July 8th, 1994
Update November 4, 1994
-----------------------
RATSoft/ST v2.1 -- for immediate release

RATSoft/ST is Copyright (c) 1991-1994 R0dent Laboratories Software

This text file may be freely passed around. In fact, it's encouraged!

           Current Support Sites: R0dent Laboratories Systems,
                                      (909)/481-1927
                                  Thunder Hold, (801)/756-2901
                Support Networks: A.SUP.RATSOFT [AtariNET]
                                  N.SUP.RATSOFT [NeST]
                           GEnie: S.HUGHEY1
                        Internet: s.hughey1@genie.geis.com

 RATSoft/ST v2.1 at-a-glance
 """""""""""""""""""""""""""
 System Requirements:

   o Any Atari ST/TT/Falcon with at least 2 MEGs of RAM. 
     RATSoft is compatible with all upgraded ST's
   o Hard Disk Drive
   o Hayes Compatible Modem
   o All mono/color resolutions supported, resolution independent

   Optional:

     o Printer (for BBS logs, user log list, file lists, etc.)
     o Alternative Media (CD-ROM, floptical, etc.)

   *      RECOMMENDED: 2.5 megs or more, TOS 1.4+
   * ABSOLUTELY IDEAL: 4 megs, TOS 2.06
  
 Package Includes:

   o 4 Disks, packed full
   o Informative and Extensive Manual
   o 1 year of registered support, which includes free access to updates
     and access to RATSoft support systems world-wide

 Overall Performance:

   o Installation takes 10 minutes and you're ready to go! A completely
     mouse-driven and self-altering installation program modifies your
     copy of RATSoft to run the minute it hits your hard drive.
     Don't know how to set-up your modem? Click on your modem from a list
     of popular modems, and RATSoft configures it for you.
   o Modular design. RATSoft loads and removes portions of the system as
     needed, which means your BBS IS NOT limited as to what it can do
     merely by how much memory you have installed
   o Supports modem 2 and Falcon serial ports for higher speeds
   o Allows complete control over your user base, and incorporates functions
     for pay, support, and private systems
   o Supports 256 translations, including full color ANSI (also visible on
     SysOp screen), and VT52. A RIP (Remote Imaging Protocol) package is
     also available. RIP provides a graphical user interface for your BBS
     for those calling with the appropriate software. Popular with the
     IBM'ers!
   o Translation color-sequence variable tags, which means you can have
     ONE text file be in full technicolor for all translations -- or you
     can have separate text files. It's up to you!
   o GEM editors for the configuration and frequently used module
     data-files make configuring things such as your translations, CallBack
     Verifier, or system configuration a snap
   o RATSoft SysOp Help System, a GEM desk accessory available from within
     RATSoft and most GEM editors. Allows you to instantly get informative
     help on the screen in a split second
   o Programmable menu system. Menu commands can be called from virtually
     anywhere (even in the middle of a displaying text file!) allowing
     total customization of your BBS system
   o Over 600 editable prompts, you can even use different prompt files
     for different callers
   o Over 200 variable tags
   o Trackable voting booths (polls), including options for mandatory
     voting, age limits, time limited polls, and results can easily be
     dumped to a text file
   o A Callback Verifier (CBV). Supports local, long distance, and
     international dialing. Setup is as easy as identifying acceptable
     pre-fixes with a GEM editor
   o Supports caller ID recognition, if available. Supports any modem,
     including Supra and ZyXELs
   o Easy shelling to 3rd party FAX receivers or mailers
   o A full-screen, bidirectional chat mode with capture/dump features and
     word wrapping
   o Uses a conference system, each which may contain it's own message
     bases and file sections. Easily separates computer types, adult
     sections, etc. Universal and local scan options are available.
   o RATSoft Scheduler -- allows you to schedule events which the BBS
     can run down to the minute once, daily, weekly, monthly, or even
     on a given day of the week
   o RAT-DOS, an MS-DOS style command line which supports all popular
     disk functions and batch files with if/then and errorlevel support
   o User options include expiration dates for pay systems; a mass mask
     applicator, InfoForms (questionnaires); a revolutionary masking
     system; guest accounts and visitors; hundreds of bit-masking options
     for file sections and message bases; and much, MUCH more.
   o Three database formats
   o Run virtually any on-line game. RATSoft includes FoReM-door which
     allows you run any game which needs a DORINFO1.DEF or
     FOREM.DAT/TURBO.DAT file.

 Messaging and Networking:

   o Up to 1,024 message bases
   o Line and Full-Screen Editors
   o 60,000 word on-line dictionary, catches common mistakes, and may be
     added to by the SysOp
   o Integrated QBBS-style message format support (for FIDO networking)
     Supports netmail, multiple addresses, random taglines, and much
     more
   o Run your favorite mailer (such as Semper or BinkleyTerm) any way you
     choose
   o Up to 256 different message formats with RATSoft message modules
   o Support for Message Base Sponsors ("MsgOps", if you will)
   o QWK is available through David Blanchard's RAT-QWK, an off-shoot
     of ST-QWK which supports RATSoft's advanced features (full
     registration: $20)
   o An e-mail system with "Canvas Mail", mail to ALL, and can support
     up to 100 files attached to any single e-mail (easy f-mail!)

 File/Download Maintance and Transfer System:

   o Up to 1,024 file sections, all of which may have over 65,000 files
     per section
   o Utilities provided for easily working with CD-ROMs and removable
     hard drive systems
   o Support for File Section Sponsors ("SigOps")
   o "Easy*Filing" system allows the sysop to keep files in ANY folder 
     scheme they wish, and allows RATSoft to intelligently decide where
     to place new uploads and validated files
   o Uploads may be optionally held in a "SysOp Review Que" (or queue if
     you prefer), which allows the SysOp to reject uploads, or even offer
     double or triple credit to users
   o If a user fails to enter descriptions for a batch upload, they are
     asked for them on their next call
   o If a user has files marked in a batch que for downloading, as is 
     accidently disconnected, RATSoft will remember those files on their
     next call
   o File*Tool[tm], the ultimate archive utility! Handles all archive
     formats, can convert archive types, compress un-compressed files,
     delete unwanted files from archives (BBS ads for example), add
     ZIP comments and BBS advertisements, extract descriptions from
     FILE_ID.DIZ, *.UPL, or RATSoft .DSC files -- all automatically! For
     example, all LZH files on your system can be converted to ZIP's
     with a simply command. Want to un-ARC a file using ARC Shell?
     One command loads it up with the archive ready to go!
   o GIF and MOD detection; an off-line file list generator; full search
     capabilities; brief/full description scan options; Zmodem, Ymodem-G,
     Ymodem Batch, Fmodem Batch, Xmodem Standard/CRC/1k, and Jekyll
     (a bidirectional protocol) support included, and a free files
     scheduler

RAT-Script:

   o An advanced, structured, scripting language
   o Follows a popular BASIC format making writing your own scripts easy
   o Scripts can be run from anywhere in the BBS
   o Includes IF/THEN/ELSE, DO ... LOOP's, PROCEDUREs and FUNCTIONs,
     and useful functions like MIN_SINCE (minutes since a given time)
     or MOVE (move a file)
   o Examples of scripts included a New User Black List, Time Bank,
     Never Ending Story, On-Line Game Menus, Caller ID Black List,
     System Maintance Scripts, Top Downloads manager, and more

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 RATSoft is much more than the few statistics which you just read. See
 RATSoft on-line, and make your own decision. RATSoft provides unheard
 of support, frequent updates with ground-breaking new features, and
 has become the BBS of choice for Atari sysops.

 Programmers will find RATSoft a joy to write for, as you can grab
 virtually all information from an environment table and write your own
 modules!

 RATSoft/ST BBS software comes complete, ready to run on FOUR (4) disks,
 including a "helpful utilities" disk packed with useful programs and hints
 for any SysOp. Even though RATSoft/ST BBS is extremely easy to setup and to
 operate, the package also includes a professionally printed manual
 with plenty of reference material that is useful both for the beginner and
 the experienced SysOp.

 The complete RATSoft/ST BBS package retails for $89.95 and is available
 from:

 R0dent Laboratories Software
 P.O. Box 391
 Alta Loma, CA. 91701

 >> If you wish to order RATSoft, please obtain an order form, which should
    be available at the same location you found this file.

 ** IMPORTANT! **    As RATSoft is undergoing new distribution, only
 orders by mail will be accepted for the time being. Credit Card ordering
 should be available soon, as well as a host of new support systems.
