SoftArc issued a special mailing notifying over 7000 people of our Windows release. The text of this mailing, entitled "SoftArc Offline", is reproduced here.
To be put on our list for future mailings, pass along your information to Dallas Kachan of SoftArc by mail or fax.
SoftArc Offline
A Publication From SoftArc Inc... Makers Of The FirstClass Communications Product
FirstClass for Windows
G r a p h i c a l C l i e n t N o w A v a i l a b l e
PC users running Microsoft's Windows operating environment may now access FirstClass e-mail servers and BBSes via network or modem with a new graphical client from SoftArc Inc.
FirstClass™ Client for Windows 1.0 is similar to SoftArc's FirstClass Client for the Macintosh, and is usable with Microsoft Windows, Windows NT, Windows for Workgroups and IBM's OS/2.
Free For Users!
Like the Macintosh client, FirstClass for Windows is freely downloadable from SoftArc's bulletin board SoftArc Online.
Administrators of FirstClass systems are encouraged to download and distribute the new client. End-users may also do so.
Enabling Windows Logins
Owners of FirstClass systems require version 2.4 of the FirstClass Server and the separate Windows option to enable Windows logins via modem. In addition, network installations require the FirstClass IPX option to handle Windows logins over ethernet.
FirstClass Server 2.4 incorporates new functionality and is also available for download to registered owners of FirstClass. Server 2.4 is currently shipping with all new systems.
More information on the new server and Windows option may be found overleaf.
Downloading The Client
To download the Windows client, call SoftArc Online at (416) 609-2250 via the Macintosh FirstClass Client or any VT-100 compatible terminal or emulator. The Windows software may be found in our FirstClass Software conference. You'll also find a freely distributable standalone demo of FirstClass that runs under Windows.
What Windows Means
M u l t i - p l a t f o r m R e v o l u t i o n
Rather than simply introduce a Windows client for our FirstClass product, we've revolutionized what it means to be a "multi-platform" application.
SoftArc's Windows client makes FirstClass the first leading communications package to accommodate PC and Macintosh computers on the same ethernet network without complicated routers or file servers.
Windows machines and Macs are treated as peers by the FirstClass server application. Message delivery is instantaneous on both platforms. Users on PCs and Macintoshes may even chat real-time with each other.
Works with Novell
SoftArc has built the Novell IPX network protocol directly into the FirstClass server, which means your Windows and Macintosh machines will be able to communicate with each other over the network better than they've ever done before—with or without a Novell fileserver.
Less Bandwidth Needed
Administrators will appreciate FirstClass' active mail notification. Unlike other packages, the FirstClass server sends new mail notification to the recipient's machine. There's no polling, freeing up bandwidth on your network.
Windows Administration
As with our Macintosh client, all administration in FirstClass may be performed through FirstClass client for Windows, locally or remotely. Which means your network admin can stay on top of things from home or abroad with a PowerBook or pocket PC.
Inside FC Server 2.4
E n h a n c e d C o n n e c t i v i t y & P e r f o r m a n c e
In addition to adding support for Windows clients via network or modem, version 2.4 of the FirstClass server, now available free for download by registered owners of FirstClass, incorporates new functionality and even higher performance.
More Help For Admins!
Administrators of FirstClass systems may now set inactive users' accounts to expire after a given period. The setting is made under the main System Profile form under the Administrator's menu (see right).
Version 2.4 of the server also introduces multi-volume capability to the FirstClass Post Office. Administrators may now spread their post offices across any number of SCSI or networked volumes, enabling administrators to grow their systems easily to accommodate very large installations. Included with the new FirstClass server are the tools necessary to back up and restore a multi-volume post office.
The new server also includes extra tools to help in the maintenance of users and their folders in the FirstClass Post Office. User directory integrity is now even better.
Administrators choosing to install multi-volume servers are presented with several new icons on their desktops to control the server's new functions.
Speedy Directory
The new server also incorporates speed enhancements. Users will notice measurable differences in name validation on servers with large numbers of users.
250 Simultaneous Connections
These enhancements and others substantially boost the number of simultaneous users FirstClass can accommodate on a single server with a fast hard drive.
One server now handles up to 250 concurrent users via network or modem, assuming the presence of a fast (9 ms or better) hard drive on the FirstClass server.
The new server may be downloaded from the administrator's area of SoftArc Online.
From The President
F i r s t C l a s s & G l o b a l C o m m u n i c a t i o n
SoftArc President Steve Asbury recently attended a networking symposium in Hawaii, where he sat in on lectures and participated in discussions with network managers and product makers from around the world. He had these thoughts:
Mactivity/CEO was an excellent opportunity to hear what key analysts, managers and connectivity specialists feel will be needed in future communications products. As a leading innovator in Macintosh networking, we saw this conference as an important step in tuning SoftArc's vision and strategies.
The messages from the conference were both encouraging and challenging for SoftArc. Encouraging because our flagship product FirstClass already exhibits many of the characteristics speakers deemed desirable, with its high performance, multi-platform support, multi-lingual clients, efficient use of network bandwidth and excellent customer support channels. Challenging, because it was clear SoftArc must continue to innovate to meet the demands of increasingly sophisticated networking customers, and to continue to focus on high performance as networks grow and become more interconnected and congested.
It was obvious from the conference that much of today's networking software does not satisfy the growing needs of customers. But with SoftArc's solid networking architecture, built-in modem support and multi-platform approach, FirstClass meets and exceeds the challenges of the networking community—today!
Support Questions
Q: "When I log in as Admin, I can't view screens like the System Profile or gateways form."
Be sure to log in with the FirstClass Admin settings file on your master server diskette. It contains the forms administrators need.
Q: "Where are the custom graphics and sounds I'm supposed to see?"
Make sure you've logged in with the special settings file your administrator has customized for your system.
Q: "The FirstClass client tells me my serial port is being used by another application."
You're trying to log in via modem, but have a terminal or fax program running. Quit the other application and run the FirstClass client again.
Q: "My modem doesn't work with your program."
You're likely using a Mac with a high speed modem, but no hardware handshaking cable. Call SoftArc for details.
The OneNet Network
I n f o r m a t i o n, t o o l s a n d c o m m u n i t y
The OneNet Member™ Network is burgeoning through the efforts of FirstClass administrators!
This network of more than a hundred public and private FirstClass BBSes around the world shares conferences and private e-mail daily, at little or no cost to its users.
A Virtual Community
The OneNet Member network's mandate is to create an online, virtual community of people connected to share knowledge and resources.
From its humble beginnings at a large BBS in Los Altos, California—near Apple’s worldwide headquarters—the OneNet Member organization is already affiliating itself with schools, hospitals, universities, governments and other FirstClass networks.
The OneNet is similar to other networks elsewhere in the computer world, and has seen incredible growth in its less-than-one-year history.
Telecomputing For The Masses
The OneNet aims to do for electronic information exchange what the Macintosh did for computing in general; that is, make telecommunications fun and easy! The FirstClass software’s familiar graphical interface makes this possible.
The OneNet network has sites across the U.S., with several in Canada, Europe and the Far East. A core set of conferences is shared by all BBSes in the network and contains discussions of interest to anyone... not just computer users!
With the number of BBSes expanding weekly,it's estimated more than 100, 000 users are on the OneNet. Most sites offer at least 9600 baud capability, with the majority using 14,000 for gateway activity.
FirstClass servers can be easily connected to other FirstClass servers or other information networks. Some BBSes in the OneNet Member Network offer gateways to the Internet and FidoNet.
Joining The OneNet
Any FirstClass system may join the OneNet for free. For more information call the OneNet Los Altos BBS voicemail system at (415) 948-4775, or send regular mail to: OneNet Los Altos, 4546 El Camino Real # 127, Los Altos, California 94022. The OneNet BBS can be reached by dialing (415) 948-1349 with the FirstClass client.
How To Order The Windows Upgrade
As listed below, the Windows option for FirstClass is $295.00. This is a one-time fee for the option, much like our Command Line Interface, and is valid for unlimited users. The Windows Option includes a license diskette and a Windows User Manual. Extra manuals are available from SoftArc.
Those sites wishing to accommodate Windows users over the network also require the IPX Connection Option, priced at $495.00.
SoftArc can accept a corporate or educational purchase order for your upgrade providing your initial FirstClass system was ordered on such a purchase order. We can also accept payment by credit card over the phone or fax.
Consultants Wanted
R e g i s t e r Y o u r C o m p a n y W i t h S o f t A r c
Professional consultants familiar with FirstClass who'd like to work closer with SoftArc should write or fax SoftArc sales and marketing manager Dallas Kachan on company letterhead.
SoftArc is preparing a special program aimed at network consultants interested in promoting FirstClass to clients.
Let us know you're interested and we'll place you on our list.
FirstClass, the FirstClass logo and the SoftArc arch are registered trademarks of SoftArc Inc. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer. Windows and Microsoft Mail are trade names of Microsoft Inc. Novell Netware is a trademark of Novell, Inc. cc:Mail is a registered trademark of Lotus Development. QuickMail is a registered trademark of CE Software Inc.
SoftArc Offline is an occasional publication of SoftArc Inc., and is produced by Dallas Kachan, Manager of Sales & Marketing at SoftArc. If you know of someone else who would appreciate a copy or one of our demo packages, please contact SoftArc's sales department at (416) 299-4723 or fax (416) 754-1856.
