PostLink is the next generation of networking software for BBS's. It picks up where PCRelay leaves off, greatly enhancing many of the features that have made PCRelay one of the most popular networking options for sysops everywhere. PostLink was redesigned and rewritten from scratch in standard C++. It has been designed with larger capacities and greater portability in mind. As a result of this, it is not compatible with PCRelay. Unlike PCRelay, PostLink was designed from the ground up with large networks and a multitasking/LAN environment in mind. However, thanks to its extremely flexible configuration system, it can efficiently run small networks just as well, while providing room to grow. While PCRelay was designed to be able to handle a network of 1,000 to 1,500 sites, PostLink was designed to be able to handle networks of 10,000 sites or more. Where PCRelay only supports 511 conferences, PostLink 1.0 will support around 16,000 conferences, and is designed to be able to support up to 4,294,967,296 conferences, which should be able to support networks well into the future. PostLink has been specifically designed to be able to perform well on multi-node BBS's. PostLink locks resources for writing on a conference by conference basis, and allows simultaneous reading of conference files for maximum efficiency in a multitasking or LAN environment. PostLink is even smart enough to go work on another conference and come back to the original conference if a particular conference's files are busy at the moment! This means that less online time is spent waiting for someone who is on another "node" of the BBS to finish getting their mail, and it makes it feasible to have much larger hub systems. PostLink integrates the NODE and HUB versions of PCRelay into one package. This means that mail can be imported directly onto the BBS when mail is uploaded into the hub. Separate EXPORT and IMPORT programs are also provided in case it is desirable to control when mail is exported and imported. In addition to integrating the NODE and HUB portions of the software, PostLink adds a built-in communications module which can learn how to log onto your hub. Thus, it is no longer necessary to use a "script" file with another communications program; you can now simply "teach" (by logging on and entering the PostLink door) PostLink how to get to the door on the board you call, and from then on PostLink can handle all the communications itself! PostLink also retains the flexibility of being able to use an external communications program, allowing even unusual communications situations to work. (i.e. diskette copying, etc) PostLink adds _extensive_ error detection and logging, including leaving the SysOp of the BBS messages when there are non-fatal errors. In addition, if a user enters a message that is not exported or that is misrouted, PostLink sends back a detailed message explaining what happened, and often suggesting what to do about it. PostLink now allows both the compression and communication protocol options to be configured by the SysOp, allowing new protocols and compression programs to be implemented as soon as they are released. PostLink fully supports bidirectional protocols such as HS/Link. In addition, PostLink has a number of built-in protocols, including ZModem. Postlink can be configured to use just about any compression program, including none. Using no compression can be desirable in situations where the modems being use have good compression already. PostLink utilizes the UTI 2.x specification to get mail onto and off of BBS's, so any BBS that has a UTI 2.x driver (such as RBBS, Wildcat!, GAP, etc) can use PostLink. In addition, PostLink has built-in support for PCBoard 14.5, including updating mail waiting flags and the call waiting screen statistics, if desired. PostLink has been designed to make it as easy as possible to add built-in support for other BBS programs, so you should definitely expect built-in support for other BBSs in the future! PostLink attaches "audit records" to every message and file as it passes through the network, allowing for detailed debugging and performance information. Now you can find out why a message took 3 days to get somewhere -- the audit information will show you all of the systems that the message went through, and what time it arrived on each of those systems! These audit records are utilized in the Return Receipt mail option to show you not only that your message has arrived at its destination, but how it got there and why it got to the destination system when it did. PostLink provides advanced mail functions such as automatic encryption of all routed mail, full reference number support, multicast routing, and automatic routing. Multicast routing is the ability to route a message to several different systems. The message will only show up on the systems you specify. Automatic Routing is a unique PostLink feature which supersedes the PCRelay private mailbox system. Automatic routing will automatically route private replies back to the BBS where the message the reply refers to was written. This means that it is no longer to setup and maintain a private mailbox system. Automatic routing is both more efficient and more secure than the PCRelay private mailbox system. Automatic Routing is more efficient than the PCRelay private mailbox system because the message is routed once by the site sending it -- it is no longer necessary for the hub software to look through long lists of user names at each step of the way to find out where to send the message. Automatic routing is more secure than the PCRelay private mailbox scheme because sysops can no longer add users to their PRIVATE.NET files in order to "snoop" on their private mail. Since the messages are routed and encrypted, only the origin and destination sites can see the message. It's not only the message facilities that have been improved in PostLink, however. The file request system has been greatly enhanced, now allowing as many directories to be requestable as you like, with ability to associate passwords and/or site numbers with file directories or even individual files to control not just what files can be requested from your system, but who can request them. For More Information contact Kip Compton on his BBS at (617) 494-1366, or Bonnie Anthony on her BBS at (301) 229-5623 or (301) 229-5342 or voice (301) 229-7244. PostLink is scheduled to be available in early August 1992. Pricing is as follows: Upgrades [good through September 15, 1992] PCRelay Hub Purchased after June 1, 1992 *FREE* PCRelay Node Purchased after June 15,1992 *FREE* PCRelay HUB ->PostLink - $10 PCRelay NODE -> PostLink - $20 (NOTE: all upgrades will be provided by Bonnie Anthony, as she is in charge of support and distribution for PCRelay) New Software PostLink $50 (acts as HUB and NODE, includes 1 year support) Support/PostLink Upgrades PostLink (1 year) $15 NOTE: The $15/year fee includes BBS and telephone support and free upgrades via BBS. 1 year of support is included in the upgrade or new software purchase price, including free upgrades. ** PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. ** PostLink(tm) by Kip Compton Copyright (C) 1992 by Kip Compton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This information is provided without warranty of any kind and is subject to change without notice. POSTLINK APPLICATION FORM SOFTWARE IS $ 50.00 SYSOP'S NAME:_________________________________________________________ MAILING ADDRESS:______________________________________________________ CITY:____________________________ STATE:___________ ZIP:____________ VOICE TELEPHONE:______________________________________________________ IS THIS PHONE: [ ] HOME [ ] BUSINESS (whereever possible please provide a home phone number) IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO CONTACT YOU VIA A VOICE CALL?________________________________ BBS NAME:_____________________________________________________________ BBS TELEPHONE:________________________________________________________ NUMBER OF NODES:___________ MAXIMUM BAUD RATE:_______________________ BBS SPECIALITY (IF ANY):______________________________________________ BBS SOFTWARE:_________________________________________________________ NODE ID DESIRED_______________________________________________________ HUB ID DESIRED (must start with HUB)__________________________________ SERIAL NUMBER IF ISSUED_______________________________________________ WHERE DID YOU HEAR ABOUT PCRELAY?__________________________________________ ARE YOU A CURRENT MEMBER OF A NETWORK? [ ] YES [ ] NO DO YOU NEED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT NETWORKS? [ ] YES [ ] NO SIGNATURE:________________________________________ DATE:_____________ Please complete and return this form, along with the appropriate fees to: Bonnie Anthony, M.D. 6901 Whittier Blvd. Bethesda, MD 20817 FAX Number 301-229-7244 VOICE = 301-229-7028 OFFICE 301-229-7244 HOME Credit cards now accepted - you can fax your order this morning and download the software tonight! (please include in the fax your credit card number and expiration date)