Wildcat! 5 for Windows 95/NT

Interactive Multimedia Reaches the On-line Application Market

Mustang Software is developing a system to empower the corporate, business,
small office and hobbyist community to offer full on-line multimedia to
customers, staff and prospects. The development name of the project is
Annihilator and it has entered beta testing at several hundred locations.
It will be released as Wildcat! 5 for Windows 95 and Windows NT.

Annihilator is a true Windows 95 or Windows NT client/server application
designed to provide a BBS-based solution for a broad range of customers.
It delivers an exciting interactive multimedia experience for callers by
allowing the system operator to make use of familiar multimedia tools,
including JPEG and GIF editors, for customization of the caller interface.
For backward compatibility all aspects of the system are accessible via
standard ANSI connectivity but when accessed using the free remote client,
the caller is greeted with an exciting multimedia experience. The support
engine for offering remote graphics to the caller is included at no
additional cost, and the Wildcat! Navigator suite is slated for free
distribution.

Annihilator takes full advantage of the new multitasking in Windows 95 and
the robust server operations in Windows NT to provide a solution for every
online need. The Windows 95 platform has been selected to support small to
medium load systems while the Windows NT platform was chosen to provide
high performance on-line solutions utilizing its single and
multi-processor support.

True Client/Server Technology

The Bulletin Board System arena is the latest market segment to be courted
by advertisements touting the benefits of "client/server" technology.
However, upon closer inspection, "client/server" is often used to refer to
the use of a proprietary remote program (the client) to dial into a BBS
application (the server). While the use of a remote graphic client is an
exciting aspect of many of the newer BBS technologies including
`Annihilator', it does not represent true client/server functionality at
the application program level, the location where its true power can be
unleashed.

So What is Client/Server?

Client/server, at its simplest level, is an architecture that involves
client processes requesting service from server processes. Client/server
computing recognizes that those client modules need not all be executed
within the same memory space, that is, the processes that distribute the
information need not all be a part of the same single program. Separation
of the client and server modules provides improved security and
performance. By implementing a BBS with a core information server, and
routing that information using a number of application clients at the
sysop's location, a system can be established that delivers more
information at greater speed, even on a single PC running Windows 95.

Isn't It Complicated?

Client/server can be as simple as running two or three familiar programs on
a single PC or as intricate as a multiple-PC network running several
applications on each PC. The beauty of client/server model is that once
you understand the relationship between the different executable programs
(the clients and the server) you can set it up in any of several ways that
best meet your needs.

The client/server model of Annihilator above is a simple setup with the
server and all clients running on a single PC (inside the dotted line).
The computer can operate under Windows 95 or Windows NT Workstation or
Server. This configuration offers the most compact system and allows for
total management from the single BBS computer.

An alternative to operating all client executables on a single PC is to
distribute the processing over a Microsoft Network. The server executable
runs on a Windows NT (workstation or server) PC while the client modules
can be run on either the server PC or networked PCs running either Windows
95 or Windows NT. The advantage of separating some client operations from
the server is increased power through distributed processing. For example,
in an extremely active system the sysop may find it advantageous to
establish three PCs, one for the Server and TCP/IP connectivity, including
WWW access, and two others, each running a rack of 32 modems with its own
copy of the Modem Controller Client. Use of the client/server model
provides a number of advantages:

* 32-bit Windows multitasking means no additional multitasking software is
needed and 16-32 lines can be run easily without loading multiple copies
of the BBS.

* The entire BBS configuration in our client/server model can be modified
even while in full operation, but only by authorized personnel. The system
server accepts change requests and implements them as soon as usage
permits.

* The number of inbound sessions on a single computer is significantly
increased. Thanks to the enhanced multitasking of both 32-bit Windows
platforms, a much larger number of connections is possible on any given
PC. As inbound access (via modem, telnet, HTTP, etc.) reaches the
processor limits for any given PC, additional client PCs can be added
which communicate automatically with the server.

* Clients for modems, HTTP, telnet and other activities can be operated on
a single PC or on a variety of additional systems, depending on load.

This new generation BBS can truly isolate the core of the host activities,
providing secure, private system access even to local users. The server
portion of the system is established in an area on disk with restricted
user access. The server controls all access to messages, files and other
system information. Requests are submitted to the server by all support
programs and third- party utilities through an easily adopted application
program interface (API). This methodology has the added advantage of
allowing the actual BBS program-flow code to be written in wcCODE and to
be fully customizable.

True Client/server technology provides total flexibility. It allows the
sysop to offer a BBS on a desktop platform and to expand the system
capabilities as desired.

Standard Annihilator Modules Included With Every BBS Create a Foundation

The following modules and clients come with the standard Annihilator
Wildcat! 5 package. SERVER MODULE

This module provides the base functionality for processing all database and
configuration requests through a published API structure. LOCAL OR LAN
CLIENT

This module is included with every package and is used by anyone connecting
at the host PC. It can also be used by anyone on the network for local
login. It is an ANSI text connection. Note that the graphical Wildcat!
Navigator which is designed for remote connection also can be used locally
for a graphical local connection.

ONLINE CLIENT

This module is included with every package and answers the phone for all
dial-in lines. It can present the BBS information to a caller in ANSI,
ASCII or in full graphics when called with the free Wildcat! Navigator.

QWK ECHO CLIENT

This module is included with every package and handles QWK mail exchange
processing between the host and other BBSs.

TAPI CLIENT

This module is included with every package and provides a link to the
Windows Telephony Application Program Interface. It talks to TAPI-aware
add-on cards or hardware that offer ISDN, X.25 or other connectivity.

WILDCAT! NAVIGATOR

This module is a set of freely-distributable Windows programs for callers
to experience full multimedia when connected. This program suite operates
on Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT and any OS/2 release with Windows
support. It can also be run locally, over a LAN or via a telnet
connection. The core language of the Wildcat! Navigator is HTML, the
language of the World Wide Web.

Optional Annihilator Modules Increase Client/Server Power,

The following modules are optional add-on accessories and are purchased
separately.

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY PACKAGE

This optional accessory package handles Internet connectivity and includes
several individual clients:

UUCP MODULE - This module handles Internet email and newsgroup support via
UUCP. It includes a program for connecting to an internet service provider
via dial or UUCPD, and tosses messages into the Wildcat! system. Callers
can send and receive Internet email and participate in newsgroup message
exchange. It also supports feeding messages to downline nodes. (available
as part of the initial release)

TELNET MODULE - This module enables the Online Module to also answer
inbound telnet callers. It connects callers to the BBS when they connect
from a remote internet site. In this mode it acts as a telnet server. With
the telnet module installed the BBS also supports outbound telnet sessions
requested by callers, connecting them to other locations on the internet.
In this mode the BBS acts as a telnet client for the caller. Inbound
telnet connections support ANSI, ASCII and the Wildcat! Navigator
interface. (available as part of the initial release)

FTP MODULE - This module enables the Online Module to also answer FTP
connection requests. It responds to inbound FTP file requests and
functions as a FTP server. Requests can be made anonymously for a
restricted file set, or using a name and password on the BBS for FTP
access to files based on the caller's access profile. This module also
allows callers to make FTP requests to locations outside the BBS.
(available as part of the initial release)

WWW MODULE - This module functions as an HTTP proxy server that allows
inbound callers using the Wildcat! Navigator to surf the World Wide Web.
It also supports inbound HTTP connections from callers using any browser,
allowing them to view the BBS HTML screens. (available as part of the
initial release)

PPP MODULE - This module allows callers to make a connection to the BBS
with any Winsock layer to establish a path for true TCP/IP connectivity.
With a PPP connection callers can run their choice of applications while
connected to the net, including mail applications such as Eudora, other
telnet clients, and browsers other than the Wildcat! Navigator, such as
Netscape. (available as part of amaintenance update after initial
release)

DYNAMIC HTML MODULE - This module provides BBS connectivity to inbound
callers connecting using a WWW browser. It functions as an HTTP server
that dynamically creates HTML files for file and message data and is fed
by a set of display files in HTML format customized by the sysop.
(available as part of a maintenance update after initial release)

SMTP MODULE - This module provides support for simple mail transfer
protocol. It provides full management for sending and receiving internet
email. (available as part of a maintenance update after initial release)

IRC MODULE

This module provides a link to internet relay chat to expand the live
discussion capabilities of the BBS. It functions as an irc client for
callers. Note that standard inter-node chat is supported without this
module.

NNTP MODULE

This module provides support for network news transfer protocol messaging
and processes mail from an Internet NNTP server (many providers offer nntp
mail services). It provides the link to allow callers to read and reply to
usenet newsgroups.

EXCHANGE MAIL CLIENT

This optional module provides a link to Microsoft Exchange using the
Windows Mail Application Program Interface. It provides a mechanism to
have both email and conference mail be routed to Exchange on a local area
network.

WCCODE DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE

This optional package is a new, enhanced high-speed 32-bit development
language so powerful that all standard BBS functions are written in it.
The wcCODE package allows the sysop to create custom BBS operations and
programs to be run by the caller.

SOURCE CODE

For total customization of all online activity the wcCODE source for all
BBS functions is available for purchase. (Requires wcCODE)

DATABASE CLIENT

This optional module provides remote connectivity to database processing
using the ODBC standard, accessible via wcCODE applications.

REPORTS CLIENT [WCPRO]

This optional module provides extensive reporting on BBS usage and
activities.

BILLING CLIENT [WCBILLING]

This optional module provides a complete billing for pre-pay or post- pay
systems.

How Do I Set Up a Client/Server BBS?

The configuration of Annihilator is very similar to the DOS Wildcat! BBS
except that all configuration programs are 32-bit graphic Windows
applications. Once you have run the installation and configuration
programs you maintain the BBS using other Windows applications that
provide functionality similar to the DOS Wildcat! MAKEMENU, MAKEWILD,
MAKEQUES, wcFILE, and other support programs.

How Do Callers Connect?

There are several methods for callers to connect to your Annihilator
(Wildcat! 5 ) BBS and several types of presentation:

Dial-in modem callers using a standard comm package receive standard ANSI
screens, just like WC4.

Dial-in modem callers using the free Wildcat! Navigator package receive a
full graphical HTML presentation. The BBS main "page" and all other
informational pages such as bulletins, etc. are created by the sysop as
HTML (www) documents using any HTML editor. We expect to bundle an HTML
authoring tool with the package.

Telnet inbound connections using a standard telnet or comm package receive
ANSI screens, just like WC4. (requires the Internet Connectivity Package)

Telnet inbound connections using the Wildcat! Navigator receive a full
graphical HTML presentation. (requires the Internet Connectivity Package)

FTP inbound connection requests can log in as "guest" or "anonymous" for
limited file access as set by the sysop, or can log in as a BBS user with
the correct password for full file lists based on BBS access profiles.
(requires the Internet Connectivity Package)

HTTP inbound can be made using any browser (Netscape, Mosaic, etc.) and
will receive dynamically generated HTML pages for files and messages, with
other information and other "pages" prepared by the sysop as HTML
documents. (requires the Internet Connectivity Package with the Dynamic
HTML Module, expected in 2nd qtr '96).

What Internet Services Can I Offer?

If you add the Internet Connectivity Package your callers can make use of a
number of Internet services by dialing in using any ANSI terminal. By
connecting to you over a standard phone line they are able to establish an
internet email address, telnet to any other internet location, access
files via ftp at any other location, and they can participate in internet
newsgroup discussions. IF THEY DIAL-IN USING THE FREE WILDCAT! NAVIGATOR
THEY CAN DO ALL THE ABOVE PLUS SURF THE WORLD WIDE WEB USING THE BROWSER
INCLUDED IN THE NAVIGATOR.

After the release of the additions to the Internet Connectivity Package
expected in 2nd quarter '96, callers can expand their Internet
connectivity to allow them full use of any internet applications they
desire since you will be able to provide them with a PPP connection.

What Hardware Will I Need?

Annihilator was designed to provide a platform for everything from a single
line BBS to a 1,000 line corporate connectivity server. The same set of
client/server modules are used in all installations.

For a simple one or two line BBS the easiest installation platform would be
a 486/66 PC with 8 MB of memory running Windows 95. The standard
communications ports in the PC can be used and the sysop just needs to run
the Server Module and the Online Client. Minimize these two programs on
the desktop and your BBS is operational. To login locally you run the
Wildcat! Navigator for a full graphical BBS session.

As the BBS expands the sysop might add a multiport card from Digi, Comtrol,
Stallion, Equinox or any other manufacturer that offers Windows 95 or NT
support. A 4 or 16 port card can be installed in the same 486 PC to
increase line count and the only additional hardware changes might be to
add additional memory to 16 MB. The same Modem Client will handle the
additional lines with the installation of a line count increase module.

Further expansion of the BBS can be accomplished in many ways. As line
count increases the power of the PC can be increased to handle the added
load by moving to a Pentium 90-120 MHz CPU. With the technology available
today it is entirely possible to operate a single-box PC that can address
hundreds of incoming lines and other connections by taking advantage of
the multi-processor capabilities of the Windows NT platform. Multiport
cards from 16 to 128 ports are readily available for the NT platform.

For those that would rather make use of a LAN environment for BBS
connectivity the Annihilator project also has a solution. By using Windows
NT (Server or Workstation) the sysop can establish a server PC that
handles the core server duties and allows separate PCs to handle different
aspects of the remote connection. Each Client module can be operated on a
networked PC running Windows 95 or NT, and will communicate with the
server PC automatically. No messy drive mappings and no specific
Networking components are required, other than those that come with
Windows NT (workstation or server) and Windows 95. This type of
distributed processing system really make sense for large systems with
several different types of access, including local, TCP/IP, modem, X.25
and ISDN. Different client processes can be run on less-powerful PCs
depending on their load.

What about Novell and LANtastic Networks?

Annihilator is totally compatible with NetWare or LANtastic. A workstation
PC on a LAN can run Windows 95 or Windows NT and operate the complete BBS.
Other LAN PCs can access the BBS using the Local/LAN client.

Although the BBS PC can access files located on the NetWare or LANtastic
server drives, all BBS server and client files must be located on PCs
running NT or 95 with the exception of the downloadable files, which can
be located anywhere on the LAN. The same cabling for NetWare or LANtastic
connectivity (ethernet is assumed) is automatically used by the Windows
networking to share BBS client/server data using TCP/IP.

Can it Run Doors?

Annihilator supports DOS-based doors on all port connections, and includes
a program for DOS program redirection. However, operation of 16-bit DOS
doors does limit the number of lines that can be supported on any given
PC. Programs specifically written in the new 32-bit wcCODE are an
exception, and do not cause this system degradation. Testing is the only
method to determine the actual impact of a specific DOS door on your
Annihilator system. Each DOS door affects system performance differently
depending on the language it was developed in and what resources it uses.

DOORS UNDER WINDOWS NT

Doors do not require any modification and operate in their own memory
session for each node. Door operation is virtualized, a process that
isolates the door itself from the port, and prevents it from knowing
whether it is talking to a standard com port, a DigiBoard or a telnet
connection. All doors all think they are talking to a standard COM 1. For
specifics on how to run doors, see Part 2 of this document.

DOORS UNDER WINDOWS 95

Doors must be able to talk to the actual port in use for each node via DOS.
Unless the door is written in wcCODE it will not be able to access
multiport boards that use a Windows 95 driver. For specifics on how to run
doors, see Part 2 of this document.

Release Information and Pricing

No specific release date has been set for project Annihilator, but the
target date is early 1996. The majority of the program modules are
expected to be available in 1st quarter `96 but some optional modules will
not become available 2nd quarter or later.

The Wildcat! Navigator will be posted for download and wide-area testing in
January. A patch upgrade to the wcSERVER component of the Preview CD ROM
will also be made available at that time to enable CD owners to make use
of the Wildcat! Navigator for their callers.

Product                         MSRP  75% off 66.6% off Availability
------------------------------  ----  ------- --------- --------------
Wildcat! 5 M2 (2 node + local)  $149    $37     $49     1st qtr. `96
Wildcat! 5 M16 (16 node)        $349    $87     $115    1st qtr. `96
Wildcat! 5 M32 (32 node)        $699    $174    $230    1st qtr. `96
8 Pack Node Increase            $199    $49     $65     1st qtr. `96
32 Pack Node Increase           $699    $174    $233    1st qtr. `96
Internet Connectivity Package   $249    $62     $83  1st/2nd qtr. `96*
NNTP Module                     to be set       -       2nd qtr. `96
IRC Module                      $149    $37     $49     2nd qtr. `96
MAPI Client                     $799    $199    $265    2nd qtr. `96
CODE Development Language & IDE $149    $37     $49     1st qtr. `96
BBS Source Code                 $799    $199    $265    1st qtr. `96
ODBC Database Client            $799    $199    $265    2nd qtr. `96
Reports Client [wcPRO]          $149    $37     $49     2nd qtr. `96
Billing Client [wcBILLING]      $149    $37     $49     2nd qtr. `96

* Portions of this product will be added following the initial release, see
previous text for details.

key - MSRP - Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price
      75% off - to participants in the special Pre-Release CD program
      66.6% off - to any Wildcat! sysop with a valid registration#

What are the Plans for the DOS Version of Wildcat!?

The current DOS version of Wildcat! will continue to be supported and
updated by its own separate team of engineers.  We have no current plans
for a native OS/2 BBS system and do not anticipate such development in the
foreseeable future.
 
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