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1994-06-03
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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Synchronet Version 1
=========================================================
Q: Does Synchronet run under OS/2?
A: Yes. If your computer is going to be solely used for a BBS and you plan
to run 5 or more nodes, we strongly suggest you use DESQview instead.
OS/2 is a stable protected operating system, but as a result, it is a slower
DOS multitasker. Look for a native 32-bit version of Synchronet for OS/2
in summer of 1994.
If you do decide to run Synchronet for DOS under OS/2, then be sure to
use OS2FIX.COM (included in the EXEC directory). It is a fix for
an OS/2 DOS compatibility bug that causes many external programs to not
run correctly.
Q: Does Synchronet support Internet/Usenet?
A: Yes. You can get Internet mail and Usenet News Groups through a FidoNet/UUCP
gateway (like FredGate, UFGate, Gigo, etc) or purchase SyncUUCP from
Merlin Systems for direct UUCP message support. Call 913-441-1336 for more
information on SyncUUCP.
Q: How many nodes can I run on my computer?
A: The answer to this question depends on the speed of the computer, amount of
installed RAM, DOS multitasker used, and number of available IRQs.
Assuming you are using DESQview (the fastest available DOS multitasker),
and a software disk cache, the following chart can be used as a guide line
for minimum processor requirements:
CPU Nodes
386-16 1
386-25 2
386-33 3
386-40 4
486-25 5
486-33 6
486-50 8
486-66 10
You will need roughly 500k of available expanded memory for each node. When
running multiple nodes, a disk cache is required. Around 1 to 2 MB should be
used in most situations. Here is another table of estimated total system
memory required in megabytes (assuming a 1MB disk cache is used):
Nodes MB of RAM
2 3
3 4
4 4
5 5
6 5
7 6
8 6
9 7
10 7
Windows or OS/2 may be used as a DOS multitasker, but they are slower. If
you have a fast machine (486) and don't plan on running more than 2 or 3
nodes, Windows or OS/2 may meet your needs just fine.
Q: Can I run regular DOS programs as doors under Synchronet?
A: Yes. If the program using standard DOS output, Synchronet can run the
program directly by using the Synchronet external program option:
"Intercept I/O Interrupts".
If the program uses the PC BIOS for output or performs direct screen writes
(most commercial applications write directly to the screen), you will need
to use a PC terminal emulation software. Some examples of proprietary PC
terminal emulation programs are PC Anywhere, Carbon Copy, Close-Up, and
Co-Session. These require that the remote user be using their proprietary
terminal program to run DOS programs. While these programs are fast and
reliable, the fact that they require a proprietary terminal program limits
their usefulness on a BBS. The only PC terminal emulation software that
uses non-proprietary ANSI escape sequences is Doorway. This program allows
users of your BBS to run TEXT DOS programs that use direct screen writes
or BIOS for output by converting the screen information into ANSI codes.
All the popular terminal programs support ANSI, so a proprietary terminal
program is not required. A demonstration version of DOORWAY can be
downloaded from Vertrauen (Synchronet Home Base) as DRWY*.ZIP.
Q: Does Synchronet require a Front-end mailer for FidoNet?
A: Yes. You need a Front-end mailer (such as FrontDoor, D'bridge, Binkley, etc)
and an EchoMail program that support Fido FTSC-1 msg format. (such as Gecho,
Squish, TosScan, FreeMail, etc.).
Synchronet comes with example batch files and documentation to explain
configuration using FrontDoor and GEcho.
Q: How do upgrades work?
A: When upgrading your node license for the same version of Synchronet, the
price is the cost difference plus 10 percent. Example: going from the 2
node license ($99) to the 4 node license ($199) costs $110 plus shipping and
handling.
All version and revision upgrades are free for a period of 90 days after
purchase. Minor version and revision upgrades are free for download, and
major versions are offered at a discounted price to owners of the previous
version that do not fall in the 90 day free upgrade period. The
determination between major and minor version upgrades is made soley by
Digital Dynamics based on the amount of internal changes and enhancements
made since the last release.
Q: Does Synchronet come with a RIP drawing program?
A: No. Synchronet comes with 16 stock RIP menus that your users will
automatically see and use when calling with RIPterm or another RIPscrip
compatible terminal program. If you wish to create your own RIP menus or
RIP screens, you will need to obtain a RIP editing program. Telegrafix
(the developers of the RIPscrip protocol) have two commercial RIP drawing
programs available, RIPaint at around $200 and RIPdraw at around $50. You
can contact Telegrafix at 714-379-2131 for more information.
There are also public domain and shareware versions of RIP drawing programs
beginning to appear. Check the BBS Related FREE downloads area on Vertrauen
(Synchronet Home Base) for a few samples.
Digital Dynamics also has an in-house commercial artist available for
custom RIP art for your BBS. If interested, download SBBSRIP*.ZIP for
examples of his skill and talent. The base rate is $39.95 for up to a 4
kilobyte file. Each additional kilobyte is $5. The more complex the image,
the bigger the file size. RIP Icons can also be created, price determined
on a per-job basis. Please call 714-529-6328 for more information.
Q: Does Synchronet support WWIVnet technology networks.
A: No. But you can be a member of a WWIVnet type network by networking with
a WWIV/QWK or WWIV/Fido gateway. Vertrauen (Synchronet Home Base) carries
a message group full of sub-boards from a WWIVnet based network called
"MAGnet". One of the MAGnet nodes (running WWIV BBS software) is running a
WWIV/QWK gateway which opens the system into the world of standards and
allows Synchronet (and other QWK compatible BBS packages) to exchange
messages with it.
If and when the WWIVnet software is technically documented and the reliance
on the WWIV BBS specific configuration and data files is eliminated,
Digital Dynamics will strongly consider implementing direct support for it.
At the moment, WWIVnet requires that the use of WWIV BBS software and WWIV
networking software - a proprietary networking technology.
Q: Can I configure the menus?
A: Yes, very much so. Synchronet includes more than a few command shells
(menu structures) that you and your users can choose from, but you
can modify these shells or create your own very easily using the Synchronet
Baja shell/module compiler included free with Synchronet.
Since the menus are stored as ANSI/ASCII files, they can be easily converted
and edited with an ANSI drawing program like TheDraw. The command shells
are stored as text files (.SCR) that can be edited with any text editor
and recompiled with Baja to create the binary command shell/module (.BIN).
/* End of SBBS.FAQ */