From: steve@thelake.mn.org (Steve Yelvington)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: mega ste price
Date: 15 Apr 92 14:11:06 GMT
Article-I.D.: thelake.A1231231119

[In article <1992Apr14.233632.8797@actrix.gen.nz>,
     Roger.Sheppard@bbs.actrix.gen.nz writes ... ]

 > What a load of Crap, most of that software you list is no longer supported,
 > and Flash II is not even out yet, Signum III is in German the ICD utils
 > only work with ICD hosts, is this the best you can do...???


Flash II is available. Here is a press release from its publisher.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Missionware Software is proud to annouce the introduction Flash II.  
Details for ordering this new program will be found at the end of this
press release, along with some other useful information!
 
Here's a list of just a few of the new features to be found in
Flash II:
 
*       DO scripts are enhanced.  Old script files continue to work
        with new features added for support of Flash II's new features.
 
*       DO scripts are no longer needed, however, for automating your
        logon process.  All board parameters are now set via dialogs.
        These parameters are saved in the board configuration file
        and automatically configure Flash II when the board is
        activated.
 
*       Now permits the use of up to 30 function key macros.  10
        macros are considered global, and are accessed by holding
        down the Control key and F1 thru F10 keys.  The other 20
        macros can be programmed separately for each board and are
        accessed with the unshifted and shifted function keys.  The
        macros automatically load when the board is activated.
 
*       Flash II can be used to display, either on- or off-line RLE
        and GIF pictures.  (Particularly handy on CIS which permits
        the use of online graphics viewing.)
 
*       Includes a new Review Mode.  Save your online session to disk
        and later review it as if you were online!
 
*       Supports the following terminal emulations:  TTY, VIDTEX,
        VT52, ANSI, VT100, VT101, VT102, VT200, VT300 & Prestel.
 
*       Supports ST, IBM and DEC characters sets.
 
*       Flash II is designed to work on any ST or TT, in any
        resolution, from 80 to 132 columns, and 24, 29 or 48 lines.
 
*       A new type ahead buffer is included.  It supports up to three
        lines of text which is fully editable using the cursor,
        delete and backspace keys.  The [Return] key and [Enter] key
        perform different functions, depending on the configuration.
        One can be used to enter forced carriage returns into your
        message, the other is used to send the message.
 
*       You can configure the amount of memory you wish Flash II to
        grab at startup.  Older versions of Flash grabbed everything
        available.  With multitasking on the horizon, you don't
        necessarily want to do that.  You can continue to <Free>
        unwanted memory once in the program.
 
*       Includes command support for an automatic answer mode.
 
*       New, full-featured GEM text editor with more flexible block
        commands (you can now start and end blocks anywhere in a
        line), cut & paste commands, search & replace function,
        paragraph reformatting, user tab settings and page widths,
        automatic word wrap & text wrap modes, and much more.
 
*       The editor now permits you to select the type of display mode
        desired.  Whereas older version of Flash always displayed
        carriage returns, you can now turn those on or off, as well
        as all other control characters.
 
*       Almost all menu functions have keyboard equivalents, such as
        Alt-L to "Load" a file.  Where appropriate, these keyboard
        equivalents match the terminal mode keyboard equivalents.
 
*       Includes Silent Line, a new background file transfer program
        (replaces "Shadow").
 
*       Internally supports the following protocols:  ASCII, Xmodem,
        Ymodem, Ymodem-G, Zmodem, Modem7, WXModem, CIS B+, Kermit,
        SEAlink, and Telesoftware (for Discovery/Prestel systems).
 
*       Includes a new "Statistics" feature.  Keeps track of all of
        your online time and upload/download information, and
        calculates your fees based on the BBS' rates.
 
*       Includes built-in timing functions.  Flash II will autostart
        an online session using this timer.
 
*       Includes a totally rewritten, 226 page manual, fully indexed
        along with a table on contents.  The manual includes a
        tutorial, detailed section on all functions of the program,
        and a 50-page section explaining (with examples) the DO
        script language.
 
Here's the deal for ordering your copy.  We'll accept orders for Flash
II using any of the following methods:  

1)  For outright purchases (meaning you aren't going to upgrade from
an older version), the price is $49.95 US plus $4 shipping and
handling.  You can order via:
 
        a)  Telephone:  708-359-9565.  If we don't answer, just leave
the following information on the machine and we'll process your
order:  VISA or MasterCard number, Expiration Date, Name, Address,
City, State, ZipCode, and phone number.  Your charge card will be
billed on the day we ship (which may not be on the day the order is
received, but it *will* be within a day or two!  :-).  If you want us
to call you back to confirm the order before it is place, please note
that on your message.
        b)  Mail:  Your can, of course, mail order your copy of Flash
II.  We'll accept VISA or MasterCard, with the information included
as noted above, or you can send a check or money order (in US funds
please) in with your order.  Please do NOT send cash.  Although I
don't mind receiving cash in the mail, it's really not a safe thing
to do.
        c)  Email:  Email orders to J.TRAUTSCHOL will be accepted as
if it were a telephone order.  Naturally, you must use a charge card
for payment.  I'll confirm your order also via Email, and will not
charge to your card until we actually ship.
 
2)  To upgrade from ANY old version of Flash, you must send us your
old Flash disk as proof of ownership.  It will be returned to you.
Since we need to see proof of ownership for upgrades, you'll have to
do the mail order thing here.  Upgrades are $30 US plus $4 shipping
and handling.  You can pay using either check, money order (in US
funds) or VISA and MasterCard.  When upgrading, you receive *exactly*
the same package as those who pay the full amount.
 
For mail orders, our address is:
 
        Missionware Software
        354 N. Winston Drive
        Palatine, Illinois 60067-4132 USA
 
For those of you that sent me your address, you'll be receiving a
newletter soon (I hope) with basically the same information in it as
posted above.  I'm starting to work on that information sheet now,
and once it's done and I get the mailing labels printed, I'll get it
sent out...hopefully within a week.
 
We're working on a demo version which we'll post on the various 
bulletin boards as soon as we can.  The demo will be as functional as
we can make it, and will be time limited for your online time, and
will probably prevent you from saving some files.  Again, as soon as
we can get it done, I'll get it posted here for you.  I know you're
all anxious to play with the program.

One other thing.  Since Flash II is a brand new program, newly written
from the ground up, we figure you'll find some problems that our beta
testers missed.  Because of that, we'll be offering a free maintenance
upgrade about 3 to 4 months down the road for all current owners. 
You'll need to ship us your master disk.  We'll put the new software
on it, and ship it back to you at no cost.  If the upgrade can be done
by posting a patch program, then we'll do it that way.  In any case,
we want to make sure that all of your problems, if any, are resolved
as quickly as possible so that we can move on to the many enhancements
already on the list of "things to do" for future upgrades.

Also, if anyone has a special requirement of some sort, or runs into
a problem with, say, a terminal emulation mode, we'll try to get you
on as a beta tester for future upgrades.  That way we'll be certain
to get fixed whatever problem you run into.
 
Again, thanks for your interest an patience.  We'll process your
orders as quickly as we can, as well as answer your questions to the
best of our ability.  We're trying to get the author of the program,
Paul Nicholls, on GEnie.  However, for those of you on CIS, Paul is
there already.  We'll be setting up support for the product there as
well.
 
                                                John Trautschold
                                              Missionware Software
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st