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1997-02-01
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PACKET INFORMATION BULLETIN #2
BID: INFOBBS.002
CHOOSING YOUR BBS
As the network of nodes and packet switches continues to expand, it is
becoming easier and easier to connect to stations all over Northern
California and beyond. As a result of this easy access, we're finding
stations using Bulletin Board Systems that are 50, 100, even 200 miles
or more away from them. In just the past few days, I've noticed a
station in Reno using the BBS in San Francisco, a station in Sausalito
using the BBS in Yuba City, a station in Chico using the BBS in Fremont,
and a station in San Francisco using a BBS in Santa Barbara.
This practice of BBS DXing is NOT a good one for several reasons:
1-You're unnecessarily adding to the congestion on the network.
2-You're wasting your own time due to the long wait between packets.
3-You're blocking the use of the BBS for local users.
4-You'll timeout and be disconnected before you have finished more
often than not.
There are now 41 BBSes in Northern California, so you should be able
to find one close to your QTH. All 41 of the BBSes carry the same
bulletins, and a message left on any of these systems will be forwarded
within a short time to any of the others. There is no need to use a
BBS that's miles away from you.
Fred, K6RAU, the NCPA BBS Coordinator, publishes a monthly list of NCPA
Bulletin Boards showing their callsigns, operating frequecies and
location. Read this message and find the systems that are the CLOSEST
to you, then try connecting to them to determine the one with the best
path. You should attempt to find one where you can connect directly
without using a node, switch or digipeater, if possible.
Once you've found a local BBS with a good path, you should make it your
"Home BBS". Use it whenever you can. If it's busy, you can try one of
the other LOCAL systems, but please refrain from connecting to a BBS
that's in another part of the state.
In INFO Bulletin #3 I'll explain why you should choose ONE and only ONE
HOME BBS.