Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!apple!dell
From: dell@Apple.COM (Thomas E. Dell)
Newsgroups: comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d
Subject: Re: UUCP
Message-ID: <42506@apple.Apple.COM>
Date: 30 Jun 90 01:51:34 GMT
References: <cca5ac1eab3e26895dd4@canremote.uucp>
Organization: I mistook my BBS for a hat
Lines: 40

Larry@uts.amdahl.com writes:

>lh>What I have done is to get the Waffle BBS system from the simtel
>lh>archives (waf162....). I was able to get it up and
>lh>make a connection to a (my) Unix host machine and exchange mail with
>lh>relatively little hassle.
>lh>It too took a bit of experimentation, but waffle has adaquate
>lh>documentation to help. The task now is to toss all the stuff related

and jack.lupic@canremote.uucp (JACK LUPIC) writes:

>Well I have also downloaded WAFFLE 1.62 but being strictly an MSDOS
>person and not having had any previous experience with Usenet/Unix
>the DOCS just leave you in the DARK.The DOCS assume you know just
>about everything about the host you are connecting to and the
>manner in which the connection and DOS/Unix interface works.

There are things the documentation won't tell you -- how to locate a 
newsfeed, how to register your site, how the people on the Unix end 
should setup their system to feed you, etc. That's because it's
generally different for almost everybody. 

For instance, here's no way for me to guess how to find a site that
would feed me in Canada. I don't live in Canada (or Florida, or Utah...)

As it stands now, the documentation is "adequate" (larry's words).
However, no amount of documentation can replace fifteen minutes of
consultation with the administrator of the site you're connecting to.
UUCP and Usenet connections are fairly involved, especially to 
someone who has never had one; this is true regardless of whether 
you're using Unix or a DOS system to communicate, and nothing can 
really change that fact.

Anyway, one of the projects for v1.63 is documentation that is
easier for a neophyte to help install the system. (It will be ready
in late July..)

   ...Tom

dell@vox.darkside.com / Thomas E Dell