Attributes of Winlink User Software

Generic Terminal
AirMail
Paclink AGW
Paclink MP
Comments
Useable for Telnet?
No
Yes
Yes
Yes

Useable for Packet?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

Useable for Pactor?
No
Yes
No
Yes

Useable for "peer-to-peer"?
Yes
Yes
No
No

Can be used with a Sound Card?
Yes
Yes, with AMPE and AGW
Yes
Yes

Can "timeshare" with other packet software?
Maybe
Yes, with AGW
Yes, if different callsigns are used with each piece of software
Yes, if different callsigns are used with each piece of software
AGWPE (free or Pro is needed)
Can be used with most any TNC on packet?
Yes
Yes, with AMPE and AGW
Yes, if the TNC can be placed in the KISS mode
Yes

Can be used with older computers?
Yes
Yes; Windows 95
No; Windows 2000
No; Windows XP

Ease of Initial Setup?
Yes
one self-extracting file
four programs:  AGWPE, .NET Framework, Paclink Post Office, Paclink AGW
one self-extracting file, plus NET Framework, optional AGW

Ease of Use?
Entirely manual
Ease, with familiarization
Easy, with familiarization
Easy, with familiarization
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Recommended for routine use?
No
Yes
Yes
Yes

Message Administration?
None
Built-in "Message Index"
Any e-mail client Any e-mail client

Scripting for Connects?
No
No
Yes
Yes

Able to do a "Keyboard" connect?
Yes
Yes
No
No

Address Book?
No
Yes
Yes
Yes

"Catalog" of Weather, etc. messages?
No
Yes
No
No

Uses compression of data
No
Yes
Yes
Yes

Cost of software
$0+
$0
$0-$49 $0-$49
AGWPE is free: $49 for AGWPE Pro

by K7BFL  8/1/2008