=****=›  TIPS AND HELPFUL HINTS FOR MODEM'ers›  › (OR HOW TO BE A HIGH  ACCESS  USER  IN› TEN EASY LESSONS) Author Unknown,› (Editor-  From  P.A.C.E. and reprinted› by OL' HACKERS with permission.)›› THE FIRST LOG ON››      The first time you log  on  to  a› BBS,  most  sysops  like  to   receive› FEEDBACK    from    you.     Introduce› yourself,  tell  about  your  computer› system and if you are new to modeming,› tell the sysop.  Most will be happy to› give you any help you may require.›› BE HONEST››      Be  sure   that   all   of   your› information   given   at   log-on   is› correct.  Many sysops will call you by› phone  to  be sure you are who you say› you   are.   Unfortunately  there  are› still a few kiddies around  that  like› to  log-on  BBSs and raise the devil. › That is why passwords  and  validation› are necessary.›› WATCH OUT FOR "CALL WAITING"››      If  you have CALL WAITING on your› phone system, disable it to  use  your› modem.   CALL  WAITING can crash a BBS› system.  If  you  cannot  disable  it,› please  do  not  call BBS systems from› that phone line.›› EARN HIGH ACCESS››      High access, which means lots  of› time  and  a  high  UL  (UPLOAD) to DL› (DOWNLOAD) ratio, is earned.  Most new› callers will start out with from 30 to› 60 minutes.  It depends  on  what  the› sysop  chooses  to  designate  as your› time.›› WHATS IN IT FOR YOU?››      There are many things you can  do› on a BBS.  You can UL and DL files for› your computer.   You  can  go  to  the› message bases and exchange information› with other  computer  users.  You  may› also  send  private  E-Mail  to   your› friends.  You  can play on-line games,› take surveys and see the results, read› informative  material   in   the   BBS› databases  or libraries, talk directly› with the sysop and even  send  a  file› privately  to  a friend.  The more you› participate in a BBS the  higher  your› access time will be.›› CAPTURE THE MENUS AND REVIEW THEM›› Most  BBS  systems, even those running› the same program,  can  use  different› command  structures.  When you are new› to a system, it will help you  to  get› around  if  you  capture the menus and› peruse   them   off-line  so  that  it› doesn't eat up your on-line time.›› A HANDLE IS NOT ONLY ON A CUP!›› Many BBSs allow you to  use  a  handle› which  is  a  nickname  you choose for› yourself.  You may use your real  name› if  you  like.   The  choice  is up to› you.›› A WORTHY INVESTMENT›› If possible purchase a 2400 BAUD modem› In very short order, you will save the› original cost by saving time while  on› the BBS, specially when  you  are on a› long  distance  BBS  downloading   new› programs.››ANOTHER WORTHY INVESTMENT!›› Unquestionably, It  pays to  invest in› a good surge suppressor  and telephone› line spike  protector to protect  your› equipment from lightning   strikes and› electrical    surges.   They  are  not› foolproof, but it helps. When  thunder› rolls and lightning is near, the  BEST› and ONLY REAL PROTECTION is  to unplug› your system and disconnect your  modem› from the telephone jack.  Getting  hit› is  EXPENSIVE and  will  probably  fry› your  equipment.  Being  forewarned is› to be forearmed, and save MONEY in the› long run!›› DONT BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU!›› Do not drop carrier if you  can  avoid› it.   Dropping  carrier means you turn› off   your   modem  and  get  a  quick› disconnect from the BBS.  It can  play› havoc  with  a  BBS and the sysop will› most   likely   take   action  if  you› continue this practice.  Do  a  normal› log off. Remember,  you  are  a  guest› and the sysop is aying the bill!›› WHY A BBS?›› The main reason for the existence of a› BBS   is  for  information  exchange. › Upload something to share  with  other› users,  participate  in  the   message› bases.   If  you  have  a problem with› hardware or  software,  it  is  likely› that  you can get an answer by posting› in   the  message  bases  rather  than› asking the sysop. Usually you will get› more than one answer.›› REACH OUT AND ........›› And remember....when you want to  make› friends,  are  looking  for a new game› for a  bit  of  fun,  need  help  with› hardware,    software,     programming› problem  or  just  plain want to put a› little   fun   in   your  life...reach› out...reach out and baud someone!›    --from an unknown source›                >> end <<››