Xref: utzoo comp.sys.atari.8bit:4713 comp.sys.atari.st:37235 comp.sys.apple2:14590 alt.bbs:5043
Path: utzoo!utgpu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!wciu!abode!scale
From: scale@abode.wciu.edu (Luis Outumuro)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit,comp.sys.atari.st,comp.sys.apple2,alt.bbs
Subject: Re: BBS Programs
Message-ID: <1991Apr14.220221.2283@abode.wciu.edu>
Date: 14 Apr 91 22:02:21 GMT
References: <Nk6c11w164w@prk.UUCP>
Organization: Abode Xenix Information Systems
Lines: 38


	Hi Phillip,
		About running your own BBS.  It can be a real pain in the axx
(well... you know!); while occassionally it also has it's rewards.  To "do it
right", you will need a few basics; a computer just for the BBS (not one that
you "share" with the BBS part-time), a hard drive and a 2400 bps modem (any
slower a modem, and many users won't even call!).  Any of the three computers
you mentioned (an Atari 800XL/130XE, Atari ST or an Apple IIx) would work great
for running a BBS.  Which one to use really depends on if you have a spare one
of these lying around unused, or can acquire for the least amount of money, or
have a preference for a specific BBS software.  Look around, the style of BBS
YOU like and which computer you can afford to setup, will be factors.
	As for the Atari 8-Bits, there are really only two realistic choices
for BBS software; BBS Express Professional and Carina II (2.5).  Both the
SysOp's of CII and Pro love to flame each other over which one is better, but
both are excellent systems as each as both advantages and disadvantages.
	Both CII and Pro have networking, capable message editors and U/D
sections.  Also online games and databases.  No matter what anyone tells you 
(gee... does this include me? :^) ), niether one is "better" than the other.
	Now of course, I have my personal preference; but then I have been
running CII for three years now (was that subtle or what?!).  For CII "looks &
feels" the way I want my BBS to "look & feel".  It is written in BASIC, so I
can modify (easily!) to my heart's content; both BASIC and SpartaDOS are
available remotely so I modify from anywhere while I am out of town.  In three
years CII has never crashed (although the MIO did go POP during a heat wave!),
CII can be safely called "bullet-proof".  
	Pro has many of these features too, although I am not as knowledgable
about Pro as I am about CII.  Hopefully someone here on the net is a Pro SysOp
and can give you (and all of us) more insight into the workings of BBS Express
Professional.  I hope this helps, bye.............

				Luis

-- 
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Luis Mark Outumuro III                |  "Well... you're damned if you do,
Computer Office Products 818/813-1051 |   and you're damned if you don't!"
Infoline                 818/813-1053 |         - Bart Simpson, 1990...