DarkStar v1.02a - True Multimedia Online! You couldn't see it. You couldn't hear it. But you knew it was there. Now, in an explosion of multimedia, a new player bursts onto center stage with full-motion video and digital audio guaranteed to leave the senses reeling... DARKSTAR 1.02a !!! With sysop-defined 256-coulor PCX, BMP, and GIF still images, DarkStar changes the way you LOOK at BBS systems. With sysop-defined WAV, MOD, VOC, MID, and CMF digital audio, DarkStar changes the way you HEAR BBS systems. And with sysop-defined FLI full-motion video (blended seamlessly with sound), DarkStar 1.02a changes the way you EXPERIENCE BBS systems. Version 1.01c was a hobby of Jerry Hunter and a few friends just to see if it could be done. But now, with the public release of version 1.02a, the impossible, TRUE MULTIMEDIA, is NOW a REALITY! But there is a lot more to DarkStar 1.02a than bells and whistles and slick graphic effects. How about dBase and FoxPro databasing with photofields sound, and motion video. Or maybe full-motion, 3D, arcade quality, multi-node, multi-player games online. But don't just take our word for it, EXPERIENCE it for yourself! DarkStar 1.02a Features * 100% configurable in SysOp system design, courtesy our unparallelled array of 4GL/CASE design tools. * Full ASCII, ANSI, and AVATAR undercarriage for non-graphic callers. Additionally, terminal shell module allows ANSI terminals to deliver graphic emulation. * DarkStar 1.02a utilizes the MicroSoft windows-standard ICO format in its icons to capitalize on the vast array of existing windows icons that are available today. * DarkStar 1.02a utilizes MicroSoft-standard windows FON-format fonts. Conversion utilities are available from other formats. * DarkStar 1.02a is a DOS based (not windows) full BBS system designed graphical from the ground up. It is not merely an overlay for your ANSI screens with a terminal emulation program. DarkStar is a client/ server system with continuous CRC checking to make sure that what you want sent shows up on the remote EXACTLY as you designed it. * Sysop-defined 256-color online still photos in PCX, BMP, and GIF formats. RGI support coming soon. * Sysop-defined online audio in .MOD, .SAM, .WAV, .VOC, .MID, .CMF, and .ROL formats. * Sysop-defined online 256-color movies in .FLI format, with fade, cut, loop, and speed control. * MessageBase supports Hudson, MSG, JAM, and SQUISH formats. Internal QWK support provided. * Multinode smothscroll chat facility supports up to 9,999 nodes, with internode page functions provided. * Sysop-defined online databases are dBASE II, III, III+, IV, and FoxPro- compatible. Photo fields and audio fields are also supported. * One-touch file transfers, simple for even the absolute novice to use. CD-ROM support is totally seamless. * Support for standard DORINFOx.DEF ANSI doors and support for InterWare our own arcade-quality multimedia doorware platform. * Fully Novell-compatible. Internal record-level locking mechanism ensures trouble-free multinode operation. * Common graphic interface (DOS-BASED) provided throughout all aspects of the DarkStar system. * For a limited time, all support applications come bundled with the DarkStar 1.02a package. Including: Darkstar Graphic Editor, ANSI Editor, Icon Editor, Mouse Pointer Editor, MessageBase Editor, Library Manager, Configuration Facility, Install Facility, StarLink Terminal, Everything required to bring the system online and fully operational. 3 Minute Installation! DarkStar was designed from the onset to be powerful, yet easy to use. A key element to ease of use is the ability to bring the system online quickly and with minimal hassle. In this area, as in others, DarkStar shines. DarkStar 1.02a promps the sysop for his name, the name of his BBS, and his phone number. That's all. Optional fields are provided for base port address and IRQ, if you are running a nonstandard port address. Otherwise DarkStar's install facility will hunt down your modem and provide you with a completely operational standalone single-node system in under 3 minutes (benchmarked on an 80386 DX at 40 Mhz). Simply put, DarkStar provides an interface which allows even the novice a painless route to system setup and configuration, yet maintains a level of power and flexibility unmatched in the BBS world. Whether you're a first- time SysOp with only one line, or intend to run a 250-node network, DarkStar 1.02a is built to acccomodate. Infinate Flexiblility! The configuation facilities of DarkStar 1.02a are unparallelled. From 4GL/ CASETool online database design tools to icon and mouse pointer editors, DarkStar is the most technologically advanced system available at any price. Consider the following PARTIAL list of configuration tools: * GRAPHICS EDITOR: Creates the graphics menus that are seen by callers. Through the Graphic Editor, the sysop can implement all the features and functions of the package, including such items as movies (FLIs), image imports (GIF, PCX, & BMP), audio imports (MOD, SAM, WAV, VOC, MID, CMF, and ROL), and defines the functions that the user sees on the specific BBS screen. Additionally, the Graphics Editor serves as the construction tool for online databases. * ICON EDITOR: This editor allows the sysop to create and edit the icon files for use in the DarkStar Environment. The icon (ICO) files are in the standard MS WINDOWS 3.1 format because they are so prolific. Though, DarkStar is DOS based. Options are provided inside the Icon Editor for lines, circles, boxes, flips, rotates, mirrors, among other things. * ANSI EDITOR: Since DarkStar supports ASCII, ANSI, and AVATAR as well as the graphical engine internal to the platform, the sysop is given the ability to edit and create the appropriate text and ANSI screens use by those callers without access to graphical equipment. The DarkStar ANSI Editor is operationally graphic, providing an 80x25 window in which to edit the ANSI menu, as well as tool, status, and color pallette on a single screen. * MOUSE POINTER EDITOR: This allows the sysop to redefine the appearance of the mouse pointer, as it looks to the caller, based on security, etc. Custom (sysop-defined) mouse pointers may be assigned on a menu-by-menu basis through the Graphic Editor, and may be implemented on override based on a pointer assigned through the userbase under DSCONFIG to apply throughout the user's sessions. * LIBRARY MANAGER: Since Files are an integral part of any BBS package, DarkStar provides a conplete library management facility. These areas are maintained from within DarkStar itself using the Library Definitions defined in DSCONFIG. Verbose description databases are maintained in dBase format, and the library management facility handles import of new files, as well as relocation of existing files between directories. When a file is relocated between directories, the DarkStar Library Manager handles physical relocation of the file itself, along with the logical relocation of the verbose description within the database. Utilities are provided to import FILES.BBS format descriptions. * MESSAGEBASE EDITOR: Since DarkStar supports many different message formats (MSG, Hudson, JAM, and SQUISH), a world-class messagebase editor is provided, capable of handling all four formats. As would be expected of any DarkStar product, the interface is built around a graphic control console, complete wtih barmenu, toolbar, and iconbuttons. Anything less would be unthinkable. For more informaion call: Voice Phone # (713) 894-8555 or modem: (713) 894-5993 and page the sysop Or write: DarkStar Publishing 10924 Grant Rd., Suite 314 Houston, Tx 77070