From: dunadan@milton.u.washington.edu (Mike Owen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: New BBS Software for the Apple II
Keywords: bbs modemworks shareware
Message-ID: <1992Feb19.110252.11258@u.washington.edu>
Date: 19 Feb 92 11:02:52 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Feb19.110252.11258
Sender: news@u.washington.edu (USENET News System)
Organization: Broken Blade Software
Lines: 146


ANNOUNCING VINYAMACIL BBS SOFTWARE FOR THE APPLE II

VinyaMacil (VM) is a ModemWorks-based bulletin board system for the Apple II
series of computers.  Originally based on Telecat software, VM has maintained
its linear approach to messages, files, and electronic mail, while evolving
each of these areas into easy-to-use, fast, and powerful modules.  Behind the
scenes, the sysop has a plethora of functions at his disposal to make running
the VM system a snap.

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

VM runs under ProDOS 8, BASIC.SYSTEM, and ModemWorks 2.1.  The latter is a
product of the Morgan Davis Group, and includes the ampersand routines and
modem drivers for the software.  VM WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT THEM.  Information
on ordering ModemWorks is included with the documentation.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS

* Apple IIe enhanced, Apple IIc, or Apple IIGS
* 80 column card (IIe only)
* ProDOS-compatible clock card (IIe/IIc only)
* Minimum 800k disk storage (3.5" drive)
* Internal modem such as AE Datalink, Epic, or Novation AppleCat --OR--
* External Hayes-compatible modem

FEATURES OF VM

Message Base:

* Maximum 50 message areas with 50 messages each
* Separate view/post access
* Text forks may be attached to any message for uploading files (of any type)
  larger than the editor's buffer
* New, forward, reverse, and global message scans

Editor:

* 50 line buffer available wherever the editor is called from
* A full set of editing commands including line delete/edit/insert, and string
  find/replace (auto or prompted)
* A Dot Command Parser which allows you to enter entire editing commands on
  the same line, without waiting for prompts

E-Mail:

* Unlimited mail for each user, subject only to available disk space
* Three stage letter status for each letter (Unread, Read, and Deleted) allows
  for viewing of only new letters
* Individual letter deletion to keep certain letters around
* A bulk mail option to send the same letter to more than one user
* Ability to send text forks through E-mail (subject to restrictions)
* A detailed mail summary option that gives a summary of each letter in your
  mailbox, including sender, date, status, bulk flag, and text fork flag
* Forward option to send a copy of a letter to another user
* No mail is deleted from disk until a user terminates his call, so any or all
  letters may be undeleted at any time before logging out

G-Files:

* Up to 50 definable file areas with separate download and upload access
* Unlimited files per area, subject to available disk space
* Two easy ways to list filenames: one with the size, type, and modification
  date, the other with a 60 character description
* Find file command to search any range of areas for a specified filename
* Download limit per call for each user, ranging from 0k to an unlimited
  amount

Screen Settings:

* Linefeeds, tab preservation, and lowercase display
* Screen width, height, and page pause
* Configurable cancel-key (default is SPACE)
* Terminal emulation (including ProTERM Special)
* Read last old on newscan and expert user mode

Sysop/Accounts:

* A full set of user account editing functions including create, delete, list,
  modify, and transfer
* Account verification with an auto-verify option for high level Aides
* A userlist option to quickly match any name in the userlog

Sysop/Logs:

* Caller log listing with three modes (Brief, Normal, Full)
* List any sequence of days or calls (up to 30 days' worth)
* User search function to find a user # or partial nym through a sequence of
  days; total matches and average calls/day printed at end of search
* A full set of file logs to monitor uploading and downloading
* System logs to view up/downtimes of the board
* All logs can be toggled on/off; the new user log, when off, will auto-verify
  new users to level 10

Sysop/File:

* Area delete, edit, insert, and move
* File copy/move, new file info, purge, rename, and screen (hide)

Sysop/Msg:

* Area clear, delete, edit, insert, and move
* View and post area purpose commands

Miscellaneous:

* Any number of welcome and goodbye files may be displayed at random when a
  user logs in or out, respectively
* Configurable minimum login and transfer baud rates
* Board status selectable from Open, Restricted (no new users), or Offline
  (system displays a file upon connect, and hangs up)
* Default new user info may be easily edited
* Shrinkit-style local menus

SHAREWARE FEE AND SUPPORT

VM is $20 Shareware.  You can set up the software just as easily without
registering it; however, for your $20 you'll be assured of hearing about the
latest releases (I'm *always* working on making VM a better product) and get
lots of technical support via the Internet and my own BBS.

How can you be assured that I won't disappear and stop supporting VM?  I've
invested a tremendous amount of time in this project, dating back to 1986;
the current MD-BASIC version of VM has been under development for over a year.
My own bulletin board, Broken Blade, has been online for over two years, and
I've been on the Internet for almost five.

More importantly, I believe that in order for the Apple II to survive, the
users and owners of these computers must take up the slack in software and
support from the companies that once did so.  VM is one of my contributions
in this area.

LEGAL STUFF AND DISCLAIMERS

VM is copyright 1990-1992 by Michael Owen.  You may copy and upload it to
whoever and wherever you wish; just make sure you send the entire NuFX
archive, documentation and all.

While ModemWorks is required to run VM, I am in no way being compensated by
the Morgan Davis Group.  "I am merely a satisfied customer." :-)

ADDRESSES

USMail:                  Bulletin Board:          Internet:

7323-26th NW             (206) 781-9424           dunadan@u.washington.edu
Seattle, WA  98117       300-2400 baud


