karl@ddsw1.MCS.COM ([Karl Denninger]) (11/08/88)
[Note: This posting supersedes the previous copy. Please redistribute to
any and all systems which you feel would profit from this information!]
AKCS V6 (tm)
The Future in Computer Conferencing is here today.
AKCS is a threaded conferencing package with extraordinary versatility, ease
of use, performance, and support. Operating on nearly all modern Unix (tm)
systems, AKCS is the answer to your computer conferencing needs, whether you
be a corporate or individual user, for profit or not.
Designed for excellent performance on a small Unix or Xenix machine, AKCS is
willing to work for you on all sizes of computers. From the small 80286
system to the largest Amdahl or VAX, AKCS and MCS deliver an outstanding
value for your investment.
AKCS, like all MCS software products, comes with our famous support and
upgrade policy -- problems are attended to *now*, enhancements (downloaded
via uucp or xmodem) are free during the first 6 months, and our competent
technical support staff is standing by should you have questions about the
product. Some recent examples of our dedication to this product and our
customers:
AKCS is currently at Version 5.9.8(Beta). We have shipped five
significant updates in the last year -- more than many other firms
issue in the space of four years! MCS *does* listen to the end-user
-- and more importantly, we RESPOND. In recent releases we have added:
o The full-screen context environment, allowing the user
to view the context of an item while composing a response
for Email or public posting. Operates on all
curses-supported terminals.
o Direct mail reply capability, with the system routing
the return mail (requires smail installation). Users pick
the recipient from a list generated by AKCS, and are
allowed the use of the full-screen editor while composing
their reply.
o An internal "options" screen for easy user configuration.
o A "find" command for extremely rapid searches of the
posting database by subject or keyword (including booleans).
o User-defined item and response header format, which can
be set differently for each conference user.
o The external-program interface and redefinable command
lists, complete with security information.
o Many other enhancements and changes; too many to list.
o And of course, the USENET interface software.
A recent example of our "bug fix" policy:
o A customer found a non-fatal, but very annoying problem
with the intersite linkage in AKCS V5.5. Within 48 hours
of the initial report, the bug was located, eradicated,
the subsequent build was tested, and new versions (V5.5.1)
were distributed to affected customers.
Other firms promise support and updates. MCS delivers, in spades,
without breaking your budget.
Today you can easily afford this kind of support for your conferencing
software. MCS is always willing to listen to and act on your suggestions as
an AKCS user or system administrator.
You deserve nothing less than the best. MCS and AKCS deliver it to your door
and modem's RS-232 interface every time.
Key features of AKCS V6 are:
o NEW for V6 - full-screen editor support, with context display, for users
who have cursor-mapped terminals. AKCS automatically determines the
usability of the terminal and initializes it's editor full-screen
if your terminal is capable of handling this mode. Your user-defined
item and response separator formats are preserved while viewing the
context window, and the locations and sizes of these windows are
configurable as well.
o NEW for V6 - the ability to reply to postings from networked sites by
mail is now included. For the user who doesn't know about (or
understand) Unix mail systems, the reply procedure is menu driven and
extremely easy to follow. Requires that the item or response have been
posted with a V6 or later version, or that item/response will not appear
as a valid choice on the "mail" menu. Users composing replies for
delivery by mail will also receive the use of the full-screen context
environment if their editor is set appropriately.
o NEW for V5.5 -- Now linked with the Usenet! Your conferencing system can
be automatically fed from a netnews neighbor (or an operating netnews
site at your location), and responses and new items will be posted back
to the net if desired. This allows you to use AKCS as a high-power
Usenet organizer! An expiration option in the AKCS software deletes a
discussion item when no followups have occurred in a specified number of
days -- allowing you to keep active discussions as long as there is
interest. Both unidirectional and bidirectional links are fully
supported, and take full advantage of AKCS' integral loop detection and
message organization capabilities. (NOTE: Articles without a proper
"References" line (if they are followups) will not be processed properly!
o Unequaled captive login and enhanced security features allow you to set
up a complete multiuser system with conferencing, file up/down load,
chat (multiuser real-time communications) and any desired external programs
without the need to assign user shell accounts. AKCS manages all aspects
of creation of these ids and the maintenance involved. Multiuser 'chat'
software and a newuser signup program which creates normal unix login id's
are provided in source form at no additional charge. Complete control
over conference membership is simple with our "allowed/denied" processing.
In addition, moderated and read-only conferences are supported for those
customers who need these features. One-finger "expire" processing for
captive users allows you to prune your user database of old callers with
almost no effort.
o AKCS commands, help screens and main command prompts may be redefined
by the system administrator, and new external commands may be added or
deleted as desired. Customize your system to suit YOUR needs and desires.
Detailed information is provided to customers on request so they may insure
that a captive login remains secure.
o Conferences link with any number of other AKCS sites, for a fully networked
solution. Now you can share your conferences with other Unix(tm) sites!
o Fully multi-user, with multiple system links being transparent to the user.
AKCS supports up to 2000 active threads per conference, with no limit to
the number of conferences -- you are limited only by available disk space.
(this limit can be increased on request for all except certain Intel 80286
systems which have a few fixed limitations).
o Maintenance commands from the main menu permit a 'fairwitness' to rebuild
critical system files without any training in AKCS internals. A
full-screen maintenance program is provided as well, and allows the AKCS
administrator(s) to add and delete conferences, configure links, and impose
or lift restrictions on the usage of conference(s), as well as maintain the
captive user accounts. There is no need to manually search directories for
affected files; the 'point and shoot' interface makes it a snap.
o Easy installation instructions and an on-line manual page as well as
on-line help are available at every point; use of the system is easy for
both the novice and the experienced user.
o An 'options' screen is provided in AKCS which allows users to customize the
operation of AKCS to suit their needs, including message header format
and verbosity level, as well as the specification of an external pager
(non-captive users only).
o Interfaces with our companion product, ELBS, providing file Up/Download
access in an easy-to-use and understand format. ELBS can run in either a
full-screen or text mode, depending on the user's terminal capabilities.
ELBS permits either unrestricted or quota-based Up/Download.
o Source code is available; call or write for information.
AKCS users are also eligible to receive any or all of our currently linked
conferences, providing you are willing to poll our organizations' equipment.
We have several conferences which are of wide-area interest available on
request to all AKCS sites.
AKCS is available NOW for the following system configurations:
o SCO Xenix/286 and /386
o Microport Unix SysV/286 and /386
o AT&T 3b1 and 3b2 series systems
MCS will port to other Unix configurations on a time-and-materials basis if
desired -- contact us if you wish to inquire about a specific system
configuration. We are also willing to license the Source Code to qualified
firms.
BUY *NOW* to beat any possible increase -- and get the highest performance,
best supported conferencing solution available anywhere -- at any price!
AKCS V5-V6 Binary License Pricing:
System Class Binary Price Annual Support
(Letter, examples) (Including utilities) (First 6 mos. included)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* A - 80286, AT&T 7300/3b1 $149.00 $49.00
B - "AT" '386, 3b2/310,
Microvax-II $249.00 $49.00
C - 3b2/400, UVax 3800,
Vax 11/780 $499.00 $99.00
D - Vax 8600 series, 8800,
large Amdahls, etc. $999.00 $199.00
AKCS V5 Source License Pricing:
Unix System V, DEC Ultrix $2,499 $500.00
+ Porting Charges
* (Special promotional binary price; available for a limited time only)
Support includes bug fix and suggestion handling by telephone or email, as
well as the right to receive updates to the software as they become
available with only a nominal media/shipping charge imposed. Media and
handling charges are waived if the updates are picked up electronically.
To order or for more information, contact MCS today.
Macro Computer Solutions, Inc.
415 South East Garfield Avenue
Mundelein, IL 60060
(312) 566-8910
For a complete live demonstration of AKCS call our computer system by modem at:
(312) 566-8911 or (312) 566-8912 24-hour modem access at 300-2400 baud