CU Amiga Super CD-ROM 1/CU Amiga Magazine CD-ROM Special Edition (1995)(EMAP Images)(GB)[Issue 1995-11].iso/Aminet/comm/bbs/IceDemo56.lzh/IceBBSDemo/AboutIceBBS.txt

Text File | 1995-02-14 | 19.9 KB | 471 lines

                   What's this IceBBS thing anyways?
              (used to be: What's this VBBS thing anyways?)

                        Updated:  13-February-95
                          Stephen Vermeulen
                        Voice: [phone]

Current Status:

   IceBBS has finally finished the Beta stage of development, once I
   update the manuals (a few weeks work) I will be releasing a demo
   version to AmiNET. You may obtain a copy of IceBBS for US$60.00
   (plus $10.00 shipping) by writing to:

               Stephen Vermeulen
               45-Butler Cr N.W.
               Calgary, Alberta,
               CANADA, T2L 1K4

   once you have registered you may get upgrades at any time by
   downloading them from the closed area on my BBS (an IceBBS system
   of course) or for $10.00 per set (you can pre-order a number
   of upgrades if you want).  New versions appear about once
   every 6-8 weeks.  Updates of the sysop manual are $20.00.

   The full version of the BBS includes about 400 pages of documentation
   and the additional FidoNet and USENET tools and other utilities.
   Additionally, you get the rights to print and sell copies of the
   IceTERM and IceOLR manuals at the rate of $1.00 per copy sold.


   The programs IceBBS and IceTERM have undergone a name change
   recently, they used to be called VBBS and TERM.  The name change
   was required to avoid confusion with the IBM Virtual BBS and the
   TERM program from Germany.

   The Author's IceBBS system is available 24 hours a day at:

               [phone] or 284-5625

   with USR Dual Standard (V32bis/HST/MNP5/V42bis) modems on both
   lines if you want to give it a try.  If the phone rings but
   does not answer this usually means the BBS is offline because
   I am working on something...

   There are several other IceBBS sites you might want to call instead:

 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 [phone] 9600 DST  IceBBS Host              Stephen Vermuelen
 [phone] 9600 DST
 ( Alberta, Canada VBBS Support, FIDO, UUCP                       )
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 [phone]           AMUC Express             Stephen Vermeulen
 [phone]                                                    )
 [phone]           Amiga Users                              )
 [phone]           of Calgary                               )
 [phone]           Society                                  )
 [phone]                                                    )
 [phone]                                                    )
 ( Canada                                         Todd Klassen    )
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 [phone]           Buffaloe BBS             Bill Stott
 ( Calgary, Canada                                                )
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 [phone]           RCC Systems              unknown
 ( Madison, WI, USA                                               )
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 ( Zyxel: 613-230-2172 Jammy's Amiga Corner IceBBS James McOrmond )
 ( VFC:   613-230-1136                                            )
 ( Ottawa, Canada                                                 )
 ( [e-mail]                         Fido#1:163/139 )
 (                                             ZyXELNET#18:18/0   )
 (                                             AmigaNet#40:553/139)
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 [phone] 2400      The VANishing Point      Van Stonecypher
 ( Tallahassee, FL, USA : Tallahasse Amiga Users' Group           )
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 [phone]                                    Michael Constant)
 (Ontario, Canada                                                 )
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 [phone]      (USR Sporster, IceTerm available on this line)
 (                                             Sysop:  Yan Koehler)
 [phone] (SupraFax)                      GfxBase Amiga Only)
 (LaSalle , Quebec                                                )
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 [phone]                                         Paul Quinn)
 (Monty's Place   Vancouver Bc                                    )
 ------------------------------------------------------------------
 (358 18 7304 076 (Finland)                        Harry Uggeldahl)
 (                                               Fido: 2:221/118.0)
 (                                Internet: [e-mail])
 ------------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------

Design Goals:

   IceBBS was designed with several goals in mind:

   1. The software should support a fully-multiplexed error-corrected
      communications channel,

   2. The user should be able to do more than one thing at a time,

   3. The BBS should not require an accelerated machine to run more
      than one line (AMUC Express has run 5 lines on a 68000
      with 3Megs of ram, and has run with 9 lines for conferences),

   4. The BBS should not eat huge amounts of RAM,

   5. The BBS should easily support a mixed set of serial ports and
      modems, as well as providing support for the new fixed baud
      rate modems (between computer and modem) at the same time as
      the old style modems,

   6. The BBS should provide the basics (messages, sysop chat,
      conference mode, email and a file system) and offer some means of
      expansion.

   7. The BBS should facilitate support of Usenet and Fidonet.

   8. The system should support an off-line message reading and
      reply facility.

   9. The system should provide support for remote sysops, this is done
      through a remote shell, a remote file maintainance door and
      a remote account maintainance door.

   At this point the software meets all of these goals.


What is this IceBBS thing anyways?


IceBBS is a new bulletin board system for the Amiga, it is a commercial
product available directly from the author.

IceTERM is the terminal program that is required to make use of the
special multi-tasking features of IceBBS.  IceTERM is a copyrighted
product, but is freely distributable.  A printed manual (about 160
pages) for IceTERM (along with a copy of the latest version of IceTERM) is
available from the author for US$15.00 (CDN$15.00 within Canada). All
registered IceBBS Sysops get a license to print copies of the IceTERM
manual for their users or can buy finished copies at a substantial
discount.


What is so unique about IceBBS/IceTERM?

The IceBBS/IceTERM product allows the user to do several things at once
while he is on the BBS.  This is what is meant by saying IceBBS is a
multitasking BBS.  For example the user might be in the conference
talking to other users while he is also uploading a file and
downloading new messages.

The IceBBS/IceTERM product provides the user with a mouse-driven windowed
interface to the BBS.  This is in contrast with most other systems
which provide a traditional text-based interface.  IceBBS also supplies
a text based login facility so that less fortunate computer users
(non-Amiga owners) can use an IceBBS based BBS.

The IceBBS/IceTERM product also provides a fully error-corrected link.
The error correction facility applies to all the tasks the user
might perform -- not just the file transfer system.  The system
is smart enough to recognize when the user has connected with an
MNP/HST/V42 modem and will turn its error correcting off leaving
it to the modems (resulting in less data transmission overhead and
less CPU consumed).


What features are included in IceBBS/IceTERM?

The current version includes the following features:

- private user to sysop chat windows, these are helpful when a new
  user is on the system and he needs some handholding.  The
  multitasking capability allows the Sysop to provide assistance
  while the user is actually using the various tools.

- a narrator based paging facility (Talk) which allows the user to
  page a sysop who is not at the machine (or visa versa)

- a simple local message base designed for quick feedback between
  the users and sysop

- a complex multi-section messages base that batch downloads new
  material to the users machine for use with the off-line reader
  program.  The user can read, post and reply off-line and his new
  contributions will be automatically loaded into the system when
  he next connects.  There is also an on-line read/post/reply
  facility for this message base.

- a file downloading facility that will allow the user to select the
  file(s) he wants to download through a normal scrolling Amiga
  requester.  The user can sort the displays by name or date (file
  sizes and short descriptions are also displayed) and if a file
  has an extended description it will be sent to him before he confirms
  commencement of the download.

  Downloading to a floppy based Amiga 500 at 19200 baud is possible.
  While the user is downloading files he may proceed with any other
  BBS operations (including starting more downloads and even uploads)
  without interruption.  Downloads may be paused to free up the
  communications line when a more important task is being performed.

  The download facility supports downloading of entire directory trees
  (very useful with CDROM disks).

  Both single file and directory downloads are resumable in the event
  of communications loss or session time out.

- a file uploading facility is available.  Users can select the file
  to be uploaded with the ARP file requester (or the ASL requester
  if the user has AmigaDOS 2.0) and enter (and edit) the extended file
  description with their favourite editor.  The user can start
  multiple uploads, and on a full duplex modem (ie. normal 1200/2400
  or V32/V34 modems) the user can upload and download at the same time
  without loss in throughput in either direction. HST modems will slow
  to appoximately 350CPS in either direction if this is attempted, but
  if only uploading or downloading will move an LHARC file at up to
  1650 CPS.

- a system monitor window is provided so that the user can see what
  other users are online, what they are currently doing and page them
  for the confernce area.  The monitor can be left open while other
  tasks are performed.  There are buttons provided to disable the
  audible bell and screen flash on the paging function for privacy.

- an email system is provided which allows the user to enter/read/reply
  to messages.  These are private between users, and the user can
  also send or receive FIDONET netmail and INTERNET email.  Users can
  also send files to other users on the same BBS.  Internet mail
  requires that you are running the UUCP package from Matt Dillon.
  The internet mail facility allows users to subscribe to mailing lists.

- a doors facility is provided so that additional functions can be
  added to the BBS and terminal programs.  These doors programs are run
  like other IceBBS tasks, allowing the user to use several doors while
  also making use of other built in functions (like downloading files).

  Currently there are seven doors available:

    - a remote file maintainance utility for co-sysops,
    - a remote account maintainance utility for co-sysops,
    - an IFF picture previewer that
    - will display small versions of pictures so that a user can see if
      the picture is worth downloading (preview pictures take as little
      a 10 seconds to transfer with a fast modem),
    - an on-line chess game where the users play each other in the
      BBS version of chess-by-mail,
    - the Amiga version of CircleMUD, and since a user can start more
      than one door at a time he can create his own party of MUD
      characters
    - a voting door, with a tallying program
    - An internet FTP (file transfer protocol) door
    - An internet IRC (Internet Relay Chat) door

  A developer's kit for doors is also available that includes a sample
  door client and server in C-source format along with a test driver
  program that simulates the action of IceBBS and TERM so that doors can
  be developed and tested on a system which does not have IceBBS running
  on it.

  There is also an ARexx version of the doors system (so that the doors
  can be written in ARexx which is easier).  There is a tool kit for
  developing ARexx doors, which includes a simulator and source for
  the voting door.  It should also be possible to compile the ARexx
  doors using the ARexx compiler.

- a news facility is available to make certain text files readily viewable
  (like documentation).

- an AmigaDOS shell is available for remote sysops to do work on the
  BBS.  Several shells can be opened at once, and shells may be used
  at the same time as other BBS functions.

- a flexible access control and time limit/bank system is implemented which
  enables you to control exactly what each user is allowed to do and
  see and for how long.


What protocol is used?

The IceBBS/IceTERM combination uses a custom sliding windows protocol which
is bi-directional and multiplexed.  It is very DNet-like internally.
Throughput on the protocol is as good as Zmodem, between non-MNP modems
the throughput is slightly below Zmodem and between MNP or V42 modems
it tends to be a bit faster.

On the ASCII interface side (for non-IceTERM callers) the only built in
protocols are Xmodem and XPR.  XPR support allows the BBS to use the
standard XPR libraries, such as xprxmodem, xprymodem and zprzmodem for
file transfers. It is possible to run IceBBS along side a conventional
BBS (sharing the same line).


What data rates will it run at?

Both IceBBS and iceTERM are capable of running at 19200 baud on the internal
serial port of an unaccelerated Amiga.  If you have an additional serial
board (like the ASDG dual serial board) the software can run much faster.
Multiple lines on an unaccelerated BBS machine work fine.

Limits to performance?

As far as performance is concerned, IceBBS is capable of running 6-8
lines on a stock 2000HD at 2400 baud on each line.  With an '030
accelerator card in an Amiga you should be able to run 8 lines at
9600 baud, as I have run 4 lines at 19.2K and 2 lines at 38.4K in
a direct wired test. The actual maximum transfer capability depends a
bit on what the users are doing since IceBBS will allow users to upload
and download files at the same time, and when doing so they can nearly
double the load on the system.

The AMUC Express, is a 7 line IceBBS system, it runs 4 lines at
38400 baud (14400 v32bis baud modems), one line at 19200 and 2 lines
at 2400 baud, it runs UUCP and FidoNet (via TrapDoor) and it runs the
CircleMUD door.  It has 1.4Gigs of hard drive space and 13 CDROMs
online (1 Sony drive, one Pioneer DRM-600 and one DRM-602).  It does
this with 8Megs of 32bit ram on a GVP 3001 (25MHz '030 accelerator) in
an A2000 with an Amigo ComPorts 8-line card (it used to use a pair of
A2232 cards) and a GVP Series II SCSI card. Once all this has booted
there is about 4Megs of ram free.


What are the system requirements?

  CPU
       any Amiga, if you want to run more than about 4 - 2400 baud lines
       an accelerated machine is recommended,

  RAM
       1Meg to 3Meg recommended, this largely depends on the number of
       lines you run and the amount of multitasking you do as a Sysop.
       With 3 lines on my machine the BBS uses about 800K.  If you want
       lots of CDROMs or want to run the CircleMUD more than 3Megs
       many be required.

  DISKS
       Of course a hard disk, unless you are planning to use the
       system just as a mailbox between a few people.  The system
       supports any number of hard drives.  It also supports CDROM
       drives (it has special provisions for access control and
       extended buffering of the files).  The Xetec CDROM file system
       is the recommended one.  The AsimCDFS is reported to work well
       to.   One site (Great White North) is running the Pioneer 604
       multidisk changer.

  SERIAL DEVICES
       Any serial device that provides a standard AmigaExec xxxx.device
       type driver is supported, you can even use several different
       devices.  The MultiFace II is currently the most favoured board,
       it works fine with the A2232 and the ASDG Dual Serial Board.

  MODEMS
       Should work with just about anything, it has been tested with

          SupraModem 2400
          SupraModem 2400 MNP
          SupraModem 2400 Plus (V42)
          SupraModem v32bis
          GVC SuperModem 2400 MNP
          Packard Bell 2400
          US Robotics Dual Standards (V32bis/HST)
          UDS V32
          Zyxel v32bis modems
          Hayes Optima 288 (v.fc 28K baud)
          USR Sportster v32bis and V34

  OS VERSION
       IceBBS and IceTERM run under AmigaDOS 1.3 and 2.0.  Future
       development will include more 2.0 feature support.


When will it be available?

Available now.


What will the upgrade policy be?

Free-to-download upgrades to the BBS and support utilities for registered
sysops from my BBS. For those who don't want to pull massive files
down there is an upgrade disk mailout program at $10.00 per upgrade
requested, send me a check for $20 or so and then you can request an
update at any time by phone, BBS or mail and I'll send you out an
update disk.  Updated manuals will be available for about $10-20
depending on what the printing and postage costs turn out to be.


What networking will be supported?

Currently FidoNet is supported (through TrapDoor) and Usenet through Matt
Dillon's UUCP.  Work is starting on direct internet access tools too.


Off line message reading?

IceBBS and IceTERM provide a completely automatic SIG (message base)
downloading facility (including automatic resume), I provide another
program: IceOLR to allow the user to read message bases off line, and
post and reply to them.  These postings are automatically uploaded to
the correct message base the next time the user logs in to get new
messages.


What Sysop utilities?

The majority of Sysop utilities are local, CLI-based ones.  They can
be used through the remote DOS shell built into TERM.  There are also
some remote Sysop tools.


Multiline support?

Yes, from day one, as many lines as you can squeeze in.  I have run up
to 8 lines on one machine so far (a stock A2000 with 6Megs to be exact).


What serial boards has it been tested with?

The ASDG dual serial board and the Commodore 2232 multi-serial card
and the GVP IO Extender (driver 1.7 or higher), MultiFace II and
the ComPorts 8 line card.


What about customization?

By its very nature IceBBS will appear to be less customizable than other
BBS systems.  As time goes on additional areas of customizability will
be added.  Currently the doors and the custom login stats screen
represent the most significant areas of customization.



What is the current version?

The current version of IceBBS is 56, the current TERM is 119.
Call the support board for more up to date information.


Reliability?

The current version of IceBBS is quite reliable, with a mean time
between failures of about 10 days. It runs completely clean under both
MungWall and the Enforcer.  In a recent test on AMUC Express (a seven
line, heavily used system) ran for 8 days without incident.


-------- End of the Extract -------


If you want to know more about IceBBS, give it a call at the above
numbers or give me (Stephen Vermeulen -- Ragnarok Software) a voice
call at [phone].  If you have usenet access you can mail me
directly at "[e-mail]" as well I am on
FidoNet at 1:134/92 (the IceBBS machine) and 1:134/27 the 7 line AMUC
Express (send to Stephen Vermeulen on these nodes).


And one last thing:  what does ICE stand for?

Well it was developed in Canada, land of ICE and snow, its a COOL
product, although sometimes COLD and hostile, and mainly it stands
for:

    Integrated Communications Environment.