
         IBM COMPATIBLE SHAREWARE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE
          
          The following shareware and freeware telecommunications
          products may be downloaded from many BBSs and online
          services. You will likely have to unzip the programs
          because most BBSs and online services zip programs to
          save space. The beauty of shareware is that it allows you
          to "try before you buy."
          
          Sometimes the telecommunications software programs that
          come bundled with inexpensive modems are really
          inadequate and are a waste of your time. Do yourself a
          favor and try one of the excellent programs mentioned
          below. If you obtain one of these shareware or freeware
          programs, make sure that you print out (and read) the
          manual. The manual is usually included as a text file.
          The MICROLINK manual (see MICROLINK below) is in the form
          of a Windows Write file. The others can be loaded and
          printed with an editor such as EDIT (which comes with DOS
          5.0 and greater) or a word processor.  The nice thing
          about these communications programs is that most use the
          same commands to perform the same functions. For example,
          <ALT> D is the usual command to bring up the dialing menu
          on the DOS-based communications programs. <ALT> X is
          often used to exit communications programs. 
          
          
          MICROLINK
          MicroWerks
          P.O. Box 768273
          Roswell, GA 30076-8273
          
          MICROLINK is a good Windows shareware telecommunications
          program. It has all the needed features plus a Lights
          Bar, a Session Window, and a Status Bar. Another fine
          feature in the registered version, is the ability to
          record scripts. Scripts make your life online easier.
          

          QMODEM TEST DRIVE
          Mustang Software, Inc.
          P.O. Box 2264
          Bakersfield, CA 93303
          800-999-9619
          805-395-9223
          FAX 805-395-0713
          BBS 805-395-0650
          
          QMODEM TEST DRIVE is a full-featured shareware
          telecommunications program. Unlike most shareware
          products, this one can be used by individuals for
          personal use and evaluation for an unlimited time period.
          Because of the many features, Qmodem is a favorite among
          sysops. You can download the shareware version from most
          BBSs, including the one run by Mustang Software, Inc. See
          the phone number above. They also have commercial
          versions called Qmodem Pro for DOS and Qmodem Pro for
          Windows. These have even more features than the shareware
          version. The folks at Mustang Software have excellent
          products.
          
          
          RIPTERM
          TeleGrafix Communications, Inc.
          16458 Bolsa Chica #15
          Huntington Beach, CA 92649
          
          RIPTERM is a graphics-based communications program with
          mouse support and is a freeware program. The authors are
          not requesting any money at all. A freeware program is
          copyrighted and has copyright restrictions; however, the
          author is not requesting a registration fee. RIPTERM
          shows Rip graphics which are the latest rage on BBSs.
          RIPTERM is easy to set up and does a nice job. It may not
          have all the features, but the price is right.
          
          
          TELEMATE
          White River Software
          P.O. Box 73031
          Limeridge Mall Postal Outlet
          Hamilton, Ont., Canada L9A 5H7
          
          TELEMATE is a shareware telecommunications full-featured
          program that has many extras like internal multi-tasking.
          TELEMATE has many strong supporters and is yet another
          example of how some of the best programs are shareware.
          
          
          TELIX
          deltaComm Development
          P.O. Box 1185
          Cary, NC 27512
          
          TELIX is a full-featured communications program and is
          this writer's favorite shareware modem software. It is
          both easy to use and easy to set up. It has a modem setup
          program (MODEMCFG) that offers you a pick list of
          hundreds of modems. After choosing the appropriate modem,
          it will automatically customize the program to support
          your modem (setting your modem initialization strings,
          etc.). TELIX has sophisticated transfer protocols, two
          script languages, an advanced host mode and is very
          powerful. 
          
          The makers of TELIX have both Windows and DOS versions
          available.
          
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