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