From: spector@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: AppleNET 1.5a (info)
Date: 8 Nov 92 07:56:00 GMT
Organization: Concordia University
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41


  I'm about to send the long-awaited AppleNET 1.5a archives to the
comp.binaries.apple2 newsgroup, so please read the following message
from it's author if you intend on downloading it. Question should be
sent to Derek Fong: dfong@cam.org

(I'll be cross-posting this to c.b.a2 before the actual binscii'd files)

---

From: Derek Fong (and the rest of the AppleNET programming group)
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 92 23:10:12

To: All who download AppleNET v1.5a or previous versions

        Thanks for downloading AppleNET v1.5a.  Bear in mind that if you're
new to AppleNET, you probably won't be able to run this as-is.  AppleNET 1.5a
requires ModemWorks 2.1 -- NO OTHER VERSION WILL WORK!  ModemWorks 2.1 is
available from the Morgan Davis Group.  However, since the most recent
version of ModemWorks is v3.0, getting v2.1 may be a problem.  But, I have
heard from some new AppleNET sysops that Morgan has made special arrangements
to get them v2.1.  I don't doubt Morgan's continued generosity (and service
to the Apple II community), but I know that going to the trouble of shipping
out copies of v2.1 to new customers may be a pain for him, and that's why
we're working to try and get a new, improved version of AppleNET out.
Something COMPLETELY written by the "new group"...

        AppleNET v1.5a, as you may or may not know, was not completely
written by me.  As a matter of fact, the only reason I have any claim to it
is because my name appears as its author.  AppleNET is, and has always been,
a collective effort of other sysops who have contributed what they thought
was a neat addition to AppleNET.  The AppleNET authors then decided whether
to make those changes standard in future revisions.

        However, my entrance into the AppleNET world was only fairly recent.
A little history of AppleNET here (no exact dates...sorry!), as I believe it.
AppleNET was originally started by Kevin D'Haeze in 1988-1989 as a school
project.  He continued to support AppleNET until version 1.3e, around 1989.

        AppleNET was then picked up by Larry "WESTARK" Edwards, who took
AppleNET and released version 1.3f-1.4a.  WESTARK BBS was then opened up to
support AppleNET sysops, both current and future.  Unfortunately, Larry
Edwards died after the release of v1.4a, and AppleNET fell into a state of
stagnation between then and November 1991.  That's where I come in...

        I was asked by one of AppleNET's early authors (Erik Kloeppel) to
release the version I had at my BBS.  I had originally started the BBS with
AppleNET v1.4a back in 1990, but had made a considerable number of changes,
bug fixes, and other minor improvements.  However, in heart, it was still
AppleNET v1.4a, and that's clearly evident in the code and the operation of
the program.

        Now that I look back on the release of 1.5 and 1.5a, I realize that
the release was somewhat "rushed", and the quality of the overall program
probably could've been better.  Still, it works, people have told me they
like the program, and many do use it.  Don't get me wrong -- it's a great BBS
program, but it could be a lot better, which is why..................

        ....AppleNET v2.0 is under production!  This version had been planned
quite a while ago, back to 1990 when Larry was still working on AppleNET.
That version (2.0) has now become synonymous in the AppleNET world with
something great happening to AppleNET, and I intend to keep with that.

        Being a completely new version, I've decided to rewrite the whole
AppleNET BBS system from the ground up.  No code from the original will
appear in AppleNET v2.0, new file formats have been created, and overall
performance has been increased drastically (from what we have right now).

        Among the newer features of AppleNET v2.0 are: X/Y/Zmodem support,
faster userlog searches, a faster message system, a more powerful files
system, more flexibility with system events, and a powerful new menu system.
There will also be more "bells and whistles" (this is what many have asked
for), and it will also support ProTERM Special, ANSI, and standard TTY.

        And, in keeping with tradition, AppleNET v2.0 will be easy to modify
and customize.  Everything is written in Applesoft BASIC.

        Networking is definitely something we've got in mind for AppleNET.
I've personally got my heart set on making AppleNET Internet-compatible, but
we've run into a couple of obstacles.  If you're knowledgeable with the
Internet, and know specifics, please get in touch with us at one of the
sources listed below.

        If the Internet option bombs completely, we're considering Fidonet as
a backup.  This network is much easier to link into, and is an established
network -- not as big as the Internet, but still well-worth it.

        As well, whether EITHER of those options goes through or not, we do
have plans for an Internet-based (ok, ok, Internet-lookalike) proprietary
network for AppleNET v2.0+, Prime BBS, and possibly Warp 6 BBSes (if Jim Ferr
gets in touch with us).  Mailers will probably be written to extend support
of our network to other systems (eg: IBM BBSes, etc.).  It won't be big, but
it'll be something nonetheless...

        Again, if you are knowledgeable in the Internet, and know specifics,
please get in touch with us!


Contact me at one (or more!) of the following places, in order of preference:

                        Eagle-Eyes' Emporium BBS
                             (514) 337-8844
                           300/1200/2400 bps
                   We are now the AppleNET flagship!

GEnie's A2 Roundtable:

 Type "m645;1" at any GEnie prompt to get to the A2 BB.
 Once there, "Set 41" to go to Category 41.  We provide AppleNET support in
 Topics 1 to 3.  Don't be shy to post us a question, comment, or anything!
 My GEmail address is M.POTTER4.

Snail Mail:

                               Derek Fong
                         1837 St. Germain Blvd.
                          St. Laurent, Quebec
                            H4L 3S9  Canada

Internet (not recommended): dfong@cam.org

 I don't particularly recommend this option because I don't know how long
 I'll have the account.  It's quite expensive for an unemployed student to
 keep paying (month after month) for Internet access, and my account may be
 gone even as you read this!

----------------
 Again, if you are knowledgeable with the Internet, PLEASE get in touch with
 us!  We need specifics, and are quite new to the Internet itself, and any
 help is greatly appreciated.  If possible, it's preferred that you contact
 us on GEnie, either in the A2 RT (preferable) or GEmail (free).

---

Mitchell Spector
spector@vax2.concordia.ca