Xref: utzoo comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d:371 comp.misc:2563 Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!cs.utexas.edu!ut-sally!ut-emx!emp From: emp@ut-emx.UUCP (naDev~tlhIngan~putulu) Newsgroups: comp.binaries.ibm.pc.d,comp.misc Subject: Re: BBS Systems Software. What's YOUR opinion? Summary: Experienced sysop responds! Message-ID: <3231@ut-emx.UUCP> Date: 10 Jun 88 18:39:35 GMT References: <712@cernvax.UUCP> Organization: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas Lines: 183 In article <712@cernvax.UUCP>, emanuel@cernvax.UUCP (emanuel) writes: > > Hi, USErs of the USENET NETwork! > > I have some questions you. I'm thinking on the possibility of setting up > a BBS System, and so I'd like to hear some of your opinions on the subject. > I've read some BBS advertisements, stating '24 hour - free service' or > things like that. So, > > If you're a SysOp: ...well, last I looked I was still one... > > a. What BBS system do you use? Are you happy with it? ...I use WWIV 3.21D. It's in Turbo Pascal, and has the Source Code availiable, which makes it tailorable to my needs. I'd love to see Genesis or Opus do that, much less QBBS. (Incedentally, has anyone noticed that QBBS appears to be a rip-off, at least in structure, to ISPF? Annoyed the hell out of me...) > > b. Can you work in your computer at the same time you're having > a "session"? ...yes, I do so under DesQview with no real problems whatsoever. I've heard that DoubleDos works fine, as well as CDOS. > > c. How do you manage to pay your electricity bills? 1/2 :-) ...actually, the average increase in the power consumption was only about 8 to 10 bucks more a month, so it's no biggie. (then again, I am living at home with my parents now, so the point is moot! :-)) > > d. If you know the BBS Systems Software distributed in SIMTEL20, > please comment on them, as to their features, and problems, > and userfriendliness. ....hmmm, if memory serves me right, that's RBBS. It's distributed by the Capitol PC Users Grope, and is one of the first major IBM BBS programs to gain wide acceptance. However, programs like WWIV and Opus (ACK!) have replaced it in popularity of late. RBBS just has this generic "look and feel" that annoys any user who's seen a more graphic-oriented board. Also, RBBS is written in BASIC, so it can be slow if the sysop hasn't got his system configured right. ...as a side note, a lot of users ans sysops around here spell it rbBS.... > > e. What makes you excited about BBS Systems? ...the POWER you have over those smarmy little users scums!!!! ...heh, no seriously, it's a bit of an Ego Trip, I have to admit. Being in charge of a computer information system tends to do that to you from time to time. Just ask any Site Administrator on the Net if he/she/it doesn't get off every now and then at possessing the power to do anything desired to a person's account. If they say they don't, and they MEAN it, then we need to get that person into politics, QUICK! ...it's also a window into the social life. A lot of BBS's become "Party Centrals", and transmogrify into a means of social unification ("Dammit, I wanted a BBS dedicated to Lawn Mowing, not a Match-A-Mate!" - Local Senile Sysop who has run at least 11 boards in the past 3 years, most of them Commodore ones...). They also act as a means of getting the software you need. What that means, I'll leave up to you... ...besides, it's fun unto itself, and it is good training for those of us who aspire to be power-mad Site Admins! > f. What would you like to have in your BBS System that you don't > have now? Is there any system you've heard of that has it? ...well, I'd love to have a multi-user chat system combined with a BBS, much like the Galacticomm system provides, but I'e not the resources ($$$ for the phone lines, etc) to set one up. Other than that, WWIV handles all I need. > > g. How did you get your system? ...well, I bought the system from Compuadd (PLUG TIME: These guys are tops in my book. My EGA monitor went >POOF< about 4 months back, and they replaced it with no complaints whatsoever. I recommend these guys over Disney...er.. Computerland anytime!), and the WWIV I got from the author himself, Wayne Bell. If you want the latest version (written in C) (Yuck!), call this number: 1-213-208-6689 ...and tell him OM sent you. > > h. Any extra comments...? ....naah, I think that about sums it up. > > If you're a BBS user, ...well, I call and harass a lot of boards. Does that count? > > a. What are your impressions on the System you're loging to (not the > 'contents' of it - software, etc. - but the general appearence > and easyness of use)? ...well, the first thing I look for are new user messages that are either snotty towards the user ("Hi, I'm God. You are scum. Unless you kiss my ass, post at least 200 meaningful messages a day, participate in ALL discussions, and U/L at least 100 files a week, you will NEVER get more than 3 minutes a day in this system"), or the announcement that the sysop does not like handles for some really stupid reason (and trust me, they ALL are stupid reasons!). The minute I see that, I log off, and I let people know that this board may not be worth calling. ...if this isn't the case (and thank God these boards are becoming extinct as time passes), then I look to see what options I have that are availible to me from the main menu, and take note of which commands arent' standard ("You have Mail. Type in DHW-332Q to read your mail"). Then I look to see if the help level is configurable. If it is, I set it to expert. If I cannot set it, I usually dont' call back. When you've been in this as long as I have, you develop a dislike for seeing menus pop up every time you hit a carrage return at a prompt. ...ok, on appearance, Genesis looks the best from the user's side, but it's slow. QBBS has it's own ANSI driver system, which is faster than most other BBS systems, but the layered menu structure can get someone lost real quick if the user is'nt used to layerd menus. GT-Powercomm, WWIV, RBBS, Colossus and Fido all have the same basic menu format, with only some minor differences. ...overall, tho, the best one from the user side is Opus. It's clean and simple (thogh it DESPERATELY needs a global newscan for files!), but anyone with programming savvy could reconfigure WWIV to do the same. > > b. Do you by chance know WHAT system is? ...see above. > > c. What would you prefer about it? ...ditto. > > d. How does a BBS system contribute to your happiness? :-) ...it gives me a place to air my views where it can interact with LOCAL opinion. Net discussions are fine, but if you use local referrences you have to explain them each time you use them. ...it also allows me to acquire needed software from a centralized source. > > > In short, what system do you (not) recommend, and why (not)? ...well, from the sysops POV, I'd push WWIV, From the user's POV, I'd go for Genesis (for looks), WWIV (for ease of use overall) or Opus (in consideration towards those who can't rememberlong menus). > > Please e-mail your answers. > Thanks in advance, > -- Emanuel Machado ....well, I TRIED that. Seems our mail paths are still screwed up royally around here. Maybe when I return in a few months I'll be able to send mail with no problems... ...anyway, hope I could be of help! OM Ok, Boyd, you can pull the plu>CARRIER LOST