September 15, 1986 Dear CP/M(tm)-80 User, As a public domain enthusiast you are probably aware that there have been many attempts in the past to improve CP/M by adding to its capabilities via memory-resident overlays and Command Processor (CCP) replacements. In this document you will be informally introduced to ConIX(tm), a new and extensive approach to improving the performance, functionality, and usability of your CP/M system. ConIX is the latest and greatest upgrade that's actually bringing users back to CP/M! ConIX (Console Input Executive) is the proud flagship product of Computer Helper Industries Inc., a New York based company specializing in CP/M and UNIX software as well as computer consulting. ConIX was first introduced to the marketplace in October of 1983. Since then it has been thoroughly debugged, improved, and an entire product line has been developed around it. It has also been reviewed favorably by Computer Language in June 1985, and Micro/Systems Journal in May 1986. Since 1983 it has developed a respectable following amongst CP/M users who have paid as much as $165.00 for its powerful UNIX-like features and vastly improved user interface. Today, in an unprecedented move, CHI is releasing the operating system portion of ConIX into the public domain as Shareware. Shareware, as you may know, is a vehicle by which financially viable companies can place software into the public domain and still receive the payment they deserve for their product. More importantly, it gives the consumer the ability to ``test drive'' a full-up version of the product without fear of losing hard-earned money on software that may not suit individual needs. ConIX is compatible with 48K+ CP/M 2.2/3.0 and equivalent systems, including emulation software. It runs with and does not replace CP/M, thus providing 100% compatibility with existing software and data files. ConIX uses as little as 1/2K TPA memory, and 0-27K disk minimum. Easy one-minute installation requires no system or time-consuming BIOS modifications. ConIX Shareware includes all the software in the regular advertised product, with the exception of some satellite utility software that is not necessary for the operation of the operating system itself. The capabilities provided by ConIX include: * Path Searching * Automatic Overlay Searching by Extension * I/O Redirection and Pipes via Memory or Disk * Vastly improved and redesigned User Areas * End-of-screen output page pause * 8 Megabyte capacity Print Spooler * 22 New BDOS System Calls * User Definable Function Keys * Command line memory access and debugging * Virtual disk system * Type-Ahead Buffering with Echo and Cancel * Over 300 Data Variables and Aliases * Multiple commands per line * Prompt displays user number and drive R/O status * Upper/Lower Case and true Argument Handling * Filename argument pattern matching * User definable I/O devices * Over 100 built-in (non-transient) commands * Sophisticated Memory Management System * Ability to trade ConIX-specific software with registered ConIX Operating System owners Also included in the Shareware package is our ConIX Pull-Down Menu System which adds the following capabilities: * Set ConIX features on-the-fly without having to refer to system documentation * All ConIX default settings can be changed temporarily or saved for recall each time ConIX is loaded * Set ConIX to automatically load and execute after cold boot * Fully menu-driven, with helpful prompts and built-in plain- English explanations of all menu functions * Quick one-keystroke loading and execution from any drive and/or user area We have also included our regular printed documentation in machine- readable form with each chapter stored in a separate file for ease of manipulation. As you can see, even though limited in scope as compared to our regular version, this is indeed no trivial package. It is not software developed for the public domain, and as such registered ConIX owners receive nothing but the best support services. ConIX Shareware is available on-line on many popular bulletin board systems nationwide for your downloading pleasure. If you wish to avoid any applicable usage and phone charges, you may find it more cost-effective to obtain a copy of ConIX Shareware directly from the manufacturer for merely the cost of the disk format and shipping according to the following price list: Disk format charge: 8" SSSD Standard $ 5.00 5-1/4" DSDD 48 TPI Soft Sector $ 5.00 5-1/4" SSDD 48 TPI Soft Sector $ 6.00 Other formats $ 10.00 Shipping and handling charge: UPS Ground USA $ 4.50 Air Mail Canada and Foreign $ 10.00 If you wish to receive a copy of ConIX Shareware, total the applicable charges and send a check or money order to the manufacturer at the address below. Be sure to include complete details as to the computer brand and desired format type. ConIX Shareware Offer #0986SC Computer Helper Industries Inc. Post Office Box 680 Parkchester Station, NY 10462 All orders must be prepaid to be eligible for this special offer. Remember, ConIX Shareware is available without charge on-line via many bulletin board systems nationwide. This offer is merely an accommodation for those who wish to avoid potentially costly downloading and connect time fees. For your information, regular prices for ConIX are $19.95 to $29.95 for registered, complete, fully supported versions. These prices include the ConIX Pull-Down Menu System with fully commented source code FREE (a $24.95 value)! Other ConIX-related commercial products include the ConIX Programming System ($29.95), which replaces the obsolete SUBMIT system with a full-featured programming language; the ConIX Library I - XCC Utilities ($24.95), which is a set of over 25 general purpose utilities that take advantage of the new ConIX features and BDOS Syscalls. You will be eligible to purchase these products after becoming a registered ConIX owner. We hope you will take the time to try ConIX on your system, and welcome your comments with great enthusiasm. Representatives of CHI are available at the address above or may be reached on-line on the CompuServe Easyplex Mail System via user ID# 71320,762 (GO EASYPLEX). We thank you very much for your support. (Trademarks: ConIX - Computer Helper Industries Inc. CP/M - Digital Research Inc.)