A new software program introduced at UniForum will enable Unix users to include any type of text or binary data in electronic mail messages. Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Alfalfa Software’s first product, called Poste, provides for messages consisting not only of text, but user-defined enclosures as well, Microbytes reports. These enclosures can contain text, images, facsimile transmissions and digitised sound. Alfalfa claims that new types can be added by users or third-party developers as technology advances. Poste is a graphical application, with an OSF/Motif interface that includes multiple mode-less windows (meaning that all windows can accept input simultaneously) and on-line help. It aids message delivery by providing recipient address templates from several delivery media, including X400. The product invokes the user’s chosen editor or playback facility automatically for each of a message’s enclosures. Each message, regard-less of the number of parts, is contained in a single file to ease storage and back-up. Poste will be available later this year, and is expected to cost $400.
