*BSD News Article 31241


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From: freedom@epicycle.lm.com
Newsgroups: comp.os.386bsd.questions,comp.sys.sun.admin,comp.unix.user-friendly,comp.unix.bsd,comp.unix.questions,comp.unix.admin,comp.os.linux.help
Subject: Re: Wanted!! :menuing system/menu-shell/visual shell for Unix BBS design
Followup-To: comp.os.386bsd.questions,comp.sys.sun.admin,comp.unix.user-friendly,comp.unix.bsd,comp.unix.questions,comp.unix.admin,comp.os.linux.help
Date: 4 Jun 1994 08:27:54 -0400
Organization: Telerama Public Access Internet, Pittsburgh, PA
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Message-ID: <2sps0a$fqd@epicycle.lm.com>
References: <Robert_Hunt.gfwa@equinox.gen.nz> <skunz.770394411@corvette.cc.iastate.edu>
NNTP-Posting-Host: epicycle.lm.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2]

Steven L Kunz (skunz@iastate.edu) wrote:
> In <Robert_Hunt.gfwa@equinox.gen.nz> Robert_Hunt@equinox.gen.nz (Robert Hunt) writes:

> >I am putting together an internet connected BBS here in the Sth Pacific...
> >it needs to have a clear menu system for newusers ... not the prompt  :-)
> >
> >Hopefully there is something that will run on SunOS 4.1.3 or FreeBSD ..
> >perhaps Linux... very interested to know what may out there.. for ftp?
> >or for $$.



Hi Robert,

You might want to consider Freedom Desktop for your users.
I've included the product announcement for your review.
Freedom Desktop comes with a program manager like the one
provided with Microsoft Windows which allows the user to
create groups and iconized shell scripts. When you open or
double-click  on one of these iconized shell scripts, the shell 
script associated with the icon gets executed. You can set up 
canned shell scripts for your user. Once you do that, they just
need to double-click on an icon to invoke the shell script
that you have provided. You can also organized sets of 
iconized shell scripts into convenient groups. For instance, you
can create a group called "internet" to contain the icons related 
to internet applications. With Freedom Desktop you can also drag and 
drop files onto your iconized shell scripts. 

In summary by using Freedom Desktop, you will be providing your users with
the same functionality provided by the menus, but enhanced with:

     Customizable Icons
     Drag and Drop capabilities
     Customizable groups

Freedom Desktop also provides tutorial  capabilities: 
it can be set up to translate user actions (i.e. mouse actions) 
into Unix commands. New users can learn or improve their knowledge 
of Unix. 

I you are interested we can send you more information about the product. 
We can also make arrangements for a demo.

I'll take this opportunity to invite you to join our mailing list which
covers topics and products related to Motif running on Sun Workstations. 
Free software and information will also be offered to the subscribers of 
this list. 

Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any comments or concerns.





Edgar Galvis
Freedom Software - The creators of Freedom Desktop for Motif










			Product Announcement


Freedom Software
Freedom Desktop for Motif - $199

Freedom Software is shipping Freedom Desktop 1.0 for Motif, 
an advanced desktop manager integrated to the Unix environment. 
Beginning in March of 1994, more than 100,000 demo copies of
Freedom Desktop 1.0 will be distributed worldwide through the 
Sun CDware 6 program.

The product provides highly interactive features that bring all the 
power of Unix to the user's fingertips. Freedom Desktop helps 
users interact with Unix quickly and efficiently by providing 
a consistent interface full with visual clues. 

Multiple Unix skill levels are accommodated. New or infrequent 
Unix users can become productive very quickly. Freedom Desktop 
provides them with menus, icons, help and tutorial capabilities. 
Freedom Desktop can be setup to translate user actions into Unix
commands. This feature is included as a tutorial capability that
allows users to learn or improve their knowledge of Unix.

Fast interaction techniques required for more advanced users are 
also included. For instance, a built-in command area allows more 
advanced users to type Unix commands directly. This eliminates the 
need of creating a terminal window to type Unix commands, which is 
very cumbersome.

A file manager provides support for both basic and advanced file
operations. A program manager acts as a place holder for groups 
of often used files, directories and applications. A trash can 
is used as a temporal storage area for unused files. All of these 
modules are based on OSF/Motif. Although the Motif window manager 
(mwm) is  recommended, Freedom Desktop  can  run on  top  of 
OpenWindows 3.0.

Several unsupported public domain applications are included to 
enhance the environment. Among them, a screen grabber and an
icon editor.

Freedom Desktop runs on Solaris 1.0 and later, AIX, and HP-UX.
For limited time, Freedom Desktop costs $199 per single-user 
license.  

Contact Freedom Software, 9F Oliver Court, Pittsburgh, PA 15239.
Tel.:(412)327-4940, fax:(412)327-4940.
email: freedom@telerama.pgh.pa.us