manes@marob.MASA.COM (Steve Manes) (08/05/88)
I've established a blind UUCP account (nuucp) for downloading the Shareware
Magpie BBS program on system 'magpie' in New York City.
The following complete distribution packages are available:
Filename Size Description
-------------------------------------------
Mag386.tar.Z 353k Magpie/Xenix386
Mag286.tar.Z 409k Magpie/Xenix286
Mag68k.tar.Z 370k Magpie/Tandy Xenix
MAGPIE.ARC 291k Magpie/DOS
The phone numbers for 'magpie' are:
212-420-0527 (2400 bps, 2 lines)
212-677-9487 (9600 bps, Trailblazer)
Create an L.sys/Systems account for 'magpie' as follows:
magpie Any ACU <baud> <phone> "" \d ogin:-@-ogin: nuucp
Telebit users: you will need to send 3 timed BREAKs in your chat line to
cycle 'magpie' to 9600 bps.
To download, run the following command on your system:
uucp magpie!/prog/nuucp/<filename> <your_sysname>!~
For Magpie sysops, you may also poll this directory for the filename
'whats_new' to get a listing of revisions and to download updates.
======= MAGPIE OVERVIEW ====================================================
* True, Bidirectional Message Threading
Magpie messages are threaded directly to each other, not
obliquely by "Subject:". Also included are a multitude of
commands unavailable in other BBS softwares to allow a user
to navigate, search, select and summarize reply chains.
* Powerful Message Searching Functions
Magpie allows searching of messages by Author, Recipient,
Title, Text and Date, both chronologically (forward and
reverse) and by thread.
* Archival Message Base
Because of Magpie's powerful threading, users can find
messages and information LOGICALLY, even messages months or
even years old, without tedious chronological searching
through thousands of irrelevant messages. This feature
makes Magpie ideal for operating a public information or
product support system.
* Command-driven, Verb-Noun User Interface
While harder to master initially, Magpie's command interface
gives users direct access to 45+ commands at the main prompt
with a context-sensitive Help menu. More experienced users
benefit from a rich set of fast-responding functions.
* Download Files "Attached" to Messages
Magpie's file downloads are logically attached as enclosures
to ordinary messages, which (combined with the tree structure)
makes download files very easy to find logically. It also
allows messages to document files and files to document messages.
* Powerful Message Editor
Quasi-WordStar editing keys, block replace, upload through the
editor.
* Word-wrap (editor and output)
Magpie will wrap output text for any terminal from 32 to 132
columns.
* Flexible "Exec" Window
Magpie allows users to run executable files via a
sysop-configurable menu with time on/off and execution security
levels.
* Timed 'Daemon' Function (Magpie/DOS)
Functions somewhat like the Unix 'cron' command.
* Full ANSI Color Support
IBM-ANSI and ISO-ANSI(Magpie/Xenix) are both supported. Magpie
can be displayed in full color, with tiled Sig "windows".
* Message Security
Magpie allows up to 50 defined discussion areas, with
subsysop permissions and user security. Additionally, each
defined board can support an "inner sanctum" of users under
read/write control.
* User Mailboxes
Magpie users each have a "mailbox" over which they are
virtual sysops and which may be customized to allow users to
introduce themselves to others (a la Unix 'finger'). Mail
may also be sent CC: to other users.
* Xmodem/Xmodem-1k/Ymodem Batch Download Protocols
In addition, users may queue up to 10 files for download
over any number of logins.
* User Bookmarks
Users may set an alias to up to 30 messages to aid in
finding information later on.
* Archive Window
Allows listing, display and download of internal files to an
archive file. Magpie/DOS supports ARC, ZOO and DWC archive types.
Magpie/Xenix supports ARC, arc, ZOO, zoo, tar, Z, tar.Z, shar,
sh, sh.Z, cpio, etc. in a customizable shell script written by
John Cowan (Ailanthus Tree).
* Directory Explorer (Magpie/Xenix)
Allows direct, protected access to the Magpie download file
directories.
* Restricted 'vi' for Alternate Message Editor (Magpie/Xenix)
Optional editor (written by Fred Buck of CIS TANGENT Forum).
Includes utilities to reformat message and display target.
Highly secured against tampering by non-shell users.
* On-line Message Editor Proofreader (Magpie/Xenix)
Requires the Unix 'spell' utilities.
* MultiChat Conferencing (Magpie/Xenix)
Supports unlimited simultaneous users with private message
channel and chat logging.
* User-User Online "Yells" (Magpie/Xenix)
Allows users to use the message base while exchanging real-time
messages with each other.
... and much more, including fast, responsive "hot keys", an online
interactive Tutorial, OS<->Magpie textfile transporter, fast message
file packer, full screen user file editor, "Special" messages, many sysop
utilities and a novel new user security environment for sysops of
public-access BBSes.
Caveat: these programs are distributed in BINARY format only.
Source code is not available.
MAGPIE BBS copyright 1987,88 by Steve Manes
--
Steve Manes Roxy Recorders, Inc. Magpie-HQ BBS
UUCP : {rutgers|cmcl2}!hombre!magpie!manes (212)420-0527
Smail: manes@MASA.COM