Beijing Paradise BBS Backup/PARADISE.ISO/software/BBSDOORW/2AM3_1A.ZIP/NEWPROD.TXT

Text File | 1988-08-07 | 12.2 KB | 263 lines

  To:  Everyone interested in 2AM-BBS
From:  2AM Associates
Date:  November 27, 1988


                             2AM-BBS Version 3.0
                             Product Description

                          What is this?  Who are we?

     2AM-BBS is a Bulletin Board System for the IBM-PC or compatible.
Previously, 2AM-BBS was strictly a commercial product and had to be purchased.
Rising advertising costs coupled with the fact that people really like to "try
before they buy" made us decide to offer 2AM-BBS as a shareware product.
Registration information is offered in the file: ORDER.FOR in this archive (or
on this disk).  Please read it!  Why?  Because we realize that registering
costs you money, so we have tried to list lots of reasons why it is worthwhile
for you to do so.

     2AM Associates is a small software company located in Florham Park NJ.
Our purpose is the development of high quality software (2AM-BBS) and the
support of the product after a sale has been made.  We are VERY available to
answer questions about the software.  Here's how you can talk to us:

     On the west coast, we maintain a BBS (in Southern California) called
Wamblyville (There is a standing reward for the first person who can tell the
sysop exactly where "wamblyville" is).  Reach it (300/1200/2400 baud, 7 days,
24 hours) at 818-577-6758.  This system is in a PC Pursuit area (CAGLE
outdial).

     On the east coast, the 2AM Assciates have an even larger spread:  the
Drew Underground at 201-377-8245, -8193, -7861, and -6810 running a multiuser
configuration of 2AM-BBS (Northern NJ).  This BBS is the site for product
development, and over 1000 users (2AM sysops, sysops using other software, and
many other users) contribute to over 35 message bases and enjoy 150 megs of
public domain software with an optical WORM (Write-Once-Read-Mostly) on the
way to offer scads more software.  This system is also in a PC Pursuit area
(NJNEW).

     If you are starting to get the idea that we are a small group of
excitable programmers who are out to write and support BBS software, you are
on the right track. - [This part of the file was written by Chris.  If it
sounds light-hearted, it's because he hasn't been up all night programming for
a while now.]

Oh, you can also reach us by writing:

         2AM Associates
         59 Murphy Circle
         Florham Park, NJ  07932

Or, if you live on a computer network, send messages to us at the following
addresses: (This is the BITNET network):

         NCLARKE@DREW
         CGORMAN@CITCHEM


2AM Associates has been in business for 3 years now and is in the process of
incorporating in the state of New Jersey.


                                Our Philosophy

   When you register 2AM-BBS, you get the special attention of people who want
to see your BBS flourish as much as you do.  We offer printed documentation
and phone support in a sincere effort to make sure that all registered 2AM-BBS
sysops can get their BBS's running and keep them that way.  Since everyone has
suggestions for improvement, we keep special message bases on our home BBS's
where suggestions can be posted.  These suggestions are taken very seriously.
Most software on the market today insist that you take what you get, and put a
lot of fancy restrictions on technical support.  We keep support personal and
try to listen.


                            Program Specifications

   2AM-BBS runs on any IBM PC-XT/AT or true compatible.  It also requires at
least 256K of memory, a Hayes compatible modem, and a 10 Megabyte (minimum)
hard drive.  Multiuser systems can be configured for two lines with a
multitasker, or for up to 8 lines with certain PC Networks.  (Please contact
us for further multiuser information as this aspect of the program is always
expanding.)  2AM-BBS currently retails for $50 which includes the software,
complete sysop and user documentation, and technical support from the 2AM
Associates.  A shareware version of 2AM-BBS is available as 2AM3-1.ARC, 2AM3-
2.ARC, and 2AM3-3.ARC.  This is supplied so that you can try out 2AM-BBS before
to pay for it, allowing you to make sure 2AM-BBS is the system is what you want
to use. 2AM-BBS v3.0sw (shareware) does not support multiuser configurations.
[This part of the file was written by Neil.  If it sounds a little formal, it
is because he WAS up until 2AM (wonder where that name came from?) working on
the software]

                              Features of 2AM-BBS

Let us brag about a few of the nice features in 2AM-BBS.  Please remember, we
are constantly improving/adding to the system.  As a result, this list of
features may not include options/features included in the system.  If there's
a feature that you don't see here, we might have already put it in.  If not,
tell us about it.  We love adding, changing, etc. and are always open to
improvments.


                          The User's Side of 2AM-BBS

1.  ANSI support in menus, login notes, message bases, and other system files.

2.  Up to 9,999 message bases with the multiple reading and scanning
    capabilities, as well as an easy to use editor.

3.  Ability to send private mail to another user or group of users.  The
    ability to read incoming and outgoing messages, with such options as
    message forwarding, or editing your outgoing mail.

4.  A voting booth that allows users to vote upon up to 24 different questions
    with 2-10 multiple choice responses for each question.

5.  A trivia system that allows users to answer questions on up to 20
    different trivia topics.

6.  File transfers may be organized into libraries, each of which has a
    directory in a standard, easy to read format, complete with the ability to
    be scanned.  Uploading and downloading may be done via Xmodem, Xmodem CRC,
    Ymodem, or any sysop supplied external protocols.

7.  A BBSlister that can be used to list or search for information on various
    aspects of different Bulletin Board Systems.

8.  An in-depth and expandable help system.

9.  Standard chat module with word-wrap.

10. Configure system that allows a user to set terminal parameters or various
    preferences.

11. A section from which sysop supplied Jumpdoors can be run.

12. Other main options such as feedback, system info, base listings, daily
    logs and statistics, and status information.



                         The Sysop's Side of 2AM-BBS

1.  An online user validator that keeps track of various system logs, has the
    ability to edit, delete, view, or scan users by many criteria.

2.  A maintenance section that allows you to add files to the FILES libraries,
    as well as maintain the upload directory.  All files and files sections
    can be restricted by privilege bits so that you can release files or
    groups of files to selected users.  The ability to set hours of
    availability for your files section as well as support for "free"
    transfers is also included.

3.  The ability to edit/delete entries in the BBSlister.

4.  Easy to customize system prompts, menus, and text files.

5.  Email monitoring, and message limiting abilities.

6.  Load and save text files from the system editor.

7.  Bases can be restricted by user privilege bits in respect to access to
    read, write, or maintain a base.  With these bits, you can easily set up
    special access bases and give users the privilege to maintain individual
    bases.  Maintenance includes being able to delete, undelete, and edit
    messages on that base as well as grant or restrict access to that base for
    any user.  Sysops may also restrict the number of messages that can appear
    on a base.

8.  Trivia topics may be restricted by privilege bits & a maintenance section
    for creating question files and scoring answers that users have given.

9.  In the voting booth, there are options to create and delete privileged
    voting topics.

10. A system maintenance section from which you can create/delete sub-
    directories, erase/copy/rename/download/upload files, and read text files.

11. Jumpdoors section to allow the sysop to add external programs for
    privileged use.

12. Many keyboard functions that will allow you to edit/view the current user,
    disable bells, jump to dos, reserve next login, print session, or save
    session to disk.

13. Built in scheduling system that allows you to run external programs
    unattended at specific times of the day (backups, etc).



                       OK, sounds like good stuff.
                        Why should I register it?

This is the most important part of this file.  [-This part was edited by Tom.
He's been up all night trying to combine the sections from Neil and Chris into
a readable document].  If you have read all the way down to here, you must be
strongly considering registering your version with us.  This is where we have
to convince you that the $50 registrations fee is well invested.  Actually,
that's easy to do.  All you have to do is read the following reasons:


1)  You'll receive printed manuals.

2)  You will receive access to our special discussion groups on our BBS's for
    product development.

3)  You'll receive our undivided attention if you have a problem, question or
    suggestion.

4)  Since we are constantly improving the software, notices about upgrades are
    sent out to all our registered users.

5)  When you register, you will be sent the most current version of the
    software.  The registered version of the software can support multi-line
    configurations (several are available, and we can get 2AM running on any
    multi-line hardware/software configuration you can provide us
    specifications for).

6)  Currently under development is a network mail system for all 2AM-BBSs
    across the country.  Only registered systems will be able to participate
    in this network.

7)  As a registered owner, you'll be able to participate in our "clearing
    house" project.  If you are looking for Public Domain/shareware files,
    we'll do our best to make all our software "toys" available to you.  Most
    of this stuff is public domain or shareware, and includes jumpdoors,
    external file protocols, utilities that other sysops have written, etc.
    Need to get a files section started?  For the cost of the disks, we can
    send you a few megs of public domain/shareware software to offer to your
    users.  It goes on and on.

8)  The money we make from registration does not go into paying the fees for
    our country club (we don't have one anyway).  It goes directly into
    development and enhancements of the product.  We are NOT trying to make a
    fast buck.  We are trying to make a name for ourselves.  We want to be
    associated with a quality product, good service, and customer confidence.
    When you register, you are not only receiving additional support, you are
    helping us improve on the product, which in turn, will benefit you.  We
    have been in business for over 3 years.  We are not going to disappear on
    you.  We will continue to improve on 2AM-BBS.  What more could you ask?




Thank you for taking the time to read this and explore 2AM-BBS.  We think the
product is the best on the market (granted, we are a bit biased).  If you are
still doubtful, talk to us!  If you have questions, talk to us!  If you are
looking for specific features, talk to us!.  Very often, features get
overlooked in writing these "read.me" files, and 2AM turns out to do what you
are looking for.  The numbers of our development BBSs are listed about in this
documentation.  We can be reached there.


                                     Sincerely,

                                     Neil Clarke, Chris Gorman, Tom Vogl
                                     (2AM Associates)


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