Announcing ... MexPlus Version 1.6 NightOwl Software, Inc. is pleased to announce the commercial release of ver- sion 1.6 of the MEX (Modem EXecutive) communications software package. With our new enhancements, we think you'll agree that there is no more powerful communications package for CP/M at any price! (note that features marked with an asterisk are available only in Commercial MEX): * o Kermit protocol (including commands to work with a remote Kermit server). * o YMODEM protocol support ... an emerging standard, YMODEM adds greater reliability and better speed to the industry-standard XMODEM protocol. With YMODEM, MEX maintains time-remaining on INCOMING files transferred from KMD or another copy of MexPlus running YMODEM. o We still support XMODEM/CRC and XMODEM/CHECKSUM (as always), along with MODEM7-compatible batch-transfer mode, and the new large (1K) packet options. * o Terminal emulation for the following terminals (MexPack versions): - Lear Siegler ADM3A - DEC VT-52 and VT-100 - Data General Dasher D100 and D200 - Televideo 912, 920 and 925 o ASCII-capture in memory * o VIEW command, to examine ASCII text captured in memory * o REMOTE module (MEXPACK only) lets you access your computer from a remote location under password control. * o In addition to the Compuserve "A" protocol we've always supported, MEX now includes the HOST end of the "A" protocol (i.e., the Compuserve end), when used with the REMOTE module. * o Greatly expanded file transfer screens, detailing #kbytes transfered, per- cent transfered, time remaining, and full error and status reporting. o Online help system documents the entire operation of the program * o INSTALL utility greatly simplifies MEX installation ... menu-driven sel- ection from over 80 different terminals, 12 real-time clocks, and over two dozen different computers and serial boards (all MEX1 overlays are still compatible with MexPlus; if you have your own MEX1 implementation, it will run under MexPlus without change). Sample source code for cus- tom implementations available with your order, upon request. * o Real-time clock support for "time-stamping" terminal files as well as "wait-for-date/wait-for time" functions. o Intelligent keystrings for transmitting commonly-used "chunks" of text to the remote * o Intelligent keystrings may also hold MEX command lines, for use at MEX command level. o The most complete script programming language available in ANY comm- unications program, including: * - GOTO and LABEL functions for conditional control * - single line ("simple") IF, multi-line structured IF/ENDIF/ELSE * - BASIC-like GOSUB function * - 26 numeric variables with full-function expression evaluator * - 6 string variables with string-comparison operators * - DBASE-like "@x,y say" functions simplify writing interactive scripts * - Box and horizontal/vertical line-drawing functions built-in. Supports line drawing character sets available in many terminals (uses ASCII character equivalents for those terminals without line drawing sets). * - Scripts may call other scripts as subroutines * - Basic-like variable assignments (e.g., A="Enter a number:") * - ACCEPT and INPUT statements read input interactively from the console * - WAIT STRING waits for any of up to 4 different 16-character strings from the modem, and lets you test which (if any) have been received * - WAIT DATE and WAIT TIME for delayed execution * - WAIT SILENCE "skips over" continuous output from the line, optionally copying all incoming text to a disk file. - SENDOUT command for sending text strings to the remote (may optionally be set up for "echo-check and retry", for high-reliability operation). - "INIT" file may be configured to automatically execute at startup * - "EXIT" file may be configured to automatically execute at completion * - GLOBAL script file (lets you specify a "lowest-level" script, which may completely re-define the user interface) * - Support for terminal attributes (reverse video, bright/dim, blink and underline) from the script level makes your script screens stand out! * - Screen ON/OFF statement for keeping the screen quiet while the script does its "hidden" work. * - Success-completion testable from within a script for SENDOUT ... list dialing command tells you *which* number answered. MODEM/MODEM7/YMODEM transfers can be tested for successful transfers from within a script. o Any number of disk-based phone directories, each of which may contain 30 entries (including a 12-character name and 50-character combined number and comment field. And the remote site's baudrate, as well!). o Auto-dialing and redialing. Lists of numbers may be scheduled for dialing, each dialed in turn until one number answers (the entire list may be dialed any number of times). * o Interdigit-delay adjustment lets you configure for slow exchanges; you can also specify tone, pulse, or mixed. * o Command-level TRANSMIT function sends ASCII text files (mail messages, remote commands, etc). o Special support for Alternate Long Distance services (MCI, Sprint, etc.) o Half-duplex and "host" terminal mode support (sometimes called remote and local echo, respectively). o XLINE ASCII exchange protocol o STAT command displays (and optionally alters) more than 50 different sys- tem variables * o STAT display screen may be customized with the STAT DISP command. o CLONE command lets you resave MEX to disk (in a filename of your choice) for later re-execution, with all the "current" settings (including key- strings and phone numbers) intact. ------------------------------------------------------------ MEX is easy to learn ... if you've used the public domain MODEM7 or IMP programs, you can begin using MEX immediately, with almost no relearning required. That's because the "lowest-level" command operation is identical to MODEM7! As you progress with the program, you can learn the more ad- vanced features using the online HELP system. ------------------------------------------------------------ MexPlus is available in two versions: "basic" MEX ($49.95 on double-sided disk- ette, $54.95 on single-side or 8") and the MexPack ($89.95). MexPack includes the terminal emulations, remote operation module, and the Compuserve "host" protocol. MexPlus is shipped with an ALL-NEW 70-page manual, on disk in WordStar (tm) format, ready for your printer. MexPlus is now available on a download basis from major RCPM systems, including: Tampa Bay DataCOM, (Steve Sanders, Sysop) .............. 813-937-3608 Chicago area Lillipute systems (Richard Jacobson) ...... 312-649-1730 Seattle Downspout (Norm Gregory) ....................... 206-325-1325 We still offering a one-year membership to our NightOwl Connection multi- user remote system for $100/first year, $50/year thereafter (includes down- load access to the full MexPlus area ... for MexPlus on disk, add $10). The Connection features 60 Megabytes of 8 and 16 bit public-domain and "Freeware" programs, as well as free updates and add-ons to your MEX communications software. (Renewals are $50/yr). To order: contact one of the above systems, or call NightOwl direct: Toll-free order lines: 1-800-NITEOWL (that's 1-800-648-3695) In Wisconsin, call our technical support number: 1-414-563-4013 NightOwl Software, Inc., Route 1 Box 7, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (Add $5 shipping/handling; Wisconsin residents add 5% sales tax). ------------------------------------------------------------ Also available from NightOwl Software: MEX-PC: the MSDOS version of the MEX communications software. Features all the power of the 8-bit version, plus a SHELL command (lets you run "well-behaved" DOS programs and commands right out of MEX-PC ... even if you're running REMOTEly!), named-directory support, and more buffer space (using the larger space of the 8088/86). Optionally menu-driven. MEX-PC runs on the IBM PC, XT and AT. Separate versions available for Ampro Little Board 186, Data General DG-1, Tandy 2000, NEC/APC (supplied in 5" IBM format only). 180 page ringbound manual included. MEX-PC: $59.95 MEXPACK/PC $99.95 (Remote+emulators) (add $5 shipping/handling, Wisconsin residents add 5% sales tax) Utilities Disk I (for CP/M) Includes CAPTURE, our I/O redirection facility for CP/M, our ProLink linkage editor with LINKMAP rel file display utility, and SDT (a sorted directory utility). All DOCs on disk. $49.95 (includes shipping. Wisconsin residents add 5% sales tax). ------------------------------------------------------------ The following hardware combinations are supported through our menu-driven INSTALL program (for supported systems, installation is a one-minute op- eration): Computers: Eagle II, Epson QX-10, DEC VT-180, Kaypro 2, Kaypro 4, Kaypro 10, Xerox 820, Heath-89, Prodigy, Altos 580, Intel iPDS-100, Ampro Little-board/Z80, TRS-80 model IV, Osborne I, Osborne Executive, "generic" CP/M3 (requires serial-port implementation within CP/M BIOS), all TurboDOS systems, PMC Micro-mate, Compu- Pro Interfacer 3/4 (and System Support I). Sample port driver source code available upon request. Available Soon: MicroMint SB-180 Realtime Clocks: CP/M3, TurboDOS, MP/M, Kaypro Legacy, Epson QX-10, QT-board, Osborne RT, Kenmore ZTIME-1, DG Super-89, Computime, Kaypro built-in clock, CompuPro System Support I. Sample clock source driver source code available upon request). Terminals: Ann Arbor Ambassador and Guru, Adds Viewpoint, Lear Siegler ADM3A, ADM11, ADM12, ADM22 and ADM5, Altos II, all ANSI-compatible terminals, Esprit I, Esprit II, Esprit III, Esprit Exec 10, DEC VT-100, DEC VT220, DEC VT240, DEC VT241, Falco Fame 100, Fame 78, Falco TS-1, TS-100/132, TS 2624, Liberty Freedom 100, 110, 200, Hazeltine 1500, HP-150, IBM 3101, Intel iPDS-100, Kaypro 2/4/10, Kimtron KT-10, Osborne, Qume QVT-102, Epson QX-10, Sony SMC-70, Soroc Challenger, TAB Products 132/15, Tektronix 4105, 4107, 4109, Teleray Model 100, Model 16, Model 7, Televideo 910, 914, 924, 925, 950, 970, Visual 100, Visual V102, Visual 300, Visual 130, Visual V500, Visual 50/55, Vector Graphic 4, 4S, VS, Wyse-100, Wyse-300, Wyse model 50, Wyse model 75, Zenith Z-19/H-19, Heath/Zenith H/Z-29, Zenith Z-49, Heath/Zenith H/Z-89, Zenith ZT-10. Modems: Hayes and all true compatibles (including Robotics Password, Anchor, Promethius), Racal-Vadic Maxwell, Racal-Vadic RV3451, Novation Smartcat, Penril, Cermetek, Concord Data Systems, CTS datacomm, DATEC model 212