[comp.newprod] NEW 'BBS'/Message conferencing system available

karld@chinet.UUCP (Karl Denninger) (06/05/87)

Thu Jun  4 09:58:31 CDT 1987

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Macro Computer Solutions, Inc. is proud to announce our third-generation
message conferencing system, ERACS/UX.

ERACS/UX is a threaded conferencing package which provides the messaging
functions for a typical "bbs". Unlike most "bbs" packages, ERACS/UX keeps
all responses to an item with the original -- and displays only the new
information when a user accesses the item a second or subsequent time.

ERACS/UX contains all the functionality and simplicity of use you would
expect in a message management system, at a fraction of what you would
otherwise pay.

Multiple conferences, a simple command structure with help available at
every step, threaded responses, user-defined privileges and welcome
messages, and much more. Power without confusion. *This* is what ERACS/UX 
is about. Come discover the conferencing system that you had only dreamed
about.

And now the dream is affordable! ERACS/UX is now available at a special
introductory price of just $99.00, for Microport SYSV Unix. Coming soon for
Xenix and other Unices, contact MCS with your specific configuration for
details.

In combination with MCS MENUS, our menuing package, you can have a complete
user-friendly conferencing system at a very reasonable price.

Of course, ERACS/UX, like all our software products, comes with our famous
support and upgrade policy -- problems fixed *now*, enhancements (downloaded
via uucp or xmodem) free during the first 6 months, and of course our
friendly staff standing by if you should have a problem.

Call TODAY to find out how you can own the hottest new conferencing package
on the market -- ERACS/UX.

Macro Computer Solutions, Inc.
(312) 566-8910 (Voice)
(312) 566-8911 or (312) 566-8912 [Public access system, ERACS/UX is
				  running for your pleasure]


[[[[[ MAN page for ERACS/UX follows ]]]]]


     MENU(1)	    UNIX 5.0 (Macro Computer Solutions)	       MENU(1)



     NAME
	  ERACS/UX - a message conferencing system

     SYNOPSIS
	  bbs

     DESCRIPTION
	  ERACS/UX is Macro Computer Solutions'	message	conferencing
	  system.  ERACS/UX is a highly	sophisticated package
	  permitting multiple conferences, messages linked with	their
	  responses, easy browsing and perusal of the message base
	  contents, and	much more.

	  When the program is loaded, you will be shown	a summary of
	  the messages in the first conference,	the default. At	this
	  point	you may	enter any one of several commands to cause the
	  system to take action.

	  The first time you run ERACS/UX, and whenever	you enter a
	  new conference for the first time, files will	be created in
	  your home directory with a "." prefix. The file ".conflist"
	  may be edited	to reflect only	those conferences you wish to
	  see. All others should be left alone,	as they	are binary
	  summarys of your current knowledge.

	  Note that all	commands may be	abbreviated to uniqueness, and
	  assistance is	available at all multi-command points by
	  typing a "?" or "help".


     TOP LEVEL COMMANDS
	  !    - Shell escape, the remainder of	the command is passed
	  to the shell for execution. This can not be used if the bbs
	  is your login	shell.

	  Back - The conference	pointer	is reset to the	front of the
	  file,	effectively starting at	the top	of your	conference
	  list.

	  Catchup   - Mark all messages	and responses in the current
	  conference as	seen (requires confirmation, also repairs
	  damaged personal summary files).

	  Censor    - Requires two arguments, a	message	number and a
	  response. You	may not	censor the root	item, for that purpose
	  use "KILL". You must be the author of	the response to	CENSOR
	  it, and once censored	neither	you nor	anyone else can	see it
	  [except the fairwitness].

	  Fixsum    - Fixes the	summary	file for a conference in the
	  event	that it	becomes	damaged. Can only be executed by the
	  fairwitness.



     Page 1					      (printed 6/4/87)






     MENU(1)	    UNIX 5.0 (Macro Computer Solutions)	       MENU(1)



	  Help - Displays a screen containing this information.

	  Join - Join a	conference of your choosing (name may be
	  appended to command, it will be prompted for if omitted).

	  Kill - Kill a	message	you authored. You will be prompted for
	  the number if	it is not supplied.

	  Next - Go to the next	conference listed in your .conflist
	  file.

	  Post - Posts a new item to the system. You will be prompted
	  for your subject, then the lines of your text. The editor
	  defined as "EDITOR" in your environment will be used to edit
	  the message, if it exists, otherwise ERACS/UX	will use a
	  small	supplied utility, "tedit", for text entry.

	  Quit - Exits ERACS/UX.

	  Read - Optionally followed by	a list of message numbers,
	  reads	the message[s] off the conference in their entirety.
	  If the list is missing all new messages/responses are	shown.

	  Set  - Set a number of user and global options defined
	  below.

	  Summary   - Displays a summary of the	messages in this
	  conference.



     SET COMMANDS
	  "Set"	is a multi-command in that it takes multiple text
	  arguments. The options are:

	  Set CONFLIST	 - Edits your conference list.

	  Set NAME  - Sets your	"pseudonym" for	the remainder of
	  session.

	  Set WELCOME	 - Set the opening message (f/w	only)

	  Set FAIRWITNESS - Edit the fair witness file (S/U only)




     READ ACTION COMMANDS
	  Censor    -	 Censor	a response in the current item.
	  Requires that	a response number follow the keyword.

	  Help -    Display this list of choices.



     Page 2					      (printed 6/4/87)






     MENU(1)	    UNIX 5.0 (Macro Computer Solutions)	       MENU(1)



	  Respond   -	 Add something to the current item. You	will
	  be placed in the editor as with "post", but your response
	  will be added	to the current item.

	  Stop -    Stop reading messages (if you are executing	a
	  command which	reads multiple messages).

	  Pass -    Pass the current item, continue onward.

	  <Enter>   -	 Functionally equivalent to "Pass".


     DIAGNOSTICS
	  Various complaints if	ERACS/UX cannot	allocate memory	for
	  internal tables, and if required parameter information is
	  missing or files cannot be found.  Should be self-
	  explanatory.


     LIMITATIONS
	  The shell escape is inefficiently implemented	at present.


     BUGS
	  None yet!


     AVAILABILITY
	  Available for	SYSV Release 2.0 and up	systems	as well	as
	  some other Unices. Contact MCS using the infomation below if
	  you desire to	obtain a copy of this software for your	Unix
	  system.


     AUTHOR
	  Created Jun 4, 1987 by Karl Denninger	@ Macro	Computer
	  Solutions, Inc.

	  Copyright 1987 Macro Computer	Solutions, Inc.	& Karl
	  Denninger. All rights	reserved.

	  Macro	Computer Solutions, Inc.
	  415 S.E. Garfield
	  Mundelein, IL	 60060
	  (312)	566-8910 (Voice)










     Page 3					      (printed 6/4/87)



-- 
Karl Denninger				UUCP : ...ihnp4!ddsw1!karl
Macro Computer Solutions		Dial : +1 (312) 566-8912 (300-2400)
"Quality systems at a fair price"	Voice: +1 (312) 566-8910 (24 hrs)