Note: These FAQ's are no longer accurate, as the RA-32 project was
scraped by interscape due to funding problems, and development is
not expected to be continued. This FAQ is only useful for humor or
to see what had been planned as of December 1995.


Filename: The Official RemoteAccess-32 FAQ (The Anti-Rumour FAQ)
Version : 0.01   (December 20, 1995)
Author  : Joel Ricketts

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The items listed below are the facts, not the rumors to the contrary.  The
purpose of this is to ensure that no one quotes this message out of context
;)

1. RA 2.50 will (probably) NOT be the last DOS version.

Based on the responses we have seen in RA_SUPPORT and elsewhere, it appears
that RA has plenty of supporters out there -- enough to justify continued
development of the DOS version.  Therefore, it is probably a safe bet that RA
2.50 will NOT be the last DOS version released, barring something
catastrophic.

The DOS version of RA will be supported as long as there is a market for it.

This rumour arose when Andrew and I mentioned the possibility of RA32 (the
new Windows 95/NT version of RA) possibly taking over from the DOS version.
From comments we had received it appeared that most Sysops wanted a 32-bit
BBS package to run under a multi-tasking OS, and that a DOS version would no
longer be necessary.  It seems now we were hearing only one side of the story.

2. RA 2.50 will NOT change the line-count policies in any way

There is a nasty rumour circulating that RA 2.50 shareware will not permit a
local node in addition to the remote nodes.  The line-count policies are
unchanged from 2.02.  In other words, if you can do it with 2.02, you'll be
able to run the same line counts and config with 2.50.

The origin of this rumour appears to have happened when someone asked me
about RA32's line-count system.  I answered that we had not yet decided about the 2
node vs. 2+local (which we had not, at that point).  People misinterpreted
the message as referring to RA 2.50, not RA32.  They are two different
products.

3. RA32 *WILL* have both a Windows 95/NT version and an OS/2 version

Originally, we underestimated the demand for an OS/2 version of RemoteAccess
32.  However, the responses we've received have indicated that, while the
Windows 95/NT version is viable, an OS/2 version would also be viable.  We
are working on setting up an OS/2 development team to speed development and
possibly release both versions simultaneously.  However, even if we are
unable to assemble the development team, and OS/2 development has to wait
until the Win95/NT version comes out, I project a maximum of 6 months
following the release of the 95/NT version before the OS/2 version is
beta-tested and released.

4. Pricing for RA32 will be lower than that for RemoteAccess Professional, at
   least for the 2-node and 10-node versions.

RA32 is a new product which is seperate and distinct from RemoteAccess
Shareware and RemoteAccess Professional (there will be a significant discount
for those upgrading from RemoteAccess for DOS).  ISD and Wantree Software are
making every effort to keep the cost of the 2-node and 10-node versions in
the price range accessible to hobbyists, even for new purchases.  The full
upgrade program has not yet been outlined; however, we are doing our best to
develop a system that will be fair to everyone.

We are not allowed to post pricing in RA_SUPPORT, so in the absence of hard
numbers several individuals began "guessing" as to the final price.  In many
cases these new numbers began being taken as gospel.

Thanks, and I hope this clears up a few of the circulating rumours.

Note: RA32 discussion is being moved to the new RA_32BIT echo.  Please
request this echo from your backbone, and post RA32-specific mail in this
echo in order to help alleviate traffic within RA_SUPPORT.

Joel Ricketts
Product Development Engineer
InterScape Development