Xref: utzoo comp.sys.mac:16175 comp.sys.ibm.pc:15693 comp.sys.tandy:765
Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!munnari!vuwcomp!dsiramd!csnz!paul
From: paul@csnz.nz (Paul Gillingwater)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac,comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.sys.tandy
Subject: Re: BBS requirements
Summary: What I want in a BBS
Keywords: bbs,macintosh,towernet,citadel,amstrad
Message-ID: <28@csnz.nz>
Date: 18 May 88 09:41:46 GMT
References: <4620@orstcs.CS.ORST.EDU>
Reply-To: paul@csnz.UUCP (Paul Gillingwater)
Organization: Computer Sciences of New Zealand, Wellington, NZ
Lines: 63

In article <4620@orstcs.CS.ORST.EDU> borcelf@jacobs.cs.orst.EDU (Fernando Borcel) writes:
>To all SysOps out there:

>I'm doing some research on what the SysOps expect from their BBS software, and
>some questions just come to mind:

Hi - I run a BBS which has 50+ regular callers (in a city with just
over 800,000 people and less than 10 BBS), so here's my 2400 bits worth:

>1.  What features do you consider STANDARD in a BBS? (eg transfer protocols,
>    networking capabilities, etc).

Standard features should include:
 o Messaging
 o File transfer (upload & down-load)
 o File catalogues
 o Closed User Groups
 o Up/down-loading of messages (XMODEM) for long-distance callers
 o Password security
 o Chat mode
 o User statistics
 o Fido-net
 o Multiple baud rates (modem dependent)
 o Doors (shell to the operating system)
 o Private e-mail
 o Protocols: XMODEM, ZMODEM, SeaLINK, KERMIT, ASCII

>2.  What would you like to see in a BBS? (i.e. non standard features)

Wish list:
 o Dial back users for higher security in CUG's
 o Permanently resident in background RAM so I can use PC for other stuff
 o Multi-user access
 
>3.  What do you really hate about your BBS?

No, I'm quite happy with it.

>4.  Anything you want to add.

My system runs on an Amstrad 1640 ECD (PC/XT clone, but far nicer),
with 640 kb RAM, 576 kb RAMPage! used as cache with Lightning, 
2 x 32 Mb hard disks, multi-speed modem, 24 hours a day, free access.
I actively discourage pirated software, and try to moderate some 
of the more exuberant callers.  The BBS software is Towernet by
S.J. Underwood (London), written in C and based around the Citadel
BBS stuff released a while back through C user's groups.  It is
truly PD (not shareware or crippleware), and the reason I'm posting
this as a public message and not E-mailing the response is to offer
it to anyone who wants it - but not over USEnet!  Please just send
two 360 kb formatted diskettes in a disk mailer to me and I will
send them back with Towernet - no charge!  An international
postage return certificate would help to defray my costs.

>Fernando Borcel
>borcelf@jacobs.cs.orst.edu
Good luck with your quest, Fernando!

-- 
Paul Gillingwater, Senior Consultant   Call my private BBS - Magic Tower,
Computer Sciences of New Zealand Ltd   NZ +64 4 753561 V21/V23 8N1 24hrs
P.O.Box 929, Wellington, NEW ZEALAND   Soon: V22/V22bis/Bell 103/Bell 212A
Vox: +64 4 846194, Fax: +64 4 843924  "Scott me up, Beamie!"-Lounge Suit Larry