
- the program. Because BackMail always knows it's talking to
- another BackMail, it is the simplest, most user friendly
- communications and file transfer package you've ever seen. You
- don't have to set "stop bits", "parity", "duplex", etc. etc.. How
- do the people you want to talk to get a copy of the program?
- Well, you can give them one. We encourage you to copy BackMail
- and give it away to anyone you like!
-
- BackMail is for business
- ************************
- You can use BackMail to network your office, school or plant.
- There's no special hardware, no "hub machines", no cables to lay,
- no consultants to consult. For a few dollars per machine you can
- be sending memos, records and files over your inter-office lines
- the same day you get your copy.
-
- BackMail makes the electronic office a reality, now. Send
- electronic mail to people across town or across the continent.
- You can tell BackMail to send to long distance destinations at
- times that take advantage of long distance rates. You don't need
- dedicated data lines, don't have to pay telex charges and don't
- have to use the Fax just to send letters or memos. You don't have
-
-
- to subscribe to cumbersome computer networks or conduct your
- business correspondence by express couriers.
-
- Give copies of BackMail to your clients, customers and suppliers.
- (Remember you can make and give away as many copies as you like.)
- Place orders, make sales, advertise; deliver data, send
- reports... and never lick a stamp. Let a network reduce your
- paperwork.
-
- BackMail is for everyone
- *************************
- For years, electronic bulletin boards have been the lifeline of
- the personal computer revolution. BackMail is the logical next
- step in that revolution. BackMail networking lets every user
- manage a personal electronic mail service. Give a copy to the
- members of your user group, club or organization. Distribute your
- newsletters, share software, conference, play games... do
- whatever you want; it's your network.
-
- How Much does it cost?
- **********************
- We'll be distributing BackMail, free, through all of the normal
- routes by which you get shareware and freeware.. We're giving it
- away, and we invite you to do the same. Are we crazy? Nope.
-
- You see, BackMail is a form of shareware. If you like the
- program, you pay us for it by registering it with us. The
- registration fee is $30.00. Is it hard to register? Nope. In fact
- BackMail will take care of it for you. Just use BackMail to send
- us an electronic letter and make your payment by credit card. If
- you give someone a copy of the program, the registration fee is
- all they'll ever have to pay.
-
- Does that mean that the program won't work until you register?
- No. It will work even if you haven't registered (though it will
- remind you now and again of your moral obligations). And there
- are real benefits to registering. By registering, you'll become
- part of Project BackNet and will be able to receive new products,
- demos, and software directly over the phone through BackMail.
-
- Project BackNet
- *****************
- BackMail is more than a program, it's a whole new concept in
- software publishing. When you register your copy of BackMail you
- become part of Project BackNet.
-
- We've already told you that BackMail can send and receive
- programs. That means that we (and you!) can use BackMail networks
- to market, sell and distribute software.
-
- As a member of the BackNet project you can send for and receive
- (via BackMail of course!) for our catalog that describes new
- software and services that are available through the project.
-
- If you want to order software, just BackMail us a note. Your
- BackMail will send the message to one of our 800 numbers and
- we'll deliver the software directly back to your machine. Place
- your order; go back to your work; the new software will be
- delivered to your disk drive without ever interrupting you.
-
- What sort of software will be available through the project?
- Well, in part, that's up to you. If you're a programmer who has
- written a nifty little utility, a terrific game or a useful
- programmer's tool, let us know about it. If we like it, we'll
-
-
- tell other BackMailers and, depending on your product, can either
- sell it directly for you or BackMail you their orders.
-
- If you're a software retailer or publisher, let us tell the
- members of the Project about your product or distribute your
- demos over BackMail. Or, just hang a BackMail onto your own 800
- number and BackMailers will be able to place their orders with
- you 24 hours a day. No operators required!
-
- HOW TO GET IT
- ***************
- BackMail is currently in the public file area of this
- system. The package is contained in a file called
- BACKMAIL.ARC
- Posted on this system .
- When you have downloaded the program:
- 1. UNARC its Com files to the directory where you want its
- executable files to live (we suggest creating a
- directory called
- \BackMail
- but you can use an existing directory if you wish).
- 2. UNARC the TXT and DOC files in BACKMAIL.ARC
- 3. Read the Read.me file
- 4. Run BMCONFIG to configure the program for your system
- 5. Run BGROUND.COM to load BackMail
- 6. ALT-1 will bring up the BackMail Main Menu.
-