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From: hammen@csd4.milw.wisc.edu (Robert Joseph Hammen)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: MultiUser BBS Software
Message-ID: <3542@uwmcsd1.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Nov-87 13:07:40 EST
Article-I.D.: uwmcsd1.3542
Posted: Wed Nov 18 13:07:40 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Nov-87 09:47:33 EST
References: <1219@runx.ips.oz>
Sender: daemon@uwmcsd1.UUCP
Reply-To: hammen@csd4.milw.wisc.edu.UUCP (Robert Hammen)
Organization: Computer Applications, Inc.
Lines: 43

In article <1219@runx.ips.oz> clubmac@runx.ips.oz (Macintosh Users Group) writes:
>
>We are currently operating a BBS for our members, using Red Ryder Host 1.4.
>Demand is such that we need to add a second line, if possible.
>
>Does anyone know whether Scott Watson will come out with a multi-user version
>of Red Ryder Host?

Actually, does anyone know if Scott Watson plans to revise Red Ryder Host in 
the near future? It seems to me that Red Ryder is enough to keep anyone busy
and since RRH hasn't really had any new features added since its release in
March of '86, I don't expect to see much.

>Also, has anyone found a different solution? I've been thinking that TOPS might
>be useful.

The only other solution I've seen is the one that many user groups seem to be
taking - run your BBS on an IBM/clone. This is not as bad as it sounds. In the
IBM world there are many bulletin board programs that let you have multi-line
support, threaded messages, conferencing, a zillion different upload/download
formats not supported in Red Ryder Host (YMODEM/Kermit), far superior
sysop functions, and more. Some of these programs are free. Another thing to
consider is that the cost of a basic clone system with, say, an 80MB hard drive
is much less than a comparable Mac system. The main problem with using the Mac
as a BBS machine is that you are really wasting the machine. One of the best
features of the Mac is the user interface, and you lose that completely with
all current Mac BBS software. It's like using a bulldozer to shovel your 
sidewalk - not the best application of the tool. You could use TOPS for the PC
with TOPS for the Mac to transfer files over (you would need to use BinHex
5.0 on them first). Or, if that proposition is too expensive, MacLink will do
the job, albeit a bit slowly.

BTW, if there are any Mac developers out there who are scratching their heads
trying to think of possible applications for the Mac, consider BBS software
with a Mac interface. It would open up the mysterious world of 
telecommunications to the novice just as the Mac user interface opened up
the world of the computer to the novice.

(Evangelism mode off).

=========================================================================
Robert Hammen	Computer Applications, Inc.	hammen@csd4.milw.wisc.edu
Delphi: HAMMEN		GEnie: R.Hammen		CI$: 70701,2104