=****=¢ 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 <<¢¢
