CD-ROM Magic 1995 #1/CDM_5.ISO/shell/mailers/im/intrmail.arj/WHATSNEW.DOC

Text File | 1993-07-01 | 17.8 KB | 403 lines

InterMail 2.22                               What's new - Jul 01 1993
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright 1992, 1993 InterMail Sales Inc. All rights reserved.

This is a list of the most important new features in InterMail. It's
a part of the file package INTRMAIL.ZIP. Download or request the
latest file from the address and phone numbers below. Please feel
free to distribute INTRMAIL.ZIP to your friends, points or users.

InterMail 2.22 is free for all who own InterMail 2.2*.


Manual Answer (Ctrl-I)
----------------------
This new feature has two main applications:

1. It facilitates sharing a voice line with a modem for incoming
calls. Those sharing a voice line can simply hit Ctrl-I when they
pick up the phone and find that there is a modem on the other end of
the line (i.e., no sound) instead of a person.

2. A call can start as a voice discussion and switch to a data
connection without hanging up, in conjunction with Manual Dial and
item #3 below.


Manual Dial (Ctrl-D)
--------------------
This new feature has three applications:

1. When dialing from a portable PC in a hotel room, it is often
easier to just type in one's credit card information under the Manual
Dial option, instead of editing the FDNODE.CTL and recompiling the
nodelist. This is particularly useful for novice users.

2. When engaged in an operator assisted phone call to a data line,
e.g., overseas, one can fill out the information in the Ctrl-D menus,
place the call by handset, talk to the operator, and when one hears
the phone ringing on the other end press Enter to put your modem
off-hook to await the remote carrier.

3. A call can start as a voice discussion and switch to a data
connection without hanging up, in conjunction with Manual Answer,
above. The "sender" prepares the mail and/or file(s), prepares the
Ctrl-D Manual Dial screen, hits Enter, and the "receiver" waits for
the "calling" modem to go offhook BEFORE hitting Ctrl-I to answer.


The best experimental experience to date with Manual Dial has been
achieved by changing IMSetup -> Modem -> Advanced setup -> Command
strings -> Return on-line: ATX2DT

The X2 assures that VOICE will not be detected, and the "," at the
end allows it to dial without actually dialing any touch tones.

Sample screen for Manual Dial:

╒═══════════════════════════╡ Manual Dial ╞═════════════════════════╕
│                                                                   │
│ Send mail to:   DC and Arlington Backbone Hub, 1:109/10           │
│ Phone:          [phone]░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░     │
│                                                                   │
│ Edit the phone number and press Enter when ready ── OR establish  │
│ the phone connection and press F2 to switch to data mode.         │
╘═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

CAPTURE in scripts
------------------
Two new commands have been added to the script language.

CAPTURE ON [filename] will open a capture file and log all incoming
                      characters to the file during the WAITFOR and
                      CASE commands.

CAPTURE OFF           closes the capture file. If you forget, the
                      file will be closed automatically on exit from
                      the script.

NOTE: CAPTURE will only work with the commands that read the port:
WAITFOR and CASE. Other commands, such as WAIT do not access the com
port, and any received characters will just sit in the buffer until
the next WAITFOR or CASE command. Usually, you would also want to
code a loop to find the end of the information you would like to
capture:

    capture ON i:\im\capture.txt

    :waitmore
    case
      "End of messages" : >logoff
       @default         : >waitmore   ; read more on timeouts
    endcase

    :logoff
    capture OFF


New Semaphore files
-------------------
IMEXIT00.###  Tells all Mailers to exit with an errorlevel specified
              by the extension of the file.

IMEXIT??.###  Tells the Mailer to exit with an errorlevel specified by
              the extension of the file, with ?? specifying the number
              of the Mail Server that is to exit.

X1234567.8yy  Node number semaphore, where "x" is the character "X",
              "1234567.8" is hex of a CRC-32 over two longs containing
              the 4d address, and "yy" is the mail server (line)
              number in hex. Primarily for use by echomail processors.

IMRENUM.NOW   Controls access to renumbering of messages, and prevents
              dialing while renumbering is in progress.


Miscellaneous
-------------
* Support for UISDN nodelist flags.
* Support for baud rates in routing and dial control. A baud rate is
  specified as @2400, @9600 etc.
* Verbose listing for lookup by name in the nodelist.
* Undo function when moving between messages in a folder: Alt-Backspace.
* Separate lastread storage for each user in *.msg folders.


---------------------------------------------------------------------
InterMail 2.21                               What's new - Jan 27 1993
---------------------------------------------------------------------

H14 and H16 nodelist flags
--------------------------
Support for all FidoNet nodelist flags, as of Jan 15 1993. These two
new flags in FidoNet are being used if you are using one of the
following modems:

 H14    USRobotics HST 14400 bps
 H14    USRobotics HST Dual Standard 14400 bps
 H16    USRobotics HST 16800 bps
 H16    USRobotics HST Dual Standard 16800 bps

The two flags make it possible to separate outgoing calls via the
routing file. Example: You are using two phone lines and two modems in
InterMail multi-line setup. One of your modems is a USR HST 14400
bps modem and the other is a USR HST 16800 bps modem. Problem: You
don't want your 14400 modem call out to a 16800 modem. Solution: It's
better to do all HST 16800 calls with your HST 16800 modem, and all
HST 14400 calls with your HST 14400 modem.

 Multi-node #1   Modem:                      USRobotics HST 14400
                 Routing file ROUTE.IM:      send-to all except H16

 Multi-node #2   Modem:                      USRobotics HST 16800
                 Routing file ROUTEIM.002:   send-to all except H14

The nodes you are calling to, must have the proper nodelist flags.
The dial command files DIALCTL.001 and DIALCTL.002 may contain the
nodelist flags and extra modem initializing strings:
    ┌───────────────┐
    │ V32 ATB0|     │
    │ HST ATB1|     │
    │ H14 ATB1|     │
    │ H16 ATB1|     │
    └───────────────┘


20 AKA's
--------
The number of AKA's (Also Known As) has been increased from 10 to 20.
This makes it possible for you to join more networks and/or use more
node numbers in the same network. When calling another InterMail
system, you will be able to pick up mail even for AKA 11-20, but when
calling nodes who uses other mailer software you shouldn't expect
that. Screen capture:
   Exit   Global   Mailer   Editor   Terminal   Modem   Printer   Man
  ════════┌╔═══════════════════════ Address ╗════════════════════════
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│║ Main   1:1/133                 ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│║ Aka  1 1:369/102               ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│║ Aka  2 211:211/0               ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│║ Aka  3 211:211/101             ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│║ Aka  4 2:33000/309             ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒│║ Aka  5 1:369/102.1             ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒└║ Aka  6                         ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka  7                         ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka  8                         ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka  9                         ║; SETUP ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka 10                         ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒ Copyrig║ Aka 11                         ║ms AB & InterZone Softwa
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka 12                         ║rved. ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka 13                         ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka 14                         ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka 15                         ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka 16                         ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka 17                         ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka 18                         ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka 19                         ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒║ Aka 20                         ║▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
  ─────────╚════════════════════════════════╝──────────────┤ Mail ser


F10 key pull down menu in InterMail editor IE.EXE
-------------------------------------------------
F10 may now be assigned a macro (%menu) for pulling down the menus.
A help text at the bottom line will always show this. Screen capture
from bottom line:

├───────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Ctrl-Z Save  F10 Menu │      Line: 14    Col: 2                   │
└───────────────────────┴───────────────────────────────────────────┘








---------------------------------------------------------------------
InterMail 2.20                               What's new - Dec 12 1992
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Multi-line
----------
You can run up to 99 modems and phone lines simultaneously via OS/2,
Windows 3.x, DESQview or a Local Area Network such as Novell and
LANtastic. You can use different modems with different speed and
routing rules. All mail servers communicate via semaphore files. They
know exactly what all other mail servers are doing. One can call out
while another is bundling mail and a third is executing an external
event. They can use the same nodelist and they can be "put to sleep"
during maintenance like nodelist updating. To install an extra line
is very easy and will only occupy 50 KB extra on your harddisk.


Secure inbound path
-------------------
Are you worried about bogus echomail? Don't be, because InterMail has
a special directory where incoming files are stored if the session is
protected by a session password. If the session is not protected, the
files will be stored in another directory. Your echomail processor
can be set up to only process mail with a known sender. Even if
somebody sends you a false mail packet, your echomail program will
not import it.


Internal Serial Driver
----------------------
An internal serial driver has been added. In other words, X00, BNU or
any other FOSSIL, is no longer required. InterMail will use its own
internal routines if a FOSSIL isn't present or if it is loaded with
the parameter /NF. It is specially optimized for fewer port accesses
with Virtual Machines and with virtual device drivers like under
OS/2, Windows and DESQview. In most cases the internal driver should
prove faster than a FOSSIL. This means that you can save money on
shorter phone calls.


New Manual
----------
The old Users Guide and Reference Guide have been merged, rewritten
and updated to a brand new softcover manual with 450 pages. Written
in a clear and concise style, its step by step instructions make it
easy for you to learn how to take full advantage of the features in
your new software. No other mailer comes with documentation in this
class! The manual is included in every package, both upgrades and
new.


User definable connect strings
------------------------------
All connect strings are user-definable. This means that InterMail is
preperad for new connect strings in the future. If you in the future
should buy a modem which uses higher speed and new connect strings
that are unknown today, you just type them in manually. Forget about
conflicts between old software and new modems.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════ Connect strings ╗
║   #   Connect Message               Speed  EC  BBSexit  Terminate ║
║───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────║
║   1   CONNECT|                      300    N   99       0         ║
║   2   CONNECT 1200|                 1200   N   99       0         ║
║   3   CONNECT 1200/                 1200   N   99       0         ║
║   4   CONNECT 2400                  2400   N   99       0         ║
║   5   CONNECT 4800                  4800   N   99       0         ║
║   6   CONNECT 7200                  7200   N   99       0         ║
║   7   CONNECT 9600                  9600   N   99       0         ║
║   8   CONNECT 12000                 12000  N   99       0         ║
║   9   CONNECT 14400                 14400  N   99       0         ║
║  10   CONNECT 16800                 16800  N   99       0         ║
║  11   CONNECT 19200                 19200  N   99       0         ║
║  12   CONNECT 38400                 38400  N   99       0         ║
║  13   CONNECT FAX                   9600   N   0        100       ║
║                                                                   ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ Mail server: 001 ├─
The most common modems are in the list where you pick your modem
during installation. If you don't want to bother with modem setup you
don't have to, because we have already done it.


Exit on specific connect string
-------------------------------
Immediate exit with an errorlevel on specific connect messages from
the modem. This makes is possible to start a fax program if your
modem can give the string CONNECT FAX, like ZyXel U-1496-E does. The
fax software is started from IMRUN.BAT


Ringmaster
----------
Support for Ringmaster or "distinctive ringing" has been added. It is
an extra service from you local phone company. It lets you add an
extra number to your phone line, with a different ring signal for
each number, so you can detect which number has been called BEFORE
you pick up the phone. InterMail can detect phone number 1 and 2, if
invoked with the parameters /rm1 or /rm2. If three phone numbers
share the same line, InterMail must use the 1st (one ring) number.
This means that you can run InterMail 24 hours a day and receive
incoming modem calls on your normal voice line, without disturbing
you. You can also use InterMail on the same line as your fax, and
both of them can receive their respective calls.


Transfer window
---------------
Now you can see how long the transfer has been going on, the
estimated time left at the current Cps rate as well as the efficiency
in percent. There is also a bar graph for a quick look.


OS/2, Windows and DESQview
--------------------------
InterMail works very well in these environments. It runs in a
DOS-window, releases timeslices and supports DTE speeds up to 115200
bps. You can run InterMail in the background, transmitting files on
your modem att high speed (for example 16800 bps), while you are
working with something else in the foreground on the same computer.


Password override on magic file name
------------------------------------
Password checking can now be overridden for magic file names, i.e.
the SysOp can allow file requests from password protected directories
by way of magic file names to bypass the password check. If the first
word after the magic name is /NOPWD, then InterMail will bypass the
password check. Example: MAGIC /NOPWD C:\SECRET\MAGIC.*


Session Password Error
----------------------
On all password errors, InterMail will hang up on the remote system.
However, it will send back "*** Password Error! ***" as system name,
which will show up in the Lastcall pane and also in the outbound
history as well as the log. (Provided that the remote system picks up
this information, as InterMail will.)


Miscellaneous
-------------
* Support for CSP, ZYX, V32b and V42b modem flags.
* Max number of folders increased to 500.
* Support for SEAlink in EMSI sessions.
* Additional information about incoming messages displayed on screen.
* Session turnaround made extremely reliable.
* Added comment field for each event.
* Added semaphore file directory.
* Added support for Hudson message base locking. MBUNLOCK.NOW
* Added support for outbound Bark requests.
* Modem selection in IMSetup.
* A switch /x makes InterMail exit after completing all calls.
* A switch /nounpack prevents InterMail from unpacking any mail.
* A switch /emsidbg let you see the exact format of incoming and
  outgoing EMSI data packages in the handshaking process.
* An optional 4th and 5th parameter have been added to the quickname
  function: message subject and status flags.
* A switch /time makes InterMail display a timestamp for log window
  messages.
* Added display of all nodelist flags in nodelist browse function.
* Nodelist Manager editor can load files larger than 40 Kb.
* Changed max time until next event when users aren't allowed to
  1440 minutes = 24 hours in DOBBS.BAT
* A switch /bsy:[path] enables support for Squish style *.BSY files.
* BBS and event errorlevels are now logged.


Future
------
All sales, marketing, packaging and support of InterMail in most part
of the world, will be handled by InterMail Sales Inc. InterZone
Software will continue to develop InterMail and related software
under the command of Peter Stewart.


All products by InterZone Software, Inc. are trademarks or registered
trademarks of InterZone Software. Other brand and product names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.


If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

InterMail Sales Inc.                 Voice:  1-305-436-1587
9050 Pines Blvd, Suite 430             Fax:  [phone]
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024               BBS:  1-305-436-1884
USA                                FidoNet:  1:369/102