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1999-12-13
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A New BBS Checklist
by Scott Adams
So you are a new Sysop and need help to figure out all you need to
make your system complete, then read on. This article is oriented
for the Telegard BBS software. It has been many years since I've
started my bbs but I still remeber the excitement of it all and
the confusion as to what I needed. Hopefully this article will
give some insight for the new Sysop.
In order to figure out what you need you will have to answer a
few questions:
o What operating system to run on?
o Will the BBS be a dedicated machine?
o Will I be single node or multi-node?
o Do I want to go TelNet?
o Will I recieve message networks like Fidonet?
o Will I want Internet email?
o Will I be a major file hub or just have some small file bases?
If you can answer all of the above your planning will be esaier
in the long run. I will attempt to tackle each one individually
below:
o What operating system to run on?
Well Telegard runs under Windows 9x through a Dos Shell or under
Dos by itself. Telegard has a native OS/2 Version (TG/2). Telegard
has proven itself to work under Windows 95/98/NT quite well along
with OS/2. Under dos TG/DOS has run the longest term of the others
and runs very fast. Many that use dos use OpenDos, Desqview (like
myself). Once you know the OS you will run under consult the below.
Windows 95/98/NT, DOS - run TG/DOS
OS/2 native - run TG/2
Operating system decision will also affect every other decison you
will need to make. For example there aren't many direct utilities
that help a BBS sysop in OS/2 yet there are tons that work fine under
DOS. Front End mailers and other software is also limited under OS/2.
o Will the BBS be a dedicated machine?
What I mean by dedicated machine is will the BBS sit on a computer
that will ONLY serve as the BBS or will you use it for daily activity
like games, word processing and normal computer work. IF it is dedicated
than the OS choice might be easier since a dedicated machine might
not need all the power of a big OS like Windows. But if you are to
multi-task on that system then you will need a OS that will allow that
kinda activity like Windows, Desqview/Dos or OS/2.
o Will I be single node or multi-node?
Many run Telegard as a single node system but the sysop can not
get online while a user is online. If you have the ability through
your OS to multi-task (Dos/Desqview, Windows, OS/2) then maybe going
mulit-node is wise if you wish to get on the bbs (to edit things
or read mail) while a user is online. Mulit-node is also a term if
you have more than one phone line (one line = one node of Telegard
in this case). Decide which is best for you. My suggestion is
have a user node and a local (sysop node (node 2). For node 2 you
do not need another phone line but the OS to handle it. Then later
on as you see the BBS grow you can decide if more than 1 or 2 nodes
is needed.
o Do I want to go TelNet?
I will admit I'm biased against Telnet systems. But if you wish
to go that route Telegard will do that perfectly. However, you will
need the OS to handle Telnet which means DOS is completely out of
the question. Therefore you will need Windows or OS/2. You will
then need to obtain the common telnet software to handle it and set
the software up.
o Will I recieve message networks like Fidonet?
a message network is one in which you can obtain mail called
echomail from other BBSes and communicate with people outside of
your BBS. These networks also carry file bone systems which can
send you files for your users to download. Also some networks
even have Inter-bbs games that allow your users to play with
and compete with other BBSes. IF you decide to join one of these
networks they tend to be free or very low cost like Fidonet (the
world's largest network) or Adventurenet (private network open to
all that I run - free :) - shameless plug). If you do receive
these networks though you will need to configure your BBS to support
them through what are called Front-End Mailers that connect to
other BBSes to pick up that mail.
o Will I want Internet email?
If you want Internet email there are many outlets for it from
gateways to software that enable it to get email for you and your
users through your Internet service provider. The easiest way
is to find a email gateway (alot of gateways are also FidoNet
BBSes who feed fidonet) and then you will only need to configure
your mail tosser to get the email. To obtain it from your ISP
more complex software like GIGO, NewsGate or Watergate to name
a few will need to be used.
o Will I be a major file hub or just have some small file bases?
If you are to receive files from outside the BBS as I mentioned
in the Networks portion then you will need a file Tosser that will
handle those inbound files and 'toss' them to your BBS automatically.
After these decisions are made here is a general checklist and
common software suggestions for the above.
First here are some recommended steps I suggest to all new Sysops:
1) Don't just jump in to be a Sysop. Most tend to fail in the
first six months of operation. My #1 suggestion is to become what
is known as a Co-sysop on another Telegard system. Ask the sysop
if you can help him and he can teach you Telegard. You will get
to know the setup and how to handle being a sysop. This will
double your chances for success due to the learned experience.
2) Obtain documents like FidoNet or Sysop for Dummies that are
on many web sites or BBSes around. Ask veteran sysops for these
docs. These will help teach you many of the common slang or terms
used in the BBS community.
3) Be-friend a local sysop and learn from him but don't be
too annoying with the questions. Just be willing to learn but
follow the other tips.
4) A TRUE sysop reads the software documentation. Too many times
we have seen sysops who we know don't read the docs and their questions
could have been answered by such. Just in case you can't find
them they are in the \docs directory which is off your main Telegard
directory :).
5) Lastly don't be afraid to ask 'stupid questions' after you have
read all the docs you can find on the subject then ask someone for
help. Just remeber everyone was a new sysop at one time. Find the
official Telegard support methods (see \docs\faq.doc) like the FidoNet
Telegard support echo and ask in there. You will get expert help
very promptly.
Now that you are ready to set up your system. Try these tips:
1) Setup your Operating system to its fullest point. Configure
the Cd-roms, memory and settings to your advantage. Just remeber
a BBS depends on modem communications so configure it with this
in mind.
2) Setup Telegard itself to the point you feel you are ready
to open up. Do all the menus, file bases, message bases and
add your online games. Telegard runs fine out of the 'box'
but a unique system is a good system so customize your system
for a long time before you open up.
3) If you are to go Telnet you will need the software to run it
which does not come with Telegard. Common examples are NetModem/32,
Vcom, and Com/Ip that work very well with Telegard. The particular
software you will need depends on your Operating System.
4) If you are to have message networks you will need softeare that
are called Front-End Mailers. Common examples are FrontDoor, Binkley
Term, and InterMail. The particular software will depend on your
operating system.
5) If you are to obtain files from outside you will need a good
file tosser to handle those files. The best out there is Allfix
which is good for many of the operating systems out there. Another
example is Tick or AMU.
6) If you are to have many message bases you will need a external
mail tosser. Common examples are FastEcho, Gecho, and Fmail. These
programs can handle and process large amounts of external mail from
networks and purge your message bases (delete messages).
7) Obtain many of the Telegard utilities, scripts and support files
that have come out over the years. Many of these are on the official
web and ftp site (see \docs\faq.doc). You will find many of these
are of great benefit to you in the long run.
8) Before you sit down to configure anything you might want to
read all the documentation and print it out for yourself to have handy.
If you have a prepared outline like the above then you can sit down
and configure your BBS. Don't be discouraged if your BBS does not
run over night. Depending on the above decisions you might take
a while to configure and obtain all the software. Telegard did
not come included with many of the listed software because it is best to
have it programmed to do what is best for a bbs BE A BBS. All the
external softwares are there to support the bbs software. I've been
doing this BBS stuff for 12 years and customization never ends for me
because its a fun process and change is always good. Just sit
back and enjoy the hobby you have found yourself in.
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To contact me for feedback on the article or questions/comments:
BBS: 904-733-1721 Fringe BBS-EWOG II (guest account avaliable)
Email: longshot@darktech.org ICQ #: 24436933
website: http://users.cybermax.net/~longshot
Netmail: FidoNet 1:112/91 Fido TG Echo: Tg_support
I welcome any comments or questions ohe articles. If enough
feedback is given I can do article follow-ups. I suggest you also
send feedback to the the other article authors of this newsletter
for without feedback the desire to continue is difficult.
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