Alpha, The Pager Program
Version 1.5e

Copyright 1994-1995  Bradd Brown and Company
All Rights Reserved.

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DEVELOPED BY:

Bradd Brown and Company
Box 720871
Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0871

Compuserve Address: 72144,2331
Internet Address: 72144.2331@compuserve.com
America Online Address:  BRADDBROWN
Voice:  (405)  720-6789
Fax:    (405)  720-9052
BBS:    (405)  720-6898

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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Alpha, The Pager Program is a simple to use, but powerful interface to your alpha-numeric paging service.  In order to use this software you must have an alpha-numeric pager and service from a paging company that uses the standard paging protocol.

You should check with your pager company for any surcharges that may apply when using this software.

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FILE INFORMATION:

***NOTE:  VBRUN300.DLL is required for this program to run. If you do not have this file you can download it from Compuserve or most bulletin boards. The file may not have been included in the version you have, to make downloading time faster since most people already have it.

The following files should be included:

ALPHA.EXE  -  Executable Program File
ALPHA.HLP  -  Help File
ALPHA.TXT  -  This File
MSCOMM.VBX -  Support File
THREED.VBX -  Support File
MODEMS.DAT -  Modem Information File

Upon running the program the following files will be created in the same directory

ALPHA.INI  -  Initialization File
USER.DB    -  User Database

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DISTRIBUTION OF ALPHA, THE PAGER PROGRAM:

You may distribute the following files of this program as long as they are complete and intact.  If they are not complete please contact us for the latest release.

ALPHA.EXE  -  Executable Program File
ALPHA.HLP  -  Help File
ALPHA.TXT  -  This File
MSCOMM.VBX -  Support File
THREED.VBX -  Support File
MODEMS.DAT -  Modem Information File

YOU SHOULD NOT DISTRIBUTE THE FOLLOWING FILES BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN YOUR REGISTRATION NUMBER (IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED USER), AND INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED INTO THE SOFTWARE.

ALPHA.INI  -  Initialization File
USER.DB    -  User Database

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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:
You can install the program 1 of 2 ways dependent upon how you received it:

If there is a file named "setup.exe" in the version you received, run it, follow the prompts and the program will self install.  If the file does not exist follow the following instructions:

1.  Copy the files "ALPHA.EXE, MODEMS.DAT, ALPHA.HLP & ALPHA.TXT" into     a directory of your choice.
2.  Copy the files "THREED.VBX & MSCOMM.VBX" into the "WINDOWS/SYSTEM"     directory
3.  Make sure the file "VBRUN300.DLL" is in your "WINDOWS/SYSTEM"     directory
4.  Start the program by double clicking on the ALPHA.EXE icon in your     file manager or move it to your program manager for easier     accessibility.

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VERSION 1.5a - 1.5d CHANGES AND FEATURES:

1.  Compatibility with more systems and more modems.
2.  MSCOMM.VBX version problem change (1.5a)
3.  Ability to use with multiple paging systems. (1.5a)
4.  Many small improvements (1.5a-1.5c)
5.  New registration features (1.5a)
6.  Modem List and Initialization Strings (1.5a)
7.  Fixed the Append to Message Log feature (1.5c)
8.  Allowed users to purchase Upgrade Express (see information below)
9.  Fixed the Pulse Dialing Feature (1.5d) 
10. Added Site-ID feature (1.5e)    
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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

Windows 3.0 or higher, a modem and someone with an alpha-numeric pager and service. VGA Video & Mouse Recommended

Tested and compatible with Windows 95.

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WHAT IS UPGRADE EXPRESS ?

Upgrade Express will make sure that you receive ALL major releases of Alpha, The Pager Program, free of additional charge, for 1 year from the date you make your purchase.  If there are no upgrades within that year you are still guaranteed to receive the next major release free of any additional charges.  Customers with Upgrade Express will need to do nothing more, they will be automatically sent the new version by email or US Mail.  Upgrade Express is very economical to purchase and can even be purchased with site licenses.

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REGISTRATION:

The registered version will allow you to enable the message log to store message that are sent.  The startup screen will also no longer appear on the registered version.

There are three different easy options for registering:

Number 1:  VISA/MASTERCARD
You can register with VISA/MASTERCARD, from 10:AM to 10:PM (EST), 7 days a week, by calling Northstar Solutions at 1-800-699-6395  (PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS NUMBER IS AN ORDERLINE ONLY AND YOU CANNOT RECEIVE TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT THIS NUMBER).  You will receive a temporary code upon registering that will IMMEDIATELY ENABLE all features and a permanent one will be mailed to you.  The cost for registering WITHOUT Upgrade Express is $15.00 + $4.94 S&H (U.S.) or WITH Upgrade Express $30.00 + $4.94 S&H (U.S.).  You can also register with your VISA/MASTERCARD by emailing your information to them on Compuserve at address  71561,2751 internet 71561.2751@compuserve.com ).  Please have credit card and other information ready when ordering.  Please do not send VISA/MASTERCARD directly to us, only to NorthStar Solutions because they are the only ones that can process the information and they have to receive it directly from you.

Number 2.  SWREG
Registration is also available on Compuserve by entering GO SWREG. The SWREG # is 3541 if you want to register WITHOUT Upgrade Express for a cost of only $15.00 + 4.95 S&H.  The SWREG # is 5980 if you want to register WITH Upgrade Express for a cost of only $30.00 + 4.95 S&H.  You can follow the simple to use prompts on Compuserve.  We will send you a permanent registration number ASAP (usually the same day), VIA EMAIL, that you can enter when you start Alpha, The Pager Program.  You will also be afforded the latest version of the software which will be placed on Compuserve for downloading or emailed to you.

Number 3.  US MAIL
You can also register by mail at:

Attn: Alpha, TPP
Bradd Brown and Company
Box 720871
Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0871

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SITE LICENSES:

Site licenses are available in the following configurations WITHOUT Upgrade Express:

5-User Site License      $70.00  + $4.95 S&H
10-User Site License    $130.00  + $4.95 S&H
20-User Site License    $240.00  + $4.95 S&H
40-User Site License    $440.00  + $4.95 S&H
80-User Site License    $800.00  + $4.95 S&H
100-User Site License   $900.00  + $4.95 S&H

Site licenses are available in the following configurations WITH Upgrade Express:

5-User Site License     $140.00  + $4.95 S&H
10-User Site License    $260.00  + $4.95 S&H
20-User Site License    $480.00  + $4.95 S&H
40-User Site License    $880.00  + $4.95 S&H
80-User Site License   $1600.00  + $4.95 S&H
100-User Site License  $1800.00  + $4.95 S&H


You can also print out a registration form by running the help file (ALPHA.HLP).  Site License information is also included on the registration form in the file (ALPHA.HLP)

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PROBLEMS AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT:

Technical support is available through the following email addresses.  You can also write us at our address for support also. We will strive to answer your questions ASAP. Please remember that you can receive no technical support at the 1-800 order line listed above, they are a separate company that process our orders only.  Thanks for your understanding.

Compuserve Address: 72144,2331
Internet Address: 72144.2331@compuserve.com
America Online Address:  BRADDBROWN
Bradd Brown and Company BBS: (405)  720-6898

Bradd Brown and Company
Box 720871
Oklahoma City, OK 73172-0871

See the help file (ALPHA.HLP) for more information

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VERSION 1.5a (and later) COMMAND LINE OPTIONS

If you are experiencing problems in communicating with your paging system or otherwise wish to, you can make the following command line changes when starting Alpha, The Pager Program. 

Change Baud Rate (the default baud rate is 300 baud industry standard)
/b:1200
/b:2400
/b:4800
/b:9600    (eg     C:\ALPHA\ALPHA.EXE /b:1200   )

Change Parity/Stop/Data Bits to 8N1  (default is 7E1 - industry standard)

/d:8N1     (eg     C:\ALPHA\ALPHA.EXE /d:8N1   )

Change communication type to manual mode (not recommended except to try as a last resort-please note that manual mode is not compatible with sending to multiple paging services)

/m         (eg     C:\ALPHA\ALPHA.EXE /m   )

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NOTE:  Before purchasing, you should make sure that Alpha, The Pager Program works with the paging service that you plan to use.  Alpha, The Pager Program should work with almost every alpha-numeric paging service.  We will provide support if you are having problems, to try to get the program working with your service, however, we cannot provide a refund after puchase, which allows us to keep our cost of registering the software extremely low to begin with.