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- Blackbeard History
-
- Blackbeard was first released in 1985. It was distributed using
- the shareware principle. We doubted that anyone would register
- the program. Less than three months later, we received our
- first registration from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Since
- then, we continue to receive many orders per week, and respond as
- quickly as we can. We have ported Blackbeard through four C
- compilers and two mailing addresses. The shareware principle has
- proven productive to us and our users.
-
- In 1988, several siginificant events have occurred.
-
- First, OS/2 and Microsoft's 5.1 C compiler (OS/2) became
- available. OS/2 is a good development environment for both OS/2
- and MS-DOS software. We have ported Blackbeard to OS/2 and are
- currently enhancing the program to take advantage of OS/2
- specific capabilities.
-
- Second, the Blackbeard code outgrew its two bedroom
- apartment (that is the medium model), so we moved the code into a
- ranch (that is the large model). This meant that we are now able
- to dynamically expand into memory areas we previously had not
- touched. For example, we can now increase the number of lines
- allocated to edit a file as needed (no more =24000 parameters
- are required).
-
- Third, software viruses became a widespread concern. So much so
- that some companies set policy to prohibit downloading of
- software from bulletin boards. This is not a good development for
- shareware products, so we investigated additional methods of
- distribution, e.g., retail availability.
-
- Because of these developments, we have diverged the Blackbeard
- product into three products called: Blackbeard, Captain
- Blackbeard, and Blackbeard/2. We have also provided unique
- mailing addresses for each product. This ensures that the right
- person reads your comments.
-
- Blackbeard is the current shareware version. We will fix bugs
- and perform very minimal enhancements. Its primary advantage is
- that it can terminate and stay resident (TSR). TSR will not be
- available on the other two products. The mailing address remains
- the same:
-
- Blackbeard
- P.O. Box 638
- San Bernardino, California 92402
-
- Captain Blackbeard is the enhanced version of Blackbeard. It
- contains all the features of the original Blackbeard (except for
- TSR) and will continue to be upgraded. The two most significant
- upgrades it currently has are the dynamically allocated editing
- limits, and the compile/review windows. The compile/review
- windows allow you to execute your compiler, saving the errors in
- a review file, and position the cursor in the code file for each
- error in the review file. It provides a fairly integrated
- development environment, similarly to the Turbo C integrated
- environment. This product is freely distributed and available
- through retail outlets. Retail distribution was provided for
- those concerned about viruses. The mailing address for Captain
- Blackbeard is:
-
- J K Powers
- 1805 Clemson St.
- San Bernardino, California 92407
-
- Blackbeard/2 is the OS/2 version. It provides the features of
- the original Blackbeard with the exception of TSR and the DOS
- window functions. It also includes the Captain Blackbeard
- upgraded features. The mailing address for Blackbeard/2 is:
-
- Jim Dodgen
- P.O. Box 900
- Running Springs, California 92382-900
-
- The latest versions (as of 4-22-89) are:
-
- Product Version Registration Fee
- Blackbeard 7.46 $20.00
- Captain Blackbeard 1.13 $25.00
- Blackbeard/2 1.13 $25.00
-
- If you are a registerd owner of Blackbeard, you can receive the
- latest version of any of the products for 7 (seven) dollars.
- Mail your check(s) to the appropriate address. If you are not a
- registered owner, you can register the products for 25
- (twenty-five) dollars ($20 dollars for the original Blackbeard).
- You must (sorry for the inconvenience) direct your inquiries to
- the appropriate address for proper response. We appreciate your
- support, and hope that we can through these developments support
- you better.