Possibilities - QSO - The QWK Support Option

Contact:   eSoft, Inc. (Makers of TBBS)
           15200 E. Girard Ave., Suite 3000
           Aurora, CO  80014
           (303) 699-6565      Voice
           (303) 699-6872      Fax
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           support@esoft.com   E-Mail

QSO - THE QWK SUPPORT OPTION
----------------------------

*** From October 1992 Possibilities Newsletter ***
*** Copyright 1992 by eSoft, Inc.  All Rights Reserved ***

QSO -- The QWK Support Option
by eSoft Technical Staff

Off-line readers can save your users money (in phone charges) and also 
provide them the convenience of reading and replying to messages on their 
own computer, on their own schedule.  QWK is the most widely implemented 
off-line reader format, with over 40 reader programs available and more 
appearing regularly.  It is because of this wide support that eSoft chose to
implement the QWK format in QSO.

Since we announced that QSO would be developed several months, the prospect 
of support for QWK off-line readers has generated more response than any 
add-on for TBBS we have ever done.  When a test version of QSO was made 
available on the support board your response was immediate and strong.  
Before it even ships QSO appears on its way to being a winner.

For those of you who don't know what off-line readers are, they allow your 
callers to retrieve messages in bulk form and use off-line reader software 
to read and reply to them on their own computer.  When they are done 
replying to messages they call your TBBS again and upload their replies 
which QSO immediately posts to your message base.

Most off-line reader programs are shareware or freeware.  We have posted 
many of the more popular reader programs on the eSoft support BBS so you can 
test them out (along with QSO itself) to see if this is a technology you 
want or need.  

QSO Features...

QSO provides the following capabilities:

  o  QWK compatible message handling

  o  Optional keyword searching to select messages

  o  Optional transmission of enclosed files and the ability to request
     enclosed files remotely

  o  Optional ability to request active return receipts

  o  ZIP format archiving and de-archiving

  o  Automatic inclusion of NEWS file when changed

  o  Automatic inclusion of up to 99 bulletins when changed

  o  Optional inclusion of a new files listing

  o  Optional "Services" for electronic publishing

  o  Full support for remote user configuration



Several other features are supported such as automatic renaming of multiple 
QWK packets in the same day to prevent data loss, optional tag line 
stripping on a conference-by-conference basis, mapping of topics to QWK 
message areas and many more.

Advantages and Limitations...

If your callers become regular users of QWK off-line readers, they will 
spend less time per call on your system.  This means you will be able to 
handle more callers on the same number of phone lines.  If they are calling 
long distance, they will save money bcause they aren't connected to your 
system for as much time.  Their message replies should be better thought out 
and better written because they aren't under pressure to get them done and 
entered while "the clock is ticking".

The one big disadvantage of the QWK format is that it doesn't support Net 
Mail.  The QWK format has no addressing capability, so point-to-point Net 
Mail cannot be sent with off-line readers.  This limitation does not affect 
echomail, however, as the caller doesn't address echomail.  So you can use 
QWK readers with echomail message conferences.

The QSO support for enclosed files and return receipts uses extensions to 
the QWK format which aren't supported by every QWK reader.  However several 
readers do support them and we have had commitments from several more reader 
programmers that they will implement them.

You Can Order Now...

But the real question you have is "how much is it and when can I order my 
copy?"  The answer is QSO is $99.95 and you may order your copy now!  QSO 
will ship on or before November 15, 1992.

- END -
PS1092-4
Rev. 10/92

Copyright (C) 1994 eSoft, Inc., All Rights Reserved.  Permission granted
to distribute this file in its entirety, without modification, to any
interested party.  Any other use requires the written permission of
eSoft, Inc.

IMPORTANT:  The information herein is subject to change without notice.
Please call or write to confirm factual information of importance to you
or your organization.

