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- Local neighborhood BBS systems can offer the most
- entertainment and information for the first time user. The
- principal rule of behavior: "Act like you are in a good
- friend's home."
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- Courteous behavior is a must. How do you find telephone
- numbers for these systems? Consult local computer clubs for a
- few numbers for BBS systems and then call the BBS systems
- with your modem for lists of MORE local telephone numbers.
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- BBS operators and users are quick to answer questions for new
- users and can serve as helpful "experts" on any computer
- question. Operators of these BBS systems are frequently
- called Sysops (SysTem OPerators) and many provide BBS systems
- as a hobby activity much as other hobbyists enjoy short wave
- radio operation.
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- Most BBS systems will allow you to tour within the various
- activities and parts of the system for 30 minutes to an hour
- on your first call. After that you are expected by some
- "boards" to leave your name and a phone number where you can
- be reached for verification. Some boards are free, some
- request a nominal use fee (usually around $25 per year.)
- Some boards request that you upload (send to them via modem)
- shareware files or public domain software in order to
- download their software. The process is something like two
- kids with baseball trading cards: "I'll trade you 225,000
- bytes of this shareware file for 250,000 bytes of your
- files."
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- You usually are allowed access only to certain "low level"
- (but interesting) areas of the BBS "board" on your first
- visit. The Sysop (system operator) may be available to come
- "online" if you experience difficulty. The software of the
- BBS system itself will safely keep you from damaging the
- host computer even if you hit an incorrect key or enter a
- wrong command. You may leave messages for the Sysop, leave
- messages of a general nature, ask for help on a specific
- question, download public domain software, play a game, or
- just generally explore the information within the system of
- the host computer.
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- Downloading files is easy. For many boards the command is a
- simple "D" for download. The BBS will ask you the name of
- the file you wish to download and then give you an estimate
- of how long it will take and the modem protocol you will (or <GLOSSARY 20 1>
- should) be using. After that you key in a keystroke or
- combination which tells the software in your computer to
- begin the process. When the transfer is complete, the host
- BBS takes over and presents the main menu of choices or
- selections.
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- Lists of phone numbers for online services and BBS numbers
- are available from most of the boards themselves, local
- computer club newsletters, and many computer store
- salespersons.
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