410 lines
16 KiB
Plaintext
410 lines
16 KiB
Plaintext
P R O L I N E I N F O R M A T I O N
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February 1987
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ProLine is Copyrighted (c) 1984 by Morgan Davis
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All Rights Reserved
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* UNIX is a trademark of AT&T
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DESCRIPTION
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What Is ProLine?
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In the most basic description, ProLine is a networked electronic-mail and
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conferencing system. But it goes a lot deeper than that. It is the most
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complex and sophisticated message system ever created for use on an Apple
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computer and, quite possibly, for any small micro-based computer system.
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One would be in error to label it a "bulletin board system."
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ProLine was designed after the structure of a UNIX computer. This allows
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for the most flexible implementation available for a remote communications
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system. The UNIX architecture has proven to be an excellent environment
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for networked mail, public conferencing, and private electronic mail.
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Because of this unique design, a ProLine system is infinitely expandable
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and easily maintained with practically no operator intervention required.
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Adding a command or feature to a ProLine system is as simple as dropping an
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Applesoft BASIC program into a single directory. This is perhaps the most
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exciting aspect of ProLine because it encourages the development of
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additional applications by interested programmers.
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At the heart of every ProLine system is ModemWorks, a communications
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programming language that aids Applesoft programmers in building
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modem-related applications. The powerful features of ModemWorks provide
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ProLine with a sane, logical foundation which is easy to understand, and
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effortless to maintain.
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After reading the program specifications which follow, you'll see that
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there is something frighteningly awesome about this system.
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SPECIFICATIONS
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+ User Features
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. Each user has his own directory area
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. A UNIX-like shell and commands are available to each user
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. A user can customize his auto-login script file
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. A user can choose the UNIX-like shell, or a single-key command shell
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. Terminal adjustments are available for:
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- Tab character preservation or expansion
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- Linefeeds after carriage returns
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- Cancel key character
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- Nulls after carriage returns
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. Full-screen terminal emulation for over 15 terminals
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. New termcaps can be created for other terminals as needed
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+ Accounting
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. Logical limit of 256 accounts per 10mb system
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. Full online accounting is kept for each user
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. Optional per-minute charge can be set by the system operator
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. The operator can set the total minutes allotted per month per user
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. Operator can set number of inactive days before automatic removal
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. Full system accounting is maintained:
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- Tracks number of logins per user
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- Tracks minutes used per online session
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- Tracks minutes used for current and previous months
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- Tracks minutes used since account was established
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- Maintains amount owed for current month
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. Keeps current balance for other charges
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. User can get his own up-to-the-minute accounting report
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. A billing module can print invoices with mailing labels
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+ Private E-Mail
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. ARPANET/UUCP-formatted mail system (for network compatibility)
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. Networked E-Mail via intersystem XMODEM protocol
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. Path and user aliasing
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. Distribution lists
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. Smart Router with domains and ability to use relay sites
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. Each user has his own unlimited-sized mailbox
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. The mailer can manage up to 150 messages at a time per mailbox
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. Unlimited message size
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. Multiple recipients (Carbon copies, and blind carbon copies)
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. Users can forward private messages to others
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. Each user can move his messages into files in his user area
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. The mailer allows users to read disk files into a message to send
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. Send text or binary information through the mailer (remotely, too)
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. Mailer supports user-definable variables for shortcut typing
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. Mailer generates return paths automatically when answering mail
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. Error protected network (bad messages are routed back to sender)
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. Full featured line editor
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+ Public conferencing system
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. Multiple conferences
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. Multiple topic areas per conference
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. Each conference is assigned a moderator
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. Conference system knows which messages are unread for each user
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. Unlimited message size
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. XMODEM messages directly from conference area
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. Move messages into user area
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. Read files from user area into conference message
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. Full featured line editor
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. Various message addressing modes (next, original, unread, etc)
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. Moderator can create PUBLIC, PRIVATE, and READ-ONLY topics
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. Automatic message rollover for each conference topic
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+ Data Library (upload/download section)
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. System operator can assign a librarian
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. Librarian creates library sections and shelves (up to 24)
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. Maximum 100 items per shelf (adjustable)
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. Librarian can access full library maintenance functions
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- Edit card catalog cards using a full-screen maintenance program
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- Validate new donations
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- Archive shelf items
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- Delete shelf items
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- Adjust library size and other attributes
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. Users can visit the information desk for help
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. Users donate to the library using XMODEM protocol
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. A donation can be indexed with multiple shelves
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. Donations are put on hold until validated by librarian
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. Accounting of each item on each shelf
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- Title
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- Type of file
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- Author
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- Six lines for comments/instructions
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- Donator's name and date posted
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- Size
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- Transfer time
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- Number of times checked out
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. Users can search the library for keywords and matching titles
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. Users can reserve and checkout multiple items before leaving
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. Checkout can use XMODEM protocol or text printout (if applicable)
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. Users can update their donations, or just edit their catalog cards
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. Users can check out up to 6 items per day (adjustable)
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. Users can leave requests for the librarian
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. Multiple files can be indexed by one name and accessed as a whole
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+ Full Featured Text Editor
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. Holds up to 300 lines of text
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. Find any occurrence of a text pattern
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. Edit a single line (with prompted search and replacement)
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. Edit all or range of lines (with global search and replace)
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. Append file from user area to end of editor buffer
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. Insert lines into middle of buffer
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. Delete lines
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. Same editor used by all areas of ProLine
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+ UNIX-like Shell
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. Shell resembles UNIX System V with BSD 4.2 extensions
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. Supports shell variables
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. Supports command aliasing
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. Executable shell scripts (batch/exec files)
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. IF-THEN-ELSE script logic
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. Scripts can access shell arguments (i.e., $1, $2, etc)
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. Full directory protection settings (rwxd) for all areas on system
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. All the popular UNIX commands are provided:
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- cd, cp, mv, ls, set, alias, rm, mkdir, cat, grep, lc, banner,
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adduser, time, ed, find, export, fortune, import, login,
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logout, man, news, mail, od, passwd, rmail, rmdir, rmuser,
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sleep, sendmail, sort, split, stty, who, echo, exit, pwd,
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exec, poll, df, xmodem, tset, tail, wc, ...and many more!
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. System operator can add his own commands from Applesoft programs
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. Cron daemon manages timed execution of tasks:
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- Precise to HH:MM, day of week, day of month, month of year
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- Allows for timed polling of intersystem mail
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- Can execute routine daily maintenance utilities
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- ag execute any shell command
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- Can run shell scripts for multiple command functions
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. UNIX-like password encryption
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. Login program can allow special login processes (not just user logins)
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. A RAM-based enhancement allows ProDOS to use UNIX-like filenames
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. User logins run the shell and execute the user's ".login" script
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. I/O redirection to printer (and to files with some applications)
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. Online games
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. UNIX-like "man" command formats and prints the system manual pages
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+ Restricted Single-Key Shell
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. System members can use this optional "user friendly" shell
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. Single key command inputs are taken
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- Go to conference system
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- Read private mail
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- Send private mail
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- Visit Data Library
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- Report time accounting information
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- See system news files
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- Modify user's account info and terminal attributes
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- Exit to the UNIX-like shell (if allowed)
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- Show system members
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- Get system information
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- Log off
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+ Help Facility
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. All programs have detailed multi-level help files
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. Each file is clearly written and nicely formatted
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. Over 160K of comprehensive online documentation
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. Every help file can be downloaded and/or printed out
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. The entire system manual can be printed with user-specified formatting
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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
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Computer Hardware:
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+ Apple II+ w/64K, Apple IIe, or Apple IIGS
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+ Minimum 5mb hard-disk (10mb hard-disk or larger strongly recommended)
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+ ProDOS compatible clock card (or Apple IIGS built-in clock)
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+ Floppy drive or 800k 3.5" drive
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Modem Hardware:
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+ Apple-Cat II internal modem (212 card optional), or
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+ Fully Hayes compatible external modem for use with:
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. Apple Super Serial card, or
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. Apple IIGS built-in modem port
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Optional Hardware that ProLine will take advantage of:
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+ 2400bps modems
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+ /RAM disks
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+ Printer in slot 1
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+ Speed-up cards (Titan Technologies and Applied Engineering)
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FEATURES
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+ Includes ModemWorks and AmperWorks FREE (a $60 value, manuals not included)
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+ ProLine is easy to install, and takes only a few minutes
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+ It can be placed into any directory on your hard-disk
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+ Takes advantage of any RAM disk volumes on your specification
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+ Three user status levels: root (sysop), staff, and guest
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+ Any directory can be assigned a variety of access permissions:
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. Read
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. Write
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. Destroy
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. Execute
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+ ProLine is best suited for:
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. Hobbyists who want to run a state-of-the-art BBS
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. Educators and students who correspond in open discussion forums
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. Schools that wish to network electronically within or outside of districts
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. Libraries and other information services
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. Businesses providing online technical support for their customers
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. Mail order firms, online advertising
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. Office automation and electronic mail
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Morgan Davis began writing telecommunications software in 1983, and
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designed at least three predecessors to ProLine within three years before
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finally creating the system he was after. Other BBS systems had come and
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gone in the wake of its birth, but ProLine continued to mature and expand
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for two more years. And now, after nearly 70,000 callers (about 68 per
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day), Morgan Davis' beta-test ProLine system in San Diego has become one of
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the most-used systems, hosting callers from all across the nation and quite
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a few from Canada.
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His other credits include numerous technical research projects for
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CompuSoft Publishing's Learning BASIC book series, co-author of Mastering
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The Apple IIGS Toolbox from Compute! Publishers, member of the United
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Software Industries MouseTalk programming team, co-moderator of the Apple
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II conferences on the BYTE Magazine Information Exchange (BIX), and the
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author of ModemWorks and other utilities for Apple II computers.
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ORDERING INFORMATION
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Version 1.1
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ProLine version 1.1 contains everything that you've read about (and a lot
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more). It is available right now for $195.50 (U.S. funds).
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Living Legends Software realizes this is a major software purchase for most
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individuals, and there is just too much about ProLine to describe here.
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So, if you're interested in the system, you are strongly urged to call our
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ProLine node in San Diego at 619/281-7222 (300, 1200, or 2400 bps, login as
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"guest"), in order to see firsthand what it is all about.
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Living Legends also encourages you to call our information hotline if you
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require more details on areas not discussed in this pamphlet. We want to
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make sure that ProLine is right for you and your particular application.
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As a special incentive, Living Legends is offering the first one-hundred
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ProLine owners free software updates when they become available. Our goal
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is to establish a nation-wide electronic network of ProLine systems in
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order to provide low-cost distribution of mail and information. (We hope
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to build an empire which surpasses that of a certain networked BBS named
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after a dog.)
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Terms
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Make your check or money order (United States funds) payable to Living
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Legends Software. Sorry, no bank charge cards accepted. Allow 3-4 weeks
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for delivery.
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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ORDER FORM
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(_____) ProLine version 1.1 package(s) at $195.50 ea. = $________
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(_____) ModemWorks programmers manual(s) at $29.95 ea. = $________
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Amount Total $________
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Specify format: ____ 5.25" floppy disks, or ____ 3.5" microfloppies
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Type of computer ProLine will be running on: Apple II_____________
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with a ________ megabyte ________________________ brand hard-disk.
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Name:___________________________________________________
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Address:________________________________________________
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City:________________________ State:_______ Zip:________
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Phone: (DAYS)___________________ (EVES)_________________
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Living Legends Software
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1915 Froude Street
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San Diego, CA 92107
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619/222-3722
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UUCP: [ ihnp4 cbosgd hplabs!hp-sdd sdcsvax nosc ] !crash!pnet01!pro-sol!mdavis
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ARPA: crash!pnet01!pro-sol!mdavis@nosc.mil
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INET: mdavis@pro-sol.CTS.COM
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Report: Pro Systems Site List
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Node Site Name SysAdmin Name City, ST Site Phone
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---- ------------ -------- ------------------- ------------------ ------------
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0101 pro-sol mdavis Davis, Morgan San Diego, CA 619/281-7222
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0102 pro-mercury wen Wyly, Wendell Jamul, CA 619/697-0261
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0103 pro-carolina delton Elton, Don Columbia, SC 803/776-3936
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0104 pro-exchange rich Sims, Richard Pembroke Pines, FL 305/431-3203
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0105 Sorensen, Daren Cape Girardeau, MO
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0106 pro-ironsun vernonb Bartlett, Vernon Hartsville, SC 803/332-6168
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0107 Buston, Jim Opelika, AL
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0108 pro-party blake Farenthold, Blake San Antonio, TX 512/993-9724
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0109 pro-angmar Hinckley, Kee Arlington, MA 617/641-3722
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0110 pro-flight dann Carlsen, Dann Ft. Campbell, KY 615/647-2521
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0111 Maryland Radio Ctr. Laurel, MD
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0112 pro-snapp rusty SnAPP Systems Orange, CA 714/998-5400
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0113 Andresen, Stein Oslo, NORWAY +47 2 296 570
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0114 pro-beagle mdj Beagle Bros San Diego, CA 619/296-6490
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0115 Rainbow Telecom,Inc Austin, TX
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0116 Oberfield, Greg Princeton, NJ
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0117 Applied Engineering Dallas, TX 214/370-7056
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* Entries with no site names are not part of the ProLine network at this time.
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UUCP: [ ihnp4 cbosgd hplabs!hp-sdd sdcsvax nosc ] !crash!pnet01!pro-sol!mdavis
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ARPA: crash!pnet01!pro-sol!mdavis@nosc.mil
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INET: mdavis@pro-sol.CTS.COM
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