DIN-A-MIT: An adaptable, distributed computer-based message system

A distributed computer-based message system in a heterogenous local computer network is introduced. DIN-A-MIT — a system of the basic modules User-Agent, Post-Station, User-Record-Base and Message-Base — can be used for varied purposes such as a Mail, a (network-) Status and a Library service. So-called “user-records” which “float” in the system due to the mobility of the user contain the link information for messages stored on different computers. One-to-one and one-to-many messages are possible by assigning attributes which represent either a unique user-name or an interest group. In all cases only a single message copy is stored. Implementation takes place in a portable subset of PASCAL based on a standardized FORTRAN interface to the network.