It provides a complete UNIX-based e-mail and scheduling system with both character terminal and Windows PC interfaces. With this product, an entire company can centralize its data on the reliable UNIX server and provide a consistent e-mail and scheduling interface to all of its users.

How does it work?

The entire product is client/server based, which means the UNIX system holds the data and a user can choose to use the UNIX text interface, the graphical PC interface or switch between them. Since all access by the PC is done over the network, PC users don't even have to log onto the UNIX server. Here's an overview:

• All e-mail and schedule data is stored on the UNIX server
• Both character-based and Windows PC interfaces are included to access the data residing on the UNIX system
• PCs need to be running Microsoft Windows 95/98/2000/NT (or greater) and be connected to the UNIX server with TCP/IP
• PCs do not have to be logged onto the UNIX server at any time to access the features of the FineLine Message Manager - all access is done through the TCP/IP network
• Licensing is by UNIX user name, regardless of whether the user is using the character interface, PC interface or switching back and forth between them
• The PC server is loaded, configured and run on the UNIX system
• Only the PC interface software needs to be installed on the PC (if PC support is desired)

What are the character and PC interfaces like?

Below are a few screen examples of both the PC and character terminal interfaces.

Data stored centrally on the reliable UNIX server

• Users can access their mail and appointment schedules from any PC (running our PC interface) connected to the UNIX server, whether in the office, from home or from halfway around the world over the Internet.
• Since the data is centralized, if a user is accessing their mail or schedules from home at night, when they arrive in the office in the morning, the data is exactly where they left off.
• If a user permanently deletes his/her mail (whether accidentally or on purpose), it can be recovered from a UNIX backup (assuming routine UNIX backups are made).
• Character terminals can also be used to access the PC user's data, and vice versa.

Shared folders & schedules

• Special folders and schedules can be created which all users can have varying access to (i.e. view-only, view & add, full-access). Examples of uses: Company policies or "what's new" folders, conference room schedules, access to outside salesperson's mail and schedules.

Centralized address book & mailing groups

• System-wide address book and mailing groups simplify keeping addresses up-to-date across the entire company. In addition, each user can create and maintain their own address book and mailing groups which are always available to them, no matter what PC or terminal they happen to be using to access their mail.
• Since our address books are in a different format than Microsoft Outlook, recent viruses which focus on sending messages to everyone in your Outlook address book would be stopped dead.

Centralized configuration and controlled attachments

• User configuration is performed on the UNIX server only by the system administrator, so you can be sure that whether the user is using a character terminal or PC interface, they can only do what they are allowed to do. With other PC programs, the configuration is at the hands of the PC user, whether they know what they are getting themselves into or not.
• We allow limiting what users can do with their attachments and don't automatically run attachments upon opening a message - a HUGE security hole in many popular PC packages that just helps viruses to run wild.
• The system administrator can specify a list of file extensions by user type for limiting a user's ability to detach certain files (ex: do not allow, only allow, show a virus warning).

Separation of local vs remote recipients

• Since all mail is handled by the centralized UNIX server, the Message Manager can distinguish between local and remote recipients (no other PC program we know of is capable of this), so you can send a message to a local user without having to specify a full address (ex: "mike" instead of "mike@xyz.com"). This enables users and the system administrator to create different signature files (which are appended to the bottom of messages) based on whether the recipient is in the office or outside of the system. Actually, the Message Manager supports quite a number of signature files: Company-wide local, company-wide remote, user-level business local, user-level business remote, personal and no signature files - all of which can be assigned by address book entry, with recipients mixed and matched in a single message.

Centralized speller dictionary

• Words can be added to a centralized custom dictionary (like company trademark names, repeat customer names, etc.) which is automatically included in spelling searches for all Message Manager users, eliminating having to update each PC separately. In addition, each user can create and maintain their own personal dictionary which is always available to them, no matter what PC or terminal they happen to be using to access their mail.

Real-time spell checking

• Both the PC and character interfaces include an automatic speller that checks words as you type. It is surprising that most of the major e-mail programs from the largest software companies still require that users wait until they are ready to mail their message to check their spelling. Some packages won't even check the spelling unless another product by the software developer is also installed on the system. The Message Manager's real-time spelling system is self-contained and doesn't require any additional software packages.

On-screen notification

• Users can receive text messages directly to their screen (displayed in a cute cartoon-style dialog balloon). This feature is used by a number of functions in the Message Manager, including the Broadcast Message function which enables sending a short message directly to the screens of any number of users on PCs, character terminals or both (ex: Meeting in the Lunch Room at 12).

PC and character terminal intercom

• The on-screen notification message area is also used by our exclusive intercom/chat function to inform a recipient of a connection request from another user. Once accepted, this function allows 2 users to type directly between them, whether on a PC, character terminal or a mix. We have received numerous compliments on this function from users with multiple locations connected to a centralized server, since it enables virtually instant responses without requiring the cost of a telephone call.

New mail notification and reminder

• A new message notification function is included (which plays a sound and spins an envelope in the system tray), in addition to a separate reminder function that alerts the user that unread mail still exists. The sounds that are played and the duration of the reminder can be customized by each user.

Express delivery

• Messages sent to local users can be sent with our exclusive "Express Delivery" option which displays an on-screen notification announcing the receipt of important mail.

Delayed delivery and slide

• Messages can be composed and mailed using our "Delayed Delivery" option which allows specifying the day and time the message will be mailed in the future. A list of pending messages can be displayed at any time, and messages can be canceled and retrieved.
• Our unique "Slide" function enables taking a message that has been received and having the program withdraw it for a specified about of time (minutes, hours, days, weeks or months) and then re-deliver it to the user.
• Both of these features include options for on-screen announcement when the messages are delivered.

Telephone message

• A complete telephone message function is included that enables sending pre-formatted messages which resemble the "While You Were Out" message pads. These messages are regular e-mail messages which will arrive in the recipient's mailbox, saving clutter, wasted paper and the possibility of lost calls.

Edit new and existing messages

• Users can create new messages in any folder - adding a "notepad" functionality to the package.
• Existing messages can be edited and saved in the current folder (without having to send them to yourself). This is especially handy for adding notes to existing messages.

What UNIX platforms are supported?

• SCO OpenServer 5
• SCO UnixWare 7
• Linux
• IBM AIX

How is this product licensed?

This product is licensed by registered users. This requires registering the login name of every user to use the package at any time (whether on a character terminal or a networked PC) with the software. The available license increments can be combined to obtain any capacity (with a minimum of 5 registered users).

What is the pricing for this product?

Upgrade Pricing (v5 to v6)

Directions: Using your current number of registered users in version 5, find the upgrade cost per user in the table below and multiply the two to determine the cost to upgrade to version 6 for the same number of users. Note that the number of users cannot be increased with this upgrade pricing (see standard pricing above for adding users).

IMPORTANT: Users of versions prior to 5 must upgrade to version 5 before this upgrade pricing is available.

NOTE: All prices subject to change without notice.