SoftArc Now Shipping Version 2.5 of FirstClass

New Version Features Strengthened Electronic Mail and Introduces Database
Access

SCARBOROUGH, Ontario--December 17th, 1993--Forms editing and enhanced
e-mail functions are among the highlights of a new release of SoftArc's
FirstClass cross-platform electronic mail and conferencing system, now
shipping.

FirstClass 2.5 also allows graphical access to SQL or DAL databases through
third-party database extensions or custom database gateways.

"FirstClass, with this release, dramatically leapfrogs mail-only products
like cc:Mail and Microsoft Mail, and squarely competes with Lotus Notes,"
said Steven Asbury, SoftArc President.

Directory Synchronization 

Enterprise-wide FirstClass installations with multiple servers can now
synchronize their user directories by enabling a synchronization option in
FirstClass 2.5. User directories can now remain consistent from server to
server... even among sites with hundreds of servers. Even when as large as
one hundred thousand users, FirstClass still performs directory searches
and name matches quickly. In addition, FirstClass 2.5 lets users send mail
to any other user on any other server--even if the two do not communicate
together directly--courtesy of a new multi-hop mail architecture.

Advanced e-mail

The new version gives users of the graphical FirstClass communications
system advanced e-mail features such as message unsend, priority,
sensitivity and receipting. In addition, autoreply and autoforward allow
users to forward their mail when on vacation or send automatic "I'm out
off the office" replies (this ability is included in the base FirstClass
product at no extra cost, nor does it rely on third party software.)

Forms Editor

The FirstClass Forms Editor, shipping with FirstClass 2.5, allows
administrators to create their own message forms or edit existing ones.
Forms are multi-platform and function identically on Macintosh or Windows.
Enhancements to the forms system now provide for embedded graphics within
FirstClass forms.

Database Access

Finally, FirstClass 2.5 allows users to query SQL or DAL databases. By
programming or purchasing a "database extension" gateway for their
FirstClass system, servers can hand off queries formulated from data
entered in a FirstClass form and retrieve the results within FirstClass.
Entering queries can be as simple as toggling checkboxes in a FirstClass
form. Users may simply double-click on search matches to pull up an entire
pertinent record from their database. (For more information on database
access through FirstClass, see the accompanying press release on 411 for
FirstClass, a database extension for FirstClass by EveryWare Development
Corporation, also shipping now.)

With this release SoftArc is issuing new versions of its
freely-distributable FirstClass Clients for Macintosh and Windows. The
FirstClass Client software is free; anyone may download the latest
versions from America Online, CompuServe, various Internet FTP servers or
SoftArc Online--SoftArc's corporate FirstClass system (416-609-2250.) More
than 650,000 people currently use the FirstClass client software.

Free Upgrade

Registered owners of FirstClass systems may download version 2.5 of the
FirstClass server from SoftArc's FirstClass system free of charge, as with
all updates to the FirstClass server or client. However registered users
may optionally purchase SoftArc's upgrade package including new 2.5
diskettes and documentation for $95.

SoftArc Inc
805 Middlefield Rd, Suite 102
Scarborough, Ontario CANADA M1V 2T9
416-299-4723,  fax 416-754-1856,  FirstClass BBS 416-609-2250
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New FirstClass 2.5 Features

E-mail enhancements
-------------------

Directory Synchronization 

FirstClass 2.5 servers in large distributed mail systems can be instructed
to automatically exchange user directory information. Users added or
removed on individual servers are reflected in the directories of all
servers in the system.

Remote Users 

Names can be created locally that are "aliases" to users on other systems.
Writing to "Jim Smith" can route the mail correctly whether the user is on
a local server or on the far side of the world through the Internet.

Multi-hop Routing 

Mail sent to other systems no longer needs a direct gateway. The server
stores a list of all known systems automatically and can create the proper
route for the mail to take.

Autoreply 

Users can configure their accounts to automatically send a reply to the
sender of new mail.

Autoforward 

Users can configure their account to automatically forward all new mail to
another user or mailing list. Useful when on vacation or away on
business.

Unsend 

Removes a sent message from conferences or recipients' mailboxes and allows
for further editing.

Reply Special 

Replies can now be directed to "all users", "conferences" or only the
sender without manual editing.

Delivery Receipts 

Receipts can be generated when a message is routed to another server, has
been received by a recipient or has been read by a recipient. Receipts
travel over FirstClass gateways.

Message Priorities 

Priorities can influence when a gateway runs. Urgent messages are indicated
in bold in message lists.

Message Sensitivity 

Allows messages to be tagged for private delivery and messages to be routed
over specific gateways.

Personal Mail Lists 

Users can now create any number of their own mail lists.

Better NDN Logic 

FirstClass non-delivery-notification messages (similar to Internet bounced
mail messages) are no longer sent to gatewayed systems.

New FirstClass Protocol Features
--------------------------------

Speed Increases 

FirstClass 2.5 incorporates a number of speed increases that provide much
faster throughput regardless of connection method. Transfers speeds when
connected to FirstClass by modem are now even faster than the popular
ZModem protocol.

WAN Speed Increases 

FirstClass has always been better on long distance (long turnaround) links
than most protocols. It's now even better. Users on WAN systems will
notice large boosts in performance.

Faster Uploads 

Uploads are now the same speed as downloads when using either the
FirstClass Client for Macintosh or FirstClass Client for Windows.

Scriptable Logins 

Users can now write scripts to log into FirstClass Servers over WAN systems
or X.25 (such as SprintNet) through a simple scripting language.

New Modem Handling 

All modem handling is now controlled from easy to edit text files. This
allows users to create and "pass around" modem settings easier than
before. The same modem settings files are used on both the Mac and PC.

Encryption 

All packets transmitted between client and server are now encrypted
automatically.

Enhancements to FirstClass Clients for Macintosh and Windows
------------------------------------------------------------

Client Similarity 

The new FirstClass clients look almost identical on both the Mac and PC and
are built from the same code. Unlike most "new" software versions, the
latest clients are smaller, run in less memory and are noticeably faster
than their earlier counterparts.

New System Setup 

Unlike prior versions, the new setup system is non-modal and simpler to
use. It can automatically select the correct settings for a particular
modem--making it harder for a user to select incorrect settings.

Multi-item Select 

You can now select and open many items at once and select items out of the
middle of a list.

Smart Window Sizing 

Users' message or directory window resizing is remembered for new windows
in the same session.

Sort by Status 

Allows you to sort your mail and messages by their importance and read
status.

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