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README.1ST
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1995-02-07
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158 lines
==========
README.1ST
==========
SBI REVISION NOTES 02/95
------------------------
SYSOP SUBMISSIONS
-----------------
I've been getting a VERY steady flow of sysop submissions - and for some
reason, most have started using the form provided in the list. Will
wonders never cease <g>. I appreciate the response, and all the great
comments from around the world!
However, I do need sysops to realize a few things. First of all, this
data is kept in a database - anything other than the format provided in
the update information form is simply ignored. So verbose explanations
about baud rates, WEB pages, and other misc details about specific data
items are simply not included. Second, most of the info is manually
entered into the database - so fancy descriptions that include ANSI, ASCII
art, and bizarre formats will be redone for easy data entry. Eventually,
I would like to move towards a telnet-able database that sysops can use to
enter and update their own info, but until then, I'm it...so be kind to
me.. :]
I'm also beginning to get updates to existing entries. If you do want to
update your entry please do the following: (1) point out to me the
difference in the new listing (sometimes the changes are so minor I can't
see them!), and (2) try not to send me more than one update in the same
month - I don't always date my "update file" so you never know which one
I'll use (I clear this file every month). Also, I will simply NOT update
your entry multiple times in the same month - I've had several sysops
modify their entries as many as 4 times in 30 days - even though the list
itself is only published once per month. This simply causes me more work
than I am willing to do for a single system. If you need an update,
please make sure it's correct before submitting it!
And finally...I've added a few new requirements to get on the list:
1. That any listed BBS must be "public" and accepting new members.
Personally, I don't see the point of advertising a system that won't
allow new users.
2. That the BBS run 24 hours/day (excluding maintenance/mail-runs), and be
accessible on the Internet during normal operations.
CHANGES TO THE LIST
-------------------
Only a few changes of note:
Sysop Email - I'm now limiting this to (2) addresses ONLY.
Country - I've actually started using this field...heh..
Number of Nodes - "Lines" really was the wrong word - what I really want
to know is how many simultaneous nodes do you currently support. So this
number represents the sum of all nodes - dial-up, telnet, x.25, other...
USER REQUESTS FOR THE LIST
--------------------------
So many users have started writing and asking for copies of the list, that
I've had to create a formal policy. I will NOT send out copies of the list
in email to those that request it - I will only send a single page message
describing all the ways someone can get the list on their own.
REQUESTS FOR OTHER INFORMATION
------------------------------
Another new phenomenon is the surge of strange requests from people for
information, ranging from "how do I setup an internet BBS", to "what's
telnet?". This gave me an interesting idea...I can post a list of
"information providers" along with the list. Perhaps if your company
sells internet access, you might not mind talking to the dozens of sysops
that write and ask me questions about how to jump on the net.
Anyone wishing to be listed as an "information provider", just drop me a
note, and let me know what kind of info you can provide...or think you can
provide...heh...
(Okay...I don't expect a lot of people responding to this..so suprise me).
BOARDWATCH MAGAZINE
-------------------
The SBI list is now listed in Boardwatch Magazine's "List of BBS List
Keepers" as "Internet BBS List". Unfortunately the format only allows for
them to list "home board" and phone number, which is Dragon Keep. But the
phone number listed in the 1/95 and 2/95 issues was wrong :(
For the record...the number for Dragon Keep is (904) 375-3500. Anyone can
login (by phone or telnet: dkeep.com), signup, and download the SBI list
for free (type /GO SBI after signup).
However, on a good note, I did speak with Gary Funk at Boardwatch and he
indicated that the magazine would be very interested in featuring Internet
BBS systems in an upcoming issue. (Personally, I think they're waiting
for the list to break 200...heh). I send them a copy of every list each
month...
SBI LIST DISTRIBUTION
---------------------
We are VERY close to getting the SBI list submitted in the moderated
newsgroups: news.answers and alt.answers. These are repositories for
periodic postings and FAQ's like the list. Keep your eyes open...
TECHNICAL ISSUES
----------------
Okay, I goofed. I failed to update the WWW display lists with the 1/95
listing last month. The WWW "telnet page", and the FTP site were fine,
but not the listing you get when you choose to "Display List" (you got the
12/94 list). I shall endeavor to be careful in the future :]
The WWW telnet pages have been updated to display a bit cleaner. I'm also
working on a "indexed" listing that will combine the "Quick" list and the
detailed list into one WEB page.
PEOPLE THAT SEND ME LISTS
-------------------------
I appreciate all those that have sent me lists of internet-accessible
BBS's, however, I only include a few in the actual listing. I'd include
more if I could actually connect to the majority of the systems on these
lists! The sysops of those systems not included in the SBI list are
welcome to send submissions - group submissions (like the MAC bbs list)
don't provide most of the details I need for the SBI list - and for some
reason, I never get thru to most BBS's that are on these other lists. I
even had someone send me a nice list of 30 internet BBS's by domain name -
of which only 1 domain name could be resolved (the list was maybe 10 years
old..heh)! I find I am wasting a lot of time on these other lists - so
please don't send them unless they are "live" systems you have actually
used. Anyway, like I've said before... get the sysop to send me the info
- its the best way to get on the list.
MILESTONES
----------
So far the list has been downloaded over 25,000 from the main FTP site,
and the WEB page is accessed several times PER HOUR. BBS distribution is
estimated at (conservatively) 10,000 downloads per month. Total
distribution is estimated at over 100,000.
Even with all this exposure, people still write in alt.bbs.internet "Hey,
anybody ever seen a telnet-able BBS list", to which people respond "Here's
a telnet address". Well, I've started posting SBI information "bulletins"
several times per month...maybe they will catch on.
And the last "milestone" is that this is - by far - the longest README.1ST
file the list has seen <g>.
Your SBI list author,
Richard (cerebus@dkmail.dkeep.com)