Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!ames!ncar!noao!asuvax!gtephx!covertr
From: covertr@gtephx.UUCP (Richard E. Covert)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: SETTING UP A BBS
Summary: Just Buy Forem (ST or PC)
Message-ID: <40e78765.14e07@gtephx.UUCP>
Date: 16 Jan 89 20:24:38 GMT
References: <ID7141.D890110.T145542.CHIASSA@UDEM>
Organization: gte
Lines: 56

In article <ID7141.D890110.T145542.CHIASSA@UDEM>, CHIASSA@UDEM.BITNET (Alyre CHIASSON) writes:
> 
>  Question
> 
>  Is there an arc program that can shuttle between the IBM world and
>  the Atari world? If not, are there other options? I am not a super
>  programmer.
> 

    There is an ST version 
    of ARC for the ST, the two most common are ARC5.12 and ARC5.21. The later has
    some bugs in it but will de-ARC IBM files that were SQUASHED. I use ARC5.12
    all of the time. IT is very well debugged.

> 
>  Question
> 
>  Since the standard in modems appears to be Hayes compatible am I
>  right to assume that this means that all software based on this
>  standard must send the same ascii codes to get a BBS to upload and
>  download files?

   Answer
   There are many other vendors of DC Hayes compatible modems. I use a 2400 baud
   modem made by Supra Corp. It is about 1/3 the physical size of a DC Hayes
   modem and cost $150 retail. 

   something that wasn't asked was what software to use on his ST. I would 
   recommend FOREM by Commnet. It sells for about $60 (US). There are two versions,
   one for the Atari ST and another for the IBM PC. It supports ARCed files, and 
   has many IBM style file transfer protocols. You can have up to 20 message bases,
   have online databases, quizes, games, and upt to 20 file sections. Callers
   can have individual privileges. I am using Forem ST on my part time bbs.

> 
>  I would greatly appreciate any advice and words of caution before
>  I spend all this money only to find that the vast majority of my
>  clients will not be able to access the BBS. If there is a software
>  dependency as to whether such a system would work I would
>  appreciate your recommendations.
> 
>  Alyre Chiasson
>  Moncton, N.B.
>  Canada

   another nice thing about the ST is that you can read/write standard IBM
   3.5" floppies. So, you can exchange files with your clients that have
   the new 3.5" floppy drives.  The file structure of the ST is almost identical
   to that of the IBM. Ask someone at Atari for more details, but I understand
   that the new TOS operating system ROMs will make the ST even more compatible
   with IBM floppies.


   all in all, I can't see any problem with using an ST ,as a bulletin board for your
   IBM callers. It has a lot more power then a simple IBM PC/XT class computer
   for about the same price.