Apple II Email (Update 3)

[Jack Friess <jfriess@wctc.net>]

Email For The Apple II--Update 3                (November 4, 1996)

Hello:

There hasn't too much activity lately on csa2 under the topic Apple
II Email, so some of you probably are thinking the project has died.
Let me assure you, it has NOT.  Because the original postings have
probably expired on most news servers (on mine anyway), I will
re-post that article so new-comers can at least get the general
idea what the challenge is.  Look for Apple II Email (The Challenge).

Mainly because of the instability of the news group (missing posts,
rogue cancellations, etc.) we have moved most of our discussions to
the more private and stable environment of email.  I have looked
into a list serve for our team, but have not instituted that as
of yet.

Here's a summary of what's been happening:

We've identified two, what we believe to be, feasible solutions.
Both solutions would involve the following network hardware:

Apple side
   * Apple IIgs or IIe enhanced computer (8-bit)
   * serial card (e.g. Apple Super Serial Card)
   * RS-232 to RJ-45 adaptor
   * RJ-45 connector
   * CAT-5 cable (in star configuration)
   * RJ-45 connector

Server side
   * patch panel
   * multi-port serial card (like BOCA 16-port serial board)
   * 386  SX-25 16/500  PC computer
   * Ethernet card (to LAN) or card & modem (to ISP)

The software solutions would be these:

1)  The Apple II running a terminal emulator (like ProTerm) in
null-modem mode, evoking a server-based email client (like PINE)
operating under the Unix/Linux OS.  For this to be appealing and
easy to use for children and teachers, new software will be
developed (and made available as freeware):  "KidTerm" as the
emulator; and "WILLOW" as the email client.

2)  The development of a completely new network software
system, including server and client software, created to operate
over the serial connection.  This software package could be called
"APPLE" (for Apple Point-to-Point Link Environment) and have its
own network language/protocol that could be called "SSBTP"
(Simple Serial Block Transfer Protocol).  The server software
would be ultimately available for most operating systems (PC
DOS, Win 3.x, WinNT, etc.), but would probably be available
initially for only Unix/Linux.  This network package would also
have its own Apple OS, ProDOS converted to include network
functions and drivers, that might be called "ProNET".  The APPLE
network software would utilize the new email client WILLOW,
converted for use on the Apple II, and other software programs to
provide common network functions like printing, file transfer, etc.
Hopefully, the A2s could be booted over the APPLE network, in
order to use the storage and computing resources of the server.

We are in the process of developing specifications sheets for each
of the software products that will need to be developed.  When
completed, these specifications will probably be posted here and
to a web site. 

If you are interested in becoming involve in this project in any
way, please let me know.  If you would like to be placed on an
"interested persons" list and receive these updates via email,
let me know that too.

Stay tuned for more updates.


Jack Friess
Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA