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From: mrx@dhw68k.cts.com (Mark Murphy)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.comm
Subject: Re: BBS software
Message-ID: <1990Nov22.004328.10352@dhw68k.cts.com>
Date: 22 Nov 90 00:43:28 GMT
References: <1990Nov15.154405.11150@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> <1990Nov15.204031.3749@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> <36012@cup.portal.com>
Organization: Wolfskill & Dowling residence; Anaheim, CA (USA)
Lines: 44

In article <36012@cup.portal.com> res-nova-software@cup.portal.com (Greg Paul Herlihy) writes:
>scott@scotty (Scott Howard) writes:
>
>>Take a look at First BBS and Telefinder.
>>Nova Link Pro will probably get mentioned in the discussion,
>>but forget it- its been beta since '88.
>>Neither package allows access to FidoNet or Externals.
>>Both will cost several hundred dollars for the number of users
>>the board supports.
>
>To be a bit more precise NovaLink Professional (NLP) has been under
>development since '88. The beta period refers to the interval between the
>time the program reaches full functional specification and final release.
>In our case, the departure of one of the two original developers, and 
>our undertaking a contract version slowed the progress considerably.
>
>When I assumed co-responsibility for NLP's development in February,
>I revised the functional spec to make the program more competitive by 
>adding ZMODEM, Tabby support, a retooled interface in keeping with Apple's
>human interface guidelines, an on-line product ordering service, graphics
>sound support, file attachments in mail -- it was essentially a complete 
>rewrite.
>

  But Greg, the last I checked NLP was STILL in beta testing!  We all realize
it takes a long time to develope a full blown BBS system... and I can imagine
that you and your team have put many, many hours of work into NLP... but...
an end user should beware of using beta software.  There are a lot of risks
involved in using beta software.  Also, when running a BBS system... the sysop
cannot afford to have any down time or loose crucial files (like a corrupt
mail file).  It frustrates the users of the system.  So for a BBS to be
successful, it must be dependable.
   Bottom line... beta BBS software is not for the novice sysop (sometimes
not even for the experienced sysop).  If NLP is still in beta, it is not the
best idea to jump feet first into it.

   I have been using an old version of NL (b56) for quite some time and I like
the over-all idea behind NL... but there are plenty of features that are
missing... I hope NLP will be a more complete package.  I look forward to
its release...


-- 
mark				mrx@dhw68k.cts.com