  @X0DIntroducing MetaWorlds Internet Server Online Software that
brings together the best that the Internet and BBSes have to offer!
 
@X0F(The feature set and functionality of the software described in this
document is subject to change without prior notice.)

                          @X0B MetaWorlds
                           ==========

@X0FClark Technologies is proud to introduce MetaWorlds, a revolutionary
new online system formerly known by the code name Project Genesis.
MetaWorlds was developed by Clark Development Company, Inc. - the same
company that created PCBoard BBS Software, the most popular and award
winning BBS software in the world.

MetaWorlds represents the beginning of a new and exciting era in the
online communications industry.  MetaWorlds will allow access to
Windows NT and Windows 95 servers from Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and
Windows NT standard Web clients.

MetaWorlds is designed for maximum connectivity, expandability and
speed.

Connectivity is more important than ever before.  MetaWorlds servers
can be accessed with any standard World Wide Web browser (such as
Netscape, Mosaic or Internet Explorer), standard Mail, News and
FTP clients, and any standard ANSI terminal program.

The MetaWorlds Server is built on standard TCP/IP protocols, and
supports connections via the Internet, Intranets or Local Area
Networks.  Dial-In (modem) connections are supported by MetaWorlds own
PPP server, which provides a TCP/IP connection directly to the client
machine.  ANSI terminal logons are supported via Dial-In or Telnet
connections and are made possible by a special Virtual Terminal
application on the MetaWorlds Server.

The MetaWorlds Server is designed for maximum capacity, expandability
and speed with support for  multiple simultaneous client connections
per machine, multiple tasks per connection and can run on multiple
networked PC's. Or said another way, many people can be connected to
your MetaWorlds server at the same time, and they can all do more
than one thing at a time (such as download files, chat with other
users and read/compose email at the same time).

MetaWorlds is based on a powerful collection of API's that make it
possible for third parties and vertical software developers to easily
adapt their windows programs to take advantage of the connectivity and
security that the MetaWorlds Client & Server provide, while adding new
functionality to the MetaWorlds system.  Component development by
outside companies will be encouraged, and is expected to result in a
wealth of powerful add-on products, much like we saw with the
introduction of DOOR's and PPE's for PCBoard.


@X0D                        Design Overview
                        ===============

@X0BStandards Based
===============
@X0FMetaWorlds is designed to leverage the standard protocols already in
use on the Internet, thereby allowing MetaWorlds to interact with a
large number of client and server programs developed by other vendors.
Some of the standard protocols that MetaWorlds supports include HTTP,
POP3, FTP, SMTP, NNTP and IRC.

@X0BInternet Access
===============
@X0FMetaWorlds supports Dial-In connections with it's own PPP server,
which delivers a controlled TCP/IP feed to the client PC.  This allows
the Sysop to offer Internet Access through their MetaWorlds Server and
allows end users to access the MetaWorlds Server, or any other
Internet Server, with standard Internet applications.

@X0BMultiple Client Access
======================
@X0FThe MetaWorlds Server allows end users to access the system with the
standard Internet client software (Web Browsers, FTP Clients,
Mail Clients) and ANSI terminal programs.  This ensures that all your
end users will be able to read and write messages, transfer files, and
otherwise use your MetaWorlds Server no matter what operating system
they use or where they are - even if they are dialing into the server
using a PDA over a cellular modem, or following a link to your site on
the World Wide Web. The ability of MetaWorlds to support a text based
connection will play a big role in allowing PCBoard BBSes to easily and
painlessly transition from their text-based BBSes to the new, graphical
MetaWorlds Servers.

@X0BBackwards Compatibility
=======================
@X0FClark Development is committed to backward compatibility between
established PCBoard BBSes and the new MetaWorlds Servers wherever
possible.  This will allow long-time users of PCBoard to either
quickly switch from PCBoard to MetaWorlds or slowly transition their
existing user base from the PCBoard BBS to the MetaWorlds Server.
Users on the MetaWorlds system will be able to access the existing
PCBoard message bases and file areas - allowing the MetaWorlds Server
to co-exist with an established PCBoard BBS.
 
@X0BFlexible/Extendable Configuration
=================================
@X0FThe configuration and organization of a MetaWorlds Server is extremely
flexible.  At the foundation of this design are the concepts of Sub-Areas
and Sub-Systems.  Any Sub-Area can consist of any number of
other Sub-Areas and Sub-Systems.  Common Sub-Systems include message
bases, file areas, chat rooms and bulletins.  This is a radical
departure from the "flat" architecture of a PCBoard BBS where all
conferences come off the "Main" conference and each conference has
only one message base.  In a MetaWorlds system, you can create any
hierarchy you desire.  Sub-Systems (or Applications) developed by 3rd
parties are treated just like the standard MetaWorlds Sub-Systems,
making them easy to use so they look and feel just like the built-in
subsystems.  Configuration is handled through a graphical "Explorer"
type interface with support for drag-and-drop and virtual links
between Sub-Areas and Sub-Systems.

@X0BGroup/Family Accounts
=====================
@X0FOne of the really powerful new features in MetaWorlds is the way that
user accounts are now managed.  Individual user accounts can be
created, much like PCBoard, or user accounts can be treated as members
of a group or family.  Each group has one or more Supervisor Users
that are able to manage and control access to the system by the other
members of the group, using the same configuration and maintenance
tools that the Sysop uses.  This is a strong selling point for
businesses and families with children.  In a business environment,
departmental managers can restrict their employees access to sensitive
company  information, or to games and entertainment areas of the
system during business hours.  For families, parents can create login
accounts for their children and have the peace of mind to know that
they can restrict access to any area of the system that they don't
want their children to access.
 
@X0BPersonal Areas and Storage
==========================
@X0FThe MetaWorlds Server is capable of allowing each user to have their
own area on the system, complete with file storage, message bases,
etc...just like any other conference or sub-area on the system except
that the end user performs all maintenance and controls access to
their area.  "Personal Web Pages" have become very popular and
MetaWorlds Personal Areas takes the concept a giant leap further by
adding message bases,  file areas, chat and any other MetaWorlds Sub-System
to the users personal area.

@X0BPublished API's
===============
@X0FThe foundation of the MetaWorlds system is a collection of API's.  All
aspects of the MetaWorlds system, including all standard modules and
3rd party add-on modules, utilize the API's.  The two most commonly
used API's are the SAPI, or Server Application Programming Interface,
and the CAPI, or Client Application Programming Interface.  API's are
also used for standard system modules such as the replaceable database
layer, message base interface and file system interface.

@X0BSub-Systems
===========
@X0FAll areas of the MetaWorlds Server that interact with the user and
actually do anything are considered Sub-Systems.  Common Sub-Systems
include: Messages, E-Mail, Internet News, Local Message Bases, File
Systems, Chat, DOORs, Other Sysop defined subsystems

@X0BBackward Compatibility with PCBoard
===================================
@X0FBackwards compatibility between MetaWorlds Servers and PCBoard BBSes
is very important to Clark Development.  While many existing PCBoard
BBSes will simply switch from their PCBoard BBS to the new MetaWorlds
Server, many others will transition from the PCBoard BBS to the
MetaWorlds Server over a period of time.  One of the primary goals of
the MetaWorlds Server is to share Message Bases and File Areas with
the PCBoard BBS so that the two systems can co-exist while end users
transition from using the PCBoard BBS to using the MetaWorlds Client &
Server.

