"T H E O F F I C I A L" B B S F A Q Version 1.0 Copyright (C) - 1994 Author/Editor - Claire Walters clairew@pluto.njcc.com BBSFAQ@AOL.COM SUBJECT: Frequently asked questions for, alt.bbs, alt.bbs.allsysop, comp.bbs.misc Usenet newsgroups. PURPOSE: To answer frequently asked questions for those wanting to setup a BBS. T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ********************************************************************* CHAPTER 1 -INTRODUCTION TO THE FAQ ********************************************************************* 1.01 - Introduction - Why was The Official BBS FAQ written? - Where do I send e-mail regarding the BBS FAQ? 1.02 - Disclaimers 1.03 - Copyright Notice 1.04 - Trademark Information 1.05 - Where can I download the BBS FAQ? - FTP Site - Requesting the BBS FAQ via e-mail 1.06 - Meet the FAQ Writers ********************************************************************* CHAPTER 2 - THE WORLD OF BBSING INSIDE YOUR PC ********************************************************************* =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= COMMERCIAL BBS SOFTWARE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= DOS BASED SOFTWARE ================== 2.01 - Excalibur BBS 2.02 - Major BBS 2.03 - Searchlight 2.04 - PC Board 2.05 - TBBS-The Bread Board System 2.06 - Wildcat! BBS HOST PROGRAMS FOR MS WINDOWS ============================= 2.07 - Filex 2.08 - Freemail =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS SOFTWARE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= DOS BBS SOFTWARE (shareware/Freeware) ====================================== - Charisma BBS - DLX BBS - EISBBS - Executive Host For Telix - Falken - Feathernet Pro - FidoBBS - FreeSpeech BBS v3.10a - Harmony BBS - Illusions BBS - JetBBS - KBBS - Maximus v2.01wb - Mutant BBS - Opus CBCS 1.73a - Osiris XLT BBS - Pheonix BBS - QuickBBS - Remote Access - Renegade - RoboBoard BBS - RyBBS - Sapphire BBS v4.05 - SpitFire v3.4 - SuperBBS - Synchronet - TAG BBS - Telegard - TriBBS - TurboBoard BBS - UltraBBS - VBBS/Virtual BBS - Vision-X - Waffle BBS - WWIV OPEN YOUR WINDOWS TO THE WORLD! ================================ - What is Ghost BBS? - Power BBS - Front Line for Windows v3.8 =-=-=-=-=-=-= OS/2 Q&A =-=-=-=-=-=-= - What is OS/2? - Why not just DOS? - What are the advantages of OS/2 as a BBS? - What are the disadvantages of OS/2 as a BBS? - What BBS software runs in OS/2? =-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-= OS/2 SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS PROGRAMS =-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-= - Oblivion/2 2.10 - Kitten - Lora v2.33-1 - Magnum v7.00C - Maximus v2.01wb - Virtual BBS v6.10 (VBBS) ======================== OS/2 COMMERCIAL BBS's ======================== - OraComm ============== PC HARDWARE ============== - What basic hardware setup do I need to start a BBS? - What hardware is needed to add more phone lines? ========================== NETWORKING YOUR PC BBS ========================== - Introduction - What is a network? - What do I need for a network? - The Topology - Hop on the bus - Hitch your dreams to a Star - The NIC - The NOS and Network Type - Novell Netware - LanTastic - Windows for WorkGroups - The New Kid In Town: CoActive - EtherWave - How does all this hardware help me? ======================== CD-ROMS & YOUR PC BBS ======================== - How do I add a CD-ROM to my BBS? - Can I have more than one CD-Rom for my users to access? - Do I need any special software to run a CD-rom(s)? - Books & other resources when using a Cd-rom on your BBS ======================= BBS ADD-ONS/UTILITIES ======================= - What is RIPScript? - What is a fossil driver? - What do I need to offer fax services to my users? - Front-End Mailers ANSII & the PC BBS -------------------- - No outline provided yet FILE CHECKING PROGRAMS ----------------------- - When users upload files, what utilities are avilable to check for viruses & duplicates? QWK MAIL --------- - What is QWK mail? - The BBS software I chose did not include QWK mail capabilties, how do I add QWK mail to my BBS? - What QWK mail software is available? BBS DOORS ---------- - What is a BBS door? - What doors are available? - How do I install a door? - Notes of Multi-line systems - Notes on DOORWAY ********************************************************************** CHAPTER 3 - SYSOPING WITH MACINTOSH/APPLE ********************************************************************** ================ INTRODUCTION ================ 3.00 - Where can I get a copy of the Macintosh BBS FAQ? ========================== COMMERCIAL BBS SOFTWARE ========================== 3.01 - NOVALINK PRO 3.02 - FIRSTCLASS 3.03 - TELEFINDER 3.04 - Commercial Software comparison chart =========================================== SHAREWARE/FREEWARE MACINTOSH BBS SOFTWARE ============================================ 3.05 - HERMES II 3.06 - MANSION 3.07 - PUBLIC ADDRESS v0.9b9 3.08 - SECOND SIGHT 3.09 - Hi BBS ================================== HARDWARE NEEDED TO RUN A MAC BBS ================================== WHAT HARDWARE IS NEEDED TO RUN A MACINTOSH BBS? ------------------------------------------------ 3.10 - The Basics 3.11 - A Minimum Machine 3.12 - Hard drives and accessing information. 3.13 - Accelerating your Macintosh BBS 3.14 - CD ROMS and your BBS SETTING UP PHONE LINES ON A MACINTOSH --------------------------------------- 3.15 - Serial ports on a Mac 3.16 - Multiport cards for expanding the number of lines 3.17 - SCSI interfaces for expansion 3.18 - Other connection types for the Macintosh MODEMS & THE MACINTOSH BBS ---------------------------- 3.19 - Modems 3.20 - Carrier detect and the Macintosh 3.21 - Hardware handshaking and the Macintosh 3.22 - High speed modems ================================== THE MACINTOSH & PUBLIC NETWORKS ================================== 3.23 - NOVAWORLD 3.24 - THE ONENET NETWORK 3.25 - FIDONET ON THE MACINTOSH ==================================================== COMPRESSION OF FILES TO SAVE DISK SPACE ON YOUR MAC ===================================================== 3.26 - Why compress files? 3.27 - Stuffit format 3.28 - Compact Pro Format 3.29 - Binhex 3.30 - Zip format ================================ RIDING A MAC ON THE INTERNET ================================ - Not provided at the time of this release ********************************************************************* CHAPTER 4 - UNIX AT YOUR SERVICE ********************************************************************* 4.01 - What's a Unix? 4.02 - The Pro's & Cons of a Unix BBS 4.03 - What factors should I consider when starting BBS on UNIX? ================================== SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS SOFTWARE ================================== What shareware BBSes are available for Unix? ----------------------------------------------- 4.04 - Citadel/UX 4.05 - DOC 4.06 - PANDA 4.07 - UBBS 1.01 (Linux) 4.08 - UniBoard 1.12 4.09 - XBBS 7.21 4.10 - Magpie 4.11 - UnixBBS ================================ COMMERCIAL UNIX BBS SOFTWARE ================================ - TEAMate BBS ================= UNIX HARDWARE ================= - What would I need to start a small dial-up BBS to run on a UNIX box? - What hardware & software do I need to network my Unix BBS? ********************************************************************** CHAPTER 5 - BBSing WITH AMIGA ********************************************************************** ================================ AMIGA COMMERCIAL BBS SOFTWARE ================================ 5.01 - AmiExpress 5.02 - BBX 5.03 - CNet Amiga 5.04 - DLG Pro. v1.0 5.05 - Excelsior! BBS 5.06 - MEBBS 5.07 - XENOLINK 1.90 ========================================= AMIGA SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS SOFTWARE ========================================= - 4D-BBS - ABBS Software - AXsh - CITADEL - Reccoon - TransAmiga - Max's BBS v1.52 ================ AMIGA HARDWARE ================ WHAT IS THE BASIC HARDWARE I WOULD NEED TO SETUP AN AMIGA BBS? ----------------------------------------------------------------- - Introduction - Commodore Amiga on the inside. - Know your needs when setting up a BBS, or your company's needs. - An explanation of Amiga systems. - Pro's & Con's about Amiga hardware when running a BBS. ======================= INTERNET AMIGA STYLE ======================= - No Outline provided ********************************************************************* CHAPTER 6 - SYSOPS SURFING THE SUPER HIGHWAY ********************************************************************* I want to provide Internet access on my BBS... (Topics to be covered) - Who do I contact to get Internet on my BBS? - How much does it cost? - Are there different type of internet connections? If so, what are my options? - What is TCP/IP, SLIP, UUCP, ISDN, leased lines? - What type of software do I need to have an Internet connection? - Satelite Services - Turn your PC into a Usenet Site ********************************************************************** CHAPTER 7 - NET IT UP - GETTING YOUR BBS ON AN ECHO NETWORK ********************************************************************** 7.01 - Why network? 7.02 - What is an echo net? 7.03 - Where do I find information? 7.04 - Do echo networks charge? 7.05 - What are the differences between networking technologies? 7.06 - What do I have to do to join? 7.07 - Do I have to get rid of my cats to join Fidonet? 7.08 - Do the echo nets have e-mail? 7.09 - How can I start my own net? 7.10 - How will my users interact with the nets? 7.11 - How can I avoid becoming merely a "net outlet?" 7.12 - How can I start my own net? 7.13 - What are some of the network that are out there? ********************************************************************** CHAPTER 8 -SETTING UP FILE LIBRARIES ********************************************************************** Q: Where can I get an assorted selection of shareware/freeware files to start up the file libraries on my BBS? 8.01 - Shareware vendors 8.02 - Encouraging your users to upload ********************************************************************** CHAPTER 9 - LEGAL ISSUES FACING THE BBS SYSOP ********************************************************************** 9.1 - Introduction 9.2 - The Legal Risks Civil Lawsuits Criminal Liability 9.3 - The Major Issues and Some Suggestions - 9.3.1 Negligence - 9.3.2 Breach of Contract - 9.3.3 Viruses - 9.3.4 Public Messages and Defamation - 9.3.5 E-mail, Privacy, and ECPA - 9.3.6 Encryption - 9.3.7 Copyright Infringement - 9.3.8 Obscene Material, Child Pornography and Indecent Speech - 9.3.9 Regulated Activities - 9.3.10 Taxes 9.4 Limiting Liability Through Disclaimers 9.5 Incorporation 9.6 Closing Thoughts and Some Legal Resources ********************************************************************** CHAPTER 10 - DECISIONS OF A SYSOP ********************************************************************** 10.01 - So you want to be a sysop? 10.02 - How much do I charge my users? - What is TABS? - Accepting credit cards as payment from your users. 10.03 - Can I make money running a BBS? 10.04 - Building your online commmunity. 10.05 - Books & other helpful sources for sysops ========= Modems ========= 10.06 - Carrier Detected ========= CD-ROMS ========= 10.07 - Takin' a spin through the CD-Rom showroom ---------------- END OF TABLE OF CONTENTS -------------------- >>>>> THE OFFICIAL BBS FAQ <<<<< ******************************************************************** CHAPTER 1 -INTRODUCTION TO THE FAQ ******************************************************************** -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1.01 - INTRODUCTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Why was The Official BBS FAQ written? ====================================== Every day, I'd sign-on to local BBSes to download my e-mail and review the Usenet newsgroups. After reading alt.bbs for a few months, I noticed the same questions being asked over and over again. One day, I read a message asking if there was a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for the alt.bbs newsgroups. If not, the poster asked if someone would be willing to write one. The idea appealed to me. I've never run a BBS of my own; however, I've signed-on a wide variety of bulletin board services all over the United States. I've helped sysops setup their boards plus I've done computer tech support. Additionally, as a consultant and writer, I was particularly attracted to the idea of assisting computer users in their enjoyment of BBSing. From all of this combined experience, I decided to develop the much-needed FAQ. To begin the project, I posted a message in March of 1994 to alt.bbs newsgroups, calling for people to contribute to the BBS FAQ. The mail started flowing-in immediately and continued for weeks. The overall response was great! All sorts of people were willing to offer their time and knowledge to the long-awaited FAQ. I created a Table of Contents based on my own knowledge and on the questions/suggestions I saw in the newsgroups. I then gathered information from various sources to build the comprehensive guide that follows. The end-product is intended to aid those who use bulletin boards as well as to assist those who run them or want to setup BBSes of their own. The Official BBS FAQ was built BY the people of the Net, FOR the people of the Net. Many thanks to all who contributed. Regards, Claire Walters Where do I send e-mail regarding the BBS FAQ? ============================================== Any comments, corrections, deletions or additions for this FAQ please send e-mail to the editor/author (Claire Walters) at: - clairew@pluto.njcc.com - BBSFAQ@AOL.COM Any corrections, additions, or deletions for Chapter 3 (Sysoping with Macintosh/Apple) please send e-mail to: Internet: jmbarry@infoport.com (James Barry) Refer to chapter 3 for further information on how to contact James Barry. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.02 - DISCLAIMERS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This article answers frequently asked questions (FAQ) for the alt.bbs, alt.bbs.allsysop, and comp.bbs.misc Usenet newsgroups. It is intended for those who want to start a BBS or for those sysops already running a BBS who may be seeking further information. All information in this article is believed to be correct at the time of writing. However, please recognize that this is an evolving document and that the information that follows may contain inaccuracies. Please direct suggestions for improvement or corrections to the editor/author at, BBSFAQ@AOL.COM or clairew@pluto.njcc.com. The editor/author is not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned herein. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.03 COPYRIGHT NOTICE =-=-=-==-=-==-=-=-=-= The Official BBS FAQ is Copyright 1994, by Claire Walters. All rights reserved. You are granted the following rights: I. To make copies of this work in original form, so long as (a) The copies are exact and complete. (b) The copies include the copyright notice and these paragraphs in their entirety. (c) The copies give obvious credit to the author, Claire Walters. (d) The copies are in electronic form only. II. To distribute this work, or copies made under the provisions above, so long as, (a) this is the original work and not a derivative form. (b) you do not charge a fee for copying or for distribution. (c) you ensure that the distributed form includes the copyright notice, this paragraph, the disclaimer of warranty in their entirety and credit to the author. (Claire Walters) (d) the distributed form is not in an electronic magazine or within computer software (prior explicit permission may be obtained from Claire Walters) (e) the distributed form is the NEWEST version of the article to the best of the knowledge of the distributor. (f) the distributed form is electronic. You may not distribute this work by any non-electronic media, including but not limited to books, newsletters, magazines, manuals, catalogs, and speech. You may not distribute this work in electronic magazines, CD-ROMS or within computer software without prior written explicit permission. These rights are temporary and revocable upon written, oral, or other notice by Claire Walters. This copyright notice shall be governed by the laws of the state of New Jersey. If you would like additional rights beyond those granted above, write to the author at, Internet: BBSFAQ@AOL.COM or clairew@pluto.njcc.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.04 - TRADEMARK INFORMATION =--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The software & products mentioned in this FAQ is the properties and trademark of their respective owners. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.05 - WHERE CAN I DOWNLOAD THE BBS FAQ? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Official BBS FAQ will be posted periodically in the, alt.bbs, alt.bbs.allsysop, comp.bbs.misc, news.answers, and comp.answers Usenet newsgroups. It is also available to download from America Online in the PC Telecom forum as BBSFAQ01.ZIP FTP SITE: ========== FTP to pluto.njcc.com FILES: /pub/bbsfaq/bbsfaq.toc bbsfaq01.txt bbsfaq02.txt bbsfaq03.txt bbsfaq04.txt bbsfaq05.txt bbsfaq06.txt bbsfaq07.txt bbsfaq08.txt bbsfaq09.txt bbsfaq10.txt bbsfaq11.txt Requesting the BBS FAQ via e-mail: =================================== To be announced =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1.06 - MEET THE BBS FAQ WRITERS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= About the author/editor ======================== - Claire Walters, DBA Windsorware FAQ Author/Editor Computer Consultant, Freelance Writer, Custom Windows HLP files Internet: clairew@pluto.njcc.com or BBSFAQ@AOL.COM Credits & Acknowledgments ========================== My special thanks goes to: - My family & JT - Brian Kramer Owner/Systems Administrator - bjkramer@pluto.njcc.com New Jersey Computer Connection Home of The Official BBS FAQ Public Access Unix Site - pluto.njcc.com Voice: 609-896-2799 - Fax: 609-896-2994 - Dialups: 609-896-3191 Dialup or Telnet to pluto.njcc.com and log in as, guest for more information. Contributors ------------- - Anssi Johansson Internet: avij@spt.fi. - Bill McDermott - Bill Shefski Internet: bill.shefski@pics.com - Bjorn Hermans Internet: B.T.Hermans@kub.nl - Carl J. Elitz, Internet: carl.elitz@n9csa.com or reds@ripco.com - Dan Birchall Internet: birchall@pilot.njin.net - Dan D. Gutierrez - David McGuire Internet: PCCKDR@AOl.COM - Derek Douville Internet: derek@ocean.pinetree.org - Dave Shaw Internet: DSHAW@CURVET.COM - Eric Hoffmann Internet: ehfm@midway.uchicago.edu - James Barry Internet: jmbarry@infoport.com - Mike Bryeans Internet: wizard@camelot.itc.com - Prasad Golla Internet: golla@seas.smu.edu - Rikk Streng Internet: rikk@cnj.digex.net - Scott Wiard Internet: scott@ddreams.chs.wa.com - Stan P. Barrack Internet: sbarrack@interaccess.com - Tom Snider-Lotz Internet: bombadil@netcom.com - Uri Hasson Internet: urihason@www-mail.huji.ac.il - William Bell Internet: wnbell@aol.com - Zachary M. Loafman Internet: zml@metronet.com - Hank Leukart Internet: ap641@cleveland.freenet.edu Thanks to those I might have missed who sent info or offered suggestions. ********************************************************************* CHAPTER 2 - THE WORLD OF BBSING INSIDE YOUR PC ********************************************************************* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COMMERCIAL BBS SOFTWARE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.01 - EXCALIBUR BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Excalibur BBS will be available in future versions of the FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.02 - MAJOR BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Major BBS will be available in future versions of the FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.03 - SEARCHLIGHT BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= by, Tom Snider-Lotz We (my co-conspirator Nancy, and I) operate a two-line BBS from our office in order to provide files and other information to our customers. We've been using Searchlight BBS (SLBBS) software since the beginning, about 3 years ago, and have never regretted the decision. Our boss conceived of the idea of having an office BBS, and he tapped Nancy and I because we were computer literate and had some experience online (I was a sysop on GEnie at the time). He had some other requirements, too: it had to be done quickly, very cheaply, and without diverting too much of our time from our "real work." Though we had plenty of experience calling BBSs, neither of us had ever had to program one, so that added one more requirement: it had to be friendly to newbie sysops. And, since most of our callers would also be new to BBSing, it had to be user-friendly. We set about looking for software that was easy to get running, full-featured, easy to use, and inexpensive. What we chose was Searchlight. IT'S EASY TO GET RUNNING ========================== Setting up SLBBS is a snap. As it comes "out of the box," it's ready to run with Mail, Bulletins, and a message area (SLBBS calls them "subboards") already set up. Adding one or more File Directories and additional Subboards is merely a matter of filling in the blanks on the Setup menus. If you want to limit access to Subboards and File Directories, that's easy. Users can be assigned any combination of 24 "security attributes" as well as one of 256 numerical access levels. You can then use these attributes as requirements for entry into Subboards and File Directories. You can also apply these requirements to any option on the SLBBS menus. The default SLBBS menus are pretty much like any other BBS I've seen -- a couple of columns of commands, with a highlighted letter for choosing each command (does "G" for "Goodbye" sound familiar?). This is easy to change if you want something different. For example, we changed the menus so the commands were selected by a number instead of a letter. If you wish, SLBBS will lay out the menu for you -- you tell SLBBS what the choices are and what the access levels are for each choice, and SLBBS will figure out how to display the menu. Users who don't have proper access level for a menu choice won't even see that choice. If you want more creative menus, you can design your own menus using a text editor -- including special effects like colors, blinking, underlining, etc. We haven't tried setting up RIP graphics menus, so I can't comment too much on that. I gather from the manual that it's very similar: SLBBS will do it for you, or you can customize. IT'S FULLY-FEATURED ==================== One of the really nice features of SLBBS is its text editor. The e-mail system and the message boards both use a full-screen editor that allows full-screen cursor movement, scrolling, and the use of function keys. The user can insert codes for colors and other special effects, upload text, and insert text from other files. For users without ANSI capability, there's also a standard line editor. SLBBS supports all the standard file transfer protocols, including built-in ZMODEM. You can add external protocols as well, such as YMODEM-Batch and HS/LINK. SLBBS can access CD-ROM drives as well as the hard disk. The message and the mail system allow uploaded messages and attached files. Users also can download entire message threads. QWK mail support is built in. Other nice features include: ============================ * the ability to be run from a LAN; * the ability to connect with Fidonet and RIME/UTI-compatible networks; * inter-user chat; * the ability to run many DOS programs as Doors without using an intermediate Door program; * accurate recognition of connect speeds up to 38.4 Kbps; * name completion -- SLBBS will complete a user's name or file name automatically if you type in partial information; * single menu commands that can trigger execution of long sequences of commands; * easy setup of additional nodes (SLBBS is designed to use DesqView as a multi-tasker when using multiple nodes; others have used it successfully with OS/2 and Windows NT as well); and * the ability to tag files for future downloading. IT'S EASY FOR CALLERS TO USE ============================= As we discovered, whether a system is easy for callers to use is mostly up to the sysops. The good news about SLBBS is that it's so flexible, so adaptable, that we could modify it to fit our conception of ease of use. Want to change the colors? No problem. Want to nest the menus five deep? No problem. Want to arrange the menu choices in a circle? No problem. Want to give users a visual map of the entire BBS, available from each menu? You guessed it. IT'S INEXPENSIVE ================== One thing that kept bothering me as we were "interviewing" potential software was why SLBBS was so inexpensive compared to many of the big-name BBS programs? What did they have that SLBBS didn't? We still haven't figured that one out! As I write this, SLBBS comes in four versions, priced according to how many lines (nodes) the software will support. For a single line, the price is $99; one to three lines, $179; one to ten lines, $299; and an unlimited number of lines, $399. EXCELLENT PRODUCT SUPPORT =========================== The people at Searchlight Software are very helpful. We've never been disappointed. The primary source of support is the main Searchlight BBS in Cleveland (numbers are given below). The program's author, Frank LaRosa, is active on the BBS, and you can also get input from the sysops of lots of other Searchlight systems. If the BBS-based support isn't enough, you can talk to real live people by telephone. RIP GRAPHICS =============== Everything I've described so far refers to SLBBS's standard text- based interface. However, in the minds of the Searchlight Software folks, their most impressive feature is their built-in RIP graphical interface. RIP technology, if you aren't aware, provides your BBS with an attractive graphical user interface (GUI). Every SLBBS program sold, if called by RIP-capable communications program, can provide a full GUI interface, including scroll bars, push buttons, and dialog boxes. You can also have eye-catching logon screens, mouse-able online games, and even animation. Many BBS software programs are jumping on the RIP bandwagon, but (I'm told) SLBBS offers more complete built-in support for RIP graphics than any other BBS software. We haven't activated the RIP interface feature on our BBS, primarily because our most of our users don't use a mouse with their computer, and don't use a communications program that supports RIP. Also, my experience is that, at 2400 bps (our maximum) and with a slow monitor, RIP graphics can be a bit slow. To me, the current RIP technology is sort of like the early versions of Windows -- the concept is there, but its time hasn't come quite yet. (Others would disagree with me.) CALL SEARCHLIGHT ================ The best introduction to Searchlight is first-hand experience. If you call the main Searchlight BBS, you can; * see SLBBS in action; * see RIP graphics in action (if you've got RIP-capable communications software); * get a freeware RIP-capable communications program (RIPterm, from TeleGrafix); * get a list of Searchlight BBSs in your geographical area; * get a feel for the support available from Searchlight Software; and * download a demo copy of Searchlight to try out on your own. After you've seen SLBBS in action, and tried it out for yourself, you can decide whether it's what you want. We're very happy with it. Searchlight Software 6516 Detroit Avenue Cleveland, OH 44102 voice: (216) 631-9290 fax: (216) 631-9289 BBS: (216) 631-9285 orders: (800) 780-LITE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.04 - PC BOARD =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURES: =========== - Packet switch support - Full Internationalization of dates & code page - FOSSIL support for virtually any intelligent serial card(/M code) - File attachment to messages - Multiple daily events - Full support for 2 byte international character sets - Built-in .QWK message packet support - Jukebox & "slow" CD-ROM support - Incoming Fax support - Carbon-Copy list support - Return Receipt message support - Caller-ID support - ALIAS support by conference area - RIPscrip support for remote callers - PPL (PCBoard Programming Language Compiler) (Optional) - Automatic 16550 UART recognition & support - Intelligent & non-intelligent multi-port serial card support - Full screen text editor - ANSI graphics support - Full color operation - Thread reading of messages - Supports up to 65,535 conference (message base) areas - 36 file transfer protocols supported - Supports 37,767 DOORS per conference - Real-Time 255 channel node chat (CB chat) - Long message headers for all NetMail programs including Internet, Usenet & others. - Local network logins for in-house e-mail support - Direct connect support for in-house serial networks & PADS - Communicates directly with OS/2 COMM drivers to allow large number of multiple nodes under OS/2 - Automatically detects OS/2 operation for time-slice control - Full network support for any NetBIOS compatible network, including Netware, LAN tastic, 3-Com, Vines & more. - Full remote DOS access for SysOp if desired - True & complete multi-lingual language support REQUIREMENTS ============== IBM PC compatible Minimum 320k RAM DOS 3.1 or higher Modem to support remote dial-in - PCBoard/M Needs 80386 CPU or higher since code is written using 80386 instructions for maximum speed. PCBoard ADD-ONS ================= PPL Compiler -------------- The PPL Compiler allows you to change or add features to your PCBoard system. Simply write your code in a BASIC like language, compile, and attach your results to PCBoard. PCBoard Toolkit ----------------- The PCBoard Toolkit allows you to write extensive DOOR programs in either C or C++ (Borland or MS). Clark Development provides all the communication, display and file routines needed to produce a truly professional PCBoard DOOR program. PCBoard (Version 15.1) PRICING - EFFECTIVE FEB. 16, 1994 ========================================================== PCBoard 2 User $ 150.00 PCBoard 5 User $ 250.00 PCBoard 10 User $ 350.00 PCBoard 25 User $ 550.00 PCBoard 50 User $ 750.00 PCBoard 100 User $ 950.00 PCBoard 250 User $2000.00 PCBoard 1000 User $7000.00 PCBoard Toolkit $ 180.00 ($150 with PCBoard Purchase) PPL Compiler $ 80.00 ($50 with PCBoard Purchase) Extended BBS Access $ 40.00 DESQview 386 $ 179.00 Multitasking Software DOORWAY $ 40.00 Site License Pricing ---------------------- Site Licenses are available. (Call Clark Development for further information about pricing) Competitive Discounts --------------------- Competitive trade-in discounts are available. For more information please call Clark Development. Payments -------- Payments accepted by VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Checks by Phone, Cashiers Check, Money Orders or Personal Checks. School District and Government Agency Purchase Orders are accepted. Contacting PCBoard ===================== Clark Development Company, Inc. 3950 South 700 East, Ste 303 Murray, UT 84107-2173 800.356.1686 (Orders only) 801.261.1686 (Voice) 801.261.8987 (FAX) 801.261.8976 (BBS) Extended BBS Support Access ----------------------------- Extended Salt Air BBS access allows you to contact the Clark Development support BBS in Salt Lake using special dedicated phone lines which provide 2 hours of daily on-line time. INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTORS ============================= BRAZIL: Alexandar Mandic Voice: 55.11.816.3245 Mandic BBS LtDA Fax: 55.11.816.3245 Rua Jerico, 39 BBS: 55.11.816.3911 Sao Paulo, SP 05435-040 Brazil DENMARK: Morten Olsen Voice: 45.32.47.30.15 Danish Key Board BBS Fax: 45.32.47.30.16 International House BBS: 45.32.47.30.40 Bellacenter 2300-S Copenhagen Denmark FRANCE: Lionel Bruno Voice: 33.1.48.99.35.35 Microtel Amiposte Fax: 33.1.48.99.43.33 71, rue Cheret BBS: 33.1.48.99.43.00 9400 Ctreeil France NETHERLANDS: Arthur Mol Voice: 31.2155.28631 The Owl's Nest Fax: 31.2155.26527 Hazepad 25 BBS: 31.2155.12571 3766 JL Soest Netherlands NORWAY: John Nordbo Voice: 47.52.717170 EuroNet Fax: 47.52.716071 Hasselgt 31 BBS: 47.52.716021 Haugesund, 5501 Norway PORTUGAL: Luis Silva Voice: 351.61.313834 MSmac, Lda Fax: 351.61.314226 R.Princesa Benedita BBS: 351.51.312935 LT 7 1 Drt 2560 Torres Vedras Portugal SAUDI ARABIA: Mohammed Albatati Voice: 966.1.478.8314 B.E.S.T PCBoard Info. Fax: 966.1.477.1908 P.O Box 2132 BBS: 966.1.478.6703 Riyadh 11451 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia SINGAPORE: Tee Tong Chiew Voice: 65.337.6213 Comsertrac Computer Centre Fax: 65.337.2952 #1 Spohia Road BBS: 65.336.5351 #06-25 Peace Centre Singapore, 0922 SOUTH AFRICA: Ian Gerada Voice: 27.11.789.6192 Fincompt Technologies Fax: 27.11.789.6081 355 Kent Avenue BBS: 27.11.482.1277 Randburg, Transvaal 2125 South Africa SPAIN: David Llamas Gaberenet Voice: 34.3.589.1101 Abaforum Fax: 34.3.589.4483 Rambla del Cellar 65 BBS: 34.3.589.3888 SantCugat, Barcelona, 08190 Spain SWEDEN: Peter Svensson Voice: 46.8.664.2557 CPS Sound & Vision Fax: 46.8.728.8430 Skeppargatan 102 BBS: 46.8.736.0410 S-115 30 Stockholm Sweden SWITZERLAND: Ueli Maurer Voice: 41.64.562.233 Hitline Communications Fax: 41.64.561.133 Hintermaettistr. 5 BBS: 41.64.560.200 Switzerland UK: Alastair Mclntyre Voice: 44.0324.482435 ALMAC Computer Services Fax: 44.0324.665155 141 Bo'ness Road BBS: 44.0324.665371 Grangemouth, Stirlingshire FK3 9BS, Scotland United Kingdom SOLVENIJA: Boris Horvat Voice: 38.61.211.553 ABM d.o.o Fax: 38.61.221.838 Ziherlova 43/40 61000 Ljubljana Slovenija =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-= 2.05 - TBBS-The Bread Board System =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-= - Info for TBBS will be available in future versions of the FAQ. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.06 - WILDCAT! BBS v3.9 -=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- - INTRODUCTION ================ Wildcat is a very powerful, secure, and friendly BBS software from both a sysop's and user's point of view. It is very easy to set up and maintain, with interactive install and configuration programs. If security is important to you, Wildcat is the software you want. Since the first release in 1986, Wildcat has never been hacked due to a deficiency in the program code. Although much effort has been put into maintaining compatibility with other systems, Wildcat has many features that set it apart from other BBS systems, such as internal file transfer protocols, and RIP graphics support. Wildcat is commercial software. It is not shareware, although a test drive version is available. You may not copy and distribute the software. Wildcat is published by Mustang Software Inc., the makers of Qmodem, and OffLine Xpress. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ===================== - IBM personal computer or true compatible - PC-DOS or MS-DOS version 3.3 or later (Note: Wildcat should NOT be ru under Windows or OS/2) - Asynchronous communications adapter (serial port) - RS-232 cable with 9 pins (some modem cable don't have all pins hooked up) - Intelligent AT command set modem (Hayes compatible) - 80 column monochrome or color monitor - Voice-grade telephone connection for modem - 384K minimum RAM, 512K recommended - Hard Disk Drive TECHNICAL SUPPORT ================= - Free technical support by phone Monday-Friday, 9 am-5pm Pacific Time (805) 873-2550 - Automatic notification of program updates - Software upgrades at a reduced price - 24-hour access to Support BBS - BBS access to download utilities written by Mustang software - PC Vendor Forum on CompuServe (GO PCVENA) FEATURES ========= This section will point out some of Wildcat's features. - Fast indexed access to all data files (Users, Messages, Files) - Easy setup with install program and configuration program - RIP graphics support - Flexible security with up to 1000 security profiles - Date of Birth and Phone as optional security checks - Optional excluding 300, 1200, or 2400 baud - Supports locked DTE rates up to 57,600 bps - 100+ customizably display files with embedded code support for insertion of user or system info, or ANSI codes - Message features: - Full-Screen editor with reply - Quoting - Forwaring - Return reciepts - Carbon copies - File attaching - Up to 1000 conferences and Up to 1000 file areas - ANSI graphics support, auto-detected at logon - File descriptions as single line, 2-line, or full description - Files can be marked for download while reading file lists, and time indicated for each file is based on caller's baud rate - Caller notification of bulletin updates based on date and time - MAKEQUES.EXE, full screen questionaire editor - Remote event timer allowing up to 65,535 external events - Configurable screen pausing, based on callers screen length - Help files available - Fast login system to proceed directly to main menu or mail door - Most sysop maintenance functions available from remote - INTERNAL file transfer protocols for X/Y/Zmodem and Kermit - Support for external doors for games, etc. - Hot Key entry of single letter commands (no Enter required) - Birthday message sent on users birthday - Tomcat QWK-compatible mail door Ordering Wildcat! BBS ====================== To order Wildcat send a check or money order for the correct amount plus $10 shipping to: Mustang Software Inc. P.O. Box 2264 Bakersfield, CA 93303-9943 For information on pricing or ordering, call (805) 873-2500. Pricing and Availability ========================= All of MSI's products are available through normal software outlets such as Software Etc. and CompUSA, however all upgrade purchases are only available through MSI direct. NEW UPGRADE Wildcat! Single Line $129.00 $50.00 Wildcat! MultiLine 10 $249.00 $50.00 Wildcat! MultiLine 250 $499.00 $50.00 Wildcat! MultiLine Platinum $799.00 $50.00 Wildcat! BBS Suite $999.00 ---- (includes MultiLine Platinum, wcPRO, wcGATE, and wcCODE) wcPRO Utilities (with wcFAX) $99.00 $50.00 wcGATE Internet/MHS Messaging Gateway $149.00 $50.00 * wcCODE Custom Online Development Engine $149.00 $50.00 ** * wcGATE is $50 for anyone upgrading from wcUUCP or wcMHS only. It is $149 for all new orders. ** wcCODE is $50 through 8/31/94 for anyone upgrading from an older copy of Wildcat! BBS. It is $149 for all new orders. HOST PROGRAMS FOR WINDOWS ========================= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.07 - FILEX -=-=-=-=-=-=-=- - Info for Filex will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. -=-==-=-=-=-=-=-= 2.08 - FREEMAIL -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- - Info for Freemail will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS SOFTWARE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-= DOS BBS SOFTWARE (SHAREWARE/FREEWARE) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Charisma BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Charisma BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-= - DLX BBS =-=-=-=-=-= INTRODUCTION ============= DLX has been sold commercially for years, it is now available as freeware/public domain program. DLX runs on MS-DOS and supports up to 32 telephone lines at once on a single computer. It is a social BBS. On a social BBS, the main activity (in addition to file uploading and downloading), is interacting with other callers by chatting or exchanging email. DLX supports two kinds of email, public and private, and two kinds of chatting, one-on-one chatting and Open Forum (group chat), plus questionaires and a matchmaker. Where Can I download DLX? ========================== DLX is available for anonymous FTP from: hebron.connected.com /pub/dlx/dlx70bbs.zip nexus.nectec.or.th /pub/mirrors/msdos/bbs/dlx70bbs.zip nic.switch.ch /mirror/msdos/bbs/dlx70bbs.zip oak.oakland.edu /pub/msdos/bbs/dlx70bbs.zip plaza.aarnet.edu.au /micros/pc/oak/bbs/dlx70bbs.zip swdsrv.edvz.univie.ac.at /pc/dos/bbs/dlx70bbs.zip terra.stack.urc.tue.nl /pub/simtel/bbs/dlx70bbs.zip If you prefer to download it over a telephone line, you can get it from the DLX Support BBS at (206) 525-0995. A note from the author of DLX: =============================== The complete source code for DLX in the zip file. DLX is written in Microsoft Pascal and MASM. Nothing would please me more than to have some kid in his bedroom write the next great social BBS. You are free to use this source code for any purpose. You may modify it and make your own BBS program, and even copyright and sell your modified version. Happy BBSing! Contacing the author of DLX: ============================= Richard Gillmann, Programmer Inner Loop Software rag@connected.com =-=-=-=-=-= - EISBBS =-=-=-=-=-= INTRODUCTION ============== EIS is a complete remote information manager. A remote information manager is a program that allows people who own modems to call your modem and download information, send, receive, and reply to E-Mail. Operate programs that run on your computer from theirs, view catalogs, place orders, talk to the system operator (ie: You), and more. While EIS offers all these services to the people who call your modem, you have complete control over who has access to what parts of your system. You can control access to specific message bases, menus, commands, file directories, and even individual files. If you wish, you can configure the system so only the people that you have already assigned passwords to will be able to access the system at all. Where Can I download EIS? ========================= EIS is currently available on America Online as EISBBS.ZIP. Who is the Author? ================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-= - EXECUTIVE HOST FOR TELIX =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Executive Host for Telix will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - FALKEN BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURES: ========= Falken BBS is a multi-user BBS supporting 64 lines from one PC. Very simple to set up. The latest version is 6.69b. ORDERING INFO: ============== For Checks/mo in US Funds: Info*Share Inc. P.O Box 1501 Woodbridge, VA 22193 Voice: 703-749-2889 Accepting MasterCard, VISA and Discover. Ordes Mailed 2nd Day Mail. PRICE LIST =========== Falken 6.69B 2 liner $99 Falken 6.69B 4 liner $199 Falken 6.69B 8 liner $299 Falken 6.69B 16 liner $399 Falken 6.69B 32 liner $499 Falken 7.0 upgrade $70 Maintenance Renewal 1yr $60 Remote Console Door $50 Match Maker Door $35 FFAT Door $60 Scavenger Hunt $35 GDB Door $30 Info*Share, Inc. is the developer and can be reached via their BBS at 703-749-2889. WHERE CAN I DOWNLOAD FALKEN BBS? ================================= Falken BBS can be ftp'd from the SimTel archives at oak.oakland.edu in the SimTel/msdos/falken subdirectory: - fal669b1.zip Part 1 of 2 - fal669b2.zip Part 2 of 2 FALKEN DOORS: ============== 1. CHESS This is the traditional multi-player Chess game. It allows many of the chess features found in tournament Chess. Features: - RIPscript, ANSI or ASCII play - Play users across on other BBS's thru F-NET - Falken "stealth user" support - Two player interactive online playing - Move-and-wait offline playing - Logon door to alert users of pending moves - Sysop can delete games online - Allows chatting during play - Castling/and en-passant - Scores are maintained - Multi-player "share.exe" support - News file support 2. BACKGAMMON This is the traditional multi-player Backgammon game. Features: - ANSI play - Falken "stealth user" support - Two player interactive online playing - Move-and-wait offline playing - Logon door to alert users of pending moves - Sysop can delete games online - Allows chatting during play - Doubling cube is provided - Winners get BackGammon, Gammon, or single win - Scores are maintained - Multi-player "share.exe" support - News file support 3. CHAT This is a two user character-by-character chat door. Features: Word Wrap - Any ASCII/ANSI combination of users - Falken "stealth user" support - Turn off pages/sends 4. BULLETIN REPLACEMENT This is a bulletin.exe replacement. It allows RIP/ANSI/ASCII customized bulletin menus, continuous read, ability to abort text per page (on the non must-read). Can run as a logon door to force user into bulletins to read must-reads bulletins, and to ask user if he wants to read updated bulletins. Fixed a bug from the original bulletin! 5. FALFILE V3.+ This is a Falken Directory automator. If you have a directory that you want to make a DLOADADD file for, just run Falfile on this directory and it creates a DLOADADD readable text file. It automates filename text entry. Now, it will also optionally read in FILES.BBS and convert to DLOADADD format. This is handy for CD ROMs and for those converting from Opus BBS. Includes a Top Ten downloads list maker, and a New Files Since Date maker. 6. CREDIT CARD DOOR If you sell merchandise (products, shareware doors, or subscriptions to your BBS) via MasterCard or VISA, this is a very useful door. It features 3 doors in one, and support for logon doors and user activated doors for those already online. Features: - It can remind users that they need to subscribe. - Entries are places in account number log file. - The whole door is customized with a simple text files. - CEO support for checking/editing orders while online. - Registered option download password support. - Search via begin/end dates. - Optionally save reports to output file. - Multi-player "share.exe" support. 7. SHOWTEXT REPLACEMENT This door is a showtext.exe replacement. It figures out if the user is ANSI or not and displays an RIP, ANSI or ASCII file. Has the ability to display a filename based on the line number of the caller. Another option is the ability to logoff a user on specific lines after displaying a text file for certain levels. Sometimes non-paying members need to be limited to certain lines. Recently updated to support special "@" commands for internal user/account/system information (ie. @address to display the user's address). 8. WWiV DOOR LOADER This door allows you to run WWiV (chain.txt) doors in Falken. The 3rd party doors must use the FOSSIL, support multiple users and have an option to disable screen writes. Documentation shows some sample WWiV doors. Currently supported on Falken v6.43 and up. 9. DOOR.SYS DOOR LOADER This door allows you to run games written specifically for DOOR.SYS under Falken. Pascal programmers can now write doors for Falken. Supported under Falken 6.43 and up. Recently updated for locked ports, and no write to display option in DOOR.SYS. 10. DIALOUT DOOR This is a multi-purpose door. It allows sysops and users to dial-out to other boards or for linking another BBS to Falken with a NULL modem cable. New in version 2.0, added DialHOST and DialMENU which seamlessly transfers DOOR.SYS and CHAIN.TXT files thru the NULL modem cable using XMODEM CRC, the user then is brought to a menu which selects doors. DialMENU uses the FOSSIL and is compatible with SIO and X00. In console mode the sysop may link Western TLCF, Falken TLCF, download XMODEM, YMODEM, ZMODEM and upload ZMODEM, XMODEM and much more. This is menu based and even checks for BUSY signals. Recently updated for Falken V6.65. 11. BIRTHDAY DOOR This door automatically generates a monthly birthday text file which can be viewed at logon or in a menu. This door also notifies who's birthday is today and congratulates them. This door also acts as a Backgammon and Chess move logon checker, and can operate in stealth (hidden) mode. 12. WESTERN TELECONFERENCE Replaces or adds another Falken Tlcf. A developers kit is available to program doors for Western. Scavenger hunt and High-Low Game are included as Western doors. Allows actions to be customized, RIPscript, and features the best linking EVER! Links support .netwho (see who is on the other systems), .netpage to page users on other BBS's, network aware actions and private whispers through the net and much more! A special .kiss action has randomn 5 customized displays. The whole tlcf is customized by editing configuration files. Scavenger hunt room descriptions can now be customized as well. Make your Falken BBS come alive with real daisy-chain linking with other Falken boards (can even link on DELPHI and MajorBBS!). The linking was recently updated to allow MULTI-CHANNEL links! 13. PUBLIC SCHOOL #13 A neat school where you can throw desks, hit students, throw spitwads, and generally have fun! You need western tlcf main module. This door has a cost saving license. You are allowed to use PS #13 on multiple Western TLCFs on your one BBS for free. PS #13 was recently upgraded to run as a Western Door (freeing up memory). 14. CERTIFICATE AUTO-CREDITS This program allows you to generate a 12 character certificate, sell or give the certificate to customers and they enter the number inside Falken to auto-upgrade their account. You set the options that the program upgrades them with. This program also includes a label printer/maker and 500 entry randomn certificate generator for those without a printer. 15. 900 DOOR/AUTO CREDITS This door is a logon door. You set what line is your 976 or 900 number, then when someone calls that number and logs on successfully it automatically gives them a set number of credits and hangs up on them. Has two new modes of auto-crediting. The first is the option to give some credits to all users once per day, and the seconds is the option to only give credits to people who have zero credits. 16. ACCOUNT UTILITY (transfer credits) This door on credit based systems allows users to transfer credits to users online/ or offline. It will email users with a note if they are offline. A minimum amount of credits is an option to disallow free credits transfer. 17. SCAN MESSAGE BASES This allows users to scan messages base for new messages and display the subject message base and message number. 18. MORE MENUS Allows you to replace GFILES and have a way to display text messages. Some text files are not well suited for Bulletins. Concert schedules, USA Today, Top Ten lists, and help files. Now you may run regular Falken doors through more menus and have unlimited Falken menus! 19. ZMODEM SEND (with CD ROM support) This door is a zmodem send replacement for Falken. It copies CD ROM files to disk before transferring to speed up multiple CD access. 20. UPGRADE DOOR A must for Falken sysops! This door allows sysops to upgrade (validate) users online. Allows welcome to this bbs automated email, fuzzy logic, total configuration, online validation as well as offline, 20 different selections, VERY easy to use. 21. SWITCH (BBSCFG Debugger and Menu Switcher) This program outputs the bbscfg.dat file into a human readable text file. This text file can then be uploaded for support personnel or printed out for reference purposes. "Switch" also allows you to switch Falken menu entries. 22. ACCOUNT RENAMER (fneta) This program renames a directory full of similar filenames (those beginning with account number) easily. For example, some 3rd party doors uses account numbers filenames to keep track of user options. On my system they begin with "tmw" and when when switching to "col" I ran this program as "> fneta tmw col". 23. INTER-WALL for FALKENET This is a multi-BBS wall for FALKENET V3.01. FALKENET (product of Mark Manes and Duane Waddle) is a "Fidonet similar" net email, message base and programmers interface for Falken BBS. Inter-Wall uses FALKENET to deliver graffiti to BBS's across the country. Each BBS shares a common set of graffiti. RIPscript support! 24. CBV (Callback Verifier) - FALKEN 6.65+ SPECIFIC Allows users to validate themselves by having the BBS call and ask for password. All the user has to do is type "ATA " when he hears the phone ringing. CBV verifies the phone number according to local, metro or long distance area codes and exchanges which are site configurable. A logon, menu and phone number checker (stripper) are included with examples. Falken V6.65+ specific door. 25. Email Utility Allows Sysops/Subops to read/delete and maintain email while online. 26. MSGPURGE Utility Run in nightly maintenance mode to kill those dead threads in the message bases... Easy and powerful. 27. 900 Service Door (TABS) A Falken 900 service door which upgrades users accounts, has built-in maintenance, and gives information on how to use the 900 Service provided by TABS (Telephone Access Billing System). For more info on TABS call voice (800) 755-8227 or BBS (407) 722-3406. 28. Falken EchoReader (FidoNet) Features: - EchoReader supporting *.MSG formatted messages. - Supports SQUISH type messages. - Fast nodelist searching using Version7 Nodelist. - RIPscript integrated message base. - Jeditor full-screen editor support. - Quoting of replies supported. - Multi-line support using file locking. - User High message read kept in sync in special FDU files. - External falrenum.exe program to renumber and sync HM. - Nfind.exe door utility to search information in V7 Nodelist. - Intro "welcome" screen for ANSI/ASCII and RIP users. - Realnames optionally set to mandatory or per user preference. - Limit users to areas. - Require realnames in some message areas. 29. Falken Deluxe QWK Features: - Full featured QWK and REP program. - Email, Falken Message Base, Bullnew/Falken Bulletin support. - Falken EchoReader support! - Large Fidonet Message Size (65535 x 128 bytes). - Falken Message Base/Email limited to 8192 bytes. - Logon/Logoff and news files. - New Uploads listed. - PKZIP V1.1 and 2.04G support - When Downloading QWK marks bulletins as read, messages as read, - email as read, acks email from sender. - When Uploading REP automatically updates files immediately. - Download supports Xmodem/Ymodem/Zmodem sends - Upload supports Xmodem/Ymodem/Zmodem receives 30. Falken Super CD ROM Features: - Separate Database per CD ROM - Can mark CD ROM as ONLINE or OFFLINE - If CD ROM is OFFLINE, user may mark messages for email downloading. - If CD ROM is ONLINE, user may download immediately. - Can easily switch CD ROMs and while online send files. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-= - FEATHERNET PRO =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-= - Info for Feathernet pro will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-= - FIDOBBS =-=-=-=-=-= - Info for FidoBBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-= - FREESPEECH BBS v3.10a =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-= - Info for FreeSpeech BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - HARMONY BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Harmony BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - ILLUSIONS BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Illusions BBS will be available in futrue versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-= - JETBBS =-=-=-=-=-= - Info for JetBBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-= - KBBS =-=-=-=-=-= HIGHLIGHTS =========== * Advanced user graphics handling for ANSI and RIP modes, including dynamic questionaires, menus, mode conversion and more. * Based on AWC's Command Sequence language you have complete control over the structure of your BBS. Included are SEQ and display files to allow SysOps to run a WildCat or PCBoard look and act BBS's. * Multi-node, no limit to the number of simultaneous nodes. * SysOp local console RIP viewing without CPU overloading, even on multinode systems. Displays what the user sees, during idle time. * Multitasker aware and Self Aware. Built in thread-level multitasking allows user to be doing something while tasks are processing (such as scanning .QWK & copying files from CD-ROM). * Handles up to 32,700 conferences, each individually configurable for alias/real name, local/private/force echo/etc, conference joining requirements, file attachments, carbon copies, much more. * User driven dynamic conference base. Users create and join their own conferences, which have files, bulletins and more, all under SysOp defined limitations and strict control. * SysOp may force users to read new private mail upon login. * Duplicate message and duplicate upload file checking, and upload file processing, including SDI/DIZ importing & .GIF validation. * All databases are encrypted with SysOp chosen 70 digit encryption key. * All databases use AWC's compression engine for up to 16:1 compression, although effective compression averages 3:1. * All databases have SysOp definable data elements for each record. * Multi-Level conference and file section grouping (headings, sub- headings, sub-sub-headings, etc). SysOp utilities allow easy management of conferences and files. * Alias and Real-name modes, configurable by conference. KBBS can also handle multiple users with the same name or alias (SysOp definable). * Includes QWK/REP mail and echo (net) mail, easy conference setup with mistake checking (no more cross-posting!). User defined prescanning. * Inter-node chatting, public and private, group chatting. * Built-in call back verifier. * New files scanning by (1) File date or by (2) Upload date. * 14 internal protocols, including Zmodem and Kermit. CD-ROM support for copy-before-download. * Powerful event scheduling, and idle-time events (background maintenance that happens while the BBS is waiting for calls or even while the user is online). * Door drop files for PCBoard 14.x, WildCat 2.0, RBBS, and GAP (Door.sys). Door menus optionally show only doors that support the user's detected graphics mode(s). * KBBS takes advantage of EMS, XMS, and DPMI to cache, overlay and swap. * User time/download byte bank with loans, repayment schedule and interest, automatic withdrawls (when flagging files for download), "overdraft protection" and automatic deposit upon logoff (all of these are SysOp definable). HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS ======================= Minimum Setup suggested: An 80286 CPU 512K RAM 8 Megabytes of disk space for KBBS More disk space to store files and conferences A serial modem, 300 to 115200 baud. For better performance, the following hardware is suggested: EMS, XMS or DPMI memory A 386, 486 or Pentium CPU SysOps wishing to view RIP graphics on the local console should have a VGA, EGA, IBM8514, MCGA or Hercules Graphics adapter and monitor, and 600K of free conventional memory. A math coprocessor is also highly recommended. Runs under DOS; multitasking OS (OS/2, DESQview, etc.) required for multi-node operation. REGISTRATION INFORMATION: ========================== The following disabilities have been installed in order to build an incentive to register KBBS: * Phase 1 Unregistered versions of KBBS will cease to operate after Dec 31st, 1994. * Limited to 3 operating nodes. * A tagline stating "Licensed for 30 day evaluation" is appended to all outgoing net taglines. * Pre-login "support shareware" message and delay. Registration gives you the following benefits: ----------------------------------------------- - Free upgrades to all versions 2.xx (this WILL include FTS support in later 2.xx versions) - A commercial copy, complete with disks and printed manuals when this becomes available - Unlimited e-mail technical support via the AWC conferences and the AWC BBS (801-489-7910) Registering KBBS: ------------------ Price: $129 (plus sales tax in UT and CO). WHAT IS THE ADDRESS FOR KBBS? =============================== To register, send a check or money order to; ANDERSON-WILLIAMS KBBS Registration 154 West 400 North Springville, Utah 84663-1010 Where Can I Download KBBS? ============================ Version 2.0P of KBBS shareware BBS is available via ftp from: netcom13.netcom.com in the /ftp/pub/tcsmith directory. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-= - MAXIMUS v2.01wb =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-= - Info for MAXIMUS v2.01wb will be available in future versions of BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-= - Mutant BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Mutant BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - OPUS CBCS 1.73a =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Opus CBCS 1.73a will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-= - OSIRIS XLT BBS SOFTWARE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-= REQUIREMENTS ============== Osiris XLT BBS Software requires: 386 or higher CPU 350K of Memory Color Monitor Mouse SOFTWARE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE VARIOUS SITES BELOW: ======================================================= - Annoymous FTP Location : Netcom.com, Directory: ~FTP/PUB/INTLTEL - Fidonet File Request Location : 1.296.5.0 Magic Name: OSIRIS - Direct Downloading Location: Genesis Phone : (314) 686-0120 Phone Technical Support : (314) 686-0154 OSIRIS XLT FEATURES ==================== - Full support for multi-line operation of 999 nodes. - Support for MULTI-PORT serial cards such as Digiboard, Stargate, AST, and others. - Eighteen additional internal, available to your callers, statisical functions. - Integrated support for RIP graphics. Nearly every function has a custom RIP counter part. Over 200 built-in Rip screens and custom icons; including scatter charts, fuel gauges, exploding pie charts, windows like message editor, text viewer, and message reader. - Built-in ICON, JPEG, voice/sound manager. Automatically detects who you are, after the first call, and automatically logs you on. - Fidonet style NETwork matrix mail. - Built-in Online Store. - Ability to change the internal text prompt and colors. - Support for Novel, 3-Com, Lantastic, and several other Network packages. - Support for Bi-directional protocols such as HS-Link and Bimodem. - Fast B-Tree indexing. - Completely reconfigure the system menus, commands & display screens, - During log-in process without the caller knowing anything about it. You can have a different looking system for different groups. - Build subsystems and select commands via a mouse driven master maintenance and configuration program, OSM. - Flexible security levels and user defined compare methods, including the commands themselves. - Set the node, time of day, and even the day of the week for every single command, display file, SPL/I command file, or external application. - Command billing system. You can charge the caller on a command bases. When he or she selects a command, the amount you define is deducted from their credit. - Support for up to 115,200 baud modems. - Unlimited number of display files. - SPL/I, a C like programming language. Comes complete with multiple stage three pass compiler and linker. Generates highly compressed single byte object modules. - Message features include reply, carbon copy, return receipt, attach file to message. - Stand alone sysop message editor. Sysop does not have to log-on to read and reply to mail. - Automated maintenance system does the following: 1) Generates new file lists. 2) Generates file request lists 3) Manages message areas. Removes deleted msgs and keeps areas within a certain number of messages. 4) Manages history logs 5) Automatically posts System Bulletins on certain days. 6) Automatically posts messages in specific message areas on certain days. 7) Cleans up old system bulletins. 8) Converts new uploads to correct archive format. 9) Removes BBS ADs from new uploads. 10) Adds your own BBS AD to new uploads 11) Adds archive comments to new Uploads 12) Can remove files from selected areas that have not been downloaded in XX days. 13) Delete callers that have not called within XX days. 14) Delete zapped caller, those with access level 0. 15) Manages upload and download database logs. 16) Can run other application on specific days. 17) Can do a system wide virus scan. 18) Can do a system wide file integrity check to detect files (EXE, COM, OVERLAYS) that may have been altered by a new virus. 19) Daily maintenance report to the sysop listing all maintenance activity as well as calls, downloads & uploads. - Full ANSI graphics support in menus, display files, and SPL/I command files. - User definable B-tree databases. - User definable memo databases. - User definable D-Base style picture input prompts. - Support for CD-ROM drives. - Automatic caller notification of System bulletins based on the callers last time on-line and the date the system bulletin was posted. - Define your own method of doing system bulletins. - Single line file descriptions with optional 99 line extended file descriptions. - Built-in automatic virus scan on any newly uploaded file. - Scans new uploads for ANSI bombs. If one is found, the upload is rejected. - Automatic archive integrate checking. - Auto-Detects file_id.diz and other embedded description files and auto-adopts them as extended descriptions. - View the contents UC2, ZIP, ARJ, SQZ, ARC, ZOO, and LHARC files. - View a text file inside a UC2, ZIP, ARJ, SQZ, ARC, ZOO, or LHARC archive. - Nest subsystems 32,732 levels deep. - Single entry hotkeys. - Stack up to 40 commands on a single line. - Full screen ANSI/Wordstar compatible editor. - Full screen mouse, scroll bar, icon driven message editor. - Line editor with quoting. - Upload messages using any protocol. - Three built-in (no doors required) Offline readers; TNT (Internet compatible), QWK, and Bluewave. - Select only the message areas you want to read. - Subdivide message areas into categories. - Subdivide file area into categories. - Define access levels on individual files in the same file area. - Select up to 4096 files for downloading at once. Files can be mixed from different file areas. - Automatic notification of new uploads. - Automatic new private mail notifications system. - Automatic new conference mail notifications system. - OSM automatically scans and displays new uploads to the sysop. No more having to hunt them down. - Two time billing systems. One works on date, the other works on time spent online. - Download billing system. bills user based on downloads. - Extract and rearchive individual files. - Hooks for an unlimited number of external application such as online games. Just click and enter the name of the program. - Built-in time and kilobyte banking system with ATM. Automatic withdraw if you need time or kilobytes to complete a download or log onto the system. - Built-in call back verification system. - Unlimited number of external file transfer protocols, batch files are not required. - Define your own startup sequences, i.e. what Osiris does as soon as the caller types in his name and password. - Define your own new user sequences, i.e. what Osiris does after the caller enters his or her user record information. - Define your own logoff sequences, i.e. what Osiris does when the caller selects to logoff. - Auto file recovery. If you lose carrier or hangup and have files selected for downloading, Osiris will remember what those files were and automatically add them to the download queue when you call back. - Prodigy style rotating Rip AD system. Completely configurable. - Time Slicing Support for Desqview, Windows 3.1 and OS-2. - ANTI-OLD File Uploads. You can specify a year and a percentage and Osiris will check the date stamp on new uploads and if it finds the percentage of files contained in the archive are older than the allowed date, the upload is rejected. - InterBBS Echomail utilities featuring built-in areafix, Echomail notification system, EID dupe checking, backup CRC dupe checking, MSGID dupe checking and a multiple level echo security system including packet level passwords. - Echomail billing system. - QWK echomail utilities. - Custom Internet applications include: Ftpmail server, list server, newsgroup import/exporter, E-Mail, KIS interface, and Telnet. - UTI utilities. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - PHOENIX BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Phoenix BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - QUICKBBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - More Info for Quick BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. QuickBBS Support BBS (407)896-0494 Product Support for QuickBBS Software Richard Creighton/Steve Gabrilowitz, Orlando, FL =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - REMOTE ACCESS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= INTRODUCTION TO REMOTE ACCESS ============================== The Remote Access BBS-package has been written by Andrew Milner, and is released by Wantree Development. The current version of Remote Access (RA) is 2.01. RemoteAccess should run on any IBM 80x86 compatible computer. The only two programs you will need in addition to the release package are DOS 3.x and a FOSSIL driver (the FOSSIL is a memory-resident program that many communications packages use to communicate with the modem). Two FOSSILs that have been successfully tested with RemoteAccess are Ray Gwinn's X00, and David Nugent's BNU. Either of these should be readily available from any local bulletin board. You will also need a modem that is capable of accepting Hayes-type commands. The minimum memory requirement is approximately 350K, but 512K is recommended. WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF REMOTE ACCESS? ==================================== At the time of this release, there's no known address (Internet, FidoNet, BBS, or `snail mail') provided for Andrew Milner. Any one with information on how to contact the author please send e-mail to BBSFAQ@AOL.COM or clairew@pluto.njcc.com FEATURES ========== The archive containing the Shareware version of Remote Access doesn't contain a separate list of features. The registered version does. It has one at the beginning of the manual that is sent to you after registration. You should keep in mind that this list is taken from the manual of the professional version, which differs from the registered shareware version in a few respects. Please refer to the registration topic of this section for an overview of the extra features of the professional version. To find out which features aren't available in the non-registered version, you'll have to skim through the RA.DOC file you'll find in the RA_201 archive. The non-registered version isn't crippled in any way. The only difference is, it does not include a few features the registered version offers, but does not interfere with the BBS operation. GENERAL FEATURES ----------------- + Full-screen integrated configuration environment. + Multi-node; supports up to 250 users concurrently. + Full Local Area Network (LAN) support including enhanced functions under NetBIOS compatible LANs. + Support for DESQview, DoubleDOS, MultiLink, PC-MOS/386, TopView and Windows multitaskers. + Support for detection and time-slicing for OS/2.2xx. + Supports multi-line on-line messages between nodes. + Full system and user audit security logging. + Support for the popular FidoNet technology. + Direct support for high speed modems up to 38,400 baud. + Full support for 16550 buffered serial I/O devices. + Built-in screen blanker while in "wait for call" mode. + Automatic remote ANSI detection (supports terminal programs that are ANSI X3.64 compliant). + Support for Interactive EMSI automated log-on and user parameter detection, eliminating the need for users to enter their name and password at log-on. + XMS swapping support. + Support FAX/Modem operation and can be used in conjunction with FAX software to receive incoming faxes as well as BBS callers. + Provision to create custom log entries using a menu function. + Supports the FSC-0035 Internet gating specification. FILE TRANSFER -------------- + Databased file system providing fast responses. + Up to 65535 separate file areas, each with it's own configurable set of characteristics including upload, download and file list security and flag settings, file group assignments, and more. + Supports the most popular file transfer protocols. + Full support for single and multi-disc CD-ROM devices used in the file database. + Interface system to install up to fifteen external protocols. + Fully configurable file ratio system allows the Sysop to decide what criteria must be met in order for users to download files. + Optional 'no download' peak hours time slot. + Optional 'upload reward' system. + Checks for duplicate uploads globally (configurable for each file area). + Optional scan for new files at log-on (with or without file tagging). + Ability to flag any file as free and/or password protected. + Ability to specify a list of known files which may not be uploaded. + Internal support for external bi-directional transfer protocols. + Provision that allows users to download a text file containing the descriptions of their downloads. SECURITY ---------- + 65535 seperate security levels. + 255 separate user groups which can be used to completely segregate groups of users. + Security filter allows the Sysop to specify a list of undesirable user names and phone numbers. + Provision for users to leave a message to the system operator after a password log-on failure. + Optional forced password change every certain number of calls. ELECTRONIC MAIL ---------------- + Each message area may be defined as local, EchoMail of NetMail area. + Full FidoNet point aware. + Full FidoNet nodelist support, including comprehensive on-line browsing facilities. + Full outgoing NetMail accounting, and complete control over individual destination node costing. + Two seperate message database formats (JAM and Hudson) can be defined and used simultaneously. + Definable origin line and network address for each message area. + 'High-read' message marker maintained for every user in every area. + Full reply quoting capability, in both the full screen and internal line message editors. + Ability for users to send files with messages to other users. + Group Mail feature allows users of a certain security level to post 'blanket' messages to users based on user group or security level. + Support for carbon copies within message areas. + Support for message and/or NetMail return receipts. + Provision to restrict access to message areas based on user age. + Combined message areas allow users to define their own 'folder' of message areas. + Configurable message area status including private, public, private/public, read-only and no-reply settings, applicable to each individual message area. Real-Time Conferencing ----------------------- + Full user-to-user chat capabilities. + Supports up to 125 seperate simultaneous conferences. + Extended managment functions for conference moderators. External Program Support (Doors) ----------------------------------- + Ability to generate almost any required interface file. + Support for locked high speed modems. + 'Memory Swap' feature can swap the main program to XMS, EMS, or disk file, leaving only 3 kilobytes resident during a shell. + Full support for the 52-line extended DOOR.SYS exit file standard. System Operator On-Line Functions ----------------------------------- + Range of 'hot-key' functions available, including lockout, shell to DOS, and log to printer. + Complete user attribute editor available or making changes to users while they are on-line. + Provision to use alternate paging tunes. + Network manager utility provides complete control over a busy multi-node system. System Presentation --------------------- + Fully multi-lingual (up to 100 languages). + Comprehensive script language for building custom interactive questionnaires. + Complete control over menus and general system layout. + Hotkeys or command-stacking selectable per user. + 'Shell to mailer' feature for quick startup from a front end program. + Full ANSI and AVATAR level 0+ terminal emulation support. + Global menu commands. + Comprehensive range of text files displayed automatically under certain conditions. + Comprehensive set of text file control codes allow you to display system and user data and change certain system settings directly from within text files. + Support for 'once only' user bulletins at the system, message area and file area levels. REGISTRATION --------------- You may try RA for a period of three weeks on a trial basis in order to determine it's suitability for your particular application. After this period you must register each copy of Remote Access that you run simultaneously. Multi-line installations that share a common file base and have the same name need only register one copy. Site and Group registrations are available, and are dealt with on a case by case basis. Registration can be done in two ways, depending on the kind of system you are running. There is a shareware and a professional registration. For a shareware registration a system must be physically run from a noncommercial site. A site is considered to be noncommercial only if it is a private residence at which no commercial activities are conducted. NOTE: As of this release, the shareware version only supports a maximum of two (2) nodes. The Professional version supports up to 250. Shareware Registration can be done at the following sites, at the following prices: AUSTRALIA: AUD60 CANADA: CDN60 ----------------- -------------- "Registration/RA" "Registration/RA" C/- Terry Harvey C/- Royce Jones PO Box 593 PO Box 1825 Burwood NSW 2134 Bracebridge ON AUSTRALIA CANADA Accepts VISACARD, MasterCard, BankCard USA: $50 CONTINENTAL EUROPE: DM90 -------- ------------------------ "Registration/RA" "Registration/RA" C/- Ed Meloan C/- Frank Altenburg 1110 Terrace Circle Drive Wickopweg 9 North Augusta SC 29841 64289 Darmstadt USA GERMANY ASIA: AUD60 or equivalent UNITED KINGDOM: GBP33 ------------------------- ---------------------- "Registration/RA" "Registration/RA" C/- Teo Chee Kian C/- FlightPath BBS PO Box 0685 PO Box 268 Bukit Merah Central Hounslow TW5 9PZ SINGAPORE 9115 UNITED KINGDOM Accepts MasterCard, Access, Visa Cheques and money orders should be made payable to the person at your registration site. Please include either a FidoNet address or a stamped, self-addressed envelope so that receipt of your payment can be acknowledged. A professional registration applies to every system that is physically run from a commercial site (ie. the site is NOT a private residence, or commercial activities are conducted at the site). The professional version includes three modules that are not available in the shareware version: 1. Real-Time Conferencing - supporting up to 250 users concurrently, featuring public/private/password-protected conferences, conference moderators and sub-conferences. 2. RANETMGR - The RemoteAccess Network Manager, a utility designed to give you complete control over a busy multi-node system. Dynamically view the status of each node as users log on and off, what each user is doing, broadcast messages to any combination of nodes and automatically take any combination of nodes down for maintenance. 3. RAEdit - A fully functional, specially customised and registered version of GEdit, a premium full-screen message editor. The professional version supports up to 250 nodes and 100 languages, while the shareware version supports a maximum of eight languages and 2 nodes. You can always get the latest shareware version of RemoteAccess and technical support from the following systems: Terry Harvey Teo Chee Kian The Eagles Interact BBS Sydney AUSTRALIA SINGAPORE (02) 745 3190 V32 V42 +65 5817024 FidoNet@3:712/704 FidoNet@6:600/601 USA and Canada: (North American RemoteAccess Support group) Bruce Bodger Geoffrey Booher The TruckStop BBS The Gateway Net BBS Tulsa OK Freeport IL 918 254 6618 815 233 5008 FidoNet@1:170/400 FidoNet@1:2270/233 Royce Jones Bob R. DAKIN BBS The Anonymous BBS Bracebridge Ontario Menomonee Falls WI 705 646 2726 414 251 2580 FidoNet@1:221/204 FidoNet@1:154/40 Mike Ehlert Jim Ray Pacific Coast Micro FileQuest Thousand Oaks CA Waco TX 805 494 9386 817 662 2361 FidoNet@1:102/1001 FidoNet@1:388/14 Jim Roe Ben Hamilton Middle Earth The Computer Connection Austin TX Copperas Cove TX 512 835 4848 817 547 7711 FidoNet@1:382/19 FidoNet@1:395/5 Anthony Haxton InterFace BBS Tulsa OK 918 665 3500 FidoNet@1:170/703 Europe and others: (European RemoteAccess Support Group) Adrian Pop Can Dogancan Airtel Remote Access Skylight BBS Copthorne ENGLAND Istanbul TURKEY +44 342 717800 +90 1 414 3019 FidoNet@2:440/64 FidoNet@2:430/5 John barton Barnabas Michael Stenander The Caring BBS The Falcon BBS South Ockendon ENGLAND Frederiksberg DENMARK +44 708 670068 +45 31 87 63 35 FidoNet@2:257/168 FidoNet@2:231/19 Joerg Dassler Frank Altenburg RA Support HQ DIE BOX Darmstadt GERMANY GERMANY +49 911 752799 +49 6151 710809 FidoNet@2:2400/1 FidoNet@2:2405/1 Peter Hermann Ugo Uggetti DataComm I/II Venus Braunschweig GERMANY Pavia ITALY +49 531 13216 +39 382 579981 FidoNet@2:240/550 FidoNet@2:331/318 Matej Mihelic Ville Valpasvuo R.I.S.P. The Bermuda Triangle Ljubljana SLOVENIA FINLAND +38 61 199400 +358 14 434695 FidoNet@2:380/103 FidoNet@2:221/11 Peter Janssens Robert Soubie EasyBoard Venray Port de la Lune Venray THE NETHERLANDS Gradignan FRANCE +31 4780 12428 +33 56 89 51 12 Fidonet@2:512/1 FidoNet@2:324/1 Clive Jones Tony van den Bogaert C.A.L.M. Aquarius Alberton SOUTH AFRICA Antwerp BELGIUM +27 11 9001118 +32 3 3663457 FidoNet@5:7101/14 FidoNet@2:292/843 SWRAS (Swedish RemoteAccess Support Group): Malte Erikson Johan Nilsson Odens Sal Starbase 42 Onsala SWEDEN Helsingborg SWEDEN +46 300 29436 +46 42 112714 FidoNet@2:203/302 FidoNet@2:200/212 Rolle Meltzer Mats Wallin The "TOWER" of Helsingborg FrontDoor Help Europe Helsingborg SWEDEN Hagersten SWEDEN +46 42 242480 +46 8 6453285 Fidonet@2:200/209 FidoNet@2:201/329 U.K. (United Kingdom RemoteAccess Support Group): Mark Anderson Gary Smith Dregal RemoteAccess FlightPath +44 279 444433 +44 81 759 7775 FidoNet@2:257/605 FidoNet@2:254/99 Adrian Pop Mark Kerr Airtel Yukon Ho! +44 342 717800 +44 232 768163 FidoNet@2:440/64 FidoNet@2:443/59 Dave Parker Edward Hobson Frontier The Power House +44 737 778607 +44 829 782667 FidoNet@2:440/63 FidoNet@2:258/24 WHERE CAN I DOWNLOAD REMOTE ACCESS ON THE INTERNET? ===================================================== The shareware version of Remote Access 2.01 is available on the Internet at the following sites: - NIC.FUNET.FI (in /pub/msdos/communications/bbs/RA_201.ZIP); - FTP.WUSTL.EDU. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - RENEGADE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Renegade is a bulletin board program written by Cott Lang for DOS systems. It can run on an 80186 in 285k ram, but a 386DX-25 with 2 megs RAM is a more adequate minimum. The actual full install minus any modifications is around one megabyte on a hard disk. FEATURES: ========== Messages Bases ------------------ + Unlimited message length + Built-in QWK-Style Offline Mail System + Full Screen editor with powerful editing features or easy-to-use line editor File Transfers ----------------- + Convert incoming archives to the archive of your choice + Allows use of external scanning programs for virus protection + Use external and bi-directional protocols + Automatically imports FILE_ID.DIZ and DESC.SDI descriptions Easy & Configurable Front End Shuttle Logon --------------------------------------------- + Makes it so new users can apply without seeing the actual system + QWK-Mail users can do their packet transfers without having to go through the entire logon process. Local & Remote Sysop Control ------------------------------ + Password protect local console and remote sysop functions + Complete system control from remote Network Support ----------------- + FidoNet support (node addresses) for message bases + QWK Defined message bases for QWK networking + Seperate taglines for each message base Multi-Node Support -------------------- + Supports Digiboard 8-node boards and networks + Maximize timeslicing under OS/2, Windows, and DesqView + Full-featured Teleconferencing system Multiple Welcome and Menu Screens ----------------------------------- + Menus made in ANSI format with any ANSI drawing package + Easy modifications allow user-selectable menus + Random and daily menu display capability Configurable Color Selections for Sysops and Users ---------------------------------------------------- + Users can select from a predefined set of colors for various things such as message, prompt, and text color. Emulation Support -------------------- + Detects RIP, ANSI, AVATAR, and VT-100 on login + IEMSI auto-login detected Online Doors -------------- + Generate one of 6 different drop files: DOOR.SYS, CHAIN.TXT, DORINFOx.DEF, PCBOARD.SYS, SFDOORS,DAT, or CALLINFO.BBS Utilities ========== Third party utilities can be found at ftp.cc.umanitoba.ca in /renegade or at many BBS's running Renegade. Some utilities include: + New User Voting - Users vote other users in + Security Robot - Random password, check new user information. + CDROM Utilities - Import FILES.BBS for quick uploading of CDROM areas. + Network aids - Documentation for setting up FrontDoor, BinkleyTerm, etc. COST ===== Renegade is freeware. It may be freely distributed in unmodified form. The author has no objections to donations, however. A $25 donation is suggested, which gets a VIP account on his multi-node BBS. SUPPORT ========= Renegade is user-supported. A large international network of Renegade systems, the RGSNet, can be accessed from many Renegade systems for questions or comments. Forums on FidoNet are also dedicated to Renegade discussion. GETTING RENEGADE BBS ====================== Renegade is distributed in two ways: As a full install package for first time users, and also as an update package for existing Renegade setups. Be sure to get the right package. There is a serpate documentation file which first-time sysops should also get. The version is determined by the date of distribution, ie. Renegade 05-31 is the May 31, 1994 version. Renegade can be found on Internet at ftp.cc.umanitoba.ca in /renegade. It can also be freely downloaded from many BBS's running Renegade. Ask the sysop to make sure. Other locations ================ Digital Frontier Library of Trantor Sysop: Cott Lang (author) Sysop: Ben Lineback Roswell, Georgia Douglasville, Georgia 1-404-955-5375 1-404-920-7711 The Midnight Run Excalibur's Realm Sysop: Rikk Streng Sysop: John Norman Washington, New Jersey W.Paterson, New Jersey 1-908-689-1754 1-201-256-0691 The Jungle The Dragon's Nest Sysop: Charles Bowman Sysop: Jesse Waldack Fayetteville, N. Carolina Bloomington, Minnesota 1-910-488-1954 1-612-887-2147 The Shed Sysop: Dave Sawford United Kingdom +44 (0)223 563468 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ROBOBOARD BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= INTRODUCTION ============== Roboboard BBS is a Graphical user interface. In order for the users to connect to your BBS they will have to use a special terminal program. The program may be downloaded at the first connection. Opposed to other BBS's which have a graphical interface as an option (That is BBS who support RIP protocol), and can be used without the GUI, Roboboard is GUI only. There is no ANSI - Ascii option. Technical info: ================ ROBO-BOARD v1.08 (PLUS)........................ $55.00 (USA) $65.00 (CDN) 80.00 (DM) This version of Robo-Board is registered in the SysOps name. It features operation of up to 9 nodes. ROBO-BOARD v1.08 (PRO).(w/KEY)................. $65.00 (USA) $75.00 (CDN) 100.00 (DM) Where Can I Download A ShareWare Version Of RoboBoard? ======================================================== On the internet there are two versions. The Robo108 is not on any site currently. The Robo106 is on various sites. They differ in the configurable template screens which the 108 has and the 106 hasn't. The program is currently available at wcarchive.cdrom.com /.3/garbo/pc/bbs as robobbs.zip, with the terminal inside. RoboBoard's Tech Support: ========================== Author of RoboBoard BBS: Seth Hamilton Support: NAME : The ROBO-BOARD HQ in Aylmer Quebec, Canada. SYSOP : Seth Hamilton LINE 1: 1(819)685-0957 1200-14400/v32bis/v42bis LINE 2: 1(819)685-6798 1200-14400 HST VOICE : 1(819)682-6670 (9:00-5:00 Mon EST) FAX : 1(819)685-0994 MAIL : 62:6200/0 (WorldNET) Looking at the pro's & con's of RoboBoard =========================================== PRO's ----- 1) On contrary to other packages Robobard sysops can view the graphics locally. 2) The quality of the graphics is VGA <=> EGA 3) Supports a standard Hudson message base for networking. 4) Offline Mail option Using Silver Xpress version 4.01, which comes with it's built in graphic screens. 5) Drawing, and planning menus is very easy and intuitive. 6) Installation is very simple, and takes about 5 minutes to get the BBS up and running. 7) Built in DeskView support. 8) Supports dorinfoX.def doors 9) Will run on a 286 and higher. The FX needs a 386 on both the sysop and the users' side. 10) Built in Split screen chat 11) Supports speed up to 38000 12) Registered version will support up to nine nodes, including built in IRC like chat. 13) Comes in with predefined screens resembling a nice "Windows " look. 14) Supports one channel music. CONS ----- 1) Security and other configurable options are not part of the configuration and are determined in a separate file. 2) Message handling is weak. Only full quoting of the text is possible. 3) Not many doors available for the Graphical format. 4) Some of the optional files and screens disabled in the Shareware version. 5) Limited command options. You will have to build your screens with few commands as options. =-=-=-= RYBBS =-=-=-= - Info for RyBBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-= SAPPHIRE BBS v4.05 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-= - More info for Sapphire BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. Pinnacle Software BBS, (514)345-8654 Support for Sapphire BBS Software Timothy Campbell/Pinnacle Software, Montreal, Quebec =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- SPITFIRE BBS v3.4 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-= - Info for SpitFire BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-= SUPERBBS =-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for SuperBBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Synchronet BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Synchronet BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=- TAG BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=- - Info for TAG BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-= TELEGARD =-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Telegard BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. -=-=-=-= TRIBBS -=-=-=-= - Info for TriBBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-= TURBOBOARD =-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for TurboBoard BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-= - UltraBBS =-=-=-=-=-=-= INTRODUCTION ============== UltraBBS has been in BBS business since '90. The main programmer is currently Craig Baker, a professional programmer who also runs a computer store in Boulder, CO. UltraBBS is a shareware DOS program and registration is required after a reasonable trial period of 30 days. Registration price is currently $75. UltraBBS isn't crippled in any way, so all you get when registering is your name in the login screen. Main features include a very powerful B-tree index which is used for very quick filebase searches, built-in message encryption, internal QWK system and all the usual things. There are several third party utils for UltraBBS, for example several bulletin generators, filebase managers, filelist generators etc. For the latest utils, here's the contact info: Craig Baker email cdb@pinecliffe.com BBS: UltraBBS HQ EuroUBBS support Pinecliffe UBBS Underground UBBS (303) 642-7463 +358-39-374265 (ZyXEL 19k2) (303) 642-0703 +358-39-374719 (USR 21k6) (303) 642-0971 +358-39-374823 (Zoom 28k8) v32b/HST, 16 nodes +358-39-374311 (ringdown) snailmail address: ==================== Craig Baker PO Box D. Pinecliffe, Colorado USA 80471 Where Can I download UltraBBS =============================== UBBS files can also be retrieved from gallifrey.ucs.uoknor.edu: /pub/bbs/msdos/ultrabbs. For internet users, please use the address avij@spt.fi for questions instead of the author's address for a quicker reply. The current version is now UltraBBS II v3.01 revision B, filename ubbs301b.zip. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - VBBS/Virtual BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for VBBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-= - VISION-X =-=-=-=-=-=-= VISION-X FEATURES =================== - USER Configurable MENU Support - 100 Conference Support - Real-time multinode chat - Leech Z-MODEM dectection (Anti-Hacker utility to detect illegal filetransfer) - File Deletion after D/L w/ user access of 20 - 100 Independent Message/File Conferences - Unique and fully secure MATRIX for Loging on and Applying - Built in Netmail Support - File Upload Checker - Rumours and One Liners - Up to 99 welcome screens displayed randomly - HST and 16.8k support with locking up to 38400 - Coloured messages - Configurable color selections for sysops and users - VGA Support - Configurable Matrix/Pulldowns - Online User Editor - Turbo Chat - Multi-Node Support - Desqview and OS/2 Aware - Network Capable - New User Voting with Comments - FULL ANSI support (and detection) - Animated screen open and closing (Terminator 2 inspired) - Online Doors VISION-X ORDERING INFORMATION as of May 1st, 1994 ================================================== Introductory price - $99 and $5 for shipping and handling. Phone number to contact: (214) 361-8249 (voice) e-mail: golla@seas.smu.edu - (Prasad Golla) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Waffle BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Waffle BBS will be available n future versions of the BBS FAQ. The Waffle FAQ is available via anon ftp from rtfm.mit.edu =-=-=-=-=-=-= - WWIV =-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for WWIV will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OPEN YOUR WINDOWS TO THE WORLD! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-= - What is Ghost BBS? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-= - Info for Ghost BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - POWER BBS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Info for Power BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Front Line for Windows v3.8 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= INTRODUCTION ============= Front Line is basically a replacement for Terminal For Windows. More importantly it can be used as a Front End for Excalibur (PDQComm Replacement) or as a simple host for the desktop. Frontline is very simple to use and the only part that is different from other terminal programs is the host options. Features Include: ================== - Potocols: Xmodem Checksum, XmodemCRC, XMODEM -1K(YMODEM), Ymodem-G, Ymodem Batch, Zmodem, Compuserve B +, ASCII - Multiple Comm Port Configurations - ANSI, TTY, VT100, VT52 Terminal Modes - Font Settings on the Fly - Change Terminal Colors - Support Serial Ports 1 - 8 - Scroll Back Features - Capture Data - Baud Rates - 1200 - 57600 - HOST MENUS - Basic Message System for the SysOp - Configurable Basic Menus (Host Mode) - Use Ansi Screens - Uploading / Downloading Host Mode Features =================== The Host subsytem of FrontLine supports: - X/Y, Kermit, ZModem Download/Upload protocols. - Log Manager which is very useful with MultiLine Systems - Editable Logon - Ansi Menu Support - Email To Sysop - User Listing which can request Address Information if the Sysop Desires. - Comm 1-8 support, Bauds 1200-57600. Where can I download Frontline? =============================== Frontline is currently available on America Online in the Windows Forum as FLINE38A.ZIP. Contacting the Author ===================== Internet: mcsonic@netcom.com AOL: Sonic Mike or Via Internet: sonicmike@aol.com BBS: 916-349-8517/8540 (ANSI or Excalibur Users) Registering Front Line ======================== To register send a self addresses stamped envelope with one high density (1.44) three & a half inch floppy disk & registration fee of $20, to: SONIC SOFTWARE P.O. BOX 41073 SACRAMENTO,CA 95841 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OS/2 Q&A ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - WHAT IS OS/2? ================ Os/2 is a preemptive, multitasking operating system with a windowing, grapihcal interface developed and distributed by IBM. The current version is 2.1. - WHY NOT JUST DOS? =================== In most cases, a BBS needs a multtiasking operating system to run multinode. The major contenders for this functionality are Desqview, Windows, and OS/2. Desqview runs on top of DOS and therefore carries the extra overhead. Windows, while also running on top of DOS, is not a true preemptive, operating system. - WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF OS/2 AS A BBS? ============================================= OS/2 does not run on top of DOS, and is a preemptive, multitasking operating system. It not only runs OS/2 BBS systems, but also multitasks DOS-based BBS systems. - WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF OS/2 AS A BBS? ================================================= It is a full operating system. It is not dedicated to the BBS processes. The BBS proecsses are competing with operating system processes. - WHAT BBS SOFTWARE RUNS IN OS/2? ================================== Most DOS-based BBS systems will run in a OS/2 DOS shell. A few other developers have built special versions of their BBS systems, optimized to run in OS/2's DOS shell. A still smaller number of BBS systems are written specifically for OS/2. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OS/2 SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS's ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-= - Oblivion/2 2.10 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-= - Info for Oblivion/2 BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-= - KITTEN =-=-=-=-=-= TelPro Technologies BBS: 804-442-5865 Registration Fee: $195 FEATURES ========= DOS and OS/2 optimized versions. RIP support Multiline Multilanguage =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - LORA v2.33-1 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= FEATURES ========= - Shareware DOS and OS/2 optimized evrsions - Supporting up to fuor different message bases ta the same time, Fido-Base (*.MSG), the QuickBBS(also known as Hudson message base), the PIP-Base and the new Squish-Mail made by Scott J. Dudley. - Supporting up to 500 message/file areas. - Compatible built-in Front-End Fidonet Mailer, FTSC-0001, WaZOO and full EMSI capable. - Supporting multitaskers, leaving not used time to the active task, and local networks. - Integrated multiline chat. - Supporting up to twenty different languages, for a full international system. - Support for RemoteAccess 1.11, Maximus CBCS 2.00 and SuperBBS 1.16 compatible Embedded Commands. - Built-in TimeBank, FileBank, BBS List and UserVote doors. - Support for off-line mail readers compatible witht he QWK packet format. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - MAGNUM v7.00C =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Gilmore Systems BBS: 805-379-3210 FAX: 805-379-1340 Registration Fee: $75 Features ========= - True OS/2 BBS. - 33-node(1 LAN, 32 dialup) capable. - A DEMO version (2-node: - 1 dialup + console) is also available, restricted to 128 users, 128 files, 128 messages, Magnum to Magnum remote mail is deactivated. - Supports IBM Artic and Digiboard cards. - 26 Message Conferences, Optional 'Extended MessageBase' module provides up to 6,656 - 26 File Xfer areas, Optional 'Extended FileBase' module provides up to 6,656 - Thread supporting message sysetm. - "MILC" commands(MAGNUM Interpreted Language Commands) - Off-line message format supported: Magnum's POWER, and QWK format. - Remote Job Entry (RJE) allows users to start jobs (programs) which run concurrently to their session which will continue to run after the user has logged off. - QWK mail format for off-line reading (and message entry/reply) is supported. - Games and other programs which run under OS/2 can all be run as a Child Process. A publicly available tihrd-party program (downloadable from MAGNMU BBS) will allow Magnum to run virtually any DOS-based door program. This capability reqiures both Magnum version 7.00 and OS/2 2.1. - Group Chat is available on all nodes. - Magnum BBS will run on a Local Area Network by purchasing additional copies of Magnum BBS for more DIAL-IN lines. - Optional CALLBACK available separately. ================== - Maximus v2.01wb ================== Support BBS#(613)389-8315 FEATURES ========= DOS and OS/2 optmiized versions. Free for non-commercial use. Multilingual Multinode Multinode chat MECCA macro language programming Support for the following doors: LASTUSER.BBS(Opus 1.03), DORINFO1.DEF (QuickBBS andR BBS), CHAIN.TXT (WWIV), ACLLINFO.BBS (WildCat!), and DOOR.SYS. ============================ - Virtual BBS v6.10 (VBBS) ============================ Virtual Technologies BBS#(616)399-4818 FAX:616-399-8934 Registration Fee: $99 FEATURES ========= - DOS and OS/2 optimized versions. - Multinode support for up ot 1028 users on-line is available; the shareware version supports up to 4 users on-line - Supports up to 999 networks completely transparently at any one time, including VNETtype, FIDOtype, WWIVtype, and UUCP-type. - Built-in FIDO front end mailer (No need for Front Door) - DigiBoard support in channel configuration - Built-in QWK door for off-line readers - VSCRIPT script alnguage programming - Multi-user teleconferencing - User-defined macros - Full CD-ROM or WORM capable databases - Split-screen chat function available - Supports optional use fo FOSSIL driver - Support for the following doors: DORINFO1.DEF( QuickBBS an dRBBS), CHAIN.TXT (WWIV), DOOR.SYS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OS/2 COMMERCIAL BBS's ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ============ - OraComm ============ - More info for OraComm BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. Oracomm Support BBS, (612)894-5879 Sales and Support for Oracomm Multiline BBS Software Surf Computer Services, Minneapolis, MN ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PC HARDWARE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - What basic hardware setup do I need to start a BBS? - What hardware is needed to add more phone lines? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NETWORKING YOUR PC BBS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - INTRODUCTION ============== This section (Networking you PC BBS) is designed to give the basics on how to make a networked BBS. There are a lot of FAQ's out there that can be more helpful than what can be written here, especially with the networking and using individual BBS software, but this will give you a place to work from. - WHAT IS A NETWORK? ====================== A networked BBS is one that has multiple computers 'hardwired' through some non-phone connection to each other, and they can send information to each other. If this is in a corporate environment, there might be just one computer with modems, with not only people calling in, but calling out as well, for telecommuting and the like. For most private use BBS's out there, however, all the machines on the network have modems on them taking calls. We'll look mainly at that aspect. - WHAT DO I NEED FOR A NETWORK? ================================= Assuming that your BBS software can handle multiple computers with multiple modems, all you need to make a network is an Network Interface Card (NIC), the wires going to each computer, the 'topology' of the network, and a Network Operating System (NOS). - THE TOPOLOGY ================= This is a fancy term for how the wiring will be laid. This is mainly dependent on the wiring used. There's two main types: The Bus and the Star. - HOP ON THE BUS ================== The bus is a series connection of computers. One to the other to the other to the other, with resistors at the end of the cable to tell the network you've hit the edge. It's probably the cheapest way to get into networking. However, if you are worried about one node (a computer on the network) going down, this is a bad way to go. The wire breaks in any way, shape or form, and the whole net comes crashing down. - HITCH YOUR DREAMS TO A STAR ================================ The other way to connect them is in a star configuration. All computers talking to one central hub. It's more expensive because you have to buy that hub. That costs from about $150 to easily over $1000. Unless this network will also support a few hundred other users, stick with the cheap, non-SNMP, non manageable hubs. - THE NIC =========== This is a card that will be installed into the computer and is dedicated to network transmission. There are a lot of them out there. You can easily pay from $30 to over $400. However, sometimes, you do get what you pay for. It is suggested to find a big company that will stand behind their product, both with driver updates and tech support when things don't work. You can do 3Com, Intel, Allied Telesis, SMC, Eagle, or others. - THE NOS & NETWORK TYPE ============================= Now this one is a very good problem. A lot of people are looking into this, not just for a BBS setup but for a variety of other applications too. The following is a list and brief description of some of the more popular networking software. - NOVELL NETWARE ================= Netware, by Novell, has to be by far the most popular NOS. Alot of companies run Netware, and there's all sorts of addons and support for it. It's a good, reliable, robust operating system. There's version 3.x and 4.x, with 3.x being more for small to medium companies and 4.x for Wide Area Networks and large companies. You'll be looking (as of 1 July 1994) at Netware 3.12 for your setup. 3.11 is also acceptable. Now, there's one major drawback to Netware: It has to be installed on one dedicated server. Dedicated means you can't do anything else with that machine but run it as a server. Netware 3.12 will run on a 386. - LANTASTIC ============= Lantastic, by Artisoft, is a peer-to-peer NOS. What does that mean to you? No dedicated server machine. So you don't have all sorts of money tied up in a machine that does nothing but manage your network. Before Windows for WorkGroups came along, this was the ONLY reliable and cheap peer-to-peer setup. It still is extremely popular, for one very important reason: it runs in DOS. Windows for WorkGroups is great as long as you're in Windows. As of 1 July 1994, Lantastic 6.0 has just hit the streets, and the price is very reasonable. - Windows for WorkGroups =========================== As mentioned in the Lantastic section, this is Windows- only. - The New Kid In Town: CoActive ================================== I'll quickly glance over CoActive, because there's one major problem with it: speed. The idea is simple enough: Give everyone an adapter to hang off the parallel port of your computer, run regular phone line between the machines, and run a peer to peer network with the greatest of ease. Each node takes about 10 mintues to set up, and that's pretty darn good. The price makes it even more attractive. However, it is not recommended if speed is a factor, it has an extremely slow transfer rate. It runs as a serial port, so the max it can do is 115K/second, where standard Ethernet pulls about 10 times that. If you have small files, or run a message-only board, you could get away with CoActive, but for anyone else it is not recommended. - EtherWave ============= This is another new one, very fresh on the market. It's from Farallon, and it's called Etherwave. Main claim to fame: You can 'daisy chain' machines on Ethernet. big problem: The ones near the end of the chain are very slow, and you still need a NOS to run this thing. - How does all this hardware help me? ======================================= Well, suddenly you can share your BBS files over your whole setup. In the Netware setup, you have one central location for all your files, for easy backup and maintenance options. In 3.12, you can hang a CDROM or two off the server, to give even more storage capability and value to your BBS. Suddenly, your nodes can be 'light' nodes, doing nothing but answering calls, with an 80 MB or so HD, and all the file storage is kept on the server. For the Peer-to-peer, each machine can have one special section for each file area, like games or utilities, and all the other people look to that area for the files. Still easy to maintain. Also, a network is a heck of a lot faster than standard serial ports, and easier to send big files from one machine to the other. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CD-ROMS & YOUR PC BBS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - How do I add a CD-rom to my BBS? - Can I have more than one CD-Rom for my users to access? - Do I need any special software to run a CD-rom(s)? - Books & other resources when using a Cd-rom on your BBS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BBS ADD-ONS UTILITIES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ========================= - What is RIPScript? ========================= RIPscript graphics are EGA quality graphics that are displayed over the modem. The BBS sends special codes which are interpreted by a special term program and draws the screen for the user. The results can be impressive. While there are other graphic protocols, such as NAPLPS and ROBO/FX, which are better than RIP (supporting VGA and better resolutions), RIP is the only one which can be made with simple ASCII sequences. This is good, since when you understand which codes do what (they are confusing), you can actually edit the screens in any text editor (although you won't see the picture, just the codes). There are a bunch of shareware programs which give you the power to draw your own RIP screens, using lines, circles, boxes, fonts, and other cool stuff. Several BBS programs also have special support for RIP, such as (but not limited to) Renegade, WildCat, and Synchronet. Other BBS authors are planning to RIP-enable their systems soon. =============================== - What is a fossil driver? =============================== Fossil drivers were invented in the mid 80's, when not every modem and/or serial device was 100% compatible. Fossils made sure that your program could talk to your modem, regardless of how oddball the modem. It does this by intercepting signals from the program, and converting them into something the modem can understand. These days, fortunately, the problems are much less severe. Fossils are used mostly because a BBS program that supports them doesn't have to be constantly updated to handle new speeds or protocols, just the fossil. The word "fossil" is actually an acronym for "Fido-Opus-Seadog Standard Interface Layer". Where can I download a fossil driver? --------------------------------------- FTP: gallifrey.ucs.uoknor.edu, in /pub/bbs/msdos/fossil The following available to download, - Fossil driver BNU v1.70 - X00 fossil, version 1.50 - A program called Video Fossil v1.10, which is needed if you want to run Binkley Term with colors. ========================================================= - What do I need to offer fax services to my users? ======================================================== Below is a list of BBS software programs that offer fax features while running your BBS. Please refer to the proper section of this FAQ where the BBS software is explained in detail. - Procomm Plus for Windows v2.0 (Refer to chapter 2 - under the topic, "What s Ghost BBS") - FirstClass BBS (Refer to chapter 3 for further details about FirstClass) - PCBoard (Version 15.1) (please see section 2.03 for more information about PCBoard) - Remote Access (Refer to chapter 2) NOTE: Several BBS packages support fax capabilities. Check with the software vendor/author first. BGFAX 1.09 ------------ BGFAX allows SYSOPs to accept faxes on their BBS line. BGFAX can also send faxes. (While BGFAX was originally designed just for sysops, it can also be used by Mr. Joe User who hates TSR based fax programs.) BGFAX is a tool designed for use with any Class 2 compliant fax modem. The fax modem must also support fully functional ADAPTIVE ANSWERING. Common Class 2 fax modems include the Supra, Practical Peripherials (may require purchase of a newer ROM revision if you are using an older model), Zoom, etc. BGFAX also directly supports ZyXEL fax mode. (AT#B1+FCLASS=6). BGFAX will not function with Class 1 only fax modems. Common Class 1 only fax modems include all non-v.32 turbo USR fax modems, Digicom Scouts, the AT&T Dataport, and the SupraLC. BGFAX can be used in FOUR distinct modes. FRONTEND MODE ... BGFAX will answer the telephone line ITSELF, handle events, pass data calls to a front end compatible BBS, and take fax calls. REAR END MODE ... BGFAX will be called from another program when an incoming fax is detected. FidoNet sysops using front end mailers such as FrontDoor, Intermail, D'Bridge, Dutchie, etc. are required to use this mode. The mailer must support the ability to exit to BGFAX when a fax is coming. SEND MODE ....... BGFAX has the ability to send faxes to another fax machine. (At this time, the file to be sent must already be in converted fax format.) INITIALIZATION .. BGFAX will only initialize the modem, and then quit. This mode is provided for people who need to use BGFAX in rear end mode, but their Fido mailer (or BBS software) will not allow the long initialization strings required for fax usage. CONTACTING THE AUTHOR OF BGFAX --------------------------------- B.J. Guillot 2611 Rushwood Circle Houston Texas 77067-1941 Voice 713-893-9320 Data/Fax 713-893-9124 INTERNET: st1r8@jetson.uh.edu Fido 1:106/400 Front-End Mailers ------------------- - Info for Front-End Mailers will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. ==================== ANSI & THE PC BBS ==================== - No outline provided in this version of the FAQ. ======================== FILE CHECKING PROGRAMS ======================== - When users upload files, what add-on utilities are avilable to check for viruses & duplicates? ============ QWK MAIL ============ - What is QWK mail? - The BBS software I chose did not include QWK mail capabilties, how do I add QWK mail to my BBS? - What QWK mail software is available? =========== BBS DOORS =========== - What is a BBS door? --------------------------- Loosely put, a door, as the name implies, is a gateway outside the BBS software. Doors can be anything, games, database applications, credit card registration systems, just about anything. Most doors are run by the BBS itself or by a batch file outside the BBS. The door program itself interfaces with the communications and the modem, and takes over from the BBS software after it unloads. - What doors are available? ----------------------------------- Doors are so numerous that this question is hard to answer. If you have a purpose in mind, you can generally find a door to suit it. - How do I install a door? ------------------------------ Say you just found the perfect game you want to add to your BBS, but you're unsure on how to configure it. This is a general set of steps to follow to configure most door programs out there: 1. Install the program. Some programs are compressed, needing uncompression programs such as PKUnzip, ARJ, etc. Others have their own installation software, which may or may not uncompress it. Others have a set of instructions in a file like READ.ME, READTHIS.1ST, README.NOW, etc. Make sure to follow the instructions as they are written, and try not to shortcut it unless you know what you are doing. 2. Doors usually have a configuration program or file containing various options. While most doors have options of their own, here are a few setup options and guidelines that are fairly common: a. DROP FILE NAME/TYPE: This file is the file that the door software gets most of its information from. From this file, the door can get the user name, speed, location, and many more items, some BBS dependant. In order for a door program to be supported, your BBS usually must support a similar drop file type. For instance, PCBoard, which supports it's own PCBOARD.SYS file and a generic file called DOOR.SYS, could only be used with door programs that can use one of these two files. Here are some sample BBS packages and their drop files: ------------------------------ BBS Drop File(s) ------------------------------ WWIV CHAIN.TXT PCBoard PCBOARD.SYS, DOOR.SYS RBBS DORINFO1.DEF RyBBS CURRUSER.BBS WildCat! CALLINFO.BBS There are some shareware programs that will translate door drop files into (probably) a format readable by your BBS. Check your local BBS's for such converters. After you know what drop file to use, configure the door to use it, as said in the docs. NOTE: Some drop files, depending on the BBS system, may also include the below configuration options, in which case you may not have to configure for them. b. COM PORT: The COM port the BBS is on. If you are running more than two lines, you may have trouble with this DOOR program unless it has controls over options b and c. This is because after going past two lines, you cannot assign standard COM port designations to each line. (See section on Multi-line door setups) c. IRQ - This is the Interrupt the communications port is on. If you are running one or two lines, you should select the default choice, or leave this option out, unless your serial board is oddly configured. For multi-line systems, you should choose the IRQ of the port it's on. (See section on Multi-line door setups) d. Base Address - This is the base address of the communications port. As with IRQ, unless running a multi-line system or an abnormal serial card, keep the defaults. If the door does not have defaults, the standard values for these are: - COM1, COM3: IRQ - 4 Base Address - 3f8 - COM2, COM4: IRQ - 3 Base Address - 2f8 e. Other modem/hardware information - Some doors will ask for various other information, such as whether to use hardware or software handshaking. Most of this should be set the same as the BBS is. If you are unsure, check the documentation. f. A note about VBRUN: Some doors that are written in basic need a utility called VBRUN in order to execute. This utility is BASIC's runtime module, and is usually not included in the door package. If, during testing, the door wants the location of a runtime module, this is what you need to look for. Most BBS's should have a copy, or know where to find one. After these are configured, various items about the door itself must be configured. For a game, it may be the number of turns per day, for a credit card system what types of cards are supported, etc. Configure these as you wish. 3. Test the door in local mode, if it is has such an option. Most doors have a command line switch, or some other way of runing the door in 'local' mode. Local mode allows you to use the door without a modem/serial line attached, and is usually good for testing. The purpose of testing ahead of time before adding it to the BBS is to make sure the the door itself is properly configured. Testing in local mode will pick up errors such as bad/missing filenames, improper configuration files, etc. 4. Install on the BBS itself - In all cases, check the documentation of the BBS software you have selected for proper configuration. Most BBS's do it one of two ways: (1) The door is run by the BBS itself. In this case, you need to configure the BBS software, which will usually have a set of configuration options relating to doors. When it asks you for the path to execute the door, input the path of the executable/batch file for the door. NOTE: Doors run on BBS's of this type may have problems with memory usage. For this reason, some BBS's have a special option to let you 'minimize' the memory usage. If you're experiencing memory problems, use this option. (2) The door is run outside the BBS in another batch file. In this case, an sample external batch is usually included with the BBS package. Most of these look similar to this: :cycle RunBBS ; Run the BBS program if errorlevel 50 goto DOOR_A if errorlevel 40 goto DOOR_B if errorlevel 30 goto DOOR_C if errorlevel 20 goto end ; test for each :DOOR_A tw2002 ; Run Trade Wars, a game goto cycle ; go back to the bbs :DOOR_B vote goto cycle ; vote and return :DOOR_C ccard goto cycle ; get a credit card, return :end ; end it off. In this manner, when the BBS exits, depending on the DOS errorlevel the batch file will execute a myriad of different programs. Some BBS's have preset errorlevels, and such BBS packages, like SpitFire, should have sample batch files with these presets. Others have configuration options to let you change the errorlevels, in which case you might have to create your own, personal batch file. The above should work for most BBS's of the batch file type. If you change this, remember that the 'if errorlevel' calls MUST be in descending order, because of the nature of the call. After the door itself is configured, you may have to add a menu entry or some other way of accessing it. Make sure, if sure BBS is up and running at the time, with non-sysop callers calling in, that the menu entry is set at sysop security level to prevent others from trying a potentially faulty door. 5. Test it online - This is a MUST. If you have another line, call into your BBS and test the door online, or have a friend do it if you don't have another line/modem to spare. If the door fails to operate, try tweaking the settings some, making sure that it has the same hardware/software setup as the BBS. If all goes well, you're ready to open it to the public. You can now change that sysop-only menu entry to a normal one. 6. Open it to the public - Now it's ready to be released into the wide world of BBS doors. After following these guidelines, you should be able to install and configure most door softwares. - Notes of Multi-line systems ------------------------------- 1. Multi-node systems, systems that use Windows, or DesqView, or OS/2, etc., should be aware that not all door programs were meant to be running at the same time. For instance, the old version of Trade Wars, a popular BBS game, could not have more than one node running it at one time. This is because of various restrictions that DOS, and the door program itself, put on file sharing. The door program will usually say in the documentation whether it supports Multi-node systems. If it does, follow the above configuration. If your BBS system does not share its configuration files, you must configure it for each node, or some nodes will be missing it. 2. Internal Multitaskers. These BBSs, such as The Major BBS, TBBS, Falken and more, do their multitasking internally, instead of with something like DesqView or Windows. Such BBS's may have an interface to use normal doors, but most require you to use only option modules meant for their BBS, since they didn't build it to multitask all kinds of programs. Use your manual to install such software, since it varies system to system. - Notes on DOORWAY -------------------- DOORWAY is a program that lets you run normal DOS programs that do not support comm routines, as doors. There is an inherent problem in this, though, because DOS programs are very finicky. Several DOS programs use direct screen writes, and, while DOORWAY supports these, can be very tricky. Graphics programs, obviously, are not supported. Another problem with common DOS programs is security. If the program offers anything like a shell to dos or a command running option, you probably don't want to offer it, unless you trust the people using it, or you found a way around. To install DOORWAY, use the above instructions, but when it comes to running the executable, run DOORWAY with its command line instead. If in need, most BBSs will carry a copy of DOORWAY, usually as DRWY____.ZIP or DOORWAY.ZIP. ********************************************************************* CHAPTER - 3 SYSOPING WITH MACINTOSH/APPLE ********************************************************************* Chapter 3 of this Faq is coordinated by, James Barry. Any additions, corrections or deletions, please send e-mail to: jmbarry@infoport.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ INTRODUCTION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ================================================ 3.00 - Where can I get the Macintosh BBS FAQ? ================================================ NOTE: The below text in this section (3.00) will explain how to get a copy of the Mac BBS FAQ. The Mac BBS FAQ povides the same information as provided in this FAQ (chapter 3). The comp.sys.mac.comm FAQ has great answers to modem questions, communications programs questions and Internet access as they all relate to the Macintosh. The comp.sys.mac.comm FAQ is posted periodically (about once a month) to the Usenet groups comp.sys.mac.comm, news.answers, and comp.answers. Latest versions of the Mac FAQ can be retrieved via anonymous FTP from the following sites: mac.archive.umich.edu: mac/misc/documentation/compsysmaccommfaq.txt sumex-aim.stanford.edu: info-mac/report/comp-sys-mac-comm-faq.txt rtfm.mit.edu: pub/usenet/comp.sys.mac.comm/c.s.m.c_FAQ_[1_4] c.s.m.c_FAQ_[2_4] c.s.m.c_FAQ_[3_4] c.s.m.c_FAQ_[4_4] It also available in the Macintosh SIG on Delphi for Delphi members. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COMMERCIAL BBS SOFTWARE FOR THE MACINTOSH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ========================================= 3.01 - NOVALINK PRO BY, RESNOVA SOFTWARE ========================================= INTRODUCTION TO NOVALINK PRO ----------------------------- ResNova Software, Inc. of Huntington Beach, Calif., has introduced NovaLink Professional* 3.1 (NLP 3.1), a high-end communications solution called an "information server". Information servers offer BBS type services with which users can access electronic mail, message forums, file libraries and real-time conferences. NovaLink clients can logon through local, modem, AppleTalk, Communications Toolbox, X.25 and TCP/IP connections which provide full Internet and FidoNet access. Additionally, NLP supports on-line graphics protocols for Mac, Windows and DOS users. Coupled with AppleSearch, NovaLink will allow users to remotely search the contents of file servers, while on-line. Above all, NLP is expandable, flexible and configurable enough to meet the needs of the largest and smallest information providers. CONTACTING RESNOVA SOFTWARE ---------------------------- ResNova Software, Inc. 5011 Argosy Drive, Suite #13 Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Sales: (714)379-9000 Info Server: (BBS)- (714)379-9004 Internet: Sales@ResNova.com Fax: (714)379-9014 ========================================= 3.02 - FIRSTCLASS BBS BY SOFTARC INC. ========================================== ABOUT FIRSTCLASS ------------------ FirstClass is a multi-platform communications system that integrates full fledged e-mail with workgroup communication services and offers the same ease of use, functionality and high performance over network or modem. One FirstClass server combines the following application functionality in one integrated system: - Complete office electronic mail - Network conferencing for electronic discussions - Remote-access or network bulletin board system (BBS) - Conferencing - Multi-Platform & Language Support Of course one of the primary reasons to use FirstClass as an on-line system lies in the strength of its multitasking graphical interface. Modem access is efficient and permits background transfer of files (in both directions simultaneously) even while reading mail, chatting or using other system features. FirstClass as a BBS , has the ability to access and search CD-ROMS or other volumes on-line is very useful, as is the ability to send mail to any user or conference the BBS user has permission to. Administrators may accurately track what users have uploaded or downloaded what through statistics and billing features. They can create custom icons and background pictures. Accommodate users of any computer type through a command-line interface to FirstClass similar to the UNIX shell if they call with a VT100 compatible terminal. FIRSTCLASS PRICE LIST ---------------------- Effective 93/05/01 You may choose between two classes of users for your FirstClass system: regular users who can access the system via network or modem and telcom users who may access via modem only. You may configure your system with both regular and telcom users to meet your requirements. Every server includes a license for two regular users, plus an admin and user manual. Additional users and manuals are available as below. FirstClass Server: S10-FCSRVR FirstClass Macintosh Server $95.00 Regular User License Upgrades: U20-FC5R 5 Regular User Pack $395.00 U21-FC10R 10 Regular User Pack $595.00 U22-FC25R 25 Regular User Pack $995.00 U23-FC50R 50 Regular User Pack $1495.00 U24-FC100R 100 Regular User Pack $2495.00 U25-FC250R 250 Regular User Pack $5995.00 U26-FC500R 500 Regular User Pack $9995.00 U27-FC1000R 1000 Regular User Pack $14995.00 Telecom User License Upgrades: U35-FC50T 50 Telecom User Pack $395.00 U30-FC100T 100 Telecom User Pack $595.00 U31-FC250T 250 Telecom User Pack $995.00 U33-FC500T 500 Telecom User Pack $1495.00 U34-FC1000T 1000 Telecom User Pack $2495.00 Optional Upgrades: U11-FCCLUI Command Line User Interface $295.00 U12-FCWIN Windows User Interface $295.00 U13-FCIPX IPX Protocol Module $495.00 U15-FCFP Four Port Server Upgrade $395.00 Gateways: G10-MSMTP FirstClass SMTP Internet Gateway $1995.00 G11-MUUCP FirstClass UUCP Internet Gateway $495.00 G12-FCFAX FirstClass Fax Gateway $495.00 G13-FCMHS FirstClass MHS Gateway $995.00 CONTACTING SOFTARC INC, ------------------------ SoftArc Inc. 805 Middlefield Road, Suite 102, Scarborough, Ontario, CANADA, M1V 2T9 SoftArc Inc, 1902 Ridge Road, #325, West Seneca, New York, USA, 14224 Tel: 416-299-4723 Fax: 416- 754-1856 FirstClass BBS: 416-609-2250 Internet: sales@softarc.com Internet: softarc@aol.com ================================================= 3.03 - TELEFINDER - BY, SPIDER ISLAND SOFTWARE ================================================= ABOUT TELEFINDER ------------------ TeleFinder 3.2 runs on all Macs from the Plus through the Quadras, and is 32-bit clean, System 7 "Savvy" It includes full balloon help for the user. Its administrative and program modules can be fully controlled via AppleEvents. Multi-node chat (up to three nodes) and Instant Messages. Use of styled text in text files, e-mail and message topics using proprietary client software. On-line previews of GIF, JPEG images, QuickTime movies and PICT files. Expanded file descriptions up to 32K. Resizable e-mail windows. Automatic template for electronic mail. Capable of managing up to 32,000 users, Its icon- and menu-based graphical user proprietary interface provides electronic mail, conferencing, and fast Z-modem file transfers. TeleFinder's multi-server architecture supports multiple BBS nodes running on separate Macs on a network. Additionally, TeleFinder's full implementation of AppleEvents supports advanced functionality such as automatic on-line registration, full remote administrative capabilities, and control of the BBS's server programs. Features include a menu-driven terminal interface with user-selectable TTY or ANSI graphics options, and unlimited paths using Access Groups. Each access group supports separate welcome messages, privileges and custom icons. TeleFinder Group Edition supports a find file function. Using "BBS TeleFinder" also supports caller and file transfer statistics. SPIDER ISLAND SOFTWARE PRICE LIST (WORLD WIDE) ------------------------------------------------- As of 5/1/94 TeleFinder Group Edition version 3.2 multi-line BBS system for unlimited users and multiple nodes. $425 NetConnect version 1.01 Single-zone license $149 Multi-zone license $295 TeleFinder Pro version 2.2 Macintosh communications software with off-line reader for Telefinder BBSes. COST: $45 TeleFinder/User for Windows v1.0.3 COST: $250 CONTACTING SPIDER ISLAND SOFTWARE ----------------------------------- Spider Island Software tel (714) 669-9260 fax (714) 669-1383 bbs (714) 730-5785 Internet: support@spiderisland.com AppleLink: D4955 America Online: SpiderIsla =============================================== 3.04 - COMPARISION CHART OF COMMERCIAL BBS'S =============================================== ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NovaLink Pro | First Class | TeleFinder | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -=-=-=-=-=-= | | | Interfaces | | | -=-=-=-=-=-= | | | TTY Y | Y | Y | VT100 Y (custom) | Y (fixed) | Y(fixed) | Color ANSI Y | NO | NO | Mac Client Y | Y | Y | | | | Custom Graphical mode: | | | Y (full window) | Y(Partial window)| NO | | | | RIP Y | NO | NO | Windows Client NO | Y | Y | | | | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | Number of Connections | | | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | | | | Max# of modem | | | nodes per server: 40 | 22 | 6 | | | | Max # of telnet | | | nodes per server 40 | NA | NA | | | | Max # of Network | | | Nodes per server: 60 | 40 | 6 | | | | Total number of | | | nodes in system: 160 | 100 | 6 | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Based on largest claimed system operating, known as "sessions" by First Class) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NovaLink Pro | FirstClass | TeleFinder | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | Connection types | | | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | Local Y | Y | Y | Modem Y | Y | Y | Appletalk Y | Y | Y | Communication Toolbox Y | Y | Y | x25 Y | Y | N | TCP/IP Y | Y | N | Telnet in Y | (3rd party) | Y | Telnet out Y | N | N | UUCP (3rd party) | Y | N | Internet Mail Y | Y | (3rd Party) | FidoNet (3rd Party) | (3rd Party) | (3rd Party) | Application Network: Y | Y | N | Multi-Hop Mail: Y | Y | N | QuickMail (tm) Y | N | N | ACOE Y | N | N | Apple Search Y | N | N | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NovaLink Pro | FirstClass | TeleFinder | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | Transfer Protocols | | | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | Own Background Y | Y | N | Z- Modem Y | Y | Y | Z-Modem batch Y | N | N | X- Modem Y | Y | Y | | | | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | System Features | | | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | Chat Y | Y | Y | Conferencing Y | Y | Y | # of simultaneous users: 40 | 22 | 3 | Voting Y | N | N | Background transfer: Y | Y | N | Picture Previews Y | Y | Y | CD ROM support Y | Y | Y | | | | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | System Expansion | | | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | Max # of users: disk space | 32,000 | 32,000 | Max # of forums: disk space | 32,000 | ? | Max number of access codes: | | | 1 billion | 32,000 | ? | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NovaLink Pro | FirstClass | TeleFinder | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | Messaging | | | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | Message length: 1,000k | 32k | 32k | Message attachments: Y | Y | Y | Stylized fonts and text: Y | Y | Y | Resumes: N | Y | N | Histories: N | Y | N | User lookup: Y | Y | N | | | | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | External development | | | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | | | | | | Programmable externals | | | (doors) Y | N | N | Scripting Y | N | N | Third Party expansion: Y | N | N | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SHAREWARE/FREEWARE MACINTOSH BBS SOFTWARE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =================== 3.05 - HERMES II =================== WHAT IS THE ADDRESS FOR HERMES II BBS? --------------------------------------- Computer Classifieds 12819 SE 38th #101 Bellevue, WA 98006 206-643-2316 (voice) 206-643-7830 (fax) 206-643-2874 (BBS) Current Programmer - Robert Rebbun Documentation by Lloyd Woodall Primary Program by Frank Price, III ================= 3.06 - MANSION ================= INTRODUCING MANSION BBS ------------------------- Mansion is actively being supported in a number of ways. First, there is the Mansion support board The ZSys BBS in Des Moines, Iowa (515-279-3073). This board offers access to other Mansion SysOps, and up to the minute information concerning Mansion, including bug reports, and bug fixes. Second, are the two regional support people, James Podlasek @ The Board BBS Omaha, NE (402-331-4521) and Jim Creighton @ SEA/MAC Seattle, WA (206-725-6629). These two people provide support whenever I become unavailable. They are also unpaid, so please be nice to them. The ZSys BBS and The Board BBS are sister BBS's and carry the same support message echo and support files as they become available. Finally, ZSys. Software maintains the following accounts: America On-line: MarkT15 JamesP51 FidoNet: 1:290/2.1 1:285/13.1 InterNet: Mark_Toland%cedsm@uunet.uu.net James_Podlasek@theboard.omahug.org QuickMail: Mark Toland 515-224-1721 FidoNet: MANSION echo ZSys BBS (515) 279-3073 The Board BBS (402) 331-4521 Price: $94.95 per New Registration of Mansion Nine BBS Software. SNAIL ADDRESS -------------- ZSys Software P.O. Box 65981 West Des Moines, Iowa 50265-0981 ============================== 3.07 - PUBLIC ADDRESS v0.9b9 ============================== FEATURES --------- - Serial/modem, AppleTalk ADSP and TCP/IP-telnet connections. - All-asynchronous serial IO. - As many ports/lines as memory will allow - As many concurently connected users as memory will allow - As many BBS users as disk space will allow - No maximum number of message bases or transfer directories - As many messages or files in each message base or transfer directory as disk space will allow . - XModem (Checksum & CRC), YModem, YModem-G, and ZModem - Very fast 16-color ANSI screen driver - Supports external mailers - Can sublaunch an external mailer for events as well as crashmail - Completely modular. - Everything the online user sees is controlled by modules, which can be added and rearranged by the SysOp. The interface information for writing modules in Pascal, C and C++ is currently available to all those who are interested on the authors BBS at (503)485-7781. The interface consists of over 200 routines passed from the application/engine. This documention also contains the source code to all stock modules. HOW TO CONTACT THE AUTHOR: ---------------------------- colengc@efn.org Support BBS: (503)485-7781 (28.8K baud) ===================== 3.08 - SECOND SIGHT ===================== ABOUT SECOND SIGHT: -------------------- Second Sight 3.0 is a multi-line Bulletin Board System for the Macintosh. Within this complete integrated package is everything a sysop needs to set up, run and maintain a full featured multi-line, Color ANSI Bulletin Board System. REQUIREMENTS: --------------- Second Sight 3.0 requires 750K of RAM per node. The number of nodes is limited only by machine memory and NuBus slots available (NuBus slots are required for additional serial ports). Each node would consist of a copy of Second Sight,a modem cable, a modem and a telephone line. Second Sight is a menu driven system, that is, it operates by offering the connected client a list of choices. There is no limit to the number of menus that you can define. Group mail is supported. A single message can now be sent to a group of users. Supports NewUser.Survey and LogOff.Survey at logon and logoff time. Price: $199 CONTACTING FREESOFT COMPANY ---------------------------- The FreeSoft Company Second Sight Order Department 105 McKinley Road Beaver Falls, PA 15010 Voice (412) 846-2700. Fax (412) 847-4436. BBS (412) 846-5312 Originally Written by Scott Watson. Version 3.0 by Jeff Dripps. ============== 3.09 - HI BBS ============== FEATURES: ---------- A graphical Macintosh BBS system. - Unlimited number of modem lines with our networked server option. - Unlimited number of files. hi-BBS files can be split over as many remote volumes as you care. - Finder-based organization of files. - CD's and remote volumes can be added at any time, without disruption of the server or users. - Server does garbage collection tasks in the background, without disruption of connected users. - AppleTalk support included. TCP/IP, X.25 and ISDN fully supported as well. - Mac & Windows graphic user interfaces. - Command Line Interface included. - Apple Events and alias support - Apple's XTND translation technology fully supported. Open any kind of document as a memo. - Offline mail composition included. - Upload sections. The Upload sections can be located anywhere, locally or on a remote volume. - E-mail section with multiple attachments (incl. sound), return request, mail forwarding and replies. - Multiple online conferences. Users can participate in more than one at a time. - Fully threaded public forums, with multiple attachments and text formatting. - Multi-volumes file transfer/information sections. - File tagging for postponed downloading, and auto-disconnect at end of transfer. CONTACTING XBR COMMUNICATION ----------------------------- XBR Communication Voice: 514-489-1001 Fax: 514-489-4996 BBS: 514-489-0445 Internet: Support@XBRcom.qc.ca JP@xbrcom.qc.ca Applelink : XBR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HARDWARE NEEDED TO RUN A MACINTOSH BBS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHAT HARDWARE IS NEEDED TO RUN A MACINTOSH BBS? ==================== 3.10 - THE BASICS ==================== Almost any Macintosh from a Macintosh Plus on can run a BBS, but the most powerful packages require a 68030 and higher to run effectively. Speed on BBS's can be increased by getting a faster drive, because much of what a BBS does is access the hard drive to gain information. ========================== 3.11 - A MINIMUM MACHINE ========================== Using text only (ANSI or VT100) packages, you can use almost any Mac with 1 meg of memory. Using the graphical BBS's can be used on a Mac Plus and up, but performance severely degrades. The bright point is that being the Mac, most packages will run on any machine from a Plus up. ================================================ 3.12 - HARD DRIVES & ACCESSING INFORMATION ================================================ The hard drive will be the most important factor in speed on you BBS. With a BBS you are accessing information. Information available from your hard drive. Thus the fast the hard drive used, the faster your BBS will be. ======================================== 3.13 - ACCELERATING YOUR MACINTOSH BBS ======================================== As much of your BBS as possible should be loaded into RAM in order to speed up access. RAM is much faster than any hard drive available. ============================ 3.14 - CD ROMS & YOUR BBS ============================= Most of the BBS packages will allow you to easily add a CD ROM to your set-up. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SETTING UP PHONE LINES ON A MACINTOSH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ============================ 3.15 Serial ports on a Mac ============================ "I'd like to start my BBS with a few phone lines, how do I setup multiple phone lines on a Macintosh? " ========================================================= 3.16 Multiport cards for expanding the number of lines ========================================================= What hardware is needed?" -------------------------- To go beyond two phone lines, you will need to add a multiport serial card or a SCSI. Hurdler Nubus cards from Creative Systems -------------------------------------------- Dual and Quad serial port cards for the Mac. Capable of up to 57,000 baud performance per port. COST: 2 port $299 4 port $379. Hustler Nubus cards from Creative Systems ------------------------------------------- A card designed for the new V.Fast modem. Capable of speeds up to 230,000 baud on one port, or 115,000 baud on two ports. Available in two port versions only. COST: $329 QuadraLink -------------- ===================================== 3.17 - SCSI interfaces for expansion ===================================== Creative Systems - Hurdler standalone - SEQS - Adds four serial ports to any Mac with a SCSI interface in a standalone box. COST: $695.00 Creative Systems 4701 Randolph Road, Suite #12 Rockville, MD 20852 USA (301) 984 - 0261 Fax (301) 770-1675 ================================================= 3.18 - Other connection types for the Macintosh ================================================= TCP ---- The standard Internet connection type. To be built into version 7.5 of the Macintosh system. UUCP ---- UNIX to UNIX protocol. Used for receiving batch news and mail from the Internet. X.25 ---- ISDN ----- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MODEMS & THE MACINTOSH BBS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3.19 - Modems 3.20 - Carrier detect and the Macintosh 3.21 - Hardware handshaking and the Macintosh 3.22 - High speed modems ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE MACINTOSH & PUBLIC NETWORKS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =========================== 3.23 - N o v a W o r l d =========================== INTRODUCTION TO NOVAWORLD -------------------------- Unlike any other network, NovaWorld is breaking ground revolutionizing the electronic communication networking with an simple to use, yet every powerful linking system. Integration into the Internet. Any system can link into the master hub, InfoPort in Denver via Telnet and exchange messages, mail and files. By using the Internet as a backbone, the speed of the system increases and the costs decrease. Of course systems can also call via modem to link into the system on regular phone lines. NOVAWORLD FEATURES -------------------- - Internet E-Mail for any network connection. No other software needed. No fancy scripts need to find the Internet, just address your mail and link into your hub. - Multi-hop mail to any system (or the Internet) simply by putting the user name/ system name. Replies are automatically routed back to the originating system. - Any Internet newsgroup needed can be gated to your BBS. Replies are sent seamlessly as a reply, with no special characters needed. Easy linking through InfoLink. Just a few mouse clicks and a SYSOP can link a message forum or file forum. - Subscription to the system forums is easy. No need to have your network hub set your distribution, It is all automatic. Thus a SYSOP can start or stop forums automatically, without human intervention. - Files can be shared with ease among all of the system, making it a good shareware system for authors. - PC compatible as well as Macintosh shareware will be distributed. - Multiple interface options to call into the net with a Macintosh GUI, RIP graphics for the PC, ANSI, or VT100. NovaWorld the first Network designed with a human in mind. Hub sites have been established in Europe, and Canada. Over 50 systems have joined since its 3/94 inception. NovaWorld inquiries should be sent to: ---------------------------------------- James Barry Internet: jmbarry@infoport.com jmbarry/InfoPort on any NovaWorld system InfoPort BBS (303) 429-0291 telnet infoport.com Snail Mail to: P.O. BOX 620805 Littleton, CO 80162-0805 Voice messages (303)657-9667 ============================ 3.24 - THE ONENET NETWORK ============================ ABOUT THE ONENET ------------------ The OneNet Member Network is an organization of private individuals around the world who own FirstClass systems and hook them together to exchange mail and conferences. While OneNet members use FirstClass and take advantage of its built-in gateway features, the OneNet is completely arm's-length from SoftArc which has nothing to do with its operation. A core set of conferences is shared by all systems in the network and contains discussions of interest to all computer users. These conferences cover a wide variety of topics and include networked support conferences from many computer industry vendors, including SoftArc Inc., developers of FirstClass. One of the most popular conferences on the network is one in which Apple employees routinely log on to give unofficial advice to other users. Gatewaying systems can pick their choice of conferences they wish to carry from the backbone hub systems, which already distribute more than 400 forums (much as a magazine distributor gives retailers many choices from which to pick.) The OneNet Member network now includes more than 500 systems across the world. There are regional hub sites in Europe, Japan, Australia, Africa, North and South America and Hong Kong. More than a half of a million people use the OneNet at the time of this writing. CONTACTING THE ONENET ----------------------- The OneNet Member Network Primary Hub is located in Boulder Colorado. For questions on how to find your local OneNet Member Network system, or how to get a 'feed' into the OneNet, call 303-444-2205. To get more general information about the OneNet, call the OneNet Los Altos system by modem at 415-948-1349 or by using the voicemail system 415-948-4775. Earthmail inquires should go to: --------------------------------- Scott Converse, OneNet Executive Director 4546 El Camino Real, # 127 Los Altos, California 94022 USA Internet address: OneNet@OneNet.com or Scotto@OneNet.com Scott Converse, Executive Director, OneNet Member Network Contact via modem @ 415-948-1349, via voice line @ 415-948-4775 ============================ 3.25 - Fido Net on the Mac ============================ - Info for this topic will be available in future versions of this FAQ. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COMPRESSION OF FILES TO SAVE DISK SPACE ON YOUR MAC BBS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3.26 - Why compress files? 3.27 - Stuffit format 3.28 - Compact Pro Format 3.29 - Binhex 3.30 - Zip format ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RIDING A MAC ON THE INTERNET ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - Not provided at the time of this release. ********************************************************************* CHAPTER 4 - UNIX AT YOUR SERVICE ********************************************************************* =========================== 4.01 - What's a Unix? =========================== UNIX is an operating system. The original version, called Unics, was written by Ken Thompson at AT&T's Bell Laboratories in 1969. In 1973, Thompson and Dennis Ritchie (co-creator of the C programming language) rewrote it in C. Since C compilers are available for many systems, UNIX has been "ported" or rewritten to run on various systems under various names. If you've ever used Solaris or SunOS on a Sun workstation, HP/UX on a Hewlett-Packard, AIX on an IBM, AUX on a Mac, IRIX on a Silicon Graphics workstation, or Xenix or Linux on a PC, you've used a version of UNIX. =========================================== 4.02 - The Pro's & Cons of a Unix BBS =========================================== The greatest strength of UNIX is that it was written from the ground up, as a multi-user system for networked computers. Therefore, almost any BBS running on UNIX automatically has multi-user capabilities, and providing network and communication services is also simple. UNIX is not a system for the novice, though. It's a fairly technical system, and for a BBS written on one version of UNIX to run on another version, the source code usually must be reconfigured and recompiled. Also, the cheapest UNIX systems usually cost $3000 or more - too much to spend unless you know what you're getting into. =================================================================== 4.03 - What factors should I consider when starting BBS on UNIX? ===================================================================== First and foremost, you should consider what sort of service you want to provide. If you want fast-moving message areas, perhaps a small chat area, and possibly a link to some sort of informational system, one of the Citadels would be your best choice. If you want to focus on the informational system, with the BBS as part of it, PANDA would be best. For e-mail and net-news, XBBS is the way to go, and if you have a Linux PC, you can use UniBoard or DOC. Secondly, you need to consider how large a system your UNIX computer can support. A fast PC can probably handle four or five users at once. A ten-thousand dollar workstation can probably handle twenty or thirty. If you want to handle a thousand users at once, you'd better have deep pockets. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, you need to consider how users will connect to your system. You can connect modems to your UNIX computer and let them dial in, or you can establish a connection to the Internet and let them connect over the network, or both. The Internet lets multiple users from around the world connect over the same link, so its appeal is obvious, but if you just want to serve your local community, you might do just as well without it. You can even go halfway, and have your computer call the network just to send and receive electronic mail every night. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS SOFTWARE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What shareware BBSes are available for Unix? ================== 4.04 - Citadel/UX ================== Citadel/UX runs on UNIX, but looks and feels just like a Citadel on a PC, Amiga, or Atari ST. At least a half-dozen BBSes on Internet run versions of this software. It focuses on fast-moving message bases. ================ 4.05 - DOC ================ DOC - short for "Dave's Own Citadel" - is descended from Citadel/UX. It adds a few new functions, and supports more users. Internet's biggest DOC BBS can handle nearly 1,000 users at once. =============== 4.06 - PANDA =============== PANDA is an information server developed at the University of Iowa. It's not explicitly a BBS, but it can provide BBS-style message bases within a larger information system. It isn't truly shareware, but it doesn't have a set price either - you get to work out your own deal. ========================= 4.07 - UBBS 1.01 (Linux) ========================= - No information provided for UBBS at the time of this release. ======================= 4.08 - UniBoard 1.12 ======================= UniBoard is a BBS package for Linux, a free version of UNIX that runs on PC's. =================== 4.09 - XBBS 7.21 =================== XBBS is a menu-driven system which offers message bases, e-mail, and Usenet news-reading capabilities. Users can't move through it quite as quickly as they can in Citadel, so it's easier to keep up with the discussions. ================== 4.10 - Magpie BBS ================== Magpie BBS, (212)420-0527 Support/Demo System for Magpie BBS/Conferencing Software Steve Manes, New York, NY ===================== 4.11 - UnixBBS v1.03 ===================== Introduction -------------- UnixBBS is a complete USENET-compliant BBS package for Unix SYSV R3/R4 on Intel platforms (386/486). For more info, send e-mail to pizzi@nervous.com. UnixBBS v1.03 is available on Akademia Pana Kleksa Public Unix by calling: (216) 481 9445 HST,V32 Log in either as 'bbs' (for [x,y,z]modem download) or 'nuucp' (for an uucico session) and request these files: UBBS103a.tar.Z # PD archiver programs UBBS103b.tar.Z # the UnixBBS binaries UBBS103c.tar.Z # the config files and dirs UBBS103d.tar.Z # documentation UBBS103p.tar.Z # PD file transfer protocols If you are in Europe, you could call the Development Site instead: +39 541 27135 HST,PEP,V32 log in as 'bbs' and download from file area #8. What's new in UnixBBS 1.03 -------------------------- - Added support for carbon copies in email section when sending mail. - Added support for carbon copies in email section when replying to mail. - Multiple newsgroups posting is now allowed. A new token named 'AdditionalGroupsAskLevel' in Config.bbs is used to declare the minimum access level required to be asked for additional newsgroups when posting new messages. Also, the 'a' flag in the message base definition files should be used to designate the groups that allow this feature. To post to additional groups as well as the current one, the user should have access and post permissions to all the groups specified. - A new token in Config.bbs 'EnableQuestionnaire' can be used to turn the questionnaire function on or off. If disabled, the questionnaires can still be accessed from the Main Menu, but new users will no longer be prompted for questionnaire compilation when they first log in. - Support for four different outbound mail address formats have been added. The new token 'MailboxAddressFormat' should be used to specify which format to use for outgoing email. - An RFC822 "Reply-To:" header has been added to outgoing news articles. - The separator character used in mailbox names is now definable from the Config.bbs file by modifying the value of the 'MailboxNameSeparator' token. Although the dot '.' used by UnixBBS 1.02 is correct from the RFC point of view, it has been reported to that some mailers are not compatible. - A minor bug in bbsmon was fixed that caused the input command in chat or kill screen to be executed even if no ENTER key was pressed if the refresh timeout occurred while some value was being entered on the input line. The bbsmon release id was changed from 1.20 to 1.21. - A check on the device names given on bbsmon command line has been added to make sure the names correspond to existing devices. - A serious bug in the preferred newsgroup reading routine has been fixed. Now the program shouldn't dump core when removing newsgroup from the preferred list. Please note also that disabling the preferred newsgroup reading via the Config file switch will now save some run-time memory. - Followups to other newsgroups are now allowed when posting an article. A new token named 'FollowupToAskLevel' in Config.bbs is used to declare the minimum access level required to be asked for followups when posting new messages. Also, the 'w' flag in the message base definition files should be used to designate the groups that allow this feature. To be able to follow up to a certain newsgroup, the user should have access permissions to that group. The keyword 'poster' in either upper or lower case is parsed correctly and is used to redirect followups to the original article's poster by means of e-mail. NOTE: only a single newsgroup can be specified for the followup. Also, when following up to an article who has the "Followup-To" header specifying several newsgroups, only the first one is used for the followup. - Fixed a bug that caused the info regarding the last newsgroup visited to be lost when an user was choosing the 'Top Level' listing from the Message Menu and then aborting with the 'Q' option. - The message base navigation system has changed slightly. Now the user is automatically asked for subgroups (if any) without having to see the message section menu and to choose the own command once for each group in the path. - The file list command in the file section now shows even files without a description entry (those files without the mirror file in the description directory) - The file list command now displays long file descriptions correcty, pausing after the selected number of screen lines. - New "Messages Of The Day" function that allows you to create a file similar to the Unix /etc/motd, useful for telling user news about the system. - The 'WelcomePathname' token in Config.bbs has been changed to 'WelcomeExtProgram' for the sake of clearness. - A new token 'LogoffExtProgram' has been introduced to allow a sysop- defined program to be run *after* an user has been disconnected from the BBS. Its main use is to run some dtr-dropping program if for some reason your serial port driver doesn't drop DTR when the process dies (i.e. HUPCL doesn't work properly). - Fixed a bug that caused an error to be reported when a 'Who's on line' command was issued while another user was logging in. - If colors were enabled, the message editors used to appear colored when posting or replying in the email section. Now their color will default to white. - The sender information in the email section is now correctly displayed even if the name or address is longer than the reserved screen size. - The low-level I/O routines have been optimized - Fixed a bug that made some newsgroups hierarchies not specified in the msgroot file visible inside UnixBBS. - New "Message Dump" function allows users to pack and compress unread messages in the preferred groups and to download them using the available transfer protocols. This new option is available from the Main Menu and should be specified in the mapkey file as 'Main::MsgDump'. Contacing the author of UnixBBS: -------------------------------- Riccardo Pizzi @ the Nervous XTC Public Access Unix System, Rimini, ITALY E-Mail -> pizzi@nervous.com Nervous XTC, the home of the UnixBBS package Data: +39-541-27135 HST/PEP/V32 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COMMERCIAL UNIX BBS SOFTWARE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =-=-=-=-=-= TEAMate =-=-=-=-=-= TEAMate Unix Bulletin Board, (310)318-5302 Demo/Support for TEAMate BBS Software for Unix Bob Baskerville/MMB Development Corp., Manhattan Beach, CA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNIX HARDWARE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ===================================================================== What would I need to start a small dial-up BBS to run on a UNIX box? ===================================================================== The simplest UNIX system consists of a '286, '386, Amiga or Macintosh running a small version of UNIX. You could install one of the freely available BBSes for UNIX (scaled down to reflect the somewhat limited capabilities of the system), connect a modem, set things up, and away you go! Obviously, that's a very simplistic arrangement - only two people (you at the keyboard, and one user calling in) could be online at the same time. If you wanted to get a little more elaborate and had a '386 or better, you could get 4 serial ports (COM1 through COM4), and put modems on at least three of them (leaving the fourth one free for a mouse). You'd need to get a telephone line for each modem, of course. For example, you could have a high-speed modem on one port, and a lower speed modem on another port, so that lower speed users wouldn't keep tying up your high-speed modem. =========================================================== What hardware & software do I need to network my Unix BBS? =========================================================== - no outline provided ********************************************************************* CHAPTER 5 - BBSing WITH AMIGA ********************************************************************** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AMIGA COMMERCIAL BBS SOFTWARE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5.01 - AmiExpress 5.02 - BBX 5.03 - CNet Amiga ============================================ 5.04 - DLG Pro. v1.0 (Dialog Professional) ============================================ FEATURES --------- * up to 65000 users * 255 different user levels * 9999 different message areas * 9999 different file areas * number of BBS lines is limited only by serial port availability * all text strings and ANSI colors are completely definable by the sysop * string sets are available in several languages * each user can choose what language he wants to use for his session * custom international character mapping is supported * 7/8 bit character transparency is configurable Not all of DLG is built big, though. DLG was also designed to work on even modest Amiga setups. Here are the facts: * DLG's modular, disk based operating system design allows for low memory usage * DLG uses from 40-150K per active BBS line depending on setup and usage * low CPU usage for excellent performance on multiple lines * works with as little as 512K of system memory * works on Amiga 500, 1000, 2000, 2500, and 3000 under AmigaDOS 1.3 & 2.0 * works with even modest Hard Drive setups. USER PREFERENCES ----------------- Each DLG user can set a number of preferences for his on-line session: * help level (novice / intermediate / expert) * screen length and width settings to match his terminal software * optional MORE prompt for paced system output * ANSI colour, smart ANSI screen positioning, screen clears, and partial screen scrolling are all definable independently * optional hot keys for fast single letter command input * preference settings for personal upload/download protocols * choice of message editors * automatic command sequence (command stack) to be executed at login * alias name (handle) * create and edit personal signatures (4 types) to be automatically appended to messages and file descriptions * create lists of message and file areas to search * custom menu sets with different BBS languages attached to them * custom character maps CONFERENCES ------------- In addition, there are a number of DLG features that users find helpful: * online user manual and help text files for individual commands * full user list and search capabilities * list of important events since last call - list is kept for each user while he is off-line * list of waiting public mail is kept for the user and marked for easy retrieval at login * ability to see who is on other BBS lines and what they are doing * ability to send online messages to users on other lines * smart menus that show only those commands the user can actually use, moment to moment * fully customizable smart menu displays that allow the SysOp to be creative with his menus * quote of the moment module * today in history module * quick and easy searching for new messages and files MESSAGING ------------ Here are some features of DLG's full online public/private mail system: * powerful, full-screen free-form ANSI based message editor * free-form paragraph oriented message editor with query search and replace and the ability to back up over lines using a standard terminal program * use of an external Amiga message editor/word processor is allowed from a local session * support for third-party online editors * up to 9999 separate message areas * users can automatically scan the areas they choose for new messages * messages can be packed up and archived in the background while the user does other things online, or the user can start the mail packing and pick it up on a future call to the system * users can edit their own custom message and file signatures * message header scan with message TTagging' is supported to quickly scan for messages in large message areas * a smart message thread reading mode can be enabled to automatically follow conversations as you read * continuous read mode with optional ANSI/more-prompt disable * ability to continuous read all areas at once * active readers of an area can be listed * individual privileges can be assigned to each user in each area separately, or automatically assigned based on user level * users are informed of all types of mail received * users can kill their own messages depending on access * maximum number of messages allowed in each area can be set * messages can be renumbered at any time * message areas can be searched based on who the messages are from, who they are addressed to, or on the subject line of the message * messages can be forwarded and transferred from public, to private, to UUCP, to Newsgroups, to NetMail, to EchoMail or any combination of the above * messages can be re-edited by their author or by users with SysOp access in the message area * messages can be Lex checked and analyzed for readability * messages can be sent to online group mailing lists * translated message areas can be created with the help of PD novelty programs such as Jive, ValSpeak etc. * message areas can be set to have inappropriate language automatically filtered out of messages as they are saved * each user has a private mail directory * user can keep a carbon copy of private mail sent * message reading in forward and reverse directions * private mail traffic can be monitored by the sysop * messages can be automatically sent by the system or from batch files using the off-line message sending module FILES ------ Features of DLG's online file system: * up to 9999 file areas are supported * validated uploads are supported so that files may be checked by the SysOp before they are made available * each user's access can be tailored individually for each file area or defaults can be set for each area based on user level * full file searching of all available areas with wild card support files can be searched by name, date, range of dates, since last call, since number of days, or by description * files can be sorted by natural forward/reverse, or alphabetical forward/reverse * users can easily scan file areas they wish to monitor for new files * each file can have up to a 32K description * users can add comments to existing file descriptions to aid others with their downloading decision * choice of quick or verbose listing of all files in an area * users can kill files that they upload if their access permits * trash-can-like directory saves deleted files as a backup against accidental or unwanted deletions * uploader's custom file signature is applied to file descriptions * archive content viewing supported for any archiver with that ability * protocols are completely configurable to allow the use of external file transfer protocols (XPR) and DLG-compatible protocols * custom Xmodem (Checksum / CRC / 1K) and Zmodem protocols included * super fast Zmodem transfers that auto adjust to the CPU and current load conditions to give optimum performance without 'bogging' the rest of the system down * files can be uploaded to another user's private directory * users can have size limits placed on their private directories * batch uploads are supported for appropriate protocols * partially uploaded or downloaded files can be resumed at a later date * files can be Ttagged' for batch download using appropriate protocols * partial 'tagged list' and 'partial file' downloads are supported * a tagged file list is retained from call to call and is not deleted until the user does so, or downloads the files it contains * user can list and edit his tagged file list * DLG supports upload / download ratios * individual files can be marked as FREE and will not count on ratios * default protocol can be set, or can be selected at time of download * optional auto-log-off after download (5 second bail out) * files can be transferred from public to public, private to private, private to public or public to private * file descriptions indicate number of times downloaded * files show approximate download time based on protocol efficiency * protocols are definable and defaults are selectable by the user * SysOp can upload and download from a local session * sysop can have up to 127 global file paths where files from any section can be stored * CD Rom drives are fully supported with the use of alternate and global paths * ADS file areas are supported with the use of third party 'tick' programs FIDONET --------- * Includes TTrapdoor' - the Amiga's premier network mailer * high speed nodelist compiler * cost and call accounting * ZedZip, ZedZap, DirectZap, Dietlfna and FTS-1 protocols * FTS-1, FTS-6 and EMSI handshaking * four dimensional addressing * supports AKA's * FidoNet - Echomail and Netmail areas are fully integrated into the message system * separate origin lines can be defined for each Echomail area * support for multiple domains, multiple networks, multiple zones * can feed points * automatic dupe elimination * supports all known types of mail bundling * extensive routing capabilities * can be used for hubbing or in network coordinator positions * echo area traffic reports * incoming Netmail is sent to the users' private mail directory for assured reception * full cost implementation allows charging for Netmail via a user account credit system * users are informed of incoming Echo/Netmail in real time if they are online, or via their event log if they are not * support for outgoing file attaches and file requests * can accept file requests from other systems * a list of requestable 'magic file names' can be created with optional password protection * file areas can be designated as File Requestable * crashmail is supported * can zonegate FidoNet messages * can receive and send/reply to point systems * full nodelist support * echomail is imported in the background while even users are reading the areas receiving mail * incoming Netmail mail can be addressed to online group mailing lists * is capable of running as a point DLG Professional includes everything you need to set up a FidoNet system. DLG & USENET ------------- * Each user has their own personal UUCP account * UUCP mail can be received in a user's private directory * UUCP mail can be entered by any user with the proper access * UUCP messages can be replied to with one easy key-stroke * UUCP mail can be sent to online mailing lists * UseNet newsgroups are treated as normal DLG message areas * UUCICO accounts may be set up to allow the system to provide UUCP feeds to other sites PEOPLETALK ------------ Message and file area support is standard for most Bulletin Board System software. DLG adds to that the excitement of PeopleTalk - multi-user real time conferencing. Here are some features of DLG's PeopleTalk system: * users can create rooms at any time * minimum baud rate and user level can be set for each room * people can view users in a room * users in conference can send private messages to others in the same room * system wide message broadcast upon room creation CONTROLS ---------- DLG has powerful options for SysOp control of the entire system: Here are some features: * a full point and click install program will have you up and running within minutes 47 different attributes of each user can be edited, including: * user level which determines access to auto-access message and file areas, and to menu command selections * daily and session time limits * time used today * 'K' uploaded / downloaded * upload / download ratio * netmail credit * bulletin write access * UUCP write and client privileges * definable archivers that users can select for mail packing and the system can use for viewing archives * multiple user validation templates make validating new users fast and easy * batch user editing capabilities * users can be purged based on number of days since last call and can be excluded from this based on user level * message and file areas can be easily created/edited/deleted * groups of users can be created for batch private mailing OTHER FUNCTIONS INCLUDE: ------------------------ * the language / format of the new user application form is configurable * SysOp can break into chat with a user at any time * user can page the SysOp for chat * a requester is popped on the workbench screen that indicates who is paging and the SysOp can answer or ignore the chat request * two colour chat display with full word wrap * chat keeps a full log file of all text entered in chat mode * single or double linefeeds can be selected for chat * configurable log entries * internal log entries can be assigned the user level required to view them * additional custom log entries can be defined * a logging utility is provided so that external tasks such as online games and network mail events can be monitored * File maintenance section * All files from a particular directory can be uploaded at once. The SysOp can individually enter file descriptions, specify a single file description for all files, or take descriptions from filenotes * All attributes of a file can be edited * message and file areas can be easily renumbered Each BBS line can be configured separately. IE: ------------------------------------------------- * modem configuration * BBS Name * public vs private (only users in a certain group have access) * idle timeout delay * minimum baud rate * initial menu to be used * default login command stack * screen colors * forced login command stack (applied before a user's personal login command stack) * language * character mapping * SysOp can easily monitor users who are online * custom and workbench screens are supported * screens for current online users can be open and closed from AmigaDos * any screen resolution / depth can be used * any non-proportional font can be used * can have a screen open automatically as each user logs in or have them remain closed for more memory / CPU efficiency * can configure screens to open only for designated users MANAGEMENT ------------ * access to serial ports is managed so that term programs and network mail software will not interfere with the BBS * automated tasks that use the serial port are executed one at a time as the serial port becomes available * access to message and file areas is managed so that conflicts do not arise between users and network mail software * a powerful event scheduler is provided necessary for a 24hr automated system especially if networked mail is being used * events can be scheduled to occur on any combination of minute, hour, day of week, day of month, month of year * typical uses include scheduling of mail events, renumbering of message areas, dynamically regulating access to phone lines DROP TO DOS * SysOp has full access to DOS from remote * limited access to DOS can be given to users * access to DOS commands is configured based on user level * number of arguments allowed for each DOS command can be set MENUS & DOORS --------------- * powerful menu configuration * any number of menus can be configured * menu items can launch batch files, executables, other menus, command stacks, or special DLG batch files * any program that runs with standard input / output from a CLI can be run from a menu * menu items are accessible by user level * user's only see the menu items they can access * SysOp-editable help files can be attached to any menu item * up to 128 custom menu TSETS' can be added to the system to allow thousands of custom displays to be defined * custom menu displays have no limits - they are totally free-form can still maintain the Tsmart menu' philosophy where the user only sees the commands that are available at the time OBTAINING A DEMO OF DLG ------------------------ For a live demo of DLG Professional BB/OS, call the DLG development BBS at: BBS: (306) 249-2352 (306) 652-2084 Voice: (306) 665-3811 Fax: (306) 665-3811 FidoNet address: 1:140/90 Mailing address: #20 - 1524 Rayner Avenue, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 1Y1 ======================= 5.05 - Excelsior! BBS ======================= - Info for Excelsior! BBS will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. ================ 5.06 - MEBBS ================ MEBBSNet v1.0 highlights ------------------------------- Fixes, and changes you can expect to see in MEBBSNet v1.0 are: o DRASTIC reduction in executable size. The MEBBSNet executable is now under 270k vs. 380k+ for StarNet. (Possibilities are good it will shrink even further before release as fine tuning continues). o DRASTIC reduction in the amount of system STACK usage. MEBBSNet only requires a 20k stack for operation (Down from 60k in StarNet). o DRASTIC increase in execution speed. Sophisticated programming techniques and removal of 'busy loops' have resulted in incredible speed increases in system operation. o Removal of all Enforcer and MungWall problems. The software has been converted to TRUE 32bit base-relative addressing, and uses a 'vanilla' compile (no switches needed at compile time). o All Date handling code rewritten from the ground up for proper operation. o WorkBench v1.3 Compatable. o Complete new file transfer protocol operation. Existing file transfer protocols have been completely removed (and subjected to a horrible, fiery death). XPR protocols are now used for file transfers, and are Sysop configurable via an included GUI utility. There is no hardcoded limit to the number of XPR's you may use. (Hooks are in place to allow XPR protocols to be configurable by accesslevel in v2.0) o Libraritized Task Management system keeps memory usage to a minimum while maintaining a secure and stable environment. o 3rd Party Developers Library and programming support (MEBBSutility.library). Developers are furnished full library information, example code, and complete documentation in 'autodoc' format. o 3rd Party Developers are assured upwards compatability with new releases of the MEBBSutility.library. No more recompiling when a new version is released. If it works under MEBBSNet v1.0, it will work under future releases. o Graphic User Interface (GUI) utilities for Editing system configuration, Users, and Files (MEBBScfg, MEBBSue, MEBBSfl). MEBBSue (User Editor) feature highlights: ------------------------------------------ Hotkey launch from BBS screen. Find New users Add new users FAST searching. Point/click search ability on upto 2 fields at once. Ability to delete user(s) waiting mail file. Full report generating capabilities w/definable path:filename. MEBBScfg (System configuration) feature highlights: ---------------------------------------------------- Hotkey launch from BBS screen. Full report generating capabilities w/definable path:filename. Changes made are updated immediately, not just upon exit. Full point-n-click operation for adding file/message areas, access levels, and all system paths. MEBBSfl (File Area Maintenance) feature highlights: ---------------------------------------------------- Hotkey launch from BBS screen. Built-in Help. Ability to 'localize' language used for Help functions. ARexx port. Adopt/OnDisk functions for adding/removing files. Check/Change file extensions (great when using re-archivers) Filenote files with short descriptions. Kill/Move/Rename/Edit file functions. Update file information (size, etc.) Sort existing files in file catalog. Fully configuable filelist generation via Point-n-click or Arexx. Includes all aspects of file catalog entries such as uploader,default description, All features are configurable to operate on either individual file areas or on a global basis. Full report generating capabilities w/definable path:filename. o Support for alternate character sets. o Full Internal ASCII string configurability. This includes not only the text itself, but also the Menu Command letters. o Sysop-definable font for bbs screen(s). o Serial I/O has been rewritten from the ground up with an eye on stability and speed. o Support for 16,800, 19,200, 21,600 bps modems and ISDN lines. o NEW Modem Compiler. o NEW Menu Compiler. o NEW ARexx port (with MORE features). o NEW Nodelist Compiler (MEBBSnlp) is full-featured and FAST. o CLI Door support. o Emulator for running existing StarNet doors (games). o NEW Line-oriented Message Editor o Line Editor has the ability to upload a message from disk and dump a message to disk (or printer). o All file I/O code rewritten. (No more 'lost' files.) o Internal File Indexing routines rewritten using linked-lists. ReIndexing now is fast (system dependant) as well as easy on the CPU. o Support for alternate 'FrontEnds' rewritten for proper operation. o Internal FrontEnd now supports EMSI. EMSI is sysop configurable (On/Off) and will properly fall-back to YooHoo (then lotek) if it fails to get an EMSI connect. Support for 9 (nine) network addresses. Addresses now use a common inbound/outbound area. No more multiple inbound/outbound directories! o NEW Tosser/Packer (MEBBStoss), is 5x faster than the previous Tosser/Packer. MEBBStoss supports 4-D Addressing, FidoNet 2.2 packet headers, and Packet-level passwording. Exports conform to Fidonet 2.0 message standards. o MEBBStoss has the ability to generate a report on your mail areas for debugging purposes when setting up FidoNet. o Packet-level passwords are Sysop configuable for inbound mail, outbound mail, or both. o Mail packets are processed in chronological order. No more reading replies before the original. o Poll packet generation can be done on a z:n/n.p basis, or use the Call_.ctl file to generate multiple poll packets at once. o Tosser/Packer has the (Sysop definable) ability to auto-create new echomail areas as they are received. MEBBStoss generates E-Mail to Sysop with full stats on the area(s) created. MEBBStoss auto-updates the Areas.cfg file with the new tagname(s) for reduced Sysop maintenance requirements. Path to new message areas is configuable. o EchoMail security features abound (even with nodes you already connect to). Network connections and mail processing now have security features which are several orders of magnitude above that which existed previously. o Netmail routing as Originator or Passthru. o Point.CTL file removed. All point information is contained in Areas.CFG and is listed in 4D format. o PassThru.ctl removed. All Passthru information is contained in Areas.CFG. PassThru areas do not need a message base (or any other directory space) on your system other than the space the outbound (passthru) mail packet(s) will occupy. o Tagnames are no longer tied to a particular messagebase #. If you move a messagebase from one area to another, Areas.CFG no longer needs to be modified. o MEBBStoss has a RESET commandline switch to auto-update all high message counters automatically. o .TIC files are deleted upon sucessful transmission. Reduced maintenance for those who Hub in file networks is a result. o Netmail/Fido File attaches now can use complete Path:To/Filename in .FLO files for both convienience and space savings. o Event handling completely rewritten. The old problem of a user getting shorted daily time because an upcoming event was near is no longer a factor if the next event also allows callers (MEBBSNet will execute the script(s) in the background). 64,000 (sixtyfour thousand) scripts supported for your convienience. Flags for start of event script, fidoin, fidoout, and user logoff. Also configurable are file requests, crashmail, mailonly, and nonetwork. If NoNetwork is selected, the bbs will not display the 'Press Escape' prompt, and go directly to the Welcome screen. This has been added for those systems who do not belong to any network(s). o NewUser Login has been rewritten for more logical operation. The old problem of a newuser entering an existing handle no longer dumps them back to the beginning. o NodeList search function rewritten for proper operation. Display has been reorganized to show Net address, system name, and phone number. o MEBBSbase now removes 'holes' (deleted file #'s) from the filebases upon initialization (aka 'NOGAPS'). A CLI/Shell utility is supplied (CleanCatalog) to automatically remove duplicate filenames from your file areas. CleanCatalog generates a batch file which (if executed) will also delete the files themselves. o General reorganization of the system for more logical operation. For FidoNet(c) systems, Areas.cfg now handles 4-D Addressing, Passthrus, and tagnames. o All user-configurable text files (.ctl) now reside in the MEBBSnet:Configfiles directory. A Sysop now need only look there to find configurable textfiles. 3rd party developers are encouraged to use this reorganizational change for their utilities also. Binary configuration files are located in MEBBSNet:S o Log files now are more descriptive and consistant. This will allow for 3rd party utilities for billing, and other things that rely upon system logs for operation to operate easier and with greater efficiency. o Modem Dial-out functions have been completely rewritten. o New miscellaneous CLI/Shell utilities include: BBSStringParse Compile ASCII strings within the executable into binary. BBSStringDump Take bbs stings (binary) file and dump to ASCII CheckEvent Returns information about current running event. CleanCatalogs Remove duplicate filenames from file catalogs. Generates script file that can be edited and executed to remove duplicate filenames themselves. DinkyRobo WB2.0 GUI message posting utility. FrekIt Generates list of file-requestable files. Supports 'magicnames' include file, ability to remove file extensions from requestable names, attach passwords. KillEmpty Kill any file listed by AmigaDOS as ProtocolConfig WB2.0 XPR protocol configuration. NLSearch Find a node in the nodelist. ReScanStrings Edit BBS ASCII strings, recompile, then use this utility to make MEBBSNet aware of the new changes. TestMessage View message headers. TestPacket View Fido packet headers. TestRoute View Fido routed netmail. ShowModemDat View compiled Modem_.Dat file as MEBBSNet sees it. o This is not to mention the dozens of little changes and refinements to remove backwards logic in things that worked before. o Eight Support Site systems available 24 hours a day to registered users. Four are located in the United States, 1 each in Australia, Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. All are available via FidoNet(c) and some are available via alternate networks. o Software Upgrade Fees, MEBBSNet v1.0: Registered StarNet licensees: NO CHARGE o Documentation Upgrade Fees, MEBBSNet v1.0: (Not set at this time) A completely new manual will be made available upon release. Due to printing costs, it will be made available at our cost (We are NOT in the manual selling business!). Cost has not been determined at this time, and will be set after quotes have been received from printers. Roger Walker Director, MEBBSNet BBS Product Development MEBBS Engineering and Software ================================ 5.07 - X E N O L I N K v1.90 ================================ BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT: XENOLINK 1.90 ------------------------------------------------ Next Generation Professional Bulletin Board Software Copyright (C) 1990-1994 Xenomiga Technology Available: March, 1994 The principle upon which Xenolink has been designed: "If a QuickSort in C is faster than a Bubble Sort in Assembly Language, then let Xenolink be the QuickSort in Assembly Language." Xenolink's efficient new architecture is now faster and more compact than ever. The changes are obviously far too numerous to list, but a brief synopsis of the areas affected is listed below: - Attractive AmigaDOS Release 2 interface - Vastly enhanced security features - Improved door support - Completely redesigned FidoNet support - Decrease in the already low usage of memory and disk space - Even faster operation than before Xenolink 1.90 has been tested as never before, by countless beta testers with setups ranging from Amiga 500's to 4000's, 68000's to 68040's, CD-ROMs, FAX-Modems, HST 16.8k modems, Point hosts, Network hubs, multi-line systems - the list goes on. Overview --------- - Designed and written for AmigaDOS Release 2 and above. - Superlative reliability - Very easy to use - Attractive interface - State of the art software design and system architecture - Full multi-line capability - Configurability to an almost sinful degree - Foreign language support - Highly efficient use of memory and disk space - Optimised high speed performance - Object Oriented library and door interface - Full XPR (External Protocol) support - Low CPU usage - Supports all serial cards and all baud rates - Uses Commodore's (GUI) Installer program for easy installation - Mature software; large amount of third party Xenolink software available. - Large private support network linking together hundreds of Xenolink owners with Xenomiga Technology. Base Software Architecture ---------------------------- - Xenolink Resource Handler controls access to all Xenolink resources. - Avoids unnecessary disk activity if a resource (such as a message. base or file area) is in use by more than one process. - Crash protection; if a door crashes or hangs a Xenolink node, system data files and log files are preserved, even on the node that crashed. - Automatic resource preloading enables Xenolink to asynchronously open files before they are required, thus reducing the bottleneck caused by disk activity. MEMORY USAGE -------------- - Dynamic memory and resource allocation - Xenolink and its accompanying utilities are residentable (extremely low memory usage for multiple nodes) - Extensive use of xenolink.library shared library routines - All executables are very compact (needless compiler overhead eliminated) DISK SPACE USAGE ------------------ - Two files per message area, for unequalled speed and compactness - Three files per file area - Compact user data files - Real-time data compression used on compiled nodelist - Xenolink's compact data files have numerous advantages: o Very high speed operation due to the small number of files used o Minimises disk fragmentation o Data files are easily archived o Makes backing up very easy (very few files to back up) SPEED ------- - Very fast implementation of fast algorithms (both are important!) - Enhanced Global Quick Indexing (EQDX) algorithms enable virtually instantaneous location of any file catalogue entry or user. - Written in C and assembly language, using SAS/C Version 6 - Any area requiring speed has been written directly in assembly language; this includes: o Screen/modem i/o o Mail processing parsing and i/o o Searching o Sorting o Hashing o Semaphoring o CRC checking - Only a few assign statements required. o Xenolink does not require you to add countless assign statements to your startup-sequence o Location of all directories specified in "dir.config" file - Separate configuration files, stored in a single directory: o General/global configuration options o Node configuration o Message bases o File areas o User access templates o Bulletins o Archivers o External protocols o BBS text o BBS entry points o Access restrictions - FidoNet configuration files stored in a separate directory: o Node security (password, default protocol, archive type, send type) o Nodelist configuration o NetMail routing and forwarding o EchoMail area configuration (origin lines, feeds, passthrough are as) DOOR SOFTWARE SUPPORTED: ------------------------- - Full CLI door support o Any program that runs in your CLI (shell) can be run as a door o Does NOT require the use of fifo.library or custom handler files - DOS Shell feature allows the CLI shell to be run within Xenolink - AREXX interface o Complies with the ABBEREXX door standard o Supports many commands used by other BBS programs o Many Xenolink specific commands - Can run many Paragon/Star-Net doors - Xenolink doors run in the same task context as Xenolink itself: o Eliminates task context switching o Door interface provides direct hooks into Xenolink functions - Xenolink's shared library (xenolink.library) provides an easy to use Object Oriented Interface for door programmers: o Complete access to users, messages, the file catalogue, system configuration, linked lists, node operations & tilde codes. o Doors may initiate file transfers, send messages to other nodes. o Doors which use the Xenolink library routines extensively are often as fast as Xenolink. - Internal BBS commands can be replaced by external modules. Where can I purchase Xenolink 1.90 & how much does it cost? ------------------------------------------------------------ Tech Support/Sales: -------------------- - None provided at the time of this release. Xenolink can be ordered from the author: ---------------------------------------- Jonathan Forbes 1132 Bay Street Suite 1101 Toronto, Ontario M5S 2Z4 Canada COST: ------ US$ 150 + $15 P&P if ordered directly from the author, contact your local support board for the price in your currency. Contact your local support board for the latest information file and demoversion of Xenolink. Local support sites: ---------------------- BBS Name: The Castle Arrgh! Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Fido #: 1:153/727.0 Phone #: 604-327-9494 SysOp: Jeno Horvath Baud/Modem: 1200/14.4k - SupraFAX BBS Name: Electronic Image Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Fido #: 1:167/165.0 Phone #: 514-937-9984 SysOp: Sean Mollitt Baud/Modem: 1200/14.4k - Dual Standard BBS Name: The Amiga Alliance Location: Sedalia, MO USA Fido #: 1:280/81.0 Phone #: 816-827-1688 SysOp: Ron Teague Baud/Modem: 2400/14.4k - Dual Standard BBS Name: The Attic Location: Methuen, MA, USA Fido #: 1:324/125.0 Phone #: 508-975-2340 SysOp: Mike Soucy Baud/Modem: 1200/14.4k - v32bis Sportster BBS Name: Destroyers Den Location: Napa, CA, USA Fido #: 1:161/903.0 Phone #: 707-255-0784 SysOp: Robert Thaller Baud/Modem: 2400/21.6 - Dual Standard BBS Name: The Mouse Trap Location: San Diego, CA, USA Fido #: 1:202/121.0 1:202/122.0 Phone #: 619-464-2134 SysOp: Bruce Lawson Baud/Modem: 1200/21.6 - Dual Standard (v32/HST) BBS Name: Arkham Asylum Location: Stockholm, Sweden Fido #: 2:201/244.0 UseNet Add: Daniel_Frost@bad.se Phone #: +46-8-626-9355 SysOp: Daniel Frost Baud/Modem: 1200/28.8k - V32bis/V.FC BBS Name: Disaster Teams BBS Location: Landskrona, Sweden Fido #: 2:200/219.0 Phone #: +46-418-36999 SysOp: Micke Persson Baud/Modem: 2400/14,4k - Dual Standard BBS Name: Fish Disc Office Switzerland Location: Buttwil, Switzerland Fido # : 2:301/562.0 Phone #: +41-57-443222 SysOp: Adrian Glutz Baud/Modem: 1200/14,4k - HST BBS Name: Echo BBS Dordrecht Location: Dordrecht, Holland Fido #: 2:285/312.0 Phone #: +31-78-180305 Usenet: bart@xecho.wlink.nl Sysop: Bart Schraa Baud/Modem: 1200/14.4k - ZYX/V32bis BBS Name: BAT Location: Lisboa, Portugal Fido #: 2:362/4.0 Phone #: +351-1-705070 SysOp: Paulo Laureano Baud/Modem: 1200/14.4k - V32bis BBS Name: Pertos Asshole Location: Aarhus, Denmark Fido #: 2:230/815 Phone #: +45-867-20273 SysOp: Kenneth Perto Baud/Modem: 1200/16.8k - Dual Standard BBS Name: Amiga Central Location: Redditch, United Kingdom Fido #: 2:253/167 Phone #: +44-527-69701 Usenet: marjon@martinac.demon.co.uk SysOp: Martin Wasley Baud/Modem: 300/21.6k - Dual Standard Terbo BBS Name: Sidecar Express BBS Location: Logan Village, Queensland, Australia Fido #: 3:640/463.0 Phone #: +61-75-463-252 - MultiLine Usenet: bpratt@splat.paxnet.com.au SysOp: Brendan Pratt Baud/Modem: 300 - 14400 v32bis + ZyXEL 19200 BBS Name: Pipeline BBS Location: Auckland, New Zealand Fido #: 3:772/250.0 AmigaNet #: 41:649/250.0 Phone #: +64-9-262-3563 - MultiLine SysOp: Dan Croft Baud/Modem: 1200 - 14400 v32bis ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AMIGA SHAREWARE/FREEWARE BBS SOFTWARE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - 4D-BBS - ABBS Software - AXsh ================================== - A M I G A C I T A D E L ================================== What is the address for Citadel BBS & how much does it cost? -------------------------------------------------------------- NAME OF THE PRODUCT: Amiga Citadel BBS(also know as Citadel 68K) ADDRESS: SNAIL MAIL: Custom Services P. O. Box 254 Moorestown, NJ 08057 BBS: The Amiga Zone (609) 953-8159 Internet: apreston@isd.csc.com, or tony-preston@portal.com COST: FREEWARE, but donations accepted. Brief Description Of Amiga Citadel BBS(also know as Citadel 68K) ------------------------------------------------------------------ Minimum System ---------------- Can be run on an A500 with 1.3 ROM and 512K with 2 floppies, but is very limited. Recommended System -------------------- Any Amiga with 2.04 ROM or better, 20 MB HD space, and 2 MBs or more of memory. Citadel is a FREEWARE BBS project that is supported on the Amiga, IBM, MAC(although the MAC is inactive now), and Atari. Citadel is a room-based system. It is excellent for messaging. The basic organization is in floors and rooms. While other BBS programs have a message base as a secondary item attacked to the BBS, in Citadel it is the BBS. Floors are a group of rooms. Floors are a partitioning of the rooms into groups so that sysops and users can manipulate their view of the system(you can for example forget a whole floor). Think of floors as similar to conferences. The basic unit is a room. A room is a location of a conversation. Messages are that conversation. Most rooms will have a topic (Like Amiga, MS-DOS, ect), some rooms can be shared with other systems(networked). Room-based systems like Citadle have an extremely streamlined set of commands for fast access to the messages. History Of Amiga Citadel ------------------------- Citadel was created in Nov. 1981 from something called DandD.pas, a Dungeons and Dragons an adventure game editor/driver It then was substantially revised and made to run on a CP/M based system. Somewhere around April to June 1985 is became Citadel-86 with automatic networking. Later, versions for the Amiga, Atari, and MAC were created by various people along with other variants for the IBM. The source was public domain and spreading like wildfile! I have maintained the Amiga Citadel since Jan 92 after complaining of bugs and was told by the current maintainer to put up or shut up... I inherited the source and have since done additional ports from the IBM source. Citadel is not perfect or bug free, but all the major features work and it is Enforcer hit free! Basic functionality of Amiga Citadel -------------------------------------- A Room is the basic unit. it may be: - Shared, networked with other systems on the C86Net, or even other networks(like FIDOnet, USENET) via external programs. - Private, Public, Hidden, or Invitational. Rooms default to public, with all users invited. Hidden rooms are available to users if they know the name(a user tells the bbs to goto the room) after which it is public to them. The Invitational rooms are private and the room moderator must invite them to the room. - Anonymous, where there is no user identification as to who posted the messages. This is great for door games where users can create their own identification using their door names. - Directory, where a sysop or aide can attach a directory for uploading and downloading of files. Files have a short and long display format. Users can not only up and download files, they can examine the contents of archives, extract and download just one file! Citadel has a powerful command set. - Doors may be attached to a room or globally accessable. Citadel uses a stdio door interface and can run many popular door. The interface is flexible enough that you can run any program that runs from a cli shell window. Citadel comes with a full set of documentations, help files for the user, and both a 68000 version and a 68030/20 version. Included in the documentation is a list of about 100 systems in Canada and the USA that are on the C86Net so you can call and ask questions. All required files can be found on the Amiga Zone BBS (609) 953-8159 along with door, external protocol and archives information. CLOSING --------- Citadel comes with several large documentation files that detail all the inner workings of the configuration file and the BBS setup. Much of this is the IBM documentation, but there are Amiga specific files. Citadel is FREEWARE and may not be sold. It may be distributed with any hardware or software collection so long as no charge is made for it. Commercial use of Citadel may only be made to the extent that a BBS is being run. Pay BBSes must get prior approval from the authors or current maintianers before charging users for access. ================ - Reccoon ================ Features in Rcn v0.55: ------------------------ * A nice GUI configuration-program using gadtools. * Alternative text-based configuration-program that can be used from remote. * All textstrings in the BBS can be replaced with whatever you want. * Multi-language, up to 65536 different languages supported! * Different textfiles for different users, accesslevels and graphics modes. * Different task-priorities for each node when uploading/downloading. * Up to 65536 telephonelines (nodes) supported. * Support for multiple serial port board. * Speeds up to 4Gbaud supported (if your hardware and device driver does) * Highspeed modems supported. * RTS/CTS handshaking. * Configurable serial device driver and unit for each node. * More than 4 billion messageareas! * More than 4 billion fileareas! * Up to 65536 different accesslevels! * Lots of displaycodes that can be used almost everywhere. * Displaycodes uses sprintf(), making it possible to make strings adjusted to the right, left, integers written in decimal, hexadecimal, octal, padded with zeros etc etc! * Conditional displaycodes, such as "Send if the private flag is set", or "display textfile" * Action displaycodes, such as hangup and pause. * IEMSI support! * All nodes are opened as resizeable and movable windows on the shared ReccControl screen. * ReccControl supervises the system, avoiding conflicts of files, users etc. * VERY low CPU-usage! * ANSI support. * Textoutput optimizing. Replaces five or more spaces in a row with an ANSI-sequence. * Remote-DOS, using FIFO - Makes it just as your normal shell window! * Almost every Rcn-program are PURE, making it possible to make them resident! * Reccoon.library, making utilities small and uses less memory! They're real easy to code too, using that library! * Statistic such as total byte UL, DL, calls etc are stored on disk and displayed on the ReccControl screen. * All Reccoon-lines and ReccControl can be iconified as APP-Icons on the workbench-screen. * Pulldown menus. (with 3.0 look with OS v39 and higher) * OS 2.0 look. * AGA screenresolutions supported. * Macro-keys that can be used everywhere. * String-edit - the user can use arrowkeys in any string-prompt. * Very powerful custimized doorinterface making the door possible to almost everything. It has access to almost all internal data, and lots of internal functions, such as DisplayMessage() & ListFiles() * Possible to run multiple doors at the same time! * Run-back doors that works in the background. * Doors may add its own fields in the userstructure! * Action-doors such as Snake. * ARexx interface. * Paragon-Door interface. * Doorlink interface. * FPL interface (FPL is a script-language that looks and feels like C) * The entire logon-sequence can be replaced with an fpl-script. * Possible to run CLI-doors. * A GUI usereditor, with ARexx interface! * Possible to edit multiple users at the same time (each user in one window) * Alternative textbased user-editor which can be used from remote. * Possible to edit users being online, and they wont even notice. * Different keymaps supported. * Different fonts supported. * Character-translation - the user can chose between sysop configurable tables. * Up to 65536 different translation-tables supported. * 8-bit ASCII supported. * All programs are written in C, and smaller parts in fast 68000+ assembler. * Requires OS 2.0 (v37) or higher. * Users get congratulated on their birthday. * Smooth hotkeys. * Ctrl-C breaking * Multicolor-chat, which can be started any time, even when running doors. * VERY stable! Havent hanged my BBS since Oct-92 !! * NO Enforcer and Mungwall hits! * Crash-protection. Network: --------- * FidoNet support. * 10 different AKAs supported. * Very Fast and good mailprocessor! * SEEN-BY processing, making it possible to add/remove nodes from the Seen-By lines. (For both files and msgs) * 4D network addressing. * Pointsupport. * Areafix for both msgareas and fileareas! * Access-restrictions in areafix. * Passthru areas. * Fileechos! * Filerequest handler. * Possible to disable filerequest for certain nodes. * Magic filenames. * Wildcards supported in filerequests. * Possible to password protect files and whole areas for file request. * File request report sent to the Sysop on the remote system, and to the local sysop. (configurable) * Checks the nodelist for unlisted systems. * Byte and file-limit for freqs. * Multiple Netmailareas supported. * Crashmail. * Direct Netmails. * Very powerful routing capabilities. * Different archivers for different nodes. * Uses Trapdoor! * MSGID dupechecking. * MSGID/REPLY message linking. * Works fine in a HUB/HOST environment. * Accesses the nodelist using Traplist.library, so you wont need to have serveral nodelist-formats when you use Trapdoor as mailer. Messages ----------- * As said, more than four billions different messageareas! * Messages are stored in two files per messagearea, making it possible to scan messages EXTREMELY faaaast! * Possible to send messages to ALL users, so they receive it when then logon. * Fileattaches. The attached files are stored in a special filearea, so you as a sysop get a good overview of all attached files. * Handles. * Each user can have diffrent accessrestrictions for each message area. * Private messages. * Access-level restrictions on certain messages. * Possible to reply-protect areas. * Netmail reply. * Sysop menu that allows the message-writer and the Sysops to edit message-flags. * Each user have an own set of access-flags for each message- area, so you got 100% access-control! * Possible to age-protect areas, so very young users wont have access to adult message-areas. * Messages displayed in different colors (configurable) when quoted text, Seen-by lines, cludges etc. making it very easy to find the important parts in messages. * Possible to hide message-cludges (users option) * Message-display is hotkeyed, so you can proceed to the next message without to wait for the end. * The message header looks just as you want it to look. * Full-screen editor. Files --------- * Uses XPR = External protocols. * Opens a nice little window when transfering files. * Files can be marked by entering a number, a wildcard or the whole filename. * Both * wildcards and Amiga #? wildcards supported. * Very fast global-search function. * Each user has an own set of access-flags for each file- area, so you got 100% access-control! * View-archive function. * Test-archive function. * The uploader may edit his files, such as changing the description etc. The sysops for that area can also do other things such as remove credits, change area etc. * Auto-logoff after download. * Hotkeyed file-listing. * Files can be marked and downloaded at a later time. * Files can be a free download. * Some users can have free download in some areas. * Bps-restrictions for DL and UL (different for each filearea) Menus -------- * All menucommands can be used in any menu. * Supports both FPL menus and less advanced menus. * Lots of menucommands. * Possible to do serveral things on one single keyhit. * Access-restrictions on every menucommand. * A password menu-command, making it possible to password- protect certain things. * Possible to do certain things for certain access-levels. * Menucommands takes arguments and return results, example: /* this is a short FPL-script */ prevarea=msgarea; if(MsgArea(2)){ WriteMsg("Niclas Emdelius"); MsgArea(prevarea); }else Send("Area not found"); * You can trap almost every key, even the return key. =================== - TransAmiga =================== - Info for TransAmiga will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. ================== - Max's BBS v1.52 ================== - Info for Max's BBS v1.52 will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AMIGA HARDWARE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHAT BASIC HARDWARE WOULD I NEED TO SET UP AN AMIGA BBS? ====================== - INTRODUCTION ====================== This part of the BBS FAQ explains the basic hardware requirements for those interested in setting up a BBS on a Commodore Amiga computer. This section covers the advantages to the Amiga's internal hardware, and how the hardware affects the BBS software that you will be running. In addition, this section will display some of the advantages and disadvantages to running a BBS on the Amiga. Terms enclosed in asteriks (*) are defined at the bottom of this article under "GLOSSARY". ====================================== - COMMODORE AMIGA ON THE INSIDE ====================================== The CBM (Commodore Business Machine) line of computers are based on the Motorola 68000 processor series (68000, 68020, 68030 etc.). Yet the Amiga is built unlike any other computer, in that it has a very customized chip set within the computer. These chips allow the computer to hardware *multitask* (see GLOSSARY at end of file), display graphics in a flash, and provide the Amiga with an effective *GUI* (Graphic User Interface). The first thing you need is obviously an Amiga computer, but don't go out and grab just any one. You should choose the computer suited to your needs. All of the Amigas multitask, and thus all of them are capable of running software that supports multiple lines; however, this may be misleading in that not all Amiga computers support multiple lines. Also, the older Amigas have slower processors and useless operating systems. ================================================= - KNOWING YOUR NEEDS WHEN SETTING UP A BBS ================================================= (or your company's needs) This is the first step in setting up any BBS, Amiga, IBM, or otherwise. I won't go into detail here, but there are some things you should keep in mind: (1) Do you need a large online file base, or are you message-oriented? (2) Do you need/will you need multiple lines? (Don't limit yourself!) (3) If so, How many multiple lines will you need? (4) Will you be hooking up to a network (such as FIDO or UUCP/UseNet)? The above considerations will affect your choice of hardware. The following chart will attempt to offer some guidelines your hardware requirements based on your needs. Note, however, that if you are buying a computer new, you should gather some information on your own, and the author is not responsible for any misconceptions you may have had before your purchase. Msgs-Base Files 1Line Multi-Line Comp. RAM Notes |--------|-----|-----|----------|------|-----|------| | X | | X | | A500 1MB *,! | X | X | X | | A500 2MB **,! | | | | | A600 @ | X | X | X | X | A1200 3MB+ # | X | | X | | A2000 1MB+ $,! | X | X | X | X | A2000 3MB+ %,! | X | X | X | X | A3000 4MB+ &,! | X | X | X | X | A4000 4MB+ *** Notes: ! This machine is either now obselete or is being faded out. * The A500 cannot be expanded to multiple ports. It is possible to run a BBS off of floppy disks, but nowadays it's hard to find good software to support this. Also, you would be quite limited in your expandability. ** The A500 cannot be expanded to multiple ports, and hard-drive controllers, harddrives, and RAM expansions are to be added seperately. If this is the computer you have, I would recommend a hard-drive and a BIG RAM expansion first before starting a BBS. The reason why the RAM requirement is higher than the previous listing is because harddrives take up RAM when mounted, and you need enough to run the software. ========================================= - AN EXPLANATION OF AMIGA SYSTEMS ========================================= @ The A600 is strictly a games computer and is useless for the purposes of running a BBS. # The A1200 is one of Commodore's newest machines. It has the latest state of the art graphics chip sets, supports a multi-port serial card, comes with a harddrive controller installed. In addition, it uses one of Motorola's latest processors, and is quite the quick machine. Perfect for a small yet expandable single or multi-line BBS. $ The A2000, unexpanded, is the same as an Amiga 500. Same processor, same features. % The A2000, expanded, can hold a muliple serial card, harddrives, RAM, etc., as is needed. However, the standard CPU is quite slow for multi-line systems, so you may want to buy an accelorator for this machine if this is what you'll be using to set up your BBS. & The A3000 is a great machine. It comes with a 68030 processor and a math co-processor (for much faster calculations), and has a suitable starting amount of RAM, and can take a multi-serial card. *** The A4000 is Commodore's latest benchmark, and if you can afford it, is excellent for running pretty much any kind of BBS you have in mind. Please note that the above are only guidlines and are not hard-coded theory. The number of lines you can support also depends on the software amount of RAM you have available, and the speed of your computer. Also remember that the larger your hard drive space, the larger your file-base; the more RAM you have, the less chance you have of crashing the computer. A big 11-line system in Ottawa, Ontario is running C-Net/3 software on an Amiga 4000 with 1.2 Gigabytes of harddrive space and 14 Megs of RAM, just to give you an idea. ============================================================== - PRO'S & CON'S ABOUT AMIGA HARDWARE WHEN RUNNING A BBS ============================================================== Advantages ----------- Hardware multitasking is much faster and more efficient than software multitasking systems; GUI makes things easy to use, with point-and-click type mouse operations; Amiga supports a GUI as well as a Dos-Shell, for the best of both worlds, making setting up a BBS easier to do; most Amiga BBS software has multiple-line support built right into the software. ********************************************************************* CHAPTER 6 - SYSOPS SURFING THE INTERNET HIGHWAY ********************************************************************* I want to provide Internet access on my BBS... (Topics to be covered) - Who do I contact to get Internet on my BBS? How much does it cost? - Are there different type of internet connections? If so, what are my options? - What is TCP/IP, SLIP, UUCP, ISDN, leased lines? - What type of software do I need to have an Internet connection? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SATELLITE SERVICES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How do I get an Internet connection with a satalite dish? PAGESAT --------- PageSat is a direct-broadcast satellite service carrying news groups from several major networks, principally the Internet. PageSat uplinks in Mountain View, CA, to a transponder on GE Americom's Ku-band K2 domestic satellite. It covers the entire continental United States and parts of southern Canada and northern Mexico. Coverage in Europe and Asia is planned for 3Qtr 1994. On average, PageSat delivers approx. 50 - 60 megabytes a day of Usenet News. Hardware consists of a 0.63-m (or larger where required) parabolic Ku-band antenna system and a PCSAT 100 Wireless Usenet Data Terminal. Any 286 or higher processor running DOS 3.1 is acceptable. You still need a land-line to an Internet host for outgoing mail. Contact: Duane J. Dubay PageSat Inc. 992 San Antonio Rd. Palo Alto, CA. 94303 (415) 424-0384 Email: djd@pagesat.net PLANET CONNECT ---------------- Planet Connect is a direct-broadcast satellite service. The base system uses a 2-foot dish with a flat roof mount, wall mount, or pole mount, Ku LNB and feed and Planet Connect Data Receiver (19,200 baud). Base service includes: FidoNET backbone NaNet Contact: Planet Systems, Inc. 213 Abbey Road Newport, TN 37821 Voice: 615-623-9335 Fax: 615-625-8831 BBS: 615-623-8203 V32: 615-623-8111 ==================================== - Turn your PC into a Usenet Site ==================================== To be provided in future versions of the BBS FAQ. ********************************************************************* CHAPTER 7 - NET IT UP - GETTING YOUR BBS ON AN ECHO NETWORK ********************************************************************* ===================== 7.01 - Why network? ===================== As electronic bulletin boards proliferate like particles in a nuclear reaction, the opportunities to "net" will likewise explode. Why do it? Well, why not? The costs are minuscule compared to the benefits offered by a well- operated BBS "echo" network. In real terms, the long distance phone charges applied to networked message have probably gone DOWN in the ten short years that individual computerists began linking up. actual outlay, though, may not have decreased -- since the amount of traffic has expanded like as super nova. Your users will benefit from the networks through the connections that link them with folks from all over the country and the globe, gaining insights and points-of- view unavailable in any other medium. Correspondingly, the users of other member boards in the network can benefit from the thoughts and opinions of *your* users. The many-to-many discussions offered in these nearly gatekeeper-free, nearly unedited channels may be one of the biggest attractions for users to gravitate to your BBS. The reason to net may not have changed much from the desire that led Tom Jennings to found the biggest and oldest self-sustaining echo net of them all -- FidoNet . He found himself on one coast and a friend on the other. He figured a way to auto-send messages at night when the rates were low. The technique spread. And now the BBS that is not networked in some way is a rarity. ============================= 7.02 - What is an echo net? ============================ "Echo" is the word that came to describe the act of netting chains of home-grown BBSs together because it is descriptive of the technique most commonly used. Your voice echoes when you send it through a canyon and it reverberates after striking each successive rockface. Your users' messages will do the same as they pass from your board to your UPLINK BBS in the chain. Later, often the next night, that uplink calls another NODE in the net, perhaps, which merely collects and passes your board's messages on; or it may call a HUB, which collects messages from its own users, as well as many other node BBSs like yours. Hubs of this kind do specially arranged exchanges among themselves in many network set-ups. Sometimes called "star" systems these central and regionally placed systems act as collection and distribution points and add measurable efficiencies to the passing of communications around the continents. There are also systems which do not merely echo messages but which also echo software and other data, usually in compressed form. Keep an eye out for the Shareware Distribution Network (SDN), a well-established collection of BBSs that spreads useful utility, entertainment and educational software. 7.03 - Where do I find information? ======================================== Call any BBS of which you are now aware, and you will probably finds a net attached to it. Normally each system in a net makes available the latest version of an information archive -- most often known as an "info pac". Ask the sysop for the name or how to get it. If you have no nets locally that you'd like to carry on your own system, there are places where networking folk gather to discuss issues and disseminate information. Look at all the nets local to you to see if any carry a conference on the topic of "networking". Sometimes these conferences are devoted to discussions of the LAN (local area networking) techniques of business and government, but ask anyway. You're sure to get a lead or two. You're probably not too far from a BBS carrying the FidoNet conference called OTHERNETS. For a sysop interested in networking, even long-distance contact with this conference will be well worth it. Messages by administrators and member sysops of other BBS networks (hence the name of the conference) comprise the vast bulk of the messaging activity there. Lastly, there is a certain book, (Surely, the reader knows that even if I wasn't the author, I'd mention it. Surely.) the current edition of which contains the complete NODELISTs (compilation of phone numbers) of member boards of 69 self-sustaining echo networks (and a partial list of one huge one). With the listings of the conferences carried, the entries in the directory range from the dependable and mainstream (RIME, a general interest net with its own elaborate technology and nearly a thousand member boards,) through the meditative (DharmaNet, devoted to Buddism) through the bizarre (Furnet, which, apparently, has something to do with anthromorphy, the role-playing of animals). The book is called _Free Electronic Networks_ (Prima Computer Books, Rocklin CA, ISBN 1-55958-415-7). Your local library may have it. (Library books are, after all, the original shareware.) Or browse through it at your local bookstore (but try not to make it too dog-eared.) 7.04 - Do echo networks charge fees? ====================================== By and large the echo networks almost religiously DO NOT charge for the privilege of joining them. Many, if they have thought to include the rule, even forbid their member board sysops from withholding the network conferences from users in exchange for fees (or "donations," as many sysops like to call them.) There are some that require fees for administrative reasons and some try to establish emergency funds to keep the systems up. A few may even exact charges from the individual users. This is rare. Some common charges may involve "hub" fees, where node systems are asked for a nominal monthly or weekly contribution in order to help offset the phone toll charges that accrue to the operators of network hubs, which sometimes haul huge amounts of data through their phone links. A well-run net will easily make these charges worth your while. And you can be sure that no one is making a killing, just sharing the load. The software used to network, in most cases is open and/or shareware, meaning the inventors don't mind if you tinker and the payment you make to them are on the honor system. Some networks require the software be "registered" (paid for) before allowing a hook-up. 7.05 - What are the differences between networking technologies? =================================================================== The basic known forms of net tech are the following: Fido; QWK; PostLink, WWIV, Citadel. Fido is a net and a tech. Your board can be part of the big FidoNet, or it can be part of a stand-alone organization that merely uses the same techniques and similar software to the Big Dog. The software has evolved but remains in the same basic form. The BBS interacts with the net through a software link called a "fossil" driver and another called a "mailer." Getting your board up and going in a Fido tech network can be somewhat technically daunting for the casual computerist, and may require more know-how than the other network forms. But the tradition of Fido has grown from the achievement of dedicated independent computerists, and they'd prefer the company of those who can muster up the minimum expertise it takes to join them. Search the BBSs near you -- or the commercial online services you patronize -- for a file named something like BIGDUMMY.* Inside will probably be a text file entitled "The Big Dummy's Guide to FidoNet" by Michael Schuyler. It's an informative and witty espousal of the Fido ways, whys and wherefores. QWK is a networking standard that grew out of the most successful of the mail reader formats to emerge over the last few years. A mail reader is a software device that allows a user to call your board and take messages away, for reading and responding at their leisure. The mail reader hooks up with a "door" on your board that knows the format used, and deals out the messages according to the users wants. It was not a far jump from this task to using the same pieces, with a bit of adjustment, for the task of networking between the boards themselves. Naturally then, since the form was founded for the use of your average users, the networking techniques cannot be too trying on the intellect. The ease of use has its drawbacks. QWK nets rarely offer "netmail" or "receiver- only" mail (sometimes erroneously known as "private e- mail." There is very little privacy available). WildNet is a large and active net based on QWK tech. PostLink is a proprietary technology (in that the developer would prefer you not use it if you haven't paid for it, and tinkering is not encouraged.) The large network based on this tech is the RelayNet International Message Exchange (RIME), a stable network which offers a modicum of security by providing encrypting netmail and other features not available in your average hacked, cobbled and tweaked net tech. WWIV is a technology that seems to attract those hobbyists (read as "hacker" in the mostly benign meaning of the word) with a penchant for "handles" and wild talk. WWIV offers conferences that are known as "subs" -- which is short for "sub-boards" or smaller divisions of the main board. The topics tend to be wild and the "sub" names wildly descriptive, since the technology allows for longer names. (i.e., The Wesley Crusher Must Die Club). The subs can be started on a BBS anywhere in the net and will spread around according to their popularity and audience -- a method the online radicals like to think of as anarchy, but which is really a demonstration of your basic orderly market economics. Like Fido, there is the big WWIV and there are some few other networks based on the tech that are stand-alone. Citadel is a technology nearly as old as FidoNet, with a core group of unshakable enthusiasts who would run nothing else. It is really a style of BBSing that naturally branched out into networking. There are BBS versions for nearly every computer technology that has been used since the early 1980's, including the extinct DOS predecessor CP/M and the widely ignored Ataris/Amigas. (Possibly excluding Macintosh. Do Macs net? Still can't say for sure. Haven't come across one.) Started as a BBS that could serve as a form of on-line role-playing game, the Citadels are "room-based" in that the conference areas are called Rooms. Groups of rooms related by topic are organized into floors (for instance, the "networking floor" and the "computer talk floor"). The individual rooms are networked in the catch-as-catch- can anarchic mode, where the sysops take and share the rooms they want. If you want a room that is not available on a board you net with locally, you are welcome to cast your line long distance and get it yourself. Topics are esoteric, indeed, in some rooms "topic" as a description would be a stretch. Interaction with a Citadel is a pleasant, primitive, sort of a welcome throwback to a younger computing day. Learning the commands may take bit more effort than today's menu-driven, hand-holdy BBS systems, but the old-timers don't mind if those without the patience stay away after the first call. They're in it for the long haul. ===================================== 7.06 - What do I have to do to join? ===================================== You might not want to think about joining a network until you have your BBS up and stabilized. Be sure that you will be around longer than a few months before trying for a net. Sysoping can be trying and demanding. Attrition of new boards is high. Adding a network may only add to your early frustration and gain you some ill will with the administrators if you falter and fade away. Once you decide to join one and have picked one out, you are likely to be put through one of a widely varying system of application processes. Some networks require little more than the achievement of a BBS up and running, and are thankful to have any nodes they can attract (these tend to be smaller, struggling nets); while others have a somewhat selective application process -- though the requirements most often are not extremely testing, normally consisting of pledges that you will try to control your users.) In the extreme case, there is a minority of BBSs with demanding -- nay, oppressive -- membership application processes. One might even call them "ordeals" -- which may include up-time minimums, lengthy, detailed applications and virtual "visits" by the "selection committee" to determine suitability. The trade off is that the sysop who lands a spot on a net like this can be assured a certain amount of civility. Often it is deceiving though, since these organizations are as subject to the biases and petty politics of any of the loosest net, even though they think their overbearing requirements make them immune. Each individual sysop will gravitate -- as you will -- toward the style of networking that suits them. Don't worry about acceptance, since for the most part, people realize eventually that they didn't really want to be anyplace where they weren't wanted anyway. ====================================== 7.07 - Do the echo nets have e-mail? ====================================== Some offer what's called "netmail". It is not instantaneous transfer e-mail like one may be used to on an internetted business or school system, but the messages travel at the same leisurely pace (usually one hop per night) as the other messages. Some net tech offer a form of somewhat instant mail called "crash mail". But it entails a direct long- distance call from one board to another, incurring the long-distance charges. Sysops won't allow this unless there is a plan to pay the costs. Also, even though the best sysops attempt to give a semblance privacy, no user should ever consider that their mail is completely free of snooping. Advise your readers that they should never commit to netmail anything they would be ashamed of if it were somehow to be made public. This will slowly change. If no one in this FAQ has mentioned it yet, every sysop should have a look at a book called _Syslaw_, by attorneys Lance Rose and Jonathan Wallace. It is their legal opinion that sysops should make every effort to provide their users with as much privacy as possible. Many sysops at present are under the impression that the government requires the opposite. A note on the grossly misused term -- censorship. Remember the First Amendment applies to governments ONLY, a private institution -- which your BBS will be -- is not required to allow any expression deemed inappropriate by its owner. This bears on networking in that no network can require you to carry a conference you consider in bad taste. Private organizations are well within their rights to edit and select what they present to their public. Think of yourself as a publisher, and don't shudder if some less-knowledgeable-than-you user shouts "censorship." They have no basis. ==================================== 7.08 - How can I start my own net? ==================================== Starting a net requires little more than a knowledge of the networking software and at least one other sysop of like mind. Establishing a large general interest network might be a staggering undertaking, but you can try your hand at a small narrowly themed network and see what happens. If it spreads, then go on from there. If it stagnates, then bide your time, learn, and try again some other time. ================================================== 7.09 - How will my users interact with the nets? =================================================== Few BBS networks apply any sort of draconian "moderation" (And those few are easy to identify, and avoid, if desired). Alternately, the security of a heavily controlled net may cause a sysop less loss of sleep over what sort of verbiage comes to reside in his or her storage memory. Expect to have an occasional user who draws the ire of the network brass. Your users may consider that you -- their friendly neighborhood sysop -- may have more loyalty to a local, possibly paying customer, than to some faceless network. Consider the pros and cons of backing a user against a network administration. Experience has shown that in the vast majority of instances, the sysop will side with the net, not wanting to endanger a feed that pleases so many other users, and offends but one. The issues involved in most network disputes are notoriously sticky and hard to resolve, if they can even be pinned down. There is a surprising amount of territoriality involved, and a not-very- surprising amount of -- as there is in every other human endeavor -- power madness. In practical matters, your users, the hip ones anyway, will use offline mail readers to grab messages from your local and network conferences. They can then be read offline and responded to at leisure. For this the sysop will have to provide a "mail door". There are many shareware models of these doors circulating. Most, if not all, adhere to the QWK/REP formats. ======================================================= 7.10 - How can I avoid becoming merely a "net outlet?" ======================================================== The act of establishing a non-networked BBS, which attracts users and has a life of its own, before hooking up to a net is the best way to insure that there is activity unrelated to your network feed. This can be done by establishing message areas with local flavor, or with topics that appeal to the users you will most likely attract. The best way to think of a BBS is as a "news service" and if you make it lively and different every day -- by initiating conversation and exciting interest in local issues -- you will go a long way to insure a loyal local following. ========================================================= 7.11 - What are some of the network that are out there? ========================================================= Here's a shorthand list of the echo networks whose administrators made the effort to get their nodelists into FENs (_Free Electronic Networks_). If one or more strike your fancy then perhaps you can pop over to the bookstore or book-carrying computer store and browse through for the numbers, committing the number of the closest to your locale to memory. This is not nearly a complete list of all the networks out there. Such a list might be impossible to compile. Network Topic -------- ------ ACONET Dutch network of Acorn computer users APEX Virtual reality ATARINET Atari users AUTHORSNET Writing BIGNET Large folk BIRDNET Exotic birds BIZYNET Business (requires individual user fee) CENTIPEDE Writing, philosophy and speculative history CHESS NET Chess CINEMA-NET Movies and show business CITADEL Nets The unnamed association of Citadel BBSs DHARMANET Buddhism DOORNET Online door software DUCKNET General interest EDA NET Fantasy role-playing EICNET General interest EPUBNET Electronic publishing EROSNET Adult ESN Enterprise computing FEDNET Canadian government agencies FIDONET General interest FISH NET General interest FRANCOMEDIA French language FURNET Anthropomorphism GEO INFO NET Geology HOME NET Homebodies HSANET N/A ICN General interest ILINK General interest INDRANET General interest INFINET Computing INFINITYNET General interest INFONET General interest INTELEC General interest ISANET BBSing ISG BBSing ISN Italian shareware distribution ITCNET General interest LION NET Adult MAGNET General Interest MARANATHA! NET Christian MHZ NET Computers MTLNET Internetting NORTHSTARNET General interest ODYSSEY-NET Networking OS2NET Operating System 2 PRIME Christian QBBSNET BBSing QUIXNET General interest RESHET Jewish RIME General interest RUSHNET Music SCURVY NET Alternative SING General interest SNJ NET General interest SOURCENET Computing STARNET General interest STORMNET General interest TOADNET General interest TGNET Cross-gender issues TSA-NET Computing ULINK General interest USERNET General interest USPOLNET U.S. Politics UTAHNET General interest VEGASNET Gambling VETLINK Military veterans WILDNET General interest WISHNET General interest WWIVNET General interest Good luck and see you on the nets. PART 9 ********************************************************************* CHAPTER 8 -SETTING UP FILE LIBRARIES ********************************************************************* Q: Where can I get an assorted selection of shareware/freeware files to start up the file libraries on my BBS? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 8.01 - Shareware vendors =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Public Brand Software ======================= Public Brand Software BBS, (317)856-2087 Commercial Shareware Vendor Public Brand Software, Indianapolis, IN - Megafile Distribution System - Eastern Shore Communications ============================================================ The Megafile Distribution System (MDS) is a sysop-only file collection system designed to fulfill the needs of established and growing bulletin board systems. Long-distance calling for file collection is expensive. Those bulletin board systems able to afford this type of file collection have the luxury of being current, collecting files on the day that they are released. For those systems not able to afford the long-distance luxury, CD-ROMs have traditionally been used to increase a bulletin board system's capacity, with the drawback that files are four to six months old when they are placed online. MDS fits in between these two methods. File collection is done in the same manner as the large systems do, each and every day. Depending on the plan you choose, one or two 60-megabyte tapes are delivered to you each week at consistent 3- to 4-day intervals (e.g., Monday/Thursday, Tuesday/Friday, Wednesday/Saturday, etc). This turnaround maintains currency in your file collection while at the same time keeping your collection costs low. All files are virus checked using two different programs, all known BBS advertising is removed, and AV-stamped or ARJ-security-envelope file integrity is maintained wherever possible. File listings are delivered in both FILES.BBS and PCBoard formats, allowing their immediate addition to your system without further processing. MDS pricing is based on volume, reflected below: ------------------------------------------------- One-Week Package: (Cost Per Tape in) (Cost Per Tape in) ----------------- (Canadian Dollars) (U.S. Dollars) (Total Order Value) (Total Order Value) (in Brackets) (in Brackets) ------------------ ------------------ Single Tape $37.50 ($37.50) $26.75 ($26.75) Total Number of Tapes in Package: 1 Two Tapes $28.50 ($57.00) $20.35 ($40.70) Total Number of Tapes in Package: 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------ 4-Week Package: (Cost Per Tape in) (Cost Per Tape in) ----------------- (Canadian Dollars) (U.S. Dollars) (Total Order Value) (Total Order Value) (in Brackets) (in Brackets) ------------------ ------------------ Single Tape $30.00 ($120.00) $21.50 ($86.00) Total Number of Tapes in Package: 4 Two Tapes $22.50 ($180.00) $16.00 ($128.55) Total Number of Tapes in Package: 8 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 13-Week Package: (Cost Per Tape in) (Cost Per Tape in) ---------------- (Canadian Dollars) (U.S. Dollars) (Total Order Value) (Total Order Value) (in Brackets) (in Brackets) ------------------ ------------------ Single Tape $25.00 ($325.00) $17.85 ($232.15) Total Number of Tapes in Package: 13 Two Tapes $18.75 ($487.50) $13.40 ($348.20) Total Number of Tapes in Package: 26 Rates are calculated based on customer-supplied tapes, deliverable with prepayment. C.O.D. and credit-card orders are not accepted. All shipping costs (your choice of carrier) and applicable taxes extra. For further information, please contact: ------------------------------------------ Richard Munro Eastern Shore Communications Voice: 416-428-1056 BBS: 416-683-7368 FidoNet Address: 1:229/112 Internet: richard.munro@westonia.com (Richard Munro) =================== HOF TAPE NETWORK =================== - Get 100-120 Megs Of Files On Tape For $14.99 - All Files Are No Later Then 4 Months Old - Files Range From PCBoard, Windows, Games, Utilities, etc.. - Each Directory Has It Own FILES.BBS - All Files Have Been Scanned For Viruses - You Can Either Send HOF Tape Network The Tape Or Buy One From Them. - If You Send HOF Tape Network A Tape It Must Be Formatted - HOF Tape Network Ships 2nd Day Air - There Is A New Issue Every Month. That Means 100-120 Every Month For You or Your BBS. - Orders Can Be Taken via: Netmail, Internet E-Mail, or Via BBS - New Issues Are Shipped the 1st Of Every Month Contacting HOF Tape Network --------------------------------------------- Fidonet: 1:2215/600 or 1:2215/610 Internet: hoftape@scpcug.com BBS: (216)493-3522 or (216)492-2871 NUMBER YOU WISH TO PURCHASE: ___ @ $14.99 TAPES WISH TO PURCHASE : __ @ $15.00 SHIPPING / ORDER : ___ @ $10.00 / TAPE ========================================= 8.02 - Encouraging your users to upload ========================================= - Topic 8.02 will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. ********************************************************************* CHAPTER 9 - LEGAL ISSUES FACING THE BBS SYSOP ********************************************************************* Version 0.9 - June 24, 1994. Copyright (c) 1994 Carl J. Elitz 9.0 Introduction ================ This chapter contains a general discussion of some of the legal risks facing those who run computer bulletin board systems (BBS' or boards), along with some suggestions for reducing those risks. It is not yet in the familiar Q&A format, but may be modified in future revisions. Please consider the discussion that follows for educational purposes only and not as a substitute for legal advice. The suggestions made below should be used only as a starting point for your own consideration of the issues presented and may not be suitable for your individual situation. If you need legal advice, consult with an attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction. Those with a practical interest in the subject are referred to Lance Rose's and Jonathan Wallace's book, SYSLAW (2nd Ed. 1992), (available by calling PC Information Group at 1-800-321-8285). At present, this is the definitive book on the subject and a good source of information for the new or experienced sysop. Cost is about $38. A more scholarly treatment of many of the same issues can be found in a law review article written by David J. Loundy, "E-Law: Legal Issues Affecting Computer Information Systems and System Operator Liability," 80 Alb. L. J. Sci. & Tech. Vol 3 (1993). Loundy's article is available in many law libraries and on the internet via anonymous ftp from the Electronic Frontier Foundation: ftp.eff.org (path /pub/EFF/policy/Legal/e-law.paper). Please note: the following does not necessarily apply to BBS' running outside the United States. Obviously, the laws of other jurisdictions may be quite different. Finally, please recognize that this chapter is an evolving document in its early stages of development. Suggestions for improvement are welcome. The author can be reached at either of the following internet address sites: carl.elitz@n9csa.com or reds@ripco.com. 9.1 The Legal Risks =================== Your legal exposure as a BBS sysop is not insignificant. Even if your intentions are good, mistakes or errors in judgment expose you to both civil and criminal liability. This is due, in large part, to the fact that there will be so many people calling your board, each with his or her own agenda. If you fail to educate yourself on the basic risks, your exposure increases dramatically. 9.1.1 Civil Lawsuits -------------------- Filing a civil suit in the United States is a relatively simple and inexpensive process for a plaintiff, usually costing less than the latest version of your favorite word processing software. Indeed, a caller or other person who believes she has a case against you may find an attorney willing to represent her for a "contingency fee," charging only if the suit results in money damages against you. The costs of litigation for you as the defendant, on the other hand, will undoubtably be high -- right from the beginning. Unlike the plaintiff's attorney, your attorney cannot work on a contingency fee and will insist upon being paid whether you win or lose, perhaps well before the case is even over. In almost all cases, you will not be able to recover your attorney's fees, even if you prevail. So called "reasonable fees" can grow into the thousands of dollars in a matter of weeks, ending up costing many more times the price of your entire BBS equipment and software. Moreover, failure to win a lawsuit can have devastating implications for you, your business, even your family. This is because, in the United States at least, the law gives to a wrongfully injured plaintiff the right to recover all damages which were "caused" by your improper actions. There are few limits on the amount that can be recovered in most civil cases. 9.1.2 Criminal Liability ------------------------- In addition to civil liability, the BBS sysop can encounter problems with the local, state or federal government under the criminal laws. This exposure should be obvious. For example, if you knowingly use your BBS to store or distribute copyrighted material, obscene photographs, child pornography or stolen information, or if you encourage others to do so, you may face severe penalties -- perhaps even time in jail. Your legal exposure in a criminal case is not limited to those situations, however, where you yourself deliberately commit criminal acts. If the authorities come to suspect your board contains evidence necessary to prove a criminal case against one of your callers, you may find yourself in the middle, trying to protect yourself from the effects of the investigation. Do not underestimate the trouble that can be caused by improper caller conduct. Four years ago federal agents and local authorities raided boards in twelve cities around the country as part of something the federal government named "Operation Sun Devil." Agents conducting the searches carried warrants which gave them the right to seize computer equipment in an attempt to locate "hackers" believed to be exchanging stolen credit card numbers through the use of computer bulletin board systems. Agents searched both homes and businesses and confiscated computers and peripheral equipment such as monitors and printers. While there has been just one conviction relating to computer crime so far, agents have yet to return all of the equipment. 9.2 The Major Issues and Some Suggestions ========================================= There is some good news: most of the risks your board faces can be minimized if you take an active approach to the problem. Your first step should be to familiarize yourself with the types of claims that may be brought against you or which may involve your board, and then proceed with this knowledge in mind. 9.2.1 Negligence ---------------- Negligence actions are the most common type of civil claim brought in the United States. At the heart of the negligence claim is the legal concept of "duty." Duty is the standard by which the law judges a defendant's conduct when a plaintiff is harmed. It is your "duty" as a sysop that exposes you to liability. If you violate your duty to your callers or others and create an "unreasonable risk" which causes harm, you may be held liable for negligence and be required to pay money damages as compensation. Like the BBS technology itself, BBS law is quite new and the "duties" applicable to BBS sysops and the "unreasonable risks" callers may face are not well established. In general, and in the absence of legislation on the subject, it will be judges who will decide what legal duties systems operators have toward callers. In making this type of decision, judges will consider the costs of imposing a specific duty upon a sysop in comparison to the benefits of imposing that duty in favor of callers and others who may be affected by the BBS. In the absence of cases on the subject (and their are very few), judges will simply make the decision based upon what they believe is reasonable in light of the facts. There is simply no way of knowing what specific duties a plaintiff might claim you have breached and, therefore, no easy way of protecting yourself. This means that you must consider carefully the possible legal duties judges may one day place upon you as a BBS system operator. No doubt lawyers will someday argue that a sysop should have the legal duty to scan for viruses, process electronic mail in a way that prevents it from being destroyed or unreasonably delayed and to protect caller passwords. There are no doubt other potential duties BBS sysops will be required to meet. In cases where you are accused of violating a legal duty, a jury could be asked to decide if your failure to meet your duty caused the defendant harm. In a jurisdiction that allows it, the plaintiff may be able to claim that a virus destroyed important business records or that misdelivered mail caused an important meeting to be missed. Damages for such loses could be extremely costly. There is no simple or easy way to avoid negligence claims. However, legal "disclaimers" can help. A disclaimer is a statement which gives notice to your callers that you do not intend to be held responsible for specific harm which may occur from the use of your BBS. For example, you might explain to callers that electronic mail may be accidentally lost or destroyed and that you will not be liable for any harm that may come from such an accident. If a disclaimer is properly made, it can be quite effective in limiting your liability. Cases filed against defendants are often dismissed early on the strength of a well written disclaimer. The best disclaimers clearly describe a specific risk a caller may face and then state that it is the caller, and not you, who will bear the risk of any injury. Admittedly, the law in this area is vague. There is also no way of knowing for sure what specific duties the law is likely to place upon you. It is rarely ever a certainty that a particular disclaimer will be upheld in court. Indeed, even the fact that you do not charge callers for access may not provide you with a defense to a negligence claim. The following are suggestions that you should consider: 1. Tell your callers what you will do and what you will not do in your role as sysop and be sure to follow through on your commitments to your callers. Give your users fair notice when you decide to change your policies. 2. Keep copious records as to the board's formal policies, including when changes are made and any problems you may have in enforcing rules. If you discover a caller violating the rules, record the details of what has happened and put these records in a safe place. Law suits sometimes are filed long after an event happens. Three months later you might not otherwise remember the incident. 3. Put BBS disclaimers in a prominent location. Consider using capital and/or bold letters to emphasize the risk of harm callers may face from using your board. Get some form of affirmative act from each caller that indicates they have read the disclaimers -- this will be useful someday should you ever need to show that the caller was aware of its terms. While this does not have to be on paper, each caller should at some point have to proceed through a screen in which he or she acknowledges having read the disclaimers and agrees to them. In an ideal world, your BBS software would create a log of this event and store it permanently. 4. Recognize that you can not disclaim certain legal duties and do not put too much faith in any disclaimer -- you can never be sure what will and will not be legally enforceable. Consider the disclaimer as additional protection, not your first line of defense. 5. Finally, if some factual situation arises which has the potential to harm your callers, react promptly to take control of the situation. Think of your BBS as an extension of your home and your callers as your guests. If you believe that there is something or someone who may expose your callers to an "unreasonable risk" of harm or loss, recognize the fact that it is you who could be ultimately liable. 9.2.2 Breach of Contract ------------------------ Another very common type of civil suit is one based upon contract law. In many ways a breach of contract case is similar to a negligence case. Indeed, often a plaintiff will allege both breach of contract and negligence claims in the same suit. Contrary to what some may think, there is no general requirement that contracts be signed or that they be in writing. One requirement of every contract, however, is "consideration." You generally cannot be held liable in a contract action unless you have somehow agreed to do something for your callers AND your callers have agreed, as a corresponding obligation, to do something for you. Note that a sysop who asks nothing from his callers is unlikely to be faced with a contract claim. In such a situation the callers cannot claim to have provided the sysop any "consideration" sufficient to create a contract. One way a sysop can reduce legal liability, therefore, is to run a "free" board open to anyone who wishes to use it. Many sysops recognize the liabilities that may attach if they enter into a contractual relationship with callers. In order to avoid doing so they ask for "donations" instead of payments. Be aware, however, that if you grant access to special areas of your BBS to "donating" members or provide them with special services, you may be creating a contract with them. In such a situation, you give access to the restricted area in return for the donation. The fact that the payment is called a "donation" does not prevent it from being "consideration" sufficient to support the creation of a contract. Be aware also that consideration does not have to be in the form of money. By way if illustration, consider the fact that many boards have upload/download ratios whereby a caller's download privileges are set proportionally to the number or amount of data he uploads to the board. A good argument can be made that the caller's uploaded data constitutes legal consideration for a contract with the sysop. The sysop's BBS receives the benefit of the uploaded data. In return, the caller has the right to receive the downloaded data. If you and your callers have a contractual relationship, it is important for you to recognize what your obligations toward your callers are. For example, if you tell callers that mail dropped off on your board will be uploaded to a network at least four times a day, do not be surprised if users come to rely upon your representation and begin to consider it part of the services you contractually agreed to provide to them. If you accept payment from callers for a month of BBS access, you have an obligation to see that the board, in fact, remains open for that month. As noted, one way to avoid liability is to avoid entering into any contractual arrangements with callers. A better approach, however, is to deliberately enter into a contractual relationship with your callers, being very specific about what obligations you will and will not assume and what benefits you expect your callers to provide to you. By stating up front what rules govern the use of your board and what obligations you are willing to take on, and by making clear to callers that these rules are a condition of using your board, you create the "consideration" necessary to make a contract. An example of one possible caller contract is found in the SYSLAW book mentioned in the introduction above. There is no magic formula, however, for creating a formal caller contract. Before investing in a BBS, call around and take a look at what other sysops require from their callers. At a minimum, a "caller contract" should include: (1) a statement recognizing that your BBS receives some tangible benefit from callers. Remember, consideration must run in two directions for a valid contract to exist. If your callers provide payment to you, this is sufficient. If you do not charge callers, you have to be more creative in stating what it is that your board receives. If you do not charge callers, caller "participation" in your board may be sufficient. (2) an indication that callers must comply with the rules of the BBS as a condition of using the board; (3) a statement that the rules may be changed as the sysop feels necessary; (4) a provision that caller questions about the agreement will be answered by the sysop and changes to the agreement will be made if necessary; (5) a description of the BBS and its various services and areas, including a statement indicating that these may be changed at the sysop's discretion (see below for special provisions regarding "adult" areas); (6) the costs to the caller of using the system, including any "upload/download" ratio requirements; (7) a statement regarding how electronic mail will be treated (see below); (8) an indication that the law governing any dispute will be the law of the place where the BBS is located (as opposed to the law of the place where the caller is located); (9) notice that you reserve the right to shut the BBS down and refund any payments made by callers, as well as a provision giving notice to callers that you reserve the right to ban callers for violating the board's rules as you deem necessary. In creating a caller contract, keep in mind that plain language that your callers can understand is far better than any "legalese." If your callers are incapable of understanding the language of your agreement, it is possible that the agreement would not be enforced in your favor, should you ever need to rely upon it. 9.2.3 Viruses ------------- Viruses present one of the most well-known problems facing the on-line community. These programs are often written to produce unexpected or disastrous results for an unwary user such as erasing the user's hard drive. Hiding viruses inside other programs and then uploading the contaminated programs to a BBS is a favorite way of spreading a computer virus. Fortunately, there are programs that search for, and then eliminate, most computer viruses. Many BBS sysops provide, as a service to callers, basic virus scanning. This service allows callers to exchange programs with some degree of protection. Scanning for viruses is probably a good idea. Many callers expect it and it is possible that the law could hold you to such a duty. What is not a good idea, however, is misrepresenting to your callers the extent of what can be done to protect them from such programs. Viruses are often written with the goal of avoiding detection. There is always a degree of risk that scanning may fail and you should be up-front with your callers about this possibility. To protect yourself, consider the following suggestions: 1. Scan for viruses regularly and do not post programs for general use until they have undergone a virus scan. Do not assume that commercially produced programs or programs distributed on CD ROM are virus-free. 2. Let your callers know that you cannot guarantee that programs on your board are safe. Disclose prominently that there are risks that the virus scanning program you use may miss something harmful. 3. If you are unwilling or unable to scan for viruses, make this fact clearly known and include it in your contract with callers. 9.2.4 Public Messages and Defamation ------------------------------------ A defamation is a false statement made publicly which has the effect of harming another's reputation. Sometimes defamation is referred to as "libel" or "slander". While the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of individuals to say almost anything they desire, the First Amendment does not always protect a speaker from being held liable for the harm caused by his or her speech. Thus, a person whose reputation has been wrongly injured may bring suit against those who "publish" the statement, even if the "publisher" is not the original speaker. Note that a "publisher" does not have to "print" the defamation. For example, radio and television stations have been sued for "publishing" defamatory statements. You may be surprised to find that defendants can be sued for defamation even when the statements made by the defendant are reported in the form of an accurate quotation of another's words. Put in a slightly different way, accurate "re-publications" of a defamatory statement may create liability for the re-publisher. There are several defenses a publisher of a statement may have against a plaintiff claiming defamation. For example, the U.S. constitution protects a publisher from law suits by "public figures" to a certain extent. Those who have deliberately become "public figures" may sue for defamation only if able to show that the defendant published the statement with actual knowledge that the statement was false or with "reckless disregard" of whether it was false. This constitutional defense protects defendants from being sued by famous people for things said about them reasonably believed by the speaker to be true. Notice that a defendant who makes defamatory statements about someone who is not a "public figure" does not get the same constitutional protections. In other words, you can be liable for making false statements about a private person, even if you believed the statements were true when you made them. Obviously, you must be careful what you "publish" on your board about anyone whose reputation might be harmed. There are other important defenses a "publisher" may have. Simple name-calling is not defamatory as a general rule, even when it is offensive. Such statements are not thought to bring actual harm to a person's reputation. A defendant who can show that the statement alleged to be defamatory is truthful will also prevail in a defamation suit because a defamation is, by definition, an untrue statement. Another useful rule to keep in mind is that the dead cannot be defamed, at least not in most jurisdictions. There are many other defenses. The savvy sysop will not, however, rely upon legal defenses to protect herself against defamation suits. It may cost nearly as much to defend a defamation suit as it would to settle a case with a caller or other third person. It is far better to prevent yourself from becoming a legal target in the first place. In order to protect yourself from a defamation claims before the fact, consider these suggestions: 1. Think carefully about the two types of defamation risks you face as a sysop before you act. These are the risk that you may: (1) directly defame a caller or some other person, either through a deliberate or carelessly made statement and (2) re-publish a defamatory statement initially made by one of your callers or someone else. Passing on a false rumor can amount to actionable defamation. 2. Actively discourage callers from "flaming" one another in public message areas. Some callers take great pride in using sharp wit to make others look stupid. Such comments quickly deteriorate into personal attacks. Personal attacks can quickly deteriorate into libel. 3. Keep in mind that your callers may not be who they say they are and that some callers may be using aliases. This means that you must be particularly careful. Posting a public notice that you have banned a caller who you name because "he has been uploading child pornography" may seem like a perfectly reasonable thing to announce a system bulletin, until it turns out that the person you have named has never logged onto your board and that an imposter is the real culprit. In handling sensitive matters, discretion is always the best advice. 9.2.5 E-mail, Privacy, and ECPA ------------------------------- Unlike public messages, callers who send e-mail to specific individuals do not expect their messages to be publicized or read by anyone but the intended recipient. Many sysops are concerned, however, that without monitoring caller e-mail they cannot be sure that users are not violating the law and exposing their board to legal risk such as that faced by the sysops in the Operation Sun Devil raids. Before you make any policy for your BBS involving electronic mail, you should be aware of federal legislation called the Electronic Communications Privacy Act or "ECPA." ECPA is a federal law which governs electronic mail in all 50 states. Under ECPA, BBS communications are protected under federal wiretapping laws. BBS callers now have the statutory right to expect that their electronic mail will not be intercepted or read by others. This means that you, as a BBS sysop, have a federally mandated obligation to keep caller communications private. Only the sender or intended recipient may make the message public. The good news is that ECPA mandates a higher level of protection for you and your callers against authorities who want to search your BBS for evidence of criminal activity. Because of ECPA and the existence of private electronic mail on your board, authorities are theoretically limited by ECPA in the types of searches they may lawfully conduct against you. ECPA does not mean that a sysop is prohibited from viewing caller e-mail. The law creates a specific exception for sysops who provide "electronic communication services." The exception is narrow, however, and there is the potential for a sysop to get into trouble if he or she does not treat caller e-mail with a certain degree of care and professionalism. Under ECPA, a sysop may intercept and view user e-mail, disclose its contents to others or use information found there ONLY to the extent necessary for the operation of the board and/or for the protection of the sysop or with the "lawful consent" of one of the parties sending or receiving the message. While sysops may monitor callers to ensure that they are not transmitting copyrighted materials or violating some other aspect of the law, they must act like the doctor or lawyer who learns a client secret. The information must be kept in confidence. THIS POINT BEARS REPEATING: You may not use information you learn from your caller's private messages to your advantage or disclose e-mail to others outside of what is necessary to protect yourself and your property. This requires the sysop to exercise a fair degree of restraint. Suggestions in this area include: 1. Monitor electronic mail, but do so only occasionally and to the extent necessary to assure yourself that there is nothing improper occurring on the board. Resist the urge to disclose or otherwise comment on items you discover through reading your callers' e-mail. Again, it is important that you act with a high degree of professionalism and DO NOT use information learned in reading electronic mail to your own personal or business advantage. 2. Do not put too much faith in any disclaimer you may make about there not being any facilities for "private" e-mail. While many sysops appear to have bought into the idea that the ECPA privacy requirements may be avoided by stating that there "are no facilities provided for private electronic mail," and while such a disclaimer may provide you with some level of protection, recognize that there are not yet any cases discussing the legal effect of these disclaimers in the BBS context. 3. Process all e-mail in the same way and in a routine manner and do not delay in processing mail. Your rights to monitor electronic mail under ECPA apply only to your activities undertaken "in the normal course" of running your board. 9.2.6 Encryption ---------------- Perhaps the "hottest" topic right now in the BBS privacy area concerns "encryption." Encryption allows a user to scramble e-mail messages so that only the person who knows a secret key can read the message. Sysops who understand their legal exposure are rightfully nervous about encryption. No doubt drug cartels, racketeers and terrorists are using this new technology. It is now widely believed that encryption technology has gotten to the point where even the U.S. government is unable to "break the code" and the uses to which encryption programs can be put will not be lost on those who are determined to break the law. It is reasonable to assume that callers who cannot encrypt their messages are less likely to violate the law when using your BBS. This means that the use of encryption on your BBS increases your legal exposure. If encryption creates exposure, should you ban encryption from use on your board? Some would argue that you should. After all, why take unnecessary chances? Others are not so quick to ban encryption. While encryption may allow abuses to occur on your board, encryption also allows law-abiding people the opportunity to transact business and conduct discussions of a private nature without fear that someone may be eavesdropping. Lawyers can exchange information with clients. People can transmit their credit card numbers without fear of having this information stolen. Americans have long-claimed to cherish the right to express ideas freely and to associate with others in privacy and without interference. While there is no general prohibition whatsoever against a sysop denying his callers the right to use encryption, there is something distasteful about such a rule. To help protect yourself against the improper use of your board by callers who encrypt messages consider the following: 1. Pay attention to who is using encryption and consider why this may be necessary for the specific caller. It should be a rare caller who feels the need to encrypt all outgoing messages or who receives only encrypted messages. 2. If you decide to allow encrypted messages, try to gauge whether there is an unusual volume of encrypted traffic and, if suspicious, feel free to call a user's attention to your concerns. You are within your rights to ask the caller for the encryption key to messages that pass through the board if you wish (although you will certainly then have a legal duty to protect that key if you accept it). If you are still uncomfortable after discussing the issue with a specific caller, let him or her know that you will no longer allow the posting of encrypted messages. If he or she complains, refer them to another board and, if necessary, refund any fees paid to you for the use of the BBS. 3. Set out your policies regarding encryption up-front, along with other BBS rules. Make clear if you allow encryption that you reserve the right to take any action you feel necessary to protect your BBS. 4. Inform yourself about an encryption program currently being distributed called PGP. PGP stands for "Pretty Good Privacy" and the use of PGP on computer bulletin boards is quickly growing in popularity. While there is probably little chance of being sued for distributing recent copies of PGP, you should be aware that early versions of program may violate U.S. patent laws. Moreover, PGP and programs like it have been classified by the U.S. government as a being "munitions" (weapons or military supplies) due to their high level of sophistication. It is currently illegal to export this program or even deliver it to a non-U.S. citizen inside the U.S. You may wish to restrict the distribution of PGP to callers who are located in the U.S. and who verify to you their U.S. citizenship status. 9.2.7 Copyright Infringement ---------------------------- To a large extent, copyright law is what the name implies: the exclusive right to copy something. Only the holder of the copyright may reproduce her work. There are other rights enjoyed by the copyright holder. These include the exclusive right to distribute the work and the exclusive right to modify the work. Those who violate these exclusive rights are said to "infringe" the copyright. Copyright infringement is rampant in the BBS world: computer programs, magazine and newspaper articles, scanned photographs from magazines, music and video files. As a sysop, it is important for you to keep in mind that any "original work" that is put in electronic form IS copyrighted. This point is lost on many people: ANY ORIGINAL WORK IS COPYRIGHTED FROM THE MOMENT IT IS PUT IN TANGIBLE FORM, SUCH AS ON PAPER OR ON A FLOPPY DISK OR HARD DRIVE. There is nothing "official" that the creator of copyrighted material must do to create a copyright, although there are certain advantages to labelling the material as copyrighted and to filing notice of the copyright with the federal government. If almost all original works are copyrighted, does this mean you cannot distribute or copy other people's work in running your BBS? Certainly not. You may use someone else's work, but you must have some form of permission to do so or some form of legally recognized privilege. You will not infringe another's copyright, for example, if the person who owns the copyright gives you permission to use the work and if you actually use the work in conformity with that permission. This permission is most often called a "license." Sometimes, an author may give permission to the whole world to use her work, as when she places the work into the "public domain." In such a case, the author actually gives up all of her rights and allows anyone to use the work in any way they wish. The government publishes a huge amount of material that is put in the public domain. There are also any number of computer programs that have been placed into the public domain solely because the author of the program wanted to see the program widely used. Public domain programs are sometimes referred to as "freeware." If something has been placed in the public domain, you may copy it, distribute it or modify it as you please: it is no longer copyrighted. The word "freeware" is sometimes used in a different way, however, indicating that the program can be "freely" distributed and used without cost, but with certain restrictions. For example, you may be allowed to use the program for free, but be prohibited from modifying it in any way. Such programs are still technically "copyrighted." "Shareware" is another example of copyrighted material that may be used in conformity with the copyright law. Shareware always comes with restrictions on use which typically involves requiring that a payment be made to the author after the program is used for a short period of time. The law requires those who use or copy this material to abide by these rules. Some copyrighted material is too old to be protected. Eventually, all copyrights expire. In general, modern copyrights last for the life of the work's author, plus 50 years. Note that something does not have to be created in the United States to be copyrighted under U.S. law. The United States has signed the "Berne Convention" treaty with a large number of other countries. Under this agreement, each signing government has agreed to recognize the copyright rights of foreign citizens. The key to avoiding copyright liability is good faith. Do not allow your users to upload documents, programs, pictures or any other "original work" which you believe the creator of the work would not want you to copy or distribute. Assume that all commercial produced material falls within this catagory. Failure to act promptly to avoid copyright infringement could result in your board being shut down. If you are egregious in the way in which you violate the copyright law, your board may be shut down permanently and you could be exposed to criminal penalties. Here are some suggestions for you to consider so as to avoid copyright infringement: 1. Read and save a copy of Terry Carroll's "Frequently Asked Questions About Copyright." This should be required reading for every BBS sysop. The most current copy is available through the internet via anonymous ftp from rtfm.mit.edu, directory /pub/usenet/news.answers/law/Copyright-FAQ, files part1 - part6. This document may also be available by the time you read this at ftp.netcom.com in directory /pub/carrollt/copyright-faq. It is also posted periodically to the Usenet newsgroups misc.legal, misc.legal.computing, and misc.int-property. 2. React promptly to anything that should put you on notice of infringing material. Do not ignore messages from callers who tell you that something is copyrighted. While you only face copyright liability for "knowing" violations of the law, you do not have the right to ignore the obvious. PART 11 ========================================== 10.03 - Can I make money running a BBS? ========================================== The BBS As A Profit Center How To Successfully Run a BBS for Profit: By S. Carol Allen ___________________________________________ Review by Dan D. Gutierrez, SYSOP, AMULET:vc BBS: A Collection of Virtual Communities (specializing in Virtual Reality, Artificial Life, Nanotechnology, Cyberpunk Lifestyles, Cyberspace). 310-453-7705 dataline. As a Sysop who has been running boards since 1984, the idea of charging for what in the past has been a labor of love, a hobby, a way to communicate with my students at UCLA, and the occasionally useful tool for my business, is new to me. The realities of this economy, a mortgage, and the desire to excel in virtual reality, have been the impetus for me to look around for information about making my board self supporting. There is not much out there that I could find and when I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the title intrigued me -- How to Successfully Run a BBS for Profit. Being a skeptic by nature, I approached this new release in my usual fashion. I read the foreword, checked out the table of contents, then started to scan the chapters that most interested me. I was instantly hooked. For me, chapters 8-10, Getting the Word Out, Hooking Your Caller's Interest and Assuring Your Callers Return, were exactly what I had been looking for. I read those chapters then proceeded to read the entire thing (unusual for me). When I finished, I couldn't wait to put several of the creative and inexpensive marketing ideas to work. As I assume is the case with most Sysops, when setting up my board I concentrated on the technical needs of the board while the marketing needs seemed unimportant. In my case, they were also unknown. The author of this book obviously recognizes that for most of us, marketing experience is not part of our past. She tutors the reader, not with just an explanation or description of what needs to be done, but with numerous worksheets and a collection of sample marketing tools (press release, direct mail letter to potential subscribers, a "report card" for user feedback, etc.) that can easily be customized for any BBSes use. Don't think that this book is just for the hobbyist turned entrepreneur. Any individual or business that is running or planning a BBS will benefit from the marketing secrets revealed throughout this book. True, there is the basic business information on putting together a business plan, determining start-up costs and long term costs, and getting financing if you need it. But, then there are the BBS focused tips on attracting new callers, getting them to call back and to pay you top dollar, collecting the fees by credit card (even if you don't presently have a merchant account) and guaranteed ways to generate other revenues besides subscription fees. There are phone numbers, board numbers and addresses for a long list of BBS resources. Some of the suggestions seemed pretty simple and were just common sense, but I hadn't know about them so they gave me ideas for my board. Other marketing avenues seemed too advanced for me, but on the other hand, I can see myself growing into them. In essence, the tools are laid out in the book, it's now up to me to choose the timing and implementation. For all of us, the timeliness of this book seems significant. Although I found little information out there on making money with my BBS, it's hard to read a magazine these days without seeing references to the explosion of the BBS industry. With this book has come the realization that a BBS can be a significant profit center. Not only does it contain the marketing tools described, it also includes over $1,000 worth of money saving coupons from vendors of products and services for Sysops. Also included with the book is a disk with the full version of a DOS based decision support program. It proved to be very useful and lots of fun whenever I needed to choose between alternatives the book recommended. Here's a list of the Chapters from the book: 1) Winning in the 21st Century 2) Surveying the Marketplace 3) If You Fail to Plan Then Plan to Fail 4) Choosing the Theme of Your BBS 5) Value Adding Options For Your Customers 6) Pricing for Profits 7) Increasing Profits by Reducing Costs 8) Getting the Word Out 9) Hooking Your Caller's Interest 10) Assuring Your Callers Return 11) Collecting Your Money 12) Owning a Gold Mine 13) Growing and Expanding Successfully 14) Achieving Your Goals Appendix A - BestChoice3 Documentation (software disk included) Appendix B - Marketing Toolkit Appendix C - Bibliography, Glossary and Quick Phone Directory Appendix D - Coupons Index The publisher is so confident that a reader who applies the techniques described in this book will be making profits within 90 days that they offer a 90 day money back guarantee for the book. I would be surprised if they get many back. It's on my reference shelf with a 5 star rating. So, bottom line, this is probably the BEST investment you can make for your BBS! The book has 304 pages and costs $49.95. You can call the publisher, InfoLink, to order this book by credit card (Visa/ Mastercard/AMEX) by calling toll free 800-776-3818 Ext. FG20 (US) or 619-228-9653 Ext. FG20 or Faxing an order to 1-619-369-1185. FAX orders please include: "ATTN Dept. 254-FG20". Orders with checks can be mailed to InfoLink, 56089 Twentynine Palms Highway, Suite 254-FG20, Yucca Valley, CA 92284. $49.95 + $5.00 shipping and handling + California s ales tax. * Reprinted by permission of AMULET:VC BBS ========================================= 10.05 - Building your online commmunity. ========================================= - This topic will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. ========================================= 10.06 - BOOKS & OTHER SOURCES FOR SYSOPS ========================================= QUICK REFERENCE PHONE NUMBERS ------------------------------------------------------------------- PRODUCT COMPANY BBS# VOICE -------------------------------------------------------------------- DLX Baudtown 818-893-7600 818-894-4150 Excalibur Excalibur Comm. 918-496-8113 918-496-7881 Kitten Telpro Technol 804-442-5867 804-442-5865 Major BBS Galacticomm 305-321-2404 305-583-5990 Megahost ASCII Comp. 209-836-2402 --- OPUS-CBCS -- 214-528-4943 214-528-4687 PcBoard Clark Dev. 801-261-8976 801-261-1686 Powerboard NUIQ Softw. 914-833-1479 914-833-3479 Proboard Proboard Intl. 612-537-8655 612-537-8655 Remote Access Wantree 913-441-0595 913-441-1336 RoboBoard F/X Hamilton Tele. 819-685-0994 800-363-7626 RY BBS The Ryco Co. 414-962-1097 414-962-5967 Spitfire BBS Buffalo Crk. So 515-225-8495 515-225-9552 Sapphire Pinnacle Softw. 514-345-8654 514-345-9578 Searchlight Searchlight Sw. 216-631-9285 800-780-5483 Synchronet Digital Dyn. 714-529-9547 714-529-6328 TBBS eSoft 303-699-8222 303-699-6565 TinyHost Bruce Krobusek 716-924-4193 716-924-8284 Virtual BBS Virtual Tech. 616-399-4818 210-787-2443 Wildcat! Mustang Soft. 805-395-0650 805-873-2500 WWIV WWIV Soft. Svcs 210-631-5841 - INTERNET USENET NEWSGROUPS ---------------------------- alt.bbs.allsysop alt.bbs alt.first-class First Class (Mac) alt.bbs.majorbbs MajorBBS, Galacticomm Inc alt.bbs.pcboard PCBoard alt.pcbuucp PCBoard UUCP gateway alt.bbs.unixbbs UnixBBS, Nervous XTC alt.bbs.wildcat Wildcat!, Mustang Software comp.bbs.misc - BOOKS -------- - The BBS Construction Kit Author: David Wolfe - Creating Successful Bulletin Board Systems Author: Alan Bryant - How To Successfully Run a BBS for Profit: Author: S. Carol Allen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MODEMS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 10.08 - Carrier Dedected =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Below is a list of companies which offer reduced prices for sysop's when purchasing a modem for BBS's. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ VENDOR BBS# VOICE FAX ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AT&T Paradyne 813-532-5254 813-530-8276 813-530-2398 ATI Technologies 905-764-9404 905-882-2600 905-882-2620 Cardinal Technologies 717-293-3074 717-293-3000 717-293-3104 Computer Peripherals 805-499-9646 805-499-5751 805-498-8306 Digicom Systems 408-262-1412 408-262-1277 408-262-1390 Galaxy Networks No BBS 818-998-7851 818-998-1758 GVC Technologies 201-579-2380 201-579-3630 201-579-2702 Hayes Microcomputer 404-446-6336 404-840-9200 404-449-0087 Image Communications No BBS 201-935-8880 201-935-6548 Intel Corporation 503-645-6275 503-629-7000 503-228-8707 Microcom 617-255-1125 617-551-1000 617-551-1988 Multi-Tech Systems 612-785-9875 612-785-3500 612-785-9874 Practical Peripherals 805-496-4445 805-497-4774 805-374-7202 Supra Corporation 503-967-2444 503-967-2400 503-967-2401 Telebit corporation 408-745-3861 408-734-4333 408-734-3333 U.S Robotics 708-982-5092 708-982-5010 708-982-0823 Ven-Tel 408-922-0988 408-436-7400 408-436-7451 ZyXEL 714-693-0762 714-693-0904 714-693-0705 Zoom Telephonics 617-423-3733 617-423-1072 617-423-9231 ========= CD-ROMS ========= 10.08 - Takin' a spin through the CD-ROM showroom ------------------- End of The Official BBSFAQ ---------------------- 9.2.8 Obscene Material, Child Pornography and Indecent Speech ------------------------------------------------------------- Almost all forms of communication are granted some level of constitutional protection. The exception is obscene communication, often simply referred to as "obscene speech." If something on your board is obscene, federal, state or local governments are within their power in making its promotion or distribution a criminal offense. One of the many difficulties in the obscenity area is that the laws governing obscenity are so varied. One guidepost, however, is the United States Supreme Court's declaration on what may and may not be treated as obscene. The three part test for obscene material is: (1) whether the average person, applying contemporary community standards would find the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; (2) whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state law; and (3) whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. Notice that all three parts of the test must be met before something may be considered obscene. The first and second parts of the test have been held to be issues for local juries to decide. The third part is within the province of local or federal judges. Because of the vagueness of this test, and because of its reliance upon "community standards," there is really no way to tell for sure whether particular material is or is not obscene. If there is a law describing the conduct or acts depicted in the material, and if the work does not have obvious "value," there is the risk that those who distribute the work may be prosecuted under an obscenity statute. Clearly, the standards in San Francisco or New York City are different than might exist in Salt Lake City or Lancaster. By the way, "prurient" as used in the first part of the three- part test has been unhelpfully defined as being "sexual responses over and above those that would be characterized as normal." The bad new for sysops: there is no national obscenity standard and very few "safe havens" of conduct when it comes to adult material. Arguably, the law of the place where the obscene material is received may govern whether the download or upload is unlawful. Indeed, the federal government is currently prosecuting a California BBS for material that was downloaded in Tennessee. As a practical matter, this means that the BBS that offers "adult" type material are at risk of being prosecuted criminally from suit anywhere a caller may be located. "Child pornography" is classified differently than obscene material. The tests are less vague and the penalties, as a practical matter, more extreme because of the need to prevent the exploitation and sexual abuse of children. The federal government has specifically enacted a statute which governs child pornography in all fifty states. The act makes it a criminal offense to knowingly transport or receive "by any means" visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Such "conduct" includes the "lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person." Under the statute, the mere knowing possession of three or more visual depictions of child pornography may result in serious fines or imprisonment for up to five years. For purposes of the statute, a child is anyone under the age of 18. The fact that the sysop believes a model is over 18 is not a defense to prosecution. "Indecent" material is yet a third area of interest to sysops. Indecent material falls short of being obscene, but it may be regulated by the government. As practical matter, it is probably safe to say that most of the "adult" material available electronically is "indecent." Under one interpretation of current Federal Communication Commission regulations, BBS' must take an active role in prohibiting the dissemination of indecent materials to minors. If your board contains an adult area, this probably presents your greatest legal exposure. To minimize risk of prosecution: 1. Subscribe to a BBS newsletter such as Computer Underground Digest or EFFector. The law in this area is changing rapidly. If you run an adult area, you cannot afford to not stay on top of developments. These newsletters, and others, may be the quickest way for you to find out about a development in this area. Further information on Computer Underground Digest and EFFector may be found at the end of this chapter. 2. Be wary of uploaded material and do not make uploads available to callers until you have had a chance to review them yourself. If you allow adult area uploads, discontinue this option when you are unable to supervise your board, as when you go away on vacation. The child pornography laws are particularly unforgiving. If someone uploads something you feel may be "obscene," do not post it. (You cannot be prosecuted for possessing obscene material, only distributing or knowingly receiving it.) If someone uploads something you feel may be child pornography, destroy it immediately and take action to assure yourself that it does not happen again -- remember, you commit a CRIMINAL act when you knowingly possess three such "depictions." You simply cannot afford to trust callers not to upload unlawful material. 3. Be prepared to shut down the adult section quickly, if necessary. This might be necessary, for example, should you discover new legislation applicable to the material you carry. A common technique to minimize exposure in this area is not to charge callers for access to the adult area, but instead, make this area available as a "bonus" to callers who can verify their adult status. If the adult area is truly run as a "bonus" area, and if callers are given clear notification of this fact, you can discontinue this section of the board with little or no notice to your callers, if necessary. 4. Carefully verify caller ages who are given access to the adult area. The F.C.C. regulations mentioned above state that you have a defense to prosecution under the provisions of the federal Communications Act if you: take reasonable steps to confirm that callers are 18 years of age and then: (1) require payment by credit card for BBS services or (2) obtain a written (on paper) application from callers who desire access to the adult areas of your board and mail a special access code to them allowing access. If the second option is used, it is also necessary that you establish a procedure where the special access code can be cancelled "immediately" upon being notified that the code has been lost, stolen, used by someone under 18, or if the caller simply no longer desires access. 9.2.9 Regulated Activities --------------------------- There is only a minor point to be made here, but one which you cannot afford to overlook. Keep in mind that your status as a BBS sysop does not give you the right to do things that you otherwise might not be permitted to do in person or over the phone. Areas regulated by law may not always be so obvious to you, so you must be careful. For example, in some states you may need a license to buy, sell or trade used automobile parts or give counseling advice. It is possible to get yourself in trouble even if you do not set out to charge for services. If you plan to do something outside the ordinary, good advice is to proceed with a heightened level of caution. 9.2.10 Taxes ----------- If your BBS is run strictly as a hobby without charging your callers, it is unlikely you will face any issues relating to taxes. Once you charge money or receive services from your callers, however, the IRS and state governments are likely to consider these "payments" to be part of your taxable income. Obviously, it is impossible to summarize the tax laws in such a short article. Nonetheless, this is an area of the law which should not be overlooked. Even if you run your board strictly for fun, you should keep careful and accurate records as to how much is spent to set-up and maintain the board. It is entirely possible that you may one day decide to charge your callers and the costs involved in setting up and maintaining the BBS will be important for you both in computing your tax liabilities and in deciding how much to charge for access. There are also a host of state and local taxes which may be applied to your BBS. Again, it is unlikely that you will face any form of tax burden for running a "free" board. Local sales taxes often apply to bulletin boards, however, and if you charge your callers the state government is likely to claim a fraction of your revenue through some form of sales tax. The following suggestions will help protect you from unexpected tax liability: 1. Carefully record the costs you incur in running your BBS. Try, as best possible, to differentiate between other expenses related to your personal use of your computer, and costs related to your BBS. 2. Review your expenses and revenues with whomever prepares your tax returns. If you are concerned about a certain tax issue, consult with an accountant or call the relevant taxing authority for help. Consulting with an accountant or tax professional is a particularly good idea if you intend to charge in any way for access. 3. Save your receipts and keep them organized. Remember, you may someday need to explain what each receipt was for in some degree of detail. 9.3 Incorporation ================= One of the best ways to protect yourself from personal liability is to incorporate your BBS. Incorporation works by setting up a fictitious legal barrier between you and the BBS. If your BBS is an incorporated entity, you technically own the corporation, not the BBS. The law will consider the company itself as liable in many situations for your mistakes or errors in judgment. Only the company's assets will be at risk should you be sued. In effect, incorporating your BBS provides a fairly low-cost type of insurance. Incorporating is not a difficult thing to do. In general, you simply request the appropriate forms from your state's Secretary of State's office and file them. Self-incorporation is not recommended, however, unless you are willing to take the time and effort to do it carefully and correctly. Failure to incorporate properly or to perform the necessary tasks to keep the corporation in good standing will have the effect of destroying the corporate shell. In effect, you will have wasted your time and money. Nonetheless, there are many widely available books that describe how to do it. A corporation is usually required to pay a small fee up-front and then to pay corporate taxes each year. In most states the corporation must also hold formal "meetings" of the corporation's directors and keep "minutes" of the corporation's affairs. These are not generally too burdensome, but again, these tasks must be done correctly. It is also important for the BBS sysop to establish a separate bank account for the corporation and pay all necessary bills from the BBS' corporate account. Finally, callers must also be put on notice in some way that they are not dealing with you personally when they call your board, but rather, your corporation. After considering what must be done and the extra paperwork and costs, many sysops conclude incorporating is simply not worth the effort, particularly when the budget is tight. This is not an irrational decision, but one that should be made carefully. There is always the risk that you could be sued. At such a time you may be quite relieved to know that it is only the BBS and its associated assets that are at risk. In making the decision on whether to incorporate, ask yourself: 1. Do I have significant assets that need to be protected from a lawsuit such as a house, investments or another business? Keep in mind that one of the first things a plaintiff will often do after filing suit against you is to require you to formally list your assets. The more money or other assets the defendant has, the less likely the plaintiff will be to drop the suit and the more important it is that the BBS be incorporated. 2. Am I running the board for profit, or fun? If you are running your BBS as a business, incorporation may make sense. The costs associated with incorporating are relatively small, perhaps only a few hundred dollars a year. Corporate status may also make your board seem more professional to callers. Keep in mind that the more callers you have, the more likely it is that you could be sued. 9.4 Closing Thoughts and Some Legal Resources ============================================= Perhaps the most important way of avoiding legal liability in running your BBS is to stay informed as to what is happening in the BBS world. Keep in contact with other sysops and your callers and discuss the issues covered in this chapter. As mentioned, a good place to start is by reading Computer Underground Digest and EFFector: Computer Underground Digest "An open forum dedicated to sharing information among computerists and to the presentation and debate of diverse views." Editor(s): Jim Thomas and Gordon Meyer Format: ASCII text Gopher: ftp.etext.org:/CuD gopher.cic.net:/e-serials/alphabetic/c/cud FTP: ftp.etext.org:/pub/CuD aql.gatech.edu:/pub/eff/cud ftp.ee.mu.oz.au:/pub/text/CuD nic.funet.fi:pub/doc/cud ftp.warwick.ac.uk:pub/cud ftp.cic.net:/pub/e-serials/alphabetic/c/cud Usenet: comp.society.cu-digest Compuserve: DL0 and DL4 of the IBMBBS SIG, DL1 of LAWSIG, DL1 of TELECOM America Online: PC Telecom forum under "computing newsletters" FidoNet: File Request from 1:11/70 Other: GEnie: PF*NPC RT libraries, VIRUS/SECURITY library Delphi: General Discussion database of the Internet SIG PC-EXEC BBS (+1 414 789 4210) Rune Stone BBS (IIRG WHQ) (+1 203 832 8441) NUP:Conspiracy RIPCO BBS (+1 312 528 5020) ComNet in LUXEMBOURG BBS (+352 466893) Bits against the Empire BBS (+39 461 980493) (Italy) Phone: +1 815 753 0303 Fax: +1 815 753 6302 Postal: Jim Thomas, Department of Sociology, NIU, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA EFFector: "EFFector Online is a bi-weekly electronic-only publication, available on Usenet's comp.org.eff.news, or via mailing list subscription. To subscribe to the list, send a message containing `subscribe eff-news' to eff@eff.org." Another resource of which sysops should take advantage is the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). The Electronic Frontier Foundation is a non-profit organization founded to assist and promote the issues affecting the on-line community. Part of EFF's mission statement provides: LEGAL SERVICES. EFF was born to defend the rights of computer users against overzealous and uninformed law enforcement officials. This continues to be an important focus of EFF's work. We provide legal information to individuals who request it and support for attorneys who are litigating. We maintain print and online legal archives, disseminate this information, and make it available for downloading. Anyone seriously considering starting a BBS should contact EFF and ask for any information that may be available. In addition, anyone facing specific legal issues is well advised to contact EFF lawyers. EFF is a particularly good resource for attorneys whose clients face legal issues related to maintaining a BBS. EFF can be contacted by writing: Electronic Frontier Foundation 1001 G St., NW Suite 950 East Washington, DC 20001 +1 202 347 5400 +1 202 393 5509 FAX Internet: eff@eff.org ********************************************************************* CHAPTER 10 - DECSIONS OF A SYSOP ********************************************************************* =================================== 10.01 - So you want to be a sysop? =================================== =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 10.02 - How much do I charge my users? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Introduction =============== - What is TABS? ============== - Info for the TABS service will be available in future versions of the BBS FAQ. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= - Accepting credit cards as payment from your users. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= First Choice Merchant Systems =============================== SYSOPS - ACCEPT VISA, MC, AND CHECKS BY MODEM. If you would like to get "on-line" payment of registration fees or recurring monthly fees, First Choice Merchant Systems can provide home based and phone order companies with the ability to accept credit cards. First Choice also has a program where your customer's can enter information from their checking account into your BBS. You transmit this info to the First Choice processing center, and they will send you an actual check drawn on the customer's checking account. If you have ongoing monthly fees, First Choice can make withdraws directly from your customer's checking account each month, and forward the proceeds to you. For more information about these programs, call First Choice at 1-800-944-7164.