Chatter - experimental release 1.0d2    4/18/90
                         by
                  Brian Fitzgerald

       copyright HAL Labs 1990. All rights reserved

                  HAL Labs
                  19842 Dallas
                  Riverside, CA 92508

                  GEnie: HAL.LABS   CIS: 72250,3226   AppleLink: D0366

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What you have in your hands is a crude toy, but it works. It is a chatting
program for the Apple IIgs, using an AppleTalk network to connect IIgs's
together. What you type on your keyboard will appear on your screen, and
on all other IIgs's running the Chatter CDA. It's as simple as that.

Please include this documentation if you give it to others. Best of all,
only distribute the CHAT.1.0D2.BXY file (it's packed, it's got everything
in it).


To use
-------
It's embarrassingly simple. Just put the CDA in your */System/Desk.Accs/
folder, and reboot. Then, select the CDA from the menu (open-apple-control-
ESC, naturally, first). You will see a screen, and two messages. The first
message tells you your name is being registered (I just picked a name for
you, don't worry about it). The second message tells you the program is
looking for others to talk to - it will list where each one is found in 
AppleTalk parlance.

After that, you'll see a blinking cursor. Type anything (except ESC or
ENTER) - all the characters you type will go to all other IIgs' that were
found.

The search is not automatic. So if you start up one IIgs after others have
been talking, they will not "see" you until they hit ENTER to re-search for
chatters.

Sorry, you're limited to one zone. No internets supported.

Hit ESC when you're tired of this.


What to look forward to
-----------------------
This is a crude demo, almost worthless. That's why it is freeware. I found
it interesting, and thought others might too. If you're interested, the
source code will be published in II Technical issue#3. Write HAL Labs or
send e-mail if you're interested in that.

The real version will either be shareware or commercial, depending on how
carried away I get. Some of the features:

   *  It will always be running. At boot time, an init will install the
      listener; messages will be queued up even if you're not actually
      running the DA.

   *  There will be split windows for your talking, and others' replies.
      Replies will be identified by user name.

   *  It will be an NDA as well as a CDA (there are advantages to both).

   *  You will have audible notification of messages.

   *  It will support multiple zones.

It may have other nifty features. But it may not. I would appreciate hearing
comments from people. Email is best, but US mail is ok. Phone is not ok,
it's too disruptive. I want to hear things like "so? who cares?" or "hey,
neat, what about AppleTalk games?" (this is a subtle hint).

Have fun. PS if you only have 2 IIgs', you don't need AppleTalk kits, a
straight connector will do (I "think" a ImageWriter II cable will work, but
I don't remember if it was that, or a modem cable that I used before I got
some PhoneNet connectors. Don't try it unless you're sure.).


        -- Brian Fitzgerald --