From: moose@svcdudes.com
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.announce
Subject: ANNOUNCEMENT: MicroPhone is shipping
Keywords: MPII MicroPhone NeXTstep SVD Studly Program
Date: 10 Sep 92 05:59:12 GMT
Reply-To: moose@svcdudes.com
Followup-To: poster
Organization: Software Ventures, Inc.

For Immediate Release 
Contact: Eileen Ebner
McLean Public Relations
415-358-8535
 
Paul P. Schmidman
Software Ventures
510-644-3232
 
SOFTWARE VENTURES SHIPS MICROPHONE PRO FOR NEXT -- POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS  
SOFTWARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR NEXTSTEP
 
Offers Interface Builder Support, Other Tools to Build Graphical Interfaces
 
Berkeley, Calif., Sept. 1, 1992 -- Software Ventures Corporation today  
announced that it is shipping MicroPhone(TM) Pro Version 1.0 for NeXT, the only  
commercially available communications software program that takes full  
advantage of the advanced features of the NeXTSTEP operating system, including  
Interface Builder, Drag and Drop, and Services.
 
MicroPhone Pro for NeXT gives NeXT computer users an unprecedented set of tools  
to transfer data, communicate with remote computers, build custom scripts and  
design graphical interfaces. One noteworthy example is Loran, a MicroPhone Pro  
settings document, which was created using a combination of MicroPhone Pro  
scripting tools and the NeXT Interface Builder. 
 
Loran gives users a consistent graphical front end, which shields them from  
unfriendly interfaces and arcane commands when communicating with remote hosts.  
Presently, Loran includes a graphical mail interface to CompuServe mail,  
Internet mail and Software Ventures' BBS. A single interface connects a user to  
all three.
 
MICROPHONE PRO SCRIPTING AND OTHER KEY FEATURES
AUTOMATE DAILY COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES
 
"Corporations look for the best computing platforms to accomplish tasks," said  
David Hindawi, president of Software Ventures. "The NeXT platform is an  
important, emerging platform for corporate sites. We've now developed  
MicroPhone for three platforms -- NeXT, Macintosh and Windows -- and  
incorporated script compatibility across them, which is very important for  
corporations with mixed environments."
 
MicroPhone Pro for NeXT automates communications, freeing users from memorizing  
log-in and navigation sequences to information services. Two innovative tools  
harness MicroPhone Pro's scripting power: 
 
* Watch Me. Records any communications action for later replay at the touch of  
a button. Users don't have to learn a single script command to build their own  
custom scripts.
* Built-in script editor. Offers users more than 300 prewritten commands and  
functions to create or edit scripts, simply by pointing and clicking. This  
eliminates script syntax errors.
 
MicroPhone Pro for NeXT supports the key features of the NeXTSTEP operating  
system. With NeXT Services, users can designate MicroPhone Pro to send and  
receive information directly from other applications. For example, Services  
could use MicroPhone Pro to send a page layout document to a type output bureau  
for printing. NeXTSTEP also includes spell checking capabilities so that users  
can ensure the accuracy of their messages before sending them.
 
With NeXTSTEP's Interface Builder and MicroPhone Pro's extensive script  
language, users have a complete set of tools to create custom front ends for  
communicating with remote computers. They can build simple log-in script files  
or sophisticated front ends like Loran. Software Ventures provides  
documentation and examples that permit users and value added resellers (VARs)  
to build custom front ends. 
 
Multi-session capability in MicroPhone Pro for NeXT allows interaction with  
more than one information service at a time. For example, users can automate  
MicroPhone Pro to download the day's stock quotes from the Dow Jones News  
Service and place the information in a spreadsheet, while retrieving messages  
from CompuServe and sending the weekly sales report to the head office. They  
can launch these scripts using the drag and drop capabilities of NeXTSTEP,  
dragging and dropping an iconized file onto MicroPhone Pro's Icon Bar.
 
MicroPhone Pro for NeXT implements a comprehensive set of file transfer  
protocols to send text, graphics and sound files -- anything stored on a NeXT  
computer can be quickly and reliably transmitted. Protocols supported include  
Text/ASCII, XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM and Kermit. Terminal emulation includes TTY,  
VT100, VT102 and VT220. 
 
By virtue of being a UNIX-based product, MicroPhone Pro for NeXT includes full  
TCP/IP support, allowing users to connect directly to a TCP/IP network, such as  
the Internet. "Having just introduced Telnet connectivity for our MicroPhone  
Pro for the Macintosh communications package, Software Ventures is poised to  
become a dominant force in the TCP/IP community, the fastest growing networking  
arena," Hindawi said. "We also intend to add TCP/IP connectivity to our Windows  
communications package."
 
OWNERS OF PRERELEASE VERSIONS OF MICROPHONE II
WILL RECEIVE FREE UPGRADES TO VERSION 1.0
 
Because of user demand, Software Ventures earlier this year offered prerelease  
versions of MicroPhone II for NeXT. Initial feedback allowed Software Ventures  
to incorporate several key features critical to NeXT users into the final 1.0  
release of MicroPhone Pro for NeXT, including:
 
* Kermit file transfer protocol.
* Remappable keyboards.
* International character sets.
 
MicroPhone Pro, version 1.0, for NeXT is available immediately through  
NeXTConnection and Software Ventures dealers and distributors.
Registered users of MicroPhone II 0.9 and 0.91, the prerelease versions, will  
receive version 1.0 at no charge. For further information, including corporate  
site licensing, contact Software Ventures at (510) 644-3232.
 
ABOUT SOFTWARE VENTURES CORPORATION
 
Founded in 1985 as a privately held corporation, Software Ventures Corporation  
of Berkeley, Calif., is the leading developer and supplier of interactive  
communications software and internetworking solutions for the most popular  
graphical environments. They include the Apple Macintosh, IBM PCs and  
compatibles running Microsoft Windows, and the NeXT workstation. Software  
Ventures also develops customized, private label versions of its programs for  
corporate environments. 
 
With a history of technological firsts, Software Ventures enjoys the largest  
installed base of communications software for the Macintosh. MicroPhone II for  
the Macintosh has won consecutive (1990-1992) World Class awards from Macworld  
and the first (1991) Target Award for telecommunications excellence from  
MacWeek. In the United States and Canada, Software Ventures markets MicroPhone  
products through Ingram Micro, Kenfil, Tech Data and Merisel distributors,  
dealers, Value Added Resellers and OEMs; worldwide distribution is through a  
network of international distributors.
 
###
 
For more information about Software Ventures and its products, call (510)  
644-3232 or fax to (510) 848-0885. MicroPhone is a trademark of Software  
Ventures Corporation. All other product names are trademarks or registered  
trademarks of their respective companies.