home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
BBS Toolkit
/
BBS Toolkit.iso
/
remote
/
fd200kit.zip
/
FDINFO.TXT
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1990-11-07
|
16KB
|
408 lines
October 23, 1990
FrontDoor 2.00 - The electronic communications solution
-------------------------------------------------------
Electronic mail brings new dimensions to usefulness to the Personal Computer.
With the FrontDoor e-mail system, it is easy to set up new paths of
communications within an organization using equipment that in most cases is
already present. Requiring no more than a laptop or a PC, a telephone
line, and a modem, FrontDoor transfers mail and files worldwide between
an unlimited number of sites, without the need for servers or expensive
equipment.
Many companies are using modems and ordinary terminal programs to transfer
information. For example, a spreadsheet has to be transferred from a branch
office to the main office several times a week. With ordinary terminal
software, this requires two employees, one at each end to initiate the
transfer. It often takes several failed attempts before the file goes
through properly. In addition to the cost of having personell supervising
something that two machines ought to be able to accomplish on their own, it
may also require hours of telephone time at unneccesarily high phone rates.
In contrast, the FrontDoor e-mail system can accomplish the same thing
completely unattended. It will dial the other system and negotiate a session
with multiple security check-points to ensure the protection of valuable
information. It will then transfer the files, along with any message to
persons at the other office using reliable file transfer protocols with
advanced (32-bit CRC) error checking to guarantee that not a single digit
is ever misplaced. It can then pick up waiting messages and files, hanging
up after the completed session. And all of this can be done automatically,
in the middle of the night, using the cheapest phone rates, with nobody
present in any of the offices.
The possibilities are endless. The list of systems to be called can just
as easily be a dozen or a hundred - all decided by the messages that have
been entered during the day. An urgent message can be sent immediately while
less urgent messages can be kept (held) waiting until the night and the lower
phone rates. The FrontDoor e-mail system can transfer information
faster, cheaper, and more reliably than any alternative method. No Fax
machine can send a complete database or a large spreadsheet, and the
postal service will take at least 24 hours to deliver a diskette with
the information.
Reliable communication means that nothing is distorted or corrupted
during the transfer, even across extremely poor line conditions. If a
Fax were to be used to send a manuscript back and forth for repeated
editing and revisions, it would very soon be completely illegible. With
FrontDoor, be sent back and forth an unlimited number of times without
ever losing a single character. An added advantage is that the same
software can be used to edit the document at both locations.
==========================================================================
+---------+ +------------+
| USA |-----------------------| Sweden |
+---------+ +------------+
| |
| |
+----+ +
/ \ / \
/ \ / \
/ \ / \
+------+ +------+ +------+ +------+
|Region| |Region| |Region| |Region|
+------+ +------+ +------+ +------+
| | | | +----------+
| +--------+ | +--------|Main frame|
| | | | | +----------+
+------+ +------+ +------+ +------+ +------+
|Branch| |Branch| |Branch| |Branch| |Branch|
+------+ +------+ +------+ +------+ +------+
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
FrontDoor makes inter-connectivity a reality today.
Sending 10 double-spaced pages of information from the USA to Sweden:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfer method Time Cost
---------------------------------------------------------------------
FrontDoor w/high-speed modem 22 seconds $1.10
Communications program 2.5 minutes $2.20 / personell
FAX group III 4 minutes $4.20
Reading over telephone line 25 minutes $24.50 / personell
Mail with "Next-day" delivery 1 day $18.50
Air mail 7 days $12.00
---------------------------------------------------------------------
FEATURES
MAILER
------
* Handles networks with tens of thousands of nodes with ease (the
theoretical limit is in the billion range).
* File attaches - files can be sent with or without covering message.
* File requests - ask for a file from other systems, and allow other
systems to automatically retrieve files from your system.
* File update requests - the file is sent only if it is more recent than
the one you already have.
* Pickup - call in for waiting mail.
* Hold messages for pickup.
* State-of-the-art streaming Zmodem protocol with 32-bit CRC protection
for maximum throughput and reliability even under bad line conditions.
* Support for communications over packet-switching networks with Zmodem,
a protocol that has been explicitly developed for packet-switching
networks.
* If a file transfer is interrupted because of a lost connection, the
transfer will be restarted from the point where it was interrupted,
eliminating expensive resends of already received material.
* Extensive routing capabilities - messages can be sent by way of
certain nodes in the net, be held for pickup by the receiver, etc.
Powerful routing language for advanced users or those with special
requirements, eg. large corporations.
* Extensive capabilities for handling mail on an "event" basis where
mail can be sent/received based on the time of day and/or day of the
week.
* Automatic calls can be made to pick up or deliver mail at specified
times.
* Advanced script language for communications over packet switching
networks.
* Can be used as a "front-end" for conferencing systems combining full
e-mail capabilities with on-line services. Has functions to pass
baud-rate and other relevant connection information to the conferencing
system.
* Extensive possibilities to control dialing with phone number
translation tables making it possible to add dial prefixes and suffixes
containing access codes, etc.
* Queue manager allowing message bundles to be viewed, prioritized, and
de-prioritized.
* Server function that allows remote execution of any series of programs
or DOS commands.
* Mail service functions for manual override of the current schedule.
* Built-in configurable display blanker to protect the screen.
* Configurable number of retries on busy signal/failed transfers.
* Pop-up with recent activity including number of mail sessions,
sent/received files, file requests, etc.
* Outbound and inbound mail history statistics for mail sessions which
are retained for a configurable number of days.
* Uses configurable activity log. You decide which information you want
to save to a log.
* One node can operate under several addresses. You have full control
over which address (alias) is used to communicate to other systems.
* 20 (24 on extended keyboards) for user-installable commands - run
other programs, execute DOS commands, etc.
* DOS shell function from any input prompt or menu at the touch of a
key.
* Can be used as a "front-end" to your own applications, allowing remote
systems to perform on-line queries in databases, etc.
* 43 and 50 line mode support. Can be configured to automatically adapt
to the current screen mode, allowing you to use 132x28, 80x60, etc.
EDITOR
------
The FrontDoor e-mail system provides you with a full screen integrated
environment for managing mail. Some of its feature are:
* Easy to find, read, and reply to newly arrived mail. The editor
automatically grabs the recipients address from the original message
and also allows you to insert the contents of the original message
(quote) to easily remind the recipient of the current issue.
* Address look-up functions making it easy to find the correct recipient
or group of recipients when entering mail. The address directory can
contain as many or as few systems as you want.
* Carbon copies - the same message and/or files can be sent to more than
one recipient.
* File attach message - cover messages for attached (enclosed) files.
* Request/update request files from a remote system.
* Printing of single or multiple messages with an internal print queue
allowing you to continue your work after the print request has been
issued.
* Editing of existing messages with instant notification to the mailer.
Should you decide to change your message before it has been sent, the
editor will notify the mailer of the changes once you have saved your
changes.
* Importing of ASCII files into messages.
* Mass message manipulation, remove, copy, move, or export tagged
messages.
* Up to 200 message folders for easy organization and classification of
your mail. Folders can be protected by passwords or on a per-user
basis.
* Folders can be used for mail conferences where more than one system
and/or user is participating.
* Cross posting - the same message can be posted to several folders
(conferences for example) at the same time.
* Full eight-bit character support for languages such as German,
Swedish, Danish, Spanish, etc.
* Configurable translation tables for alternative ASCII standards.
* Saving of messages to external text (ASCII) files.
* Easy-to-use scan for unread messages function.
* DOS shell function from any input prompt or menu at the touch of a
key.
* Line drawing in messages.
* Lock (prevent) messages from being sent or manipulated, allowing you
to continue your work later.
* 43 and 50 line mode support. Can be configured to automatically adapt
to the current screen mode, allowing you to use 132x28, 80x60, etc.
TERMINAL
--------
A sophisticated terminal emulation function for dial-up services is
included in the FrontDoor e-mail system. While this isn't FrontDoor's
primary task, the built-in terminal emulator closesly competes with
the most advanced terminal emulation packages. Some of its features
are:
* TTY (raw), ANSI X3.64, DEC VT100, DEC VT52, and Avatar/0 terminal
emulation.
* Zmodem, Telink, Xmodem, and SEAlink file transfer protocols with an
optional external protocol such as Kermit easily accessible from a hot
key.
* Automatic Zmodem downloads (receive).
* Seven to eight bit translation tables for incoming and outgoing data.
* Internal phone directory allowing you to store 200 numbers in addition
to those stored in the Mailer's telephone directory. Each of these
numbers can have its own macro-key set, file transfer protocol,
terminal emulation, etc.
* Up to 65,535 macro-key sets can be defined and are easily accessible
during your terminal session.
* Support for script files, allowing you to establish a session through
a packet switching network.
* 43 and 50 line mode support. Can be configured to automatically adapt
to the current screen mode, allowing you to use 132x28, 80x60, etc.
* Session capture buffer with hot key scroll-back.
* Capturing of received data to a disk file or logging to printer.
* On-line, split-screen, conversation mode.
* Command history allowing you to repeat any of the last ten commands
issued to the remote system.
* ASCII transmit for already-prepared text files and documents.
* Can be run in terminal-only mode, acting similar to an ordinary
terminal emulation program.
* DOS shell function from any input prompt or menu at the touch of a
key.
NODELIST MANAGER
----------------
Advanced nodelist manager facilitating centralized control of very large
and complex networks.
* Edit nodelist entries.
* Enter new nodes / delete obsolete entries.
* Compile a centrally distributed nodelist for use.
* Export selected groups of systems for distribution to other sites.
* Import an external nodelist.
* Editor for routing file.
* Editor for dial-info control file.
* Can be run in batch mode, allowing you to incorporate new nodelists
automatically and unattended.
SECURITY
--------
* Three authorization levels for multi-user environments.
* Configurable password protection for each local user.
* Session passwords may be configured for specific systems.
* Optionally refuse mail from systems without a configured password.
* Refuse mail sessions with all "unlisted" systems.
* File requests can not be made from directories that are not listed as
"requestable".
* Password protection for file requests on a file-by-file basis, or for
whole directories.
* Possible to not allow pickup of waiting mail so that the mail will
only be delivered on outgoing calls.
* Message folders can be configured as "restricted" so that only the
recipient can read his/her own messages.
* Password protect individual message folders.
SUMMARY
-------
* Extremely powerful with hundreds of advanced options yet easy to
install with a point-and-shoot install program. Easy to reconfigure
and maintain with menu-driven configuration utility.
* Extensively tested at over 2,000 locations world-wide during a
development period of almost four years under all types of line
conditions and with most existing modems. Tested in networks
containing more than 10,000 connected systems.
* Runs on any IBM-PC BIOS compatible machine with MS or PC DOS 3.10 or
above in as little as 250 KB with optional support for LIM/EMS memory.
* Support for most high-speed modems.
* Supports all reachable COM ports. With explicit support for buffering
UARTS such as the NS16550AFN.
* Multi-tasking support for DESQview, TaskView, TopView, DoubleDOS, and
PC-MOS/386.
* User-installable "fastkey" function for faster keyboard input.
* Fully automatic and unattended file transfers.
* Send messages along with any type of files, including word processor
documents, graphic images, and spreadsheets.
* Files can be sent or fetched.
* Faster and safer than any alternative transfer method.
* Uses ordinary (voice grade) telephone lines to reach anywhere in the
world.
* Highly efficient and reliable transfer protocols.
* Allows you to send mail and files during off-peak hours and thereby
saving you money.
"When you need to create working links between people next door or
around the world, go no further than your FrontDoor."
========================================================================
FrontDoor is a registered trademark of Joaquim H. Homrighausen. Other
brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders.
========================================================================