INTRODUCING BACKMAIL ********************* DATELINE: COMDEX LAS VEGAS, NOV. 12, 1988 ALETHIC SOFTWARE INTRODUCES A NEW KIND OF MICRO-COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS FOR IBM-PC & COMPATIBLES. NOW AVAILABLE AS SHAREWARE ON THIS SYSTEM. The Program *********** BackMail is a communications program. Ho hum? Well, it's a lot more than just that. You use BackMail to communicate with other people who have the program. It allows you to create your own personal electronic mail network. BackMail is a background (memory resident) program that sends and receives files, programs, and messages while you are using your computer to do whatever it is you usually do with it. In the background, it dials up people on your mail list and delivers your mail. It also answers your phone and collects mail from other BackMailers. BackMail doesn't interfere with the normal use of your phone for voice messages. Turn down the bell on your telephone and BackMail while you work; BackMail will ring the speaker on your computer when you get a voice call. BackMail keeps track of when the people on your mailing list are available to receive messages. If the line is busy, or there's no answer, BackMail will try again the next time that destination is available. All of this, in the background, automatically. BackMail is fast; you won't notice any slowdown in your foreground programs. You can forward letters, reply to messages, do bulk mailings. You can send or receive any file format. Your personal mailing list can contain over 1000 different phone numbers. Already have a flock of memory resident programs using up your RAM? Don't worry. BackMail uses only 35K of RAM (nope, that's not a misprint)! BackMail uses ordinary phone lines and standard (300, 1200 or 2400 Baud modems). It will communicate with anyone else who has the program. Because BackMail always knows it's talking to another BackMail, it is the simplest, most user friendly communications and file transfer package you've ever seen. You don't have to set "stop bits", "parity", "duplex", etc. etc.. How do the people you want to talk to get a copy of the program? Well, you can give them one. We encourage you to copy BackMail and give it away to anyone you like! BackMail is for business ************************ You can use BackMail to network your office, school or plant. There's no special hardware, no "hub machines", no cables to lay, no consultants to consult. For a few dollars per machine you can be sending memos, records and files over your inter-office lines the same day you get your copy. BackMail makes the electronic office a reality, now. Send electronic mail to people across town or across the continent. You can tell BackMail to send to long distance destinations at times that take advantage of long distance rates. You don't need dedicated data lines, don't have to pay telex charges and don't have to use the Fax just to send letters or memos. You don't have to subscribe to cumbersome computer networks or conduct your business correspondence by express couriers. Give copies of BackMail to your clients, customers and suppliers. (Remember you can make and give away as many copies as you like.) Place orders, make sales, advertise; deliver data, send reports... and never lick a stamp. Let a network reduce your paperwork. BackMail is for everyone ************************* For years, electronic bulletin boards have been the lifeline of the personal computer revolution. BackMail is the logical next step in that revolution. BackMail networking lets every user manage a personal electronic mail service. Give a copy to the members of your user group, club or organization. Distribute your newsletters, share software, conference, play games... do whatever you want; it's your network. How Much does it cost? ********************** We'll be distributing BackMail, free, through all of the normal routes by which you get shareware and freeware.. We're giving it away, and we invite you to do the same. Are we crazy? Nope. You see, BackMail is a form of shareware. If you like the program, you pay us for it by registering it with us. The registration fee is $30.00. Is it hard to register? Nope. In fact BackMail will take care of it for you. Just use BackMail to send us an electronic letter and make your payment by credit card. If you give someone a copy of the program, the registration fee is all they'll ever have to pay. Does that mean that the program won't work until you register? No. It will work even if you haven't registered (though it will remind you now and again of your moral obligations). And there are real benefits to registering. By registering, you'll become part of Project BackNet and will be able to receive new products, demos, and software directly over the phone through BackMail. Project BackNet ***************** BackMail is more than a program, it's a whole new concept in software publishing. When you register your copy of BackMail you become part of Project BackNet. We've already told you that BackMail can send and receive programs. That means that we (and you!) can use BackMail networks to market, sell and distribute software. As a member of the BackNet project you can send for and receive (via BackMail of course!) for our catalog that describes new software and services that are available through the project. If you want to order software, just BackMail us a note. Your BackMail will send the message to one of our 800 numbers and we'll deliver the software directly back to your machine. Place your order; go back to your work; the new software will be delivered to your disk drive without ever interrupting you. What sort of software will be available through the project? Well, in part, that's up to you. If you're a programmer who has written a nifty little utility, a terrific game or a useful programmer's tool, let us know about it. If we like it, we'll tell other BackMailers and, depending on your product, can either sell it directly for you or BackMail you their orders. If you're a software retailer or publisher, let us tell the members of the Project about your product or distribute your demos over BackMail. Or, just hang a BackMail onto your own 800 number and BackMailers will be able to place their orders with you 24 hours a day. No operators required! HOW TO GET IT *************** BackMail is currently in the public file area of this system. The package is contained in a file called BACKMAIL.ARC Posted on this system . When you have downloaded the program: 1. UNARC its Com files to the directory where you want its executable files to live (we suggest creating a directory called \BackMail but you can use an existing directory if you wish). 2. UNARC the TXT and DOC files in BACKMAIL.ARC 3. Read the Read.me file 4. Run BMCONFIG to configure the program for your system 5. Run BGROUND.COM to load BackMail 6. ALT-1 will bring up the BackMail Main Menu.