Copyright: ® 1997 Roger Lee Heath


Contents
introduction to activator client/server

advanced internet connectivity management system

Activator Valuable Internet Applications

Activator Database/Server Help

Activator DialUp Client Help

Free Evaluation of Activator!

How to Contact Us

Exit this Introduction Utility

activator client/server - an internet traffic-cop?

Activator(tm) is a client/server system designed to remotely manage user internet connections and control loadup of predesignated content! With the Activator(tm) Database/Server you may manage BOTH Unix and NT based PPP connections from just one server! This includes centralized realtime controls for managing users access, security, disconnection, loadup of content, quality control, and accounting using one standard MS-Access users database. This server runs completely independent of all the Unix and NT PPP dialup servers but acts as a stand alone 'traffic cop' displaying and managing them all.

The Activator(tm) client is also a substantial enhancement to DUN (Dial Up Networking) in Windows95 and NT4 providing for 'one click' connection to the Internet. The DUN client then communicates with its host Activator Server for interactive support from the system administrator. The administrator may also direct loadup of 'push' content in the form of a prespecified webpage or the award winning Excalibur interactive content system.  The client dialer program even makes and edits multiuser dialup passwords or accounts that independently controls select users access and times of access to the internet, so both businesses and families can manage security and productivity.

All of this is performed via a unique encrypted and secure client 'key' file, produced on the Database/Server by the ISP or system administrator, that, when placed on the client, fully automates access controls and both the setup and login processes! With this arrangement, the administrator may customize and secure the customer's dialup even for loadup to a specified webpage or interactive content.

activator database/server feature summary:

•	Displays all users 'who's online' with date, time and IP number

•	User record database dialog to make and customize all user individual information, dialup, push, and database settings

•	'Make Key' feature makes encrypted key files to fully automate user setup, dialup connection, and push technology routines.  This key file may also enable multiuser passworded accounts to be created on the client for access and times of access controls for business associates or family members

•	expiration date feature asks user to resubscribe for ten days then when account expires, user's internet access is auto-disabled. this is one of Activator's most powerful ISP features as ISPs may finally issue free trial access keys to users that stimulate real subscriptions and revenues!

•	graphical database records grid to rapidly sort, locate, and manage individual user accounts for editing, refreshing, or updating

•	key loads user to any prespecified webpage for support or personal or business purposes with the default web browser

•	auto-disconnects duplicate user login connections reducing abuse

•	left click on user connected displays that user's database information

•	right click user in server to ping, traceroute, send popup message, or disconnect users with realtime controls

•	accumulates total minutes online total and monthly in each user record for billing

•	complete day by day logging of connections and associated IPs to trace abuse like spamming and archiving prior made connection records including view current log displays current day's connections log

•	key specified loadup of Excalibur EIS16 client for content 'push' and user interaction

•	PPP Dialup field for key autoinstalls best recommended dialup number on new client installs

•	URL to Load field to specify URL to load after connection

•	account disabled database on/off switch implemented

•	turn on/off of all key 'push' loadup implemented

•	user last-on time and date now placed in user database record

•	year 2000 database compliance

activator dialup client feature summary:

•	one click dialup and connection to the internet

•	controls access by making multiple user internet dialup passworded accounts with built-in controls for security and even the times of the day permitted for each user's internet access for business associates and parents or family members

•	automatically redial if a disconnection occurs

•	eliminates need to regularly ping a server to stay connected

•	stay-on-top dialing display for secure connection and controlled 'push' loadup

•	built-in FTP client system for easy fast files access

•	built-in Stock Quotes system for quick market quotes and graphs

•	button keyboard counterparts installed for automated dialup scripting

•	quick server signaling of client close or disconnect for precise database online times updating

•	client now fits on just two floppy disks and performs automated user internet access key file installation and reduces or eliminates need for expensive cdrom installs

•	key specified loadup of Excalibur EIS16 client for interactive isp content 'push'

•	client displays 'connected as' machine IP number assigned

Activator(rm) is (C)opyright 1997 by Roger Lee Heath   All rights reserved. Patent Pending.
Certain parts of Activator(tm) are Patent Pending by Jack McMorris

Activator(tm) is a trademark by Roger Lee Heath.
R. Lee Heath, 2555 Victor Avenue, Suite 602, Glenview, IL 60025-4866
Tel: 847-729-7522  Fax: 847-729-9719 E-mail: activator@wyndows.com
Activator(tm) WebPage: http://www.wyndows.com/activator


Apps
valuable internet recommended applications

Here are a few of the applications which Activator Client/Server is useful:

built-in multiuser internet access self-controls

Each Activator client contains a standalone multiuser internet access accounting system. With this dialer businesses, families, or parents may literally setup multiple client passworded login accounts. Each account has it's very own login name and secret password, but ALSO controls not only that user's access, but also the time range that user may be permitted to access the internet!

With this exclusive feature security and productivity may finally be managed. Businesses can disable each computer's access completely during select hours of the day and enable it for specified users only for use at specified times or tasks. In the home, each family member may have their very own login and password. Parents may use this feature to make sure children set aside time for homework, rest, and timely activities.

Perhaps Activator is the only cure for internet addiction?

business productivity management

Activator(tm) allows businesses to quickly and remotely manage employees access to internet dialups and may control loadup of default browser directly to the company's internet website or special web page for specified online activities overriding the browser's settings. This may be ideal for proprietary software distribution as well.

Businesses may also track their employee's total 'time-online' to be sure time is invested in a productive fashion. All connections and connection's times are logged for reference and archiving. Tracking may occur on one central server even if a firm has multiple dialups or use large national or international isps, regardless of employee's logins worldwide.

In addition, businesses may establish their very own 'AOL-like' graphical interactive communications system! (See EXCALIBUR EIS16 below)

isp or business 'instant' connections installs

With Activator(tm) ISPs may offer instant customized access programs with 'keyed' login disks for instant internet trial promotions or purchased access. Installs may auto install login password and best dialup number and manage dialup setup all in one simple user install procedure on just two floppy disks saving expensive cdrom installs. Dialup accounts may be presetup with auto accounts expiration for all Unix and NT PPP dialup servers no matter where they are located.

wholesale isp connections management

Activator(tm) allows ISPs, Internet Consultants, and BBS systems to intercontract with each other for expanded services and putting their systems or services up on a planetary access basis on the internet! Any one with a dedicated connection and a Win95 or NT server can setup and manage PPP connections, and push loadup on a global scale with the Activator(tm) system no matter where users log in.

higher security and spam control

Activator(tm) disconnects duplicate user logins significantly reducing abuse and increasing revenues or sales of individual dialup accounts. Encrypted login and password information assures  better security for users accounts. All connections are logged into daily text files providing full traceability of users, ips, connection times for followup and antispam policy enforcement.Accounts that expire are automatically disabled independent of dialup server's settings, but not without prior warning to users for ten days, giving them 'friendly time' to resubscribe.

reducing support costs

Frees the user from most connection setup hassles with a 'one click' connectibility to the Internet, and it frees the ISP from many related technical support, account security, and management expenses. Also, the Activator(tm) client fits on just two floppies and auto installs the user access key file reducing the needs for expensive cdrom programs. Access key may even trigger the user to automatically load to a support web page for current news and download of the latest internet utilities or files that would otherwise be outdated on an isp cdrom based install system.

centralized accounting and billing

No matter what group of Unix or NT servers are used the Activator(tm) Database/Server continuously displays all their logged in users regardless of their local login location worldwide and gives the ISP user notification and disconnection or access control independent of RAS Server or what ever PPP dialup server is used! The database is a standard MS-Access database with fields for fully automating billing by 'Rate Program' and 'Bill Date'. Total online time in minutes is updated with each user connection.

connections quality controls

The client and server also continuously test the quality of the connection and disconnects the user queing him to redial if the connection is unusable or has failed. This can be used to address pertinent connection quality issues if they exist. At any point any user may be pinged or trace routed to assess the connection's quality or viability.

'AOL-like' GUI interactive support system

Activator(tm) is a 'PPP Gateway' TO Excalibur based systems making the Excalibur Client 'push' technology. When an 'Activator(tm) Account' is established for a user, he clicks once, and Activator(tm) performs the entire PPP and then tcp/ip login process! This also breaks the 8-node barrier of EIS16 servers enabling setup of an unlimited amount of nodes on any one EIS16 server! The client makes use of standard Windows winsocks, virtually eliminating existing gateway winsocks compatibilities and throughput problems.

Excalibur may also be used for primary installation of the Activator(tm) client and related keys and scripts. A plugin already exists for automated access key install. EIS16 makes for full user interaction capabilities  including chat, latest utility downloads, fully automated software installs, and seperate private e-mail exchange, giving ISPs, or even businesses, a fully functional 'AOL-Like' graphical interactive support communications system.

Excalibur is Windows Magazine's best of 100 apps of 1995 supplying a full GUI BBS based isp or a business support system.

Ezcalibur is a trademark of Excalibur Communications Inc. Windows95 and WindowsNT are trademarks of Microsoft.


Contacts
how to contact us for a free evaluation

Free evaluation database server registrations are available. Just visit our web page and fill out the request form and a registration number will be forwarded to you. http://www.wyndows.com/activator

You may contact us at:

R. Lee Heath
2555 Victor Avenue, Suite 602
Glenview, Illinois 60025-4866 USA

Telephone: 847-729-7522
Fax: 847-729-9719

Excalibur tcp/ip: @activator.wyndows.com
Excalibur bbs: 847-729-2902

E-Mail: activator@wyndows.com
Web: http://www.wyndows.com/activator


Address

In online terms this commonly refers to a particular machine or computer system connected to the Internet. Machine 'addresses' exist on the Internet for servers for e-mail sending and receiving, web page or web site access, and almost everything functioning on the Internet.


ARQ

Automatic Repeat Request. A general term for error control protocols featuring hardware detection and retransmission of defective data. This term is used primarily by US Robotics.


ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Exchange.  A 7-bit binary code representation of letters, numbers and special characters. It is universally supported in computer data transfer.


Asynchronous

Asynchronous - Data transmission in which the actual data is preceded by a start bit and followed by a stop bit since the time between transmitted characters varies. Compare Synchronous.


Auto Answer

The modem feature which enables detection of a ring and answering  without assistance from a program.


Baud Rate

The number of discrete signal events per second occurring on a communications channel. It is often referred to as Bits per second (BPS) which is technically inaccurate but widely accepted.


Baud

The number of discrete signal events per second occurring on a communications channel. It is often referred to as Bits per second (BPS) which is technically inaccurate but widely accepted.


BBS

Bulletin Board System


Bit

Binary Digit. A single basic computer signal consisting of a value of 0 or 1, off or on.


bps

Bits Per Second - refers to the speed at which a modem can transmit data


Browser

Commonly refers to an Internet Browser like Netscape or MS-Internet Explorer where you may 'browse' the World Wide Web as if it were one big book of infromation to read and view!


Buffer

A memory area used for temporary storage during input/output operations.


Bulletin Board System

A host system, into which callers may dial with their modems to read and send electronic mail, upload and download files, and chat online with other callers.


Byte

A group of Bits acted upon as a group, which may have a readable ASCII value as a letter or number or some other coded meaning to the computer. It is commonly used to refer to 8-bit groups. 1 kilobyte = 1,024 bytes; 64K = 65,536 bytes or characters.


Cafe

Popular today are Internet Cafe's where one may go and dine and also play on the Internet.


Carrier

A continuous frequency capable of being either modulated or impressed with another information-carrying signal. Carriers are generated and maintained by modems via the transmission lines of  the telephone companies.


CCITT

A French acronym for the International Telephone and Telegraph Consultative Committee. This international organization defines the standards for telephone equipment such as the Bell 212A standard for 1200 baud, CCITT V.22 for 2400 baud and CCITT V.32 for 9600 baud.


Chat

Refers to a service provided by many online systems where users may communicate realtime in an interactive conversation by typing messages to other users in the chat 'channel'


Client System

Another word for the callers (users) computer calling the BBS.


Client

Another word for the callers (users) computer calling the BBS.


Conference

An area of public messages on a Bulletin Board System, usually with a particular topic and, often, a conference host or moderator to guide the discussion. Also called Folder, SIG (for "Special Interest Group") or Echo.


CPS

Characters Per Second. A transfer rate estimated from the bit rate and length of each character. If each character is 8 bits long and includes a start and stop bit for Asynchronous transmission, each character needs 10 bits to be sent. At 2400 baud it is transmitted at approximately 240 CPS.


CRC

Cyclical Redundancy Check. An error-detection technique consisting of a cyclic algorithm performed on each "block" of data at the sending and receiving end of the transmission. As each block is received, the CRC value is checked against the CRC value sent along with the block. Many protocols including XMODEM-CRC and ARQ will request a resend until the block is received correctly.


Cyberspace

A term coined by novelist William Gibson to describe the world of data created by million of computers worldwide


Data Compression Protocols

Compression of data by the modem allows more information to be  transferred in a shorter time frame. Protocols for data compression include CCITT V.42bis and MNP 5,


Data Transmission Protocols

These are standards for modulation and transmission of data at various speeds. The standards are Bell 103 & V.21 for 300bps, Bell 212A & V.22 for 1200bps, V.22bis for 2400bps, V.32 for         9600bps and V.32 bis for 14,400bps. Proprietary protocols are also used extensively for higher baud rates.


DLL

Dynamic Link Library - very similar to an actual computer program which runs as software on a PC, but a DLL is usually run or loaded as a part of an regular computer program.


Download

Receiving a file from a Bulletin Board System, using a terminal program (for example QModem or Excalibur Terminal) and a transfer protocol (for example Zmodem).


Driver

A driver is software that works in conjunction with the particular hardware or device on your computer. Drivers are used for video displays, modems, hard-drives, mouse, and almost every device. If you have an old driver or an improper driver the device might not work properly or reliably.


DTE

Data Terminal Equipment. The device that is the originator or destination of the data sent by a modem.


DTR

Data Terminal Ready. A signal generated by most modems indicating a connection between the DTE (computer) and the modem. When DTR is "high" the computer is connected.


Echomail

Public Message Conferences on a Bulletin Board System which are shared and distributed among other Bulletin Boards as part of an Echomail Network.


E-Mail

Electronic Mail - refers to messages that are sent via computers to other users on a bbs or network like the Internet


Error Control Protocols

These are various modem-based techniques which check the reliability of characters or blocks of data at a hardware level. Examples include MNP 2-4, V.42


Excalibur

Online software developed by Excalibur Communications in Tulsa, Oklahoma.. the best online software in the world!


Expanded Memory

Extra memory (above 640k) on your XT or AT-compatible computer,  which is installed with an EMS driver, and may be used by some programs to store data.


Extended Memory

Extra memory (above 640k) on your 80286 or 80386 compatible computer. Not normally usable by DOS applications, but may be configured as a virtual drive or a disk cache on an 80286 computer, or as Expanded Memory on an 80386 computer.


File Attachment

Method by which an actual file may be 'attached' to an e-mail message and sent through a computer network with that message.


Flame

To be pummeled with hostile e-mail by an Internet purist.


Flow Control

A mechanism that compensates for differences in the flow of data to and output from a modem or computer. Either hardware or software can be used for this control to prevent data loss. Hardware flow control using the modem makes use of a buffer to store data to be sent and data received. Flow control is necessary if the Communications port is locked at a higher rate than the connection rate. This is especially important for high speed modems, like 14,400 bps and above, that should almost always be setup for CTS/RTS hardware flow control.


Freeware

Computer software which may be distributed on Bulletin Board Systems, and for which the author requests no license fee or registration fee.


FTP

File Transfer Protocol - 'FTP' - a standardized text based method of transferring files over phone lines from one computer to another usually froman 'FTP' Server on the Internet.


Full Duplex

Signal flow in both directions at the same time. It is sometimes used to refer to the suppression of online LOCAL ECHO and allowing the remote system to provide a REMOTE ECHO.


Gateway

Similar to bridges, gateways connect incompatible networks or applications so data can be transferred. Excalibur systems commonly use gateways to open up a path to Internet Access with utilities like Flipsock, Zedsock, or The WEBer.


Gopher

A menu driven, information finding and retrieval tool providing acces to databases, text files, and other resources on the Internet.


GPF

A General Protection or GP fault occurs when an application overwrites memory belonging to another application. Since the memory has become corrupted, Windows steps in and terminates the application. It is not always easy to tell which Windows application caused the GP fault. Sometimes the error message window will provide an application name and a memory address, but this information is not always reliable. The best thing to do when you get a GP fault is to save your work in your other applications, and exit and restart Windows as soon as possible.


GUI

Graphics User interface - Pronounced 'gooey', a GUI uses graphical symbols in combination with keystrokes and a mouse or pointing device to carry out commands.


Hacker

Slang term for a technically sophisticated computer user who spends a lot of time at a computer. He or she 'hacks' at the keyboard all the time...


Half Duplex

Signal flow in both directions, but only one way at a time. It is sometimes used to refer to activation of LOCAL ECHO which causes a copy of sent data to be displayed on the sending display.


HLP

A Windows HLP Hypertext File - This refers to the computer filename extension of Windows help files (like this one). You may load HLP files using Windows File Manager or File Explorer and simply double-clicking on them


Host System

Another name for a Bulletin Board System (BBS)


Host

Another name for a Bulletin Board System (BBS)


Hotspot

A hotspot is an area of a screen that works like a button but doesn't look like a button. If you click it some task or program will begin just like clicking a button with your mouse pointer!


http

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol - refers to the protocol used to load or transfer a web page from an internet website server. These 'addresses' starting with HTTP are usually typed into the top of a web browser like Netscape or MSIE to loadup a specific web page.


Internet

A worldwide network of computer systems originally founded for the US Defense Department but is now also privatized and in use by some BBS systems for data, message, and file transfers on a global scale.


IP

Internet Protocol - Normally refers to an Internet machine address number or the location number of the machine or computer on the internet.


IRC

Internet Relay Chat - A type of interactive communication on the Internet where users chat realtime to each other through a chat server.


IRQ

Interrupt ReQuest - refers to a number of a hardware interrupt request by software commonly utilized in drivers for various devices on a computer using MS-DOS. These interrupts are used to keep devices functioning virtually at the same time. Generally each device on the computer must have a different IRQ number to operate properly. Certain IRQs are preassigned in DOS to the keyboard, harddrive, printer ports, etc.


ISP

Internet Service Provider - usually refers to a bbs system that provides Internet access and services such as e-mail, ftp, websites, etc.


Local Area Network (LAN)

A group of computers joined with cables and software, allowing hard disks and other devices to be shared among many users.


Mail Door

A subsection of a Bulletin Board System which creates .QWK mail packets for downloading and reading messages offline. Then .REP (reply) packets can be created offline and then uploaded saving online telephone connection costs!


Mailing Listserver

E-mail electronic private discussion groups that link a relatively small group of people with a common interest. If you belong to a mailing list, you will receive mail from any member of the list that posts mail to it.


Message Thread

A group of BBS messages and replies linked and sorted by topic.


MNP - Microcom Networking Protocol

A set of hardware error protection protocols (MNP levels 1 - 4) and data compression techniques (MNP level 5) developed by Microcom, now in the public domain. It makes use of CRC and retransmission of defective blocks by checking performed within the modem.


Modem

MODulator / DEModulator - a device that permits computers to communicate over telephone lines using audio data signals.


NetMail

Private electronic mail which is transmitted by a user calling one Bulletin Board System to another user calling a different Bulletin Board System. Also can refer to mail received from over the internet.


Newsgroups

A group of public messages about a single topic on the Internet. Newsgroups bring together thousands of people on the Internet to discuss shared interests.


NRAM

Nonvolatile Random Access memory. A user-programmable memory chip whose data is retained when power to the chip is turned off. NRAM is used in many modems to store default settings.


ON/OFF Hook

A descriptive term referring to manually lifting a telephone receiver (taking it OFF Hook) and replacing it (going ON Hook). OFF Hook produces a busy signal on the phone line.


Packer

A program to compress multiple files into a single file, such as PKZIP, ARC or LHARC


Packet

A mail packet (with a .QWK extension) from a host system


Parity

An error detection method used in both communicaions and computer memory checking to determine character validity. Communications now makes use of more efficient "block" checking although parity must still be matched in a communication session for transfer to take place correctly. Host communication in the BBS environment omits parity checking (no parity).


Protocol

A system of rules and procedures governing communications between two devices. File transfer protocols in your communications program refer to a set of rules governing how error checking will be performed on blocks of data.


Provider

In online terms commonly refers to the business or individual who you use to dial-up and access the Internet.


Public Domain

Computer software on which no copyright exists (usually by a specific statement to that effect by the author), and which may be freely used and distributed.


Remote Echo

A copy of the data being received is returned to the sending system for display on the screen. See Full/Half duplex.


Resolution

Refers to video resolution displayed on a computer display. There are several levels of resolution VGA (640x 350 pixtels), Super VGA which is 800x600 or 1250x850 etc. Resolution may also refer to the amount of colors displayed, like 16 colors, 256 colors, etc.


Server

Server commonly refers to a software designed to 'serve-up' data or to 'receive-data' on a network. there are many kinds of Servers on the Internet, for e-mail, web pages, file exchange, etc. E-mail utilities will work with an e-mail server, Web Browsers will work with a website server, etc.


Shareware

Computer software which is distributed on the "Honor System", which may be freely copied and  distributed, but for which a registration fee or payment is required for continued use beyond an initial evaluation period.


Signature

In online terms this normally refers to the text that appears at the end of an e-mail message that is usually the senders name and Internet E-mail address. Most Internet e-mail programs permit 'preconstructing' signatures so one doesn't have to type them over and over..


Snail Mail

Refers to using the old postal service to deliver mail by hand.


SysOp

The SYStem OPerator of a Bulletin Board System. The person responsible for setting up and maintaining the BBS. (CoSysop usually helps the SysOP...)


TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol - A language giverning the communication between all computers on the internet. TCP/IP is a set of instructions that dictates how packets are passed over multiple computer networks. Also included is packet error checking to insure that they arrive at their destination in the right order.     When used in regard to the Excalibur Terminal tcp/ip means the machine address to 'dial' 'telnet style' to connect to an Excalibur bbs over an internet connection!


telnet

Telnet refers to a method of connecting to a bbs over the Internet or a network. Usually this is done using a telnet client.  If one connects to an Excalibur system, the Excalibur Terminal must be used instead of a telnet client.


Thread

A group of BBS messages and replies linked and sorted by topic.


Unpacker

A program to uncompress a file from a Packer like PKUNZIP, UNARC...etc.


Upload

To transfer a file from your computer to another computer, using your terminal program (for example Qmodem) and a transfer protocol (for example Zmodem)


URL

Universal Resource Locator - a naming or addressing convention that enables you to locate a page on the World Wide Web


UseNET Newsgroups

Internet discussion groups; may be considered free floating bulletin boards becuase once a message is 'tacked up' anyone can go and see it.


Virus

A rogue computer software program created to 'infect' other computer softwares with copies of itself. Viruses may clone themselves and multiply constantly seeking new hosts. Some viruses are benign serving more as an annoyance, while others are designe to damage programs and data. Most Excalibur based bbs systems scan and destroy computer viruses.


WebSite

An address and place oin the Internet where a Web Browser (like Netscape) may be used to 'read' files and images. These are usually managed by individuals or business to make information or products and services available on the Internet.


WinZip

<What are ZIP files anyway>


World Wide Web

A Internet-work wide, menu based, software program providing hypertext and hypermedia links to information resources the world over on the internet


WWW

Refers to World Wide Web or the Internet's hypertext servers. A Internet-work wide, menu based, software program providing hypertext and hypermedia links to information resources the world over on the internet.


Zip

Refers to a method of compacting related files into a single file with a 'ZIP' filename extension. The intent is to simplfy distribution of file groups. Once on the users computer, he or she must 'UNZIP' the file to actually use the files inside it.