[comp.protocols.appletalk] Mail from Mac<->Mac

shmuli@humus.huji.ac.il (shmuel browns) (03/16/88)

    I've been looking at mail systems for Appletalked Macs and have been sadly
disappointed with what is currently available, which is as far as I can tell:
    i)  Videx 
   ii)  Top Express
  iii)  InterMail
   iv)  InBox
If anyone knows of other programs, I'd appreciate knowing.

    I'm interested in being able to send multi-media messages, i.e. text with
various fonts, graphics, sound, animation, etc., a kind of cross between
Ready, Set, Go, HyperCard and VideoWorks II (BTW, does anyone know anything
about VideoWorks Interactive, the VW program that is supposed to interface to
HyperCard - is it available, price, etc.) from Mac to Mac over AppleTalk.

    I need to be able to transfer these messages, compressed would be nice, 
unattended or in the background, over one of the university nets like
Usenet or Bitnet.

    I've come across 2 leads & would appreciate any information and a contact:
    i)  A Mac mail program (Stanford) that provides MH functionality using a
        UNIX mail server.
   ii)  MacMessages, a Mac program that integrates with the Andrew Message
        System (CMU).  (If you know about Andrew, could you tell me if there
        is a group like INFO-ANDREW or something where things are discussed -
        I'd sure like to subscribe).

    Thanks.     Shmuel

rj0e+@ANDREW.CMU.EDU ("Richard A. Jones") (03/18/88)

Here is some information on MacMessages...

MacMessages is a (limeted) port of the Andrew Message program to the Macintosh
so students can send and recieve mail from their Macintosh.  It is unlikely
that it will be multi-media because the media that Messages is 'multi' in are
all Andrew specific. True, they could be ported, but it unlikely that it will
happen.  This will not give you the solution you seek as it will not work with
Mac programs.

One idea i have for a soln is using Appleshare drop boxes - there are ways to
have Atalk going over internets (Cayman and Kinetics boxes), so conceivably,
you could 'drag' a message (read document from Hypercard etc) into the drop box
- then the message/document goes across the net.  there are indeed limitations,
and i can discuss them further if anyone is really interested.

in sort though, MacMessages, though what you want in spirit, isn't quite what
you want in reality.

rick jones

please note - i am not a part of the Andrew Message Group.  my knowledge comes
from being a part of the student led group that put the thorn in their side to
get MacMessages going.  for more official information, you can send mail to
advisor@andrew.cmu.edu - he/she then can/may refer you to a member of the
Messages group