
Galacticomm, Inc. presents
A Report on Worldgroup
(a.k.a. "Project Victory")
for Sysops of The Major BBS







Disclaimer: The information contained in this document represents the
current view of Galacticomm, Inc. on the issues and products discussed
as of the date of publication. Because Galacticomm must respond to
changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a
commitment on the part of Galacticomm, and Galacticomm cannot guarantee
the accuracy of any information presented within _ the product in
discussion here is in beta test, and all technical specifications,
marketing information and prices are subject to change without notice.
The Major BBS is a registered trademark of Galacticomm, Inc., and
Worldgroup is a trademark of Galacticomm, Inc. All other marks are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. This
document is Copyright a 1995 by Galacticomm, Inc., and all rights are
reserved.



Scott J. Brinker
President & CEO

Jeff Torello
Beta Coordinator


Introduction

The future is clear: to compete, online services _ both commercial
and private _ must provide their users with a graphical user
interface. But it is not enough to be "pretty," it must be fast,
functional, ergonomic, and 100% intuitive. Above all else, it must
have the property that both novice and advanced users will prefer to
use it, by saving them time, offering them better services (available
through total multimedia integration), and providing solid reliability
under varying line conditions.

Achieving these goals mandates a client/server approach. Instead of
a "dumb terminal," the client-side software should have application-
specific intelligence. This gives you the benefits of offline
operation, dedicated processing power on the user's computer, and
the ability to take full advantage of local multimedia capabilities,
including video and high-fidelity sound. In addition, with control of
both sides of the link, you can establish a multi-threaded, error-
correcting protocol for reliable synchronization between the host
system and the caller (i.e., no dropped characters or marred menus,
as ANSI and linear graphical languages are susceptible to).

Background file transfers can be executed, not only for
convenience, but for auto-updating of applications and eventually
for AI-ish "look ahead" on menus and services.
The mission of Worldgroup is to integrate this level of client/server,
and hence multimedia, computing into the next generation of The
Major BBS. Imagine the ultimate merge between Microsoft Mail,
Lotus Notes, CompuServe, America Online and existing BBS
platforms. Worldgroup combines the best of electronic mail,
workgroups, and commercial online services, and packages it into
an off-the-shelf solution that is viable for launching any private or
consumer-oriented online service.

In the spirit of Galacticomm's emphasis on extensibility,
Worldgroup is designed to be an open platform for third-party
applications, such as games, databases, shopping malls, document
systems, accounting services, mail and file gateways, and more. In
addition to server-side "agents" (similar to modules for The Major
BBS Version 6), developers and advanced Sysops will have the
ability to create and modify "apps" for client-side operation.
This document will briefly sketch out both the server and client
sides of Worldgroup.  Screen shots of certain areas are included to
allow for a better understanding and first-hand view of the client
applications.  A complete client is available for download (or ftp)
from the Galacticomm Demo System at 305/583-7808
(gcomm.com _ 199.227.15.16).  The file is located in the WG
library/directory and is called WGCLIENT.ZIP.

Background

Where did the concept of Worldgroup originate?

The first incarnation on Worldgroup began in 1990, when Tim
Stryker began work on something called BBScript.  It started out as
a scripting environment, but it put too much load on the BBS host
machine.  In the beginning of 1993, Stryker discovered Visual
Basic.  Suddenly, the picture was clear.  The best way to do
BBScript was to move to a client/server architecture  _ where each
script, if you will, would run on the client (user's) machine.  Rather
than create a custom scripting language, we would use Visual
Basic.  Development was started around this time, and the
client/server engine was completed late that year. After the release
of 6.2, we shifted into high gear on Project Victory and
concentrated all our efforts on getting the client-side applications
written.

Why "Worldgroup"?

The name itself is an intersection between workgroups and the
outside world.  Workgroups imply drudgery while the word
"worldgroup" conjures up images of people interacting with each
other.  Everyone who was shown a preview of the product during
design stages invariably made the comment that this was much
more than just a BBS.  After lengthy debate, we decided to give the
product a new name, to really emphasize the paradigm shift we're
about to unleash on the market.  However, you could also think of
it as The Major BBS Version 7.

How is Worldgroup more than just a "pretty face"?

Worldgroup isn't just a Windows "front-end" to The Major BBS.
Instead of the BBS machine _ the server _ driving the
applications, the actual program executables are running on the
user's machine; the client.  The server just becomes more of a data
server, from which the client requests things.  In this way, the server
can deal with any arbitrary data, compressed images, distributed
database records, or whatever, and pipe it down to the client, which
then handles all the real work.
This opens up a universe of possibilities that were unfathomable
under the traditional BBS-to-dumb-terminal model.  There's good
reason why the rest of the computing world is migrating in flocks to
the client/server paradigm:  it maximizes power for the users and
flexibility for the host server.

Client Side Operations

The Galacticomm "Worldgroup Manager" is the user-side tool that
will run the show.  It is a Windows application.  Future ports to
Macintosh, PowerMac, PowerPC, native OS/2, and UNIX
platforms are under consideration.  Tailored after the Windows 3.x
Program Manager, the Worldgroup Manager will group all of the
services that the user connects to, with each service represented by
an icon.  The user can organize these into groups as he chooses.
First-Time Connection

There are three ways in which a user can first access the
client/server features of an online service running the Worldgroup
server software.

" The Sysop distributes a disk to the user which he will install in
Windows with "A:SETUP".  This disk could have both the
client, as well as that particular service's information and main
menu EXE.  (It is even reasonable to consider distributing a
CD-ROM, which might include various multimedia video and
sound clips to enhance the experience.)  If the user already has
the client installed, then the new service will just be added to it.
The Sysop can preassign an account and password, or have the
user sign-up when he first connects.

" A user who already has the Worldgroup Manager, and uses it
for other services, hears about a new system he wants to call.
He creates a new entry in his client, labeling it as either a
modem, serial, LAN, or Telnet connection.  He then connects to
the system, which senses him as supporting the client/sever
protocol, and proceeds to download all of the relevant EXE and
data files _ automatically.

" A user connects to a Worldgroup-based service with a regular
ASCII/ANSI (/RIP) terminal program.  He can take advantage
of almost all of the regular BBS features in this mode, just like
previous versions of The Major BBS.  At any time, he can
choose to download the client and the relevant files for that
system, and switch over to client/server.

It is this open distribution that the first key advantage Worldgroup
has over regular Windows e-mail and workgroup packages
becomes clear.  You want to make it easy for new people to join,
whether you're catering to a private group of individuals or to the
public at large. To this end, the Worldgroup Manager is planned to
be marketed as shareware, at a fraction of the cost of other off-the-
shelf terminal programs, and at a tiny fraction of the cost of other
workgroup client licenses, such as Lotus Notes.
X.25 connectivity will be handled through the dial-up modem
support in the client.  Direct TCP/IP support (via Winsock) will
allow the client to be used over the Internet as well.

Use of Worldgroup Services

Once a user has set up an account on a Worldgroup-based service,
and installed the Worldgroup Manager, he can use it like any other
Windows application: click on the service icon he wants to launch,
and he's ready to go.

The Sysop of each service will be able to provide a Windows icon
to represent his service in the user's client.  The Sysop will also
have the option of displaying a welcome screen when the user
selects his service.  The welcome screen will be a fixed layout, very
much like a standard Windows About box: icon on the left, text on
the right, an OK button on the far right.  The Sysop will be able to
configure this text.  In future versions _ or even in Worldgroup 1.0
if he has access to Visual Basic programming talent _ the Sysop
will have the option of assigning an EXE file to be executed at this
time, to launch intricate logon sequences, with multimedia
animation, video and sound.

Once the user has selected a service, but hasn't yet initiated a
communications connection over a modem or LAN, he is
considered to be "on deck."  In this state, he can perform offline
operations related to that service: sort through messages in his In
Box; place new  messages and files into his Out Box; and so forth.
The service's main menu, which consists of a menu bar, a toolbar,
and "program" icons grouped on a floating window, is available at
this time.  As soon as the user selects a feature that requires a
connection, such as retrieving new mail, scanning a remote
database, or distributing a file to other users, the client
automatically dials the service (or connects over the Internet or
LAN) and brings him on line.  The user can also manually initiate a
connection at any time.  This is the essence of the client/server
architecture.  Not only does the user get a graphical interface, the
server machine is not required to do "everything" as it has in the
past.  The user's computer, the client, now does its share of the
work.  In some instances a connection to the server is only required
to transmit a message, and nothing more.

After the user is connected and identified by the server (i.e. has
been accepted as a valid account with a correct password),
mandatory updates to the client software can be automatically
detected and downloaded to the client.  Updates to that server's
main menu, including new applications, will also be transmitted at
this time.  Messages and files waiting in the user's Out Box are sent
to the server; new messages and files addressed to him on the server
are brought into his In Box (actually, each user can configure
whether or not he wants these actions to be automatic or upon his
explicit request).

Worldgroup Baseline Applications

Worldgroup will include a complete suite of client/server
applications in the baseline package.  Special attention has been
paid to providing easy online help for novice users throughout all of
the applications. As an example of the baseline conversion to
client/server, the next few sections will show the new e-mail and
forums modules.  For further details and a first hand experience of
all the baseline changes, you can download the client software from
the Demo System.

New Messaging Subsystem

In addition to the client/server capabilities, Worldgroup will also
include a significant upgrade to the Galacticomm messaging
subsystem.

For performance improvements, Worldgroup forums can be split
among multiple data files, at the option of the Sysop. In addition,
the directory where files attached to forum messages will be stored
can be specified _ including the option of overlapping forums in a
single directory _ to cut back on the number of subdirectories
created.  Cleanup of forums and e-mail has been moved online, in
real time.  Also, Re-indexing is no longer required.
Other significant messaging improvements will include: thread
identification (with support for threads over networked forums as
well); a flag to identify high-priority mail; the option of adding
comments when forwarding or copying a message; and the option
of displaying or not displaying a complete cc: list in the body text
of a mail message.

Perhaps most importantly, Galacticomm will introduce the
capability for "plug-in mail handlers," that can be developed by
third parties. This will allow for seamless integration of networked
forums, such as USENET groups and FIDO echoes, without having
to piggy-back on the MHS handler.
The architecture will target realistic support for 10,000 Forums.

Electronic Mail

When writing a new message, the user will have check box options
for requesting a return receipt when the message is received,
tagging the message as "priority mail" (which will alert the reader
of its urgency), and deciding whether or not the list of carbon copy
addresses will be shown to each addressee. Buttons at the bottom of
the window will let the user attach a file to a message (and in
Windows fashion, a common file dialog box will open for this
purpose), set options for saving the message in his filing cabinet,
send the message immediately, or save the message in his Out Box
for later transmission.

To address a message, a user can either type directly in a "To:"
field, or click on the address book icon to bring up a common
address book dialog box that will let him select local and networked
addresses (including distribution lists) from a list box. The user can
add entries to this list either by manually typing them in, or by
"clipping" addresses from other e-mail or forum messages. A
"Details" button will display any comments that the user associated
with an entry. A "Find" button can be used to search the user
database on the connected server.  And to help clarify network
messaging (i.e., the Internet, MHS, etc.), a "Carriers" button will
display information on addressing schemes for each "gateway"
supported by the server. The cc: list can also be built from the
address book.

When a user reads mail in his In Box, icons will identify new
messages that haven't been read yet, as well as "priority" messages.
The In Box is displayed as a list of these messages, with the author,
date, and topic. A user can then click on a button (or double-click
on a list item) to read a particular message. A button to manually
"Get New Mail" from the server is also available on the In Box
window. (Note: thanks to the new, error-correcting, multi-threaded
protocol, downloading mail and files can be accomplished in the
background while the user performs other tasks online, such as
teleconferencing or taking a poll.)

After reading a message, which is displayed in a scrollable window,
the user can select from a group of buttons to reply to the message,
delete it, file it in his filing cabinet, forward or copy it (and
optionally add comments to it) to other users, download any
attached file, follow the thread of a topic, clip the "From" address
to his address book, or move to the next or previous message.  The
user can also use the common Windows clipboard to copy text
directly from the message to other Windows applications.
Replies and new messages that are stored in the user's Out Box can
be viewed in a list box with the destination, "To:" field, topic, date,
and message status (either holding or ready to upload). Buttons at
the bottom of the window let the user edit a message, delete it, send
it, hold it, or send all messages.

Additional e-mail features include the multi-folder filing cabinet and
an e-mail Preferences window. In Preferences, a user can set
advanced options for how outgoing mail is sent, auto-filing
directives, an "auto-forward" address, etc.

Forums (Group Discussion Areas)

Message forums (based on the accepted "bulletin board" model)
provide the ideal venue for asynchronous group discussions, both
inside the company, through a LAN, as well as wide area, through
modems, X.25, and the Internet. It is a many-to-many tool for
sharing information, ideas, and related files.

This application is designed to securely support both internal group
coordination and external discussion areas for customers, beta
testers, prospects, vendors, the press, etc. (It's through this open,
wide-area support that the key advantage of participation by the
outside world is achieved over internal-use-only products such as
Lotus Notes and Microsoft Mail.)

As many as 10,000 forums can be created on one system, including
both "local" (messages stored only in that system's database)  and
"networked" (e.g., Internet, FIDO, MajorNet, etc.) forums.
Each Forum will have its messages organized in both chronological
order as well as by topic "threads." Reading a message would look
something like this:

When reading a message, the user could choose to post a public
reply in that forum, send a private e-mail reply to its author, file it
in his filing cabinet, copy the message to someone else, download
any attached file, clip the addresses of the author or the directed
recipient, or display a map of the conversation's thread. If he was
the author, or a forum-Op, he would also have the options of
modifying or deleting the message. Buttons at the bottom of the
window let him move to the next or previous message, either
chronologically or by thread.

A powerful "scan" feature is also included, which provides the
equivalent of the BBS feature known as "Quickscan," as well as
offering a sophisticated keyword search engine. The user can
choose only new messages, messages directed to him, messages
with a particular starting date, messages with only specific
keywords in them, etc., as well as specify which forums to scan in
the process. He can also save a search set up as his "default," to
initiate Quickscan-type searches on a regular basis. From this
window, he can also look up "Info" on each forum, such as its
description, Forum-Op, number of messages, number of files,
number of threads, any surcharges, message lifetime, etc.

If the user prefers to work offline, he can now initiate a "download
messages" command to collect the new messages and threads he
has tagged online. Check box options let him specify whether or not
to disconnect when the download is complete, and whether or not to
include file attachments that may be associated with his new
messages.

The user can also access his filing cabinet from the forums
application (both the filing cabinet and the address book are shared
among multiple applications in Worldgroup). In addition, a "set
preferences" option lets him specify advanced configuration
information for message quoting, auto-clip of addresses, auto-delete
of offline messages after "x" number of days, auto-filing of
messages into his filing cabinet, etc.

The Worldgroup Server

The Major BBS Version 6 is the foundation for the "server" side of
the Worldgroup client/server architecture. All hardware and
connectivity options will continue to be fully supported, as will
regular ASCII/ANSI/RIP interaction by non-Worldgroup users.
Performance

A highly-tuned OSI model was used to create the client/server
"layers" for Worldgroup. Although client/server agents on the
server side will tend to be very database intensive (most of the work
agents perform will be reading and writing from Btrieve databases
and regular DOS files), this should be balanced by the off-loading
of work to the client. (In fact, while the user is working offline,
which may be the majority of the use in workgroup scenarios, he
will be contributing zero load to the server.)

In addition, the users perception of performance may be quite
higher than it actually is, due to the multitasking capabilities of the
Windows environment. While a file transfer is being conducted in
the background, the user can be doing something else, while at the
same time listening to an audio CD being played from his CD-
ROM, or any other common Windows task.

Connectivity

Galacticomm's strength in modem, serial, X.25, Internet, and LAN
connectivity will continue in Worldgroup. The client software will
initially support modem, serial, Novell SPX LAN, and TCP/IP
Internet connections, andX.25 access can be achieved by using a
modem connection through an X.25 network to the server.
The recent introduction of Galacticomm's Internet Connectivity
Option will also provide regular WWW, telnet, and ftp services, as
well as providing the opportunity for Worldgroup clients to work
with servers through the Internet.
At the same time, Galacticomm's new Galacticomm Custom
Device Interface (GCDI), will allow selected third-party developers
to create additional connectivity add-ons for the Worldgroup server
platform.

Security

Because of the open distribution of the Worldgroup client software,
all security access issues will be addressed solely by the server.
Client/server database variables requested by client programs will
do a server-level check to make sure that the user requesting that
variable has verified authorization. For some applications, this may
just be a positive match between the client's identified User-ID
(which must be established by a successful password check at
connect time) and the User-ID associated with that database
variable. Or, in more sophisticated situations, a Locks and Keys
check will be made, as it is now under the Version 6 architecture.
The important point that must be stressed is that at no time can a
user compromise the security of the server without having the
password to a Sysop-privileged account. Regular password
changes and physical security to the server system remain the best
prevention against any such illegal breach.

Through these mechanisms, it becomes safe and practical for a
company to distribute the Worldgroup client to its customers and
prospects without risking the integrity of its LAN security or the
confidentiality of its internal workgroups.

Automatic Client/Server Version Control

Another key feature of Worldgroup will be the ability for the client
programs to automatically update themselves from the server. This
will save the Sysop from "redistribution" headaches every time a
new version is released.

Each system will have a unique "sysid" code. Each file associated
with a client application will also have a version code incorporated
in its name. Every released version of a file should have a new
unique file name (for example, GCSEM100.EXE vs.
GCSEM101.EXE).

When a physical connection is established between the client and
the server, the server will first verify the user's Worldgroup
Manager version code. If the local Worldgroup Manager version
number is less than the server's, the user may have to update. If just
the last digit is different between the two, the user is given a choice
whether he wants to update or not. Otherwise, an update is
automatically initiated.

After the client is verified to be the correct version, the main menu
application will be verified. If a new main menu needs to be
transmitted, the user will be notified that his main menu is being
"refreshed," and the appropriate files will be downloaded to him.
Whenever the user selects an application from the main menu, all of
the apps files will be verified synchronously before it is spawned. If
files need to be updated, the main menu will calculate the total
number of bytes needed to update, and either get all the files
synchronously or pop up a window to let the user know to try back
later (meanwhile it will update in the background).
Any given application will only need to have its files verified by the
server once per online session. The main menu will keep track of
which applications have already been verified.

Development Environment and Toolkits

The Worldgroup server has been developed in Borland C and
Assembly, using the Btrieve database engine and the Phar Lap 286
DOS Extender. To modify the server source code, or to write the
server-side code for applications, a developer will need Borland C
3.1 or 4.02 and the Phar Lap 286 DOS Extender. A Btrieve
developer's kit and an 80x86 assembler are optional.
The Worldgroup client has been developed in Borland C and
Assembly for the low-level code and communications utilities.
Visual Basic was used to create most of the client user interface.
The Btrieve Windows DLL provides the basic client-side database
services. Visual Basic extensions by Sheridan Software and
Crescent Software were also used for specific enhancements.
To modify or develop Worldgroup client-side code, a developer
will need Visual Basic Pro 3.0 and 3-D Widgets by Sheridan
Software (this latter requirement may change before release).
Borland C 3.1 or 4.0, an 80x86 assembler, the Btrieve for Windows
developer's kit, and other Visual Basic third-party toolkits are
optional.

The power and simplicity of the Visual Basic environment will give
a very broad audience the opportunity to customize Worldgroup
online services.

Galacticomm Developer Products

Galacticomm currently plans to offer four developer kits for
Worldgroup:

  Client-side Development Kit, which will include the client-
side engine in DLL form and the Visual Basic code for all
the client-side apps and main menu. Documentation will
include an overview of client/server, the client-side engine
API, and the dynapak reference guide.

  Client/Server Development Kit, which will include the
client-side Development Kit, along with the server-side
engine in LIB form and the source code to all of the server-
side applications (equivalent to the Developer's C Source
Kit for Version 6 of The Major BBS).  Additional
documentation will cover the server-side engine API for
agent development.

  Extended Source Kit, which will contain further C source
code associated with the offline utilities for the server
(similar to the existing product for Version 6) as well as the
client-side Worldgroup Manager source.

  Client/Server Engine Source Kit, which will provide the full
client-side and server-side engine sources. This will be
particularly well-suited for approved developers to port the
client capabilities to other platforms.
The specific contents of these kits are tentative at this time, and
pricing is not yet available.

Visual Basic Third-Party Toolkits

Over 200 custom controls and other companion products are
commercially available for Visual Basic for Windows _ giving
client/server developers instant access to megabytes of specialized
tools and programming libraries. Some examples include:

  MicroHelp High Edit, an integrated word processor that lets
developers include WYSIWYG, desktop-publishing
features into applications via a custom control.

  RoboHelp, by Blue Sky Software Corp., which integrates
bitmaps, sound clips, and video clips be included into
Windows help files.

  ImageKnife/VBX, a custom control package for
manipulating images of all kinds (TIFF, PCX, GIF, DIB,
JPEG, etc.) in any application.

  SpyWorks-VB, a powerful tool for both debugging
Windows apps, as well as incorporating features such as
"subclassing" for intercepting any Windows message going
to a form or control.

  Visual/db Database Manager, a complete relational DBMS
that creates, reads, and writes industry-standard dBASE-
type database (DBF), index (NDX), and memo (DBT) files.

  NeuroWindows, a neural network DLL for Visual Basic
that gives applications the capability to simulate the
recognition abilities of the human brain in problem-solving
scenarios.

A product directory of add-ons is included with the Visual Basic
package. Also, the magazine BasicPro features ads and reviews of
popular enhancement products. A number of good books are
available on Visual Basic programming techniques, as is a yearly
VBITS technical summit.

Potential Third-Party Products

The Worldgroup platform will open the possibilities for new,
multimillion dollar third-party applications built on its foundation.
With the ease of Visual Basic, stunning results may be achieved in
record time. And the dynamics of the Windows market should give
developers a longer product cycle, resulting in higher profits and
more resources for expansion.

Several "killer" apps that are envisioned include:

  Client/server database engines, which manage "differences"
between the central and remote databases _ giving each
user full data manipulation capabilities, even in intermittent
online circumstances.

  Online catalog shopping, bidding, and browsing; color
photographs could be downloaded, as could AVI movies
and sound clips. The user could keep local records of
products. When he's ready to order he simply enters his
credit card in a client-side form, connects, and kicks off an
invoice on the server.

  Workgroup suites, including project management, meeting
schedules, contact management, and personal information
databases.

  Local/remote sales and inventory systems, where field staff
could enter orders _ perhaps even allow customers or
dealers to work with restricted aspects of the system.

  Awesome multiplayer games, with stunning graphics,
animation, video, and sound; joystick, mouse, VR gloves
and helmets, etc.

  Collections of specialized "global" commands combined
into a floating toolbox _ sort of a Norton Desktop for the
online services on the extreme side.

  Document management and real "whiteboard" software,
either for internal-use only, or possibly with outside world
participation.

  A complete technical support center, with bug tracking,
feature voting, knowledge database, customer activity
threads, update file downloads, etc., which could be used by
company management, support staff, and customers to
automate the technical support process.

  The ultimate "matchmaker in cyberspace" software, with
special chat support for photographs, movies, sound clips,
animation, etc.

  Investment management packages: stock quote feeds for the
server, and tracking and portfolio tools for the client.

  Mail gateways to cc:Mail, Microsoft Mail, DaVinci; and
shared database gateways with Lotus Notes, Microsoft
Schedule+, etc.

And that's just the beginning!

Conclusion

Online services are the wave of the future. They will provide the
critical networks by which PC users will gather information and
communicate with the world. Already, the concepts of enterprise
computing and mobile computing have made email, remote access,
and workgroup applications a major success. Worldgroup
technology will certainly cater to those internal communication and
coordination markets, but will reach far beyond the physical and
conceptual walls of an organization: call it "worldgroup," or
"customer-company interactive services." Ultimately, though, it is
the bridge and merger between the multibillion dollar
email/workgroup market and the multibillion dollar commercial
online service market.

Worldgroup is currently scheduled to begin beta test in January
1995. The final shipping product is excepted to be released in late
March 1995. There will be a significant, wide-area gamma release
in early March 1995. These dates are tentative and subject to
change.

Specific pricing is not available at this time, although a two-user
copy of  the Worldgroup server is expected to have a significantly
higher list price (around $795) than the current Major BBS Version
6. The retail price should remain under $500. The Advanced LAN
Option will also be integrated into the baseline two-user product.
There will be a very competitive upgrade option for existing
Version 6 customers (around $199).  There will be a developers
source upgrade as well (around $149) that will include a complete
client/server kit, minus Visual Basic Pro 3.0.

The Worldgroup client software will be offered as shareware; there
will probably be a separate charge for the client user's manual.
Support for clients may be handled through a support contract with
the Sysop or possibly an independent 900 number. The details of
the Worldgroup support plans will be available after beta test.
Future versions of the Worldgroup client and server software, as
well as Worldgroup add-on options, will be released over the 1995
calendar year.

This project will be the most exciting release ever introduced by
Galacticomm _ or for that matter any other manufacturer _ in the
ready-to-explode BBS market. It is the true integration of
client/server and multimedia into a market that has been the leader
of interactivity, but a slow starter in interface. It is high time to
bring these services into the mainstream, the way Prodigy and
America Online have at a broad level.

After careful analysis, Galacticomm strongly believes that no other
BBS industry player will be able to match these capabilities until at
least late 1995. By then, new advancements will keep Galacticomm
customers, dealers, and third-party developers at the head of the
pack. Your success will help make that happen.
Based on announced product plans by Microsoft and Lotus,
Galacticomm also believes that the big giants in the workgroup
market will fail to successfully reach the "outside" world, primarily
due to license restrictions and to a lesser extent inexperience in the
open online community, until at least 1996.

This is the ultimate window of opportunity.

Common Questions and Answers

Are Version 6.x modules and Add-ons compatible with Worldgroup
?

Add-on modules written for the Version 6 platform should work
fine under Worldgroup, except for any product that uses the
messaging system.  Due to the extensive changes in the messaging
architecture, products that fall into this category will need to be
updated.  We've done our best to get early copies of Worldgroup
and the messaging API  to all of our third party developers and we
hope to see Worldgroup versions of  most products shortly after we
ship.

What if I have Add-ons that don't have a C/S interface?

Since the client has a built in ANSI terminal, and can automatically
detect when a module doesn't have a C/S interface, all of these
products should still be accessible to your client/server users.  Of
course, we're encouraging all of our vendors to write C/S
compatible products from now on.
Does the server have to run under Windows now?
Absolutely not. Worldgroup can be considered The Major BBS
Version 7.0, in this respect.  Maximum performance is achieved by
running the server under DOS.

Does the Sysop have a client/server interface?

For the most part, yes.  The remote sysop (system management)
module has not been converted to C/S, but just about everything
else has.  The console will still support ANSI only, of course.

What about Windows `95?  Will the client work with it?

The existing client works under Windows `95 (tested with the
Windows `95 Beta 2 release). Galacticomm plans to port the client
to a 32-bit, Windows `95 application when it becomes feasible.
Does Worldgroup support RIP and ANSI ?
Worldgroup supports the full Version 6 suite of interfaces,
including RIP and ASCII/ANSI. Any other languages that you may
have should continue to work as well.  Of course, you should
encourage your users to switch to the client. New modules will
move to the client/server platform, and there are more
features/functionality with the client than there can be with ANSI or
RIP.

Will the new offline capabilities affect my income potential ?

Actually, they can increase your income.  If you look at your
system statistics, you will most likely find that the module with the
highest system usage is an interactive, online module.  Most users
don't spend the majority of their time in e-mail and forums.  With
the offline capabilities of the client, users will be able to spend even
less time writing messages (or write more message in the same
amount of time) and spend more time doing  interactive things
online.  In addition, users can now download in the background, so
you can charge them for doing more than one thing at a time (e.g.
100 credits per file download, 60 credits per message written ).
Instead of a user just downloading four files and leaving, they can
now download four files, and while they're waiting,  write a few
messages, play a game or two, chit chat in Teleconference, etc.

Is the Worldgroup Manager proprietary?  What does it cost?

Since the Worldgroup Manager has an ANSI terminal, it could be
used to call other BBSes, but there would be none of the
client/server advantages.  The client is a shareware product at this
time. The registration fee for one client, without a printed manual,
is $25.  With a manual the price will be $49.  Site licenses are
available at reduced prices.

What about Pre-orders?

Although Worldgroup is still in final beta testing, we'd like to give
you the opportunity to launch one of the first Worldgroup systems.
We are currently taking orders for shipments in the April to May
time-frame.
When you order, we'll immediately put your name into our queue.
When Worldgroup development is finalized, we'll start shipping
from the pre-orders on a first-in, first-out basis.   We'll need to take
your credit number at the time you place your order, so we can ship
Worldgroup as soon as it's available.  But we won't charge your
card until the product ships.  Unfortunately, we won't be able to
accept COD orders for pre-order.
By instituting this new program, we hope to make it as convenient
as possible to get Worldgroup in your hands.  You can order it
today and relax, knowing that Worldgroup will arrive on your
doorstep at the earliest possible date.

What about the Automatic Software Update Program (ASUP)?

We have increased the ASUP price to $599.  This has been done to
provide you with better service.  As an ASUP customer, you will be
placed in the front of the sales queue when Worldgroup ships. As
updates are released, you will once again be given priority and
placed first in the queue.  Also, all ASUP shipments will be via
Federal Express so you will receive the updates in a timely manner.
If you are currently an ASUP customer, you will receive all of
these benefits as well.  Should you choose not to purchase an
ASUP, you can still purchase upgrades at the one-time price.

GALACTICOMM, INC.  REPORT ON WORLDGROUP
