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- BOYAN version 4.01 is contained in the archives BOYAN401.ZIP and BOYAN402.ZIP
- =============================================================================
- ANNOUNCING BOYAN COMMUNICATIONS VERSION 4.01!
- =============================================================================
-
-
- A letter we received recently concerning BOYAN-D3 reads,
-
- "This is without a doubt the finest piece of telecomm software I've
- encountered. Your work is nothing short of fantastic. This is not
- programming, this is concept realization: something to which only
- a few applications programmers can aspire, and fewer still can
- achieve. My congratulations for your fine work."
-
- Reviewers for dozens of publications, including PC Magazine, PC World, and
- PC Week, have apparently concurred, praising BOYAN-D3 as "elegant,"
- "ingenious," "sensible," "a model of convenience," "smooth," "original,"
- "intuitive," and "delightful." On that note ... welcome to BOYAN 4.01!
-
-
- 1 Background
-
-
- Version 4.0 of BOYAN Communications represents a major upgrade from BOYAN
- version D3, the current version. BOYAN 4.0, while maintaining the widely-
- praised user interface of BOYAN-D3, brings original new features as well as
- state-of-the art performance.
-
- BOYAN 4.0 will be released on February 1, 1989 as User-Supported software.
- Those who decide to make use of BOYAN 4.0 on a regular basis will be expected
- to pay the registration charge, which is tentatively set at U.S. $40.00.
- Distribution diskettes will be available directly from the author for an
- additional $15.00 (please specify either two 5.25" floppies or one 3.5"
- diskette). Typeset user manuals, including quick reference cards, cost $10.
-
- Justin Boyan
- BOYAN Communications
- P.O. Box 71
- Woodstock, MD 21163
-
- BOYAN 4.0 will also be available for downloading from the BOYAN Support
- BBS (201/794-7125, 1200-9600 baud, Fair Lawn, NJ), the Computer Archives BBS
- (813/968-6220, 1200-9600 baud, Tampa), and many other Bulletin Board Systems
- throughout North America.
-
-
- 2 What Makes BOYAN Special?
-
-
- BOYAN is a powerful, fast communications package for the IBM-PC and
- compatible computers. Its unmatched flexibility, features, and ease-of-use
- make BOYAN practical for anyone who ever needs to use a modem.
-
-
- 2.1 Flexibility
-
-
- - BOYAN supports interrupt-driven communications with all serial ports
- and modems, at speeds from 300 to 38,400 baud. Both hardware and
- software flow control are supported for high-speed modems and
- networking.
-
- - BOYAN Action Modules allow BOYAN to emulate popular terminals,
- including VT-100, VT-52, and ANSI-BBS. Terminal emulations use their
- own "secondary" keysets which can easily be customized. Further
- emulations, as they are developed, can be easily installed into BOYAN
- 4.0.
-
- - Reliable file transfers use a wide variety of common error-checking
- protocols. Furthermore, any additional protocol can be configured into
- BOYAN, without the use of clumsy batch files.
-
- - An extensive macro language with well over 200 commands and variables
- can automate all your communication needs:
-
-
- * All of BOYAN's command keys are user-definable; thus, you can
- customize BOYAN's keyboard layout to exactly your own taste.
-
- * Auto-macros give you total control over what BOYAN does when
- initializing, dialing, connecting, or hanging up your modem.
-
- * Shortcut macros enable common passwords and long-distance dialing
- prefixes to be stored and used easily.
-
- * BOYAN script files can run communications sessions completely
- unattended, supporting: handshaking, timing, conditional
- execution, block nesting, macro nesting, and much more.
-
- * BOYAN's "script learn" feature remembers what you type at all
- times. After a session, BOYAN can walk you through what you
- typed and build an automatic script file for you. You may edit
- the script before it is saved, so that your next session on that
- system is hands-free!
-
- * Sample script files are provided for streamlining your use of
- CompuServe, PC-Pursuit, and common Bulletin Board Systems.
-
- - BOYAN provides a Host Mode which allows you to dial in to your computer
- from a remote system, read and write messages, send and receive files,
- and Shell to DOS. Two levels of password protection keep out unwanted
- callers. Since the Host Mode is written as a BOYAN script, it is
- completely customizable.
-
-
- 2.2 Features
-
-
- - BOYAN's famous "automatic filename entry" feature means you never again
- have to type a filename twice before downloading a file.
-
- - BOYAN saves you time and money by allowing you to upload messages you
- have prepared off-line. Exclusive: BOYAN determines the line prompt
- character and handles awkward "word wraps."
-
- - BOYAN's dialing directory lets you get online in a hurry:
-
-
- * Directories maintain the names, numbers, parameters, Action
- Module, logon script, file transfer protocol, and last connect
- date for all the sytems you ever need to dial.
-
- * Editing, sorting by name or number, searching, and printing a
- directory can all be done within BOYAN.
-
- * Multiple dialing directories allow you to organize your phone
- lists any way you want.
-
- - A 20-number "redialing queue" dynamically stores the numbers which you
- dial but fail to connect. When you desire, BOYAN automatically redials
- each of the numbers in turn, showing the status of each system in a
- full-screen display. Numbers may be added to and deleted from the
- queue at any time.
-
- - BOYAN maintains a "usage log" that records the length of all modem
- connections and the efficiency of all file transfers for later
- reference. This can aid with phone records, for example.
-
- - BOYAN works hand-in-hand with DOS at all times:
-
-
- * Issuing any DOS command, running any program, and entering DOS
- temporarily are possible during a communication session.
-
- * BOYAN can easily be set to integrate your favorite word
- processor/editor and file lister.
-
- * A full built-in Directory File Manager allows you to scan disk
- directories, copying and viewing files at the touch of a key.
- Select files for uploading as well as BOYAN script files directly
- from the File Manager's listing.
-
- * BOYAN works equally well with floppy or hard disk-based systems.
-
- - A "scroll-back buffer" fills all available memory. At any time, you
- can page through the text which has scrolled off the top of the screen.
- Within the buffer, you can locate specific strings, mark passages to be
- printed or filed to disk, and automatically move to the beginning of
- the current session.
-
- - A "Gossip" Action Module splits the screen into "local" and "remote"
- windows, allowing clear online conversations between two modem users.
-
-
- 2.3 Ease of Use
-
-
- - Context-sensitive help screens are available at all times with the
- <Ctrl-Home> key combination.
-
- - "Back up" or cancel the current action anytime with the <Esc> key.
-
- - A status line keeps you informed of the currently-connected system, the
- elapsed time of the call, and the script file in control.
-
- - BOYAN's Line Editor facilitates entering and editing responses to BOYAN
- prompts.
-
- - BOYAN's exclusive "backspace editor" means that any typing errors can
- be quickly corrected without retyping any erased words. You can delete
- by word, not just character-by-character. Text can be inserted or
- deleted on a line at any time.
-
- - Configurable filter tables, screen dumps, disk logging, printer
- logging, automatic modem speed-detection, break signal support, and
- many other options make BOYAN superior for any kind of microcomputer
- communications!