Xref: utzoo comp.misc:3944 alt.bbs:166
Path: utzoo!hoptoad!pacbell!ames!mailrus!rutgers!att!occrsh!uokmax!randy
From: randy@uokmax.UUCP (Longshot)
Newsgroups: comp.misc,alt.bbs
Subject: Re: Houston bbs's vs SW Bell - more
Message-ID: <1960@uokmax.UUCP>
Date: 28 Oct 88 03:40:11 GMT
References: <4252@moray.UUCP> <1933@uokmax.UUCP> <3940@homxc.UUCP> <679@hudson.acc.virginia.edu>
Reply-To: randy@uokmax.UUCP (Longshot)
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Lines: 21

I have discussed this somewhat with some local SysOps and users. The mess has
started in Houston, and there's a reason for that. Many BBS's in the Houston
area are sponsored by businesses. There is a local BBS around here that is
sponsored by a (somewhat) large audio equipment store. These BBS's tend to 
promote the businesses somewhat, and there is where Bell has it's argument.
The general attitude among those I have spoken with is, charge the business-
sponsored groups business rates, and the non-profit groups residential rates.
Then there is the question of subscription systems. Last I checked, the local
node of Dial-Your-Match was charging $5/yr to users. Now, that system will
average 45-60 users easily. DYM software is cheap, if not PD. He's running it
on a C64. Whip out the archaic TI-55 III... let's say 100 users come and go
on the average year (including modems as Christmas and birthday presents).
That's $500 (so I don't need the TI after all :-). About $400 will be spent
on a business line. That only leaves $100 for system maintenance. However,
put 'em down to a residential line, and the line cost is ~$240, leaving $260,
practically enough to REPLACE, let alone fix, what goes wrong on a CBM system.
(Of course, with CBM, fix usually implies replace :-) ). But, if you are
charging, there is no question; you are a business. The question is when you
aren't charging.

Randy