CompuServe Messages

Well, Henry, speaking as an experienced DP'er, I know how CIS could make it very easy for programs like Whap!. The best way for these programs to work is to send and receive messages and files in a transaction format that is optiomized for program to program communications. Of course, CompuServe would have to write a completely different interface for such a format, but the chief advantage is that this new interface is completely separate from the current interactive interface. If CIS changes the SIGware again, the batch users wouldn't care because they wouldn't be using that interface. The tricky bit is defining the batch interface. I'd imagine that it be a variable length record (either ASCII text or binary) with a verb, parameters and data. All the data fields would be strongly defined which would eliminate the need to parse the heck out of the Forum messages. Each field would be identified and have implicit or explicit length. The user's batch program would be able to easily extract information like: TO; FROM; SUBJECT; Message Number; SubTopic; Replies and Message Text. In theory, they could use a compression technique ala ARC and B Protocol for the transfer. It'd be a BIG job, but it could be done. The issue is whether or not the effort is worth it. I think it has great potential for the unsophisticated Forum user. Oh, well, I am rambling amok. Geo