ResNova Software, Inc. of Huntington Beach, CA is announcing its first major upgrade of its NovaLink Professional (NLP) "Information Server" software, version 3.0, expected to ship on March 1, 1993. NovaLink Professional 3.0 supports traditional VT-100 text-based interfaces as well as a complete graphic user interface for Macintosh computers and Windows for the PC. September 1992, ResNova announced the release of the "RIPscrip" protocol (a graphics front-end for the DOS platform). NLP 3.0 coupled with "RIPscrip" provides a multi-platform graphical interface to its clients. NLP is the only Macintosh "Information Server" software package to support this revolutionary protocol. NovaLink Professional 3.0 key enhancements include ease of server design, maintenance and administration using "NovaView" (a finder-like interface) for Macintosh and Windows clients. In addition, 3.0 comes with very powerful interconnectivity with QuickMailx, Internet and FidoNet.
Information servers allow companies or individuals to set up "bulletin board" type services, including electronic mail, public file areas, message forums, real-time teleconferencing and a range of other capabilities. Server clients can communicate through a Local, Modem, AppleTalk, Communications Toolbox, X.25 and TCP/IP connections.
NovaLink Professional 3.0 extends the information server concept by allowing multiple servers to be linked together through a new capability known as InfoLinkx (Formerly NovaNet). InfoLinkx is built into every information server package. This feature allows the server administrator to identify a specific time interval for their server to call its specified "Supervisor". Once connected to the supervisor, NovaLink Professional will exchange appropriate private electronic mail and public messages or files that have been sent to an InfoLinkx address. Through use of one of the ResNova-maintained national and international networks, messages and files will travel around the world through built-in intelligent routing. Companies can also license their own private InfoLinkx networks for bridging the gap between servers at different locations. This capability, coupled with the gateways mentioned above, makes NovaLink Professional 3.0 one of the most powerful and flexible connectivity tools available today.
Connecting multiple servers on AppleTalk networks makes it possible to extend the limitations for incoming phone lines and network connections of a single Mac. This method enables companies to have multiple information servers for users or customers to access and can effectively expand the 20 phone line connection limitation of one Macintosh.
Companies who currently use CE Software's QuickMailx can implement a NovaLink system and continue with business as usual. If a QuickMailx user sends a message to a user who is on NovaLink, such as a dial in customer, NovaLink will automatically fetch and deliver the message. Messages can also come to NovaLink from QuickMailx. The same will be true with Apples up and coming AOCE technology when it is released. Both AOCE and QuickMailx offer connectivity of their own, combined with NovaLink the possibilities are endless.
NovaLink completely supports the TCP/IP protocol. This means that NovaLink can broadcast a "node" on a TCP network and clients who have TCP software can log on to NovaLink. The very popular "Internet" system uses TCP and NovaLink Professional 3.0 supports gateways for Internet mail and news feeds. No other Macintosh software offers this range of TCP/IP support.
NovaLink 3.0 offers two new levels of graphic interfaces, a server design interface for the System Operator or Network Manager that creates the information server and another for the end-user. The new end-user interface is called NovaViewx. The following are some pictures of each interface:
With the server design interface, NovaLink 3.0 provides a tool palette where you can click on a desired item and drag it into the menu you are creating. To define the parameters of the feature you desire, you simply fill out a dialog box with the appropriate values. This makes creating an information server a very simple task. The most important thing about the new graphic editor is that it does not compromise any of the power or flexibility of NLP.
While you are creating your NovaLink Professional information server you are also creating the NovaViewx interface for the end user! It looks exactly the same. System Operators can also decide to use the traditional picture based interface that earlier NovaLink systems supported.
If you turn on the option, NovaLink will also automatically generate the VT-100 "Text" version of the server, where you can easily modify it further to suit your tastes. It even inserts the NovaScript command to clear the screen!
We have only scratched the surface of what NovaLink 3.0 can do in this press release. Anyone can check NovaLink out for themselves by calling NovaCentral, our central information server, at 714/840-8641.
