CompuServe Messages

The Amiga marketplace would do well if there were several "native" Token-Ring communications boards and appropriate software to allow me to connect my Amiga directly to an existing Token-Ring LAN at work which is strictly big-blue flavor. Additional software will be required to make my Amiga fully functional in such an environment (eg; data sharing, data format conversions, device access (eg; file servers, printers), compatible electronic mail packages (Lotus NOTES?), IBM 3270 emulation (CUT and DFT), etc; etc; etc.). Another software need in the communications area is a full TCP/IP implementation which includes SLIP, but does not require a HAM radio, or an Ethernet or Token-Ring card, does not use the X.25 protocol, and doesn't require UNIX. The current AmigaNOS TCP/IP implementation (for AmigaDOS) is best used for radio nets, not for asynchronous dial-up to a remote TCP/IP host using the SLIP protocol, over a standard telephone line and existing asynchronous modems. Another version that was designed for a "native" Token-Ring card would also be needed. Another hot item in my wish list is an Amiga port of IBM's Xedit/Kedit file editor (with full REXX/ARexx support, of course). I contacted Mansfield about this but they weren't interested at the time (they developed Kedit). Another wish item is a "native" word processor which supports foreign languages (translations, or spelling checker, or ??). Once the T-R cards and software become available, somebody then needs to incorporate SQL capabilities into existing Amiga database/spreadsheet products for remote inquiries (ala IBM mainframe), et cetera (or design a new one). If the T-R cards and software become a reality, then somebody should start designing some routers, bridges, communications hubs, etc; that are based on an Amiga versus a messy-dos machine. How about faster floppies (not just more capacity or caching, but higher data throughput)? – Using Whap! (from Southern Illinois) (Internet: ca0008@siucvmb.siu.edu)