UseNet*400 is a general-purpose AS/400 bulletin board system designed specifically for the IBM AS/400. UseNet works as a standalone system or with several e-mail solutions, including OfficeVision/400 and NetMail*400. Users can post items to any number of Topics within different Categories. UseNet provides complete security and access authorization. When used with e-mail integration products, users on LANs and e-mail networks can participate in the bulletin board system. Any number of authorized users can contact the AS/400 bulletin board system simultaneously.

Items Posting

	Provide enterprise wide access to central Bulletin Board
	Integrate AS/400, LAN and Internet e-mail with the Bulletin Board
	Control access and use of the Bulletin Board
	Improve communication with personnel, customers and vendors

Any authorized user can post items from within UseNet or from any e-mail system supported by UseNet. Item posting authorization is under parameter control at each installation. If posted from an e-mail system, the subject line contains the Category, Topic and brief description of the item. UseNet automatically posts Internet Usenet Group items to defined Topics, eliminating the need for each user to subscribe to the groups.

System Administration

A UseNet Administrator registers users, assigns Categories, and Topics, defines user authorization levels and establishes housekeeping parameters for system and posted item maintenance.

User Authorization

Users are members of one or more Access Lists. These lists define which Category a user can read. A user can be defined as a ’Read/Print Only’ user, a ’Read and Add/Change’ user, a ’Topics Manager’ or as an ’Administrator. A Topics Manager has rights to maintain defined Topics on the BBS. The Administrator can maintain all Categories, Topics, and Users.

System Structure

UseNet allows for the definition of any number of Categories, Topics, and Posted Items. Each Topic can have its on Access List of Authorized Users. Each Topic has any number of Posted Items. Posted Item maintenance is manual or under parameter control. User enrollment menus make it easy to enroll users into appropriate Access Lists.