8bitfiles.net/archives

home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search

/ 8bitfiles.net/archives / archives.tar / archives / genie-commodore-file-library / Information / GENIE.TXT < prev next >

Wrap

Text File | 2019-04-13 | 18.7 KB | 378 lines

** <Penni> Room is now listen-only. <PondBoss> Genie is moving to the net. But in a way not typical of most other services. We are maintaining the text only access features. And will not implement any specialized web extensions that would exclude any of the community. This means no Java, and simple fast loading pages. We will try to make them attractive, but without the whizz bang hit of the day features, that are really slow on 28.8, not to mention 14.4 The service will be structured very similar to the way it is now. This structure seems to work, and I see no reason for changing it. Bulletin Boards. Will still have the same catagories and topics. The only difference is the there will be a subject line associated with each topic. This will make browsing the topic a bit easier to see where a discussion started. You will be able to go thru the topic sequetially or to jump arround. The Display files will now be able to incorportate html. You don't have to... but the option is there. The web pages are automatically generated from text that you submit so the service will have a cohesive look and feel. Internet Launchpad. Will be maintained. I feel that other services dump you into the general net and lose track of you. A Genie customer will always know when he is in the service and when he leaves it. A big gripe amongst the users is spam. IDT has an abuse department dedicated to stamping out spam as much as possible. You can't kill it, but you can keep it down. We will and have black holed spam sites. <Psycho Mike> Question: Will Chat Lines Version 4.05 be changed...and if so...how will it effect the games that we currently run since they are written specifically for this system? <Penni> the games should work Mike :) <PondBoss> P - we are moving off of the Geis network completely and have no way of running the chat program. Dan Moncada, has converted IRC to all of Genie Chat commands. I would like whoever has the code for the games to contact Dan at dmoncada@corp.idt.net or dmoncada@genie.com to discuss the integration process. <PondBoss> Next <Shannon> You might have already answered this with Mike's question.... <PondBoss> Goahead <Shannon> but will change affect our front ends at all? Will they need to be revamped to handle the new system? <PondBoss> They will not initially work with the new system. Aladdin is very dependant on the current Genie menu interface. This interface is leaving. It may be possible to rewrite Aladdin, or to write another front end. The bulletin boards are desighed to be stored in both html and text. So there will always be a plain text version to access, by some sort of process. <Shannon> All right, thank you. GA, Penni. :) <PondBoss> Next <Silverlock> what's the market differnetiator here? How does this address folks (friends) leaving GE? <PondBoss> What do you mean? <Penni> tell them to come back home :) <PondBoss> I think that this move will address most of the issues raised by our customers. <Silverlock> yeah... but from 10 years or so ago, there's a lot fewer folks here... how does address getting back market share? <PondBoss> Better Interface <Silverlock> interface is not the question in my mind... pricing seems to be in most people's minds <PondBoss> Genie / IDT will begin marketing the service. The first step was taken today, by offering one free month for every new customer brought in/back. Pricing is an issue that is important to everyone. We will be offering different packages at different price structures to suit every budget and need. So if you have a current ISP you may pay around the $10 per month for the Basic Package. Pricing will be addressed, and rest assured, that it is not going up. That would be stupid. <PondBoss> next <*Joanne*> i was just wondering about the front end as well... will we need to use net software? mirc, netscape chat etc <PondBoss> The front end situation is the only down side to all of this. You only need a terminal program. However, if your system allows, you can move to the platform that you prefer. <*Joanne*> i prefer turboterm and aladdin <g> especially for the rt's... d/l messages is so easy <PondBoss> For example, you may be in the chat room via IRC while reading mail with eudora, while looking at the web page of a chat friend. while downloading the bulletin boards with the future version of aladdin <*Joanne*> hmmmmm ok thanks.. GA :) <PondBoss> This would all be with an unlimited connect time. I feel that while the frontends are very efficient, I use aladdin myself, it prevents people from getting onto chat etc... <PondBoss> I could be wrong <Radio> With all the questions about frontend, Aladdin, and BB, you can't be talking about thsi all happening now.....so what's the short and long in terms of an anticipated start time for this service <PondBoss> I would like to be off of Geis completely some time at the end of August. <Radio> is that actually possible? <PondBoss> I would like the new service available for testing by our customers in the next couple of weeks. <PondBoss> It has to be possible - there is no other option. <Radio> I would also assume that there will be plenty of forewarning about the start Members will have dual access for a time, to learn the new system, but we can not afford to keep them both up for too long. <Radio> Last question.....are we talking about a DECREASE in price? <PondBoss> The down side, is that We are definietly not talking about an increase. <Radio> so no decrease :) <PondBoss> There will be many pricing plans, kinda like a cable tv company. You would only pay for the service you use. <Radio> thansk for taking time to explain all this Pond! GA <PondBoss> But each plan would be at a flat rate. <Hiya!> Back to the Chat game software...the original author is not on Genie anymore...do you have Mac programmers able to convert the game software for the Mac game operators? <PondBoss> We do have some very skilled mac programmers in our net2phone division, but could you be more specific Which software in particular? <Hiya!> We have the Mac Chat game software here that our Mac game ops run...but it won't work on the new system? Hangman, Trivia, etc. <PondBoss> The The code actually runs on a mac? <Penni> yes <Hiya!> snicker...yes, Macs are very good that way <G> <PondBoss> Or you use a mac to load theinformation into <Penni> I have the code. don't know what to do with it, but I have it :) the author entrusted it to Chat Lines before he left. <PondBoss> OK, <Hiya!> it is different code than the PC software :) <PondBoss> We were thinking of runnig the Trivia and Hangman as IRC bots, that would take text files in as input and run the games that way. YOU would runn the game from the Genie Service not from the home system. <PondBoss> The software would reside on Genie, not the operators computer. I'm sure that they can be converted. <Hiya!> so any platform could start the BOTs? <PondBoss> Yes <Hiya!> thank you :) GA <PondBoss> I don't see why mac should have all the fun :) <Psycho Mike> uestion: Being a member of Genie, AOL and CompuServe...I have noticed attrocious connectability on the net with the latter two...is IDT going to improve the accessability on the internet with the new system? actually...not the entire question I had... but the line was too long...question is...are we going to need an IRC...or will Genie nodes still be in use. <PondBoss> Currently IDT has a T3 backbone to every significant meet point in the USA. We have a direct t3 link to PSI for those customers. I anticipate no problems.:) <Psycho Mike> One other question... you mention BOT's...for the trivia games...does that mean that the game operators would provide the text files...and the program would run them...or ... I don't know...what other way would it be? <Psycho Mike> GA <PondBoss> Yes, I am assuming that trivia and hangman and whatever, load some sort of data file into a program that then runs the game. An IRC bot could do this very easily, the jeopardy bot is world famous, and provides similiar features. <Psycho Mike> 'k...thank you GA B) <PondBoss> I assume the game operator defines the data for most of the games. <Penni> part of the charm of Genie games are the game operators interaction. will we be able to do that? <Penni> pardon me jumping in line! <PondBoss> Of course. <Penni> thanks ;) <Cathy> Thanks, Penni. Hi Boss. <PondBoss> Please address any more bot and game questions to Dan Moncada dmoncada@corp.idt.net he is my chat guy and knows more about it that I do. I know he is looking forward to your mail. I told him so. <Cathy> Ah, okay. That is my main concern.. the games :) <Cathy> GA <CL> Hi Pondy <PondBoss> I know how important the games are, and want to do nothing to jeopordize them. <PondBoss> hi <CL> Just want to know, is there any advertizing blitz planned And will we be able to have flyers for conventions etc <PondBoss> Blitz is a strong word, but yes we will be pushing the Genie product. We currently supply Internet access to over 100 thousand people, I think we can sell a few Genie accounts. <CL> I hope more than a few <g> <PondBoss> Espcially if it is bundled with Internet access. <CL> Can we entice ex members back somehow, offer then an incentive to return <PondBoss> While the existing community of -pardon me - legacy machines is vital and I will always support them, most new users will come from the full internet capable pool of customers. <CL> What about media advertizing? <PondBoss> The One month free offer is a step in that direction. Genie will have full access to the advertising facilities of IDT. Truthfully, they are waiting to see if they have product, before they commit themselves. I plan to show them product. <CL> Thanks :-) GA <Otter> I am confuzzled about the frontend problems. Are we going to this new system without being able to have the means to read and write offline? If yes, how long until a frontend program will be available? Room 12, open Job State Room Sta Genie Mail Name 1 MI 2 L BACKPACKER *AL* 2 CA 12 N HKRAKER Otter 3 FL 12 N COOKIE-LADY CL 4 MI 12 N PSYCHO-MIKE Psycho Mike 5 TX 12 N CPTMIDKNIGHT Tex 6 NJ 12 N GOLIAS Silverlock 7 MD 12 N SIRRAH France and Dave 8 FL 12 N J.FRIEDMAN13 Night Cat 9 NJ 12 N LASZLO PondBoss 10 BC 12 N HIYA.CHERYL Hiya! 11 MD 12 L PENNI Penni 15 VA 12 N K.KISLEK Katie 16 AL 12 N SF-ROTF Cathy 17 IL 12 N LUCRETIA =Lucy= 18 CA 27 N NANCY61 nancy 19 TN 12 N SHANNON.L Shannon 20 KS 12 N H.STILES Alicia <Otter> hello? <PondBoss> Unfortunately yes there will be a period of no offline reader. However, email will be available by any of the current pop3 mail programs. ** <qt> IS HERE. <PondBoss> --Sorry my u key stuck-- <Otter> I am very concerned about how that is going to go over with current users. <PondBoss> I plan to do same type of thing with the BB's, but that will take a bit of time. <Otter> Especially those with disabilities who use reader programs and the like. It is unavoidable. If you asked me to keep alladin working under torture I couldn't. <Otter> How are you going to address the problems of those who rely on special equipment? <PondBoss> However, since there is no more time limit of 9 hours, I could make blynx available as a reader for example. <Otter> Can you prioitze those BBs where there is the highest number of speical equiment users? <PondBoss> The incentive to have to .... <PondBoss> All BB's are managed by one master control program. Any change in one will be spread to all of them, automatically. <Otter> thank you ...ga <Shannon> On another topic: Will our sysops/staffers have ample tutelage beforehand on this new system, so that when bewildered customers ask us for guidance, we'll know what to tell them? Or at least, have a fair idea? <PondBoss> As far as special equipment users, the new tty mode access will be a boon for them. ^n <PondBoss> You will have my staff available on weeknights to call you and guide you thru any questions you may have. I thing that I am keeping close enough to the old system of page numbers and keywords to make navigation easy. ** <qt> HAS LEFT. <Shannon> Okay. One more question.... <PondBoss> Initially, I will ask that you have my staff do all the changes for you It is still a delicate system <PondBoss> ok <Shannon> On the front end issue... when users panic at having no Aladdin.. it might help if there was a projected date for a new version of Aladdin, or at least something else with similar capabilities. Is that likely that we could have.. a projected date? <Shannon> I see.. regarded your above answer. :) <PondBoss> I have not thought about it yet. I might be able to work up a PC version fairly quickly, or I may have everything run on a reader on the Genie system itself, which downloads a text file <PondBoss> Sorry == LIne too long error <PondBoss> Did you get that answer? <Shannon> That's all right. :) <Shannon> Yes, thank you. Ga, Penni :) <Penni> yes I think we can read it fine <PondBoss> Good. <Silverlock> Good.... ??? several questions. <Penni> Two more questions after Silverlock and then we'd better let PB rest! <PondBoss> I'm gonna take a 5 min break, urgent business requires some immediate attention. talk amonst yourselves <Silverlock> how do you know a t3 is enuff? <PondBoss> It is not nearly up to capacity. That's what our NOC department does <PondBoss> brb <Silverlock> Q: do you have any numbers regarding expected load on the t3? <Silverlock> t2 isn't a heck of a lot. <Silverlock> errr... t3 <PondBoss> Believe me it is way undercapacity. The entire internet ran on a t3 network not more that a year or two ago. I think it can handle Genie. <Silverlock> do you get the feeling I am a performance kind fo person? <PondBoss> ost of the speed bootnecks occur at the ends of the bandwidth, not inbetween. <PondBoss> Hey, my personal PC at home is hooked up to 2 t1's so, I really appreciate performance. I never used a modem until recently :) <Penni> are you finished Silverlock? :) <Silverlock> I wish! ... but, nonetheless... if you do get new recruits, how are you going to avoid tht AOL symdrome? <Silverlock> syndorme, even <PondBoss> I depend on the excellent quality of the Genie sysops for that. <Silverlock> LOL <Penni> so we'll maintain a Genie Policy? <Silverlock> GA <PondBoss> I will not tolerate abuse of the system <Penni> Great! I'm there! :D <PondBoss> Absolutely <=Lucy=> Q: speaking just for myself, I am NOT an Internet user. I do not understand buzz words like Pop3, bots or any other terms. I'm feeling very confused and have no idea what is going to happen. What type of help are you providing for people like myself? Wi G <PondBoss> As much help as you want. I will have my staff call you and explain in torrid detail everything you need to know. <=Lucy=> Will I be unable to email my Genie friends because I have no Pop3 reader or ISP? <PondBoss> Yes of course you will, you would just access Genie via the text method, go tothe mail option and type in the to field etc... nothing difficult at all. <=Lucy=> who do I contact for this help? <PondBoss> E. <=Lucy=> gotcha :) thanks GA <PondBoss> laszlo@genie.com laszlo@corp.idt.net <Penni> okay! last question from Otter! <Otter> I do information-based conferences, like hurricane prep, in emergency and use pre-prepared material that I have been uploading with Aladdin at the time. Until a frontend is available, will there be a way for me to do this? A display command via the workspace? <PondBoss> I'm not sure what you mean exactly, but you will be able to upload files to your workspace without any problem. The method really depends on the type of system you are currently running. <Otter> How do I display files in a conference so that they appear as typed text during the conference <PondBoss> Do you mean an RTC <Otter> I have hand problems and cannot stand up to the amount of material in the conferences I do ... yes <Penni> just upload ASCII text to a conference. <Otter> I will give it a try ... prepare for a bumpy ride CL! <PondBoss> Should be no problem, just contact dmoncada@corp.idt.net and he will definitely help you out. <PondBoss> You should be able to preload them into your workspace... <Otter> That is how I have been doing them elsewhere, just wanted to make sure I would be able to do it here. <PondBoss> I hear you <PondBoss> No problemo <Otter> GA <Penni> Okay! That's it for questions! THANK YOU EVERYONE!