Risc World 3/Risc World 3.iso/ADVERTS/RCOMP/DIALUP.TXT

Text File | 2001-01-22 | 11KB | 316 lines

(NB.  This press release dates back to September 2000 - the latest DialUp
was released in Jan 2001 [at time of writing - Jan 2001]!)

R-Comp's DialUp internet connection software has now been around for a few
weeks, and is already receiving extremely positive feedback from users
(see below for some user comments).  The software makes getting onto the
internet a breeze, being simple to set up, and extremely easy to use.

DialUp 1.45 was released recently, and works happily with all the
internet providers we have tested it with, including (in no particular
order):

  Demon          FreeUK         FreeServe           Red Hot Ant
  NTLworld       UKOnline       BTinternet          Tesco Net
  UK Gateway     Supanet        NDirect             Zetnet
  TeleDanmark    LineOne        TeleWest BlueYonder


The software will happily make use of the connection scripts which
most internet providers generate for their Windows customers, making
setting up your RISC OS machine for new providers extremely
straightforward.  Of course, files for a selection of common providers
are included with DialUp, if you already have an internet account.

Below, you'll find a list of Questions and Answers which should
give you more information about the features of DialUp.


Pricing
-------

There has been some confusion over the pricing and availability
of DialUp.  We hope the figures below clarify things a little.

The basic price of DialUp is 20ukp, but this is reduced if you
already own various R-Comp products (in other words, product
loyalty gives you a discount):

  20ukp  for customers without either WebsterXL or Messenger Pro

  15ukp  for customers who own Messenger Pro only

  10ukp  for customers who already own WebsterXL


Note that WXL has always been supplied with connection software,
hence the lower price for WebsterXL owners.  WXL owners are
actually joining our "Priority Support Scheme", which also gives
them interim (beta) versions of the browser, and additional input
into future developments.

Please note that we are happy for you to claim the above
discounts if you purchase the related product at the same time.

We expect to release a full "R-Comp Internet Suite" consisting
of DialUp, WebsterXL and Messenger Pro in time for the Epsom
show in October.  Price is expected to be not more than 60ukp,
including a FreeUK internet account if required.


Internet connection packs consisting of DialUp, WXL, Mpro, a
56k V90 modem and a FreeUK internet account are available
for 115ukp inc VAT and UK delivery.  We regret that the modems
are UK varieties, and hence probably not suitable for overseas.



Hardware/Software Requirements
------------------------------

DialUp requires that you have a modem connected to your computer,
preferably 28.8kb or higher, although older modems will probably
be OK, too.  R-Comp Interactive supply 56k V90 modems for 60ukp inc.


Ideally, your computer will be running RISC OS 4 - most R-Comp
products are now "enhanced" for OS 4, but run just fine on
older systems too.  In the case of DialUp, we recommend that
users of older OS versions be running the "New Boot Sequence"
which Acorn released a couple of years back.  It has been
included on several Acorn User CDs in recent times, particularly
the 200th issue.


Users have reported successfully running DialUp on machines as
old as the A30xx series with the New Boot Sequence installed.



Features/FAQ
------------

Rather than just list a series of meaningless features, we felt
it would be prudent to present this information in a Question/
Answer format.


1) If I choose DialUp, what else do I need to do Internet "stuff"?

The simple answer is an Email reader such as our Messenger Pro
product (or Pluto etc.), and a web browser such as our WebsterXL
browser.

DialUp includes email/news transfer software, and also the popular
FTPc file uploader/downloader.  (Credit to Joeseph and Colin).


2) I have heard that other programs require extra bits,
   which may be commercial/shareware before connection can
   take place.  Does DialUp require any extras?

Apart from the Web Browser and Email packages mentioned above,
DialUp is complete in and of itself.  It can be extended with
other pd/commercial apps if required, but everything you need
to connect is supplied.

(Exception being "New Boot Sequence" - see above).


3) What is DialUp "like"?  Which other products does it compare
   with?

There's nothing quite like DialUp, because the package does a
great deal, whilst wrapping it up in such easy-to-use "clothing".

Programs like the connection part of ANT's internet suite, or
Socketeer or ArmTCP are in some ways comparable, but DialUp
provides an easier-to-use superset of these.  Perhaps the
closest relative is ANT's !InetSuite connection software, but
again, DialUp extends this with support for multiple
internet providers (easily switch between free and commercial
ISPs, or between daytime/evening numbers).  Then add on support
for Windows connection files, and the fact that it uses the
proper in-built networking (Internet 5) so it won't mess with
your network.


4) Does DialUp allow me to use multiple providers?  Can I use
   it to access free providers such as NTLworld, but still
   have access to my FreeServe/Demon etc. account?

Yes.  DialUp allows you to set up many different accounts, and
simply access them via a menu.  We currently have around 12
different accounts on our menu here!

Regardless of which one you connect to, the software will attempt
to fetch mail from as many accounts as possible, allowing you
to connect to a totally free provider, but still receive mail
from a different account which you'd normally pay for.


5) Does DialUp automatically configure mail and news fetching
   for me?

Yes.  DialUp ships with PopStar and Newshound, and both of
these are automatically set up.  In addition, you can add
extra email boxes, or alter existing ones via a simple window.


6) Can I use Browse/Fresco/Oregano with DialUp?

Yes.  Yes.  Yes.


7) Can I use Pluto with DialUp?

Yes, but we can't offer any support for this.  That isn't us
being awkward, we've just never used Pluto!  A number of our
customers have reported Pluto running successfully with DialUp.


8) Can I use Marcel or Acorn's !Mail with DialUp?

No.  Both of these products are tied directly into their
"parent" connection products, and both have (to our knowledge)
ceased all form of development.  Since neither is particularly
outstanding compared with Messenger Pro or Pluto, we do not
consider this a great loss.


9) I'm currently using Acornet.  Can I upgrade and still have
   access to all my old mail etc.

Yes.  Although this is beyond the scope of this FAQ, you'll
need to rescue !NewsDir from inside Acornet and put it in
!Boot.Resources (or somewhere else that your computer "sees").


10) What would you say is DialUp's most exciting feature?

Probably the ease with which you can get set up and online.
DialUp is also fast, elegant and versatile.


11) Are there any providers which are consitantly failing to
    work?

Not to our knowledge.  At the time of writing, one customer
in Pakistan is having problems browsing the web with his work
account (we suspect a resolving problem) but his home one is
fine.  Inevitably there will be something we haven't anticipated!

[it was a mistyped DNS server, as suspected - cured between
writing this and posting it!]


12) Does is tell me the correct modem connection speed?  Will
    it work OK with *my* modem?

DialUp should give sensible connection speeds on most modems.
DialUp is being used with all manner of modems ranging from
old US Robotics Sportsters through the latest 3Com varieties
to Zoom, Dynalink, Hayes etc.  It has been tested with the
latest Rockwell and Lucent modem chipsets, used by the majority
of manufacturers.


13) Does DialUp support dynamic DNS assignment?

There's always one techy question!!!  No, but it does include
a default public DNS server which should allow successful
operation even if your provider won't give you this information.
** This has not been a problem thus far.


14) Will DialUp take down my local network?

No.  DialUp works with the standard Internet 5 stack, which your
network card will work with too.


15) Is DialUp pd/shareware.  Can you send me a free copy?

No.  We've spent a long time working on the software, and offer
full tech support.  We've tried to keep the price as low as
possible, especially to existing R-Comp customers.


16) I currently use ANT (or similar) - why should I change?

This is really down to what you want to do.  If you're completely
happy with your current software, and don't find it restricting
in any way, then you should probably stick with what you have.

If, however, you want to do things like easily switching between
different internet accounts, work with some "troublesome" ISPs
like NTLworld, easily set up and add new connections, or use
a program which is being updated and developed, then DialUp
would be a good choice.

That's not to say that you can't/shouldn't use other programs,
and the freeware programs like Socketeer and ArmTCP may also fit
the bill, but getting going with DialUp is likely to be quicker
and easier.


17) Can other programs trigger connections "on demand"?

Yes, but you'll always be warned before connection takes place.
The latest version of WebsterXL talks to DialUp so that it is
quite possible to click on a web link in Messenger Pro, have
WXL load, attempt to fetch the page, then establish a connection,
and display the page.  All with two mouse clicks (one on the
link in the first place, and another to confirm you want to
go online).

Also, DialUp allows you to set up "Tasks", which can require
an active internet connection.  If you are offline when you
choose to run one of these, DialUp will ask you if you want
to go online.

Finally, the protocols for triggering a connection are very
straightforward, and are documented for programmers.


18) Do I have to mess with the Network settings for my computer?
    I have tried to set other programs up that needed this, and
    have not been successful.

DialUp doesn't require any alteration of your network settings.
Indeed, if you're not on a network (don't have a network card)
we recommend simply disabling networking altogether, and letting
DialUp set everything up it needs automatically.  The aim of
the program is to make connection as easy as possible, and
to make it "self contained".  As such, leaving DialUp to look
after itself is usually the best bet.


User comments and Feedback
--------------------------

"Absolutely Fantastic"  "It is so easy!"

"I used to recommend that people try XXXXX but now I will recommend
this [DialUp] app"

"I can honestly say that !DialUp is the best thing to have arrived
on my desktop for a long time"

"It worked first time!"

"My primary internet is !DialUp because with XXXX multiple ISPs
is a pain in the ^&^*$ "

"It may be my imagination, but it seems to work much faster [than
my previous connection software]"

"Congratulations on a super little app!"

"The dialer seems really good"

"This [dialup] should be supplied with all new computers..."
(note it is now supplied with RiscStation internet packs).