Bruce_Kahn@maytag.ceo.dg.COM (11/15/87)
Can someone tell me a bit more about this Proline BBS system that I
have seen mentioned on the net recently? I currently run GBBS Pro
and am waiting for a networked version (ProLink I believe). I have
not seen any adds or info on Proline before so it intrigues me that
it is tied into the larger networks.
Bruce Kahngronke@percival.UUCP (Lisa Gronke) (11/23/87)
>Can someone tell me a bit more about this Proline BBS system that I >have seen mentioned on the net recently? I currently run GBBS Pro >and am waiting for a networked version (ProLink I believe). I have >not seen any adds or info on Proline before so it intrigues me that >it is tied into the larger networks. I, too, run a GBBS Pro BBS. One of my users uploaded a session from the ProLine BBS in San Diego which contained the description of the ProLine BBS package written by Morgan Davis (mdavis@pro-sol) and available from Living Legends Software. Probably the simplest thing to do is to call ProLine at 619/281-7222 (login as "guest") and capture 'I - Information about this system'. What it appears to be is two shells (a UNIX-like shell with 85+ unix-like commands and an RSH with 11+ BBS-like single letter commands), a text editor, public conferencing system (bulletins), private E-Mail, data library (up/download) section, accounting (sysop) section and help files. The networking is not described in any detail. "At the heart of every ProLine system is ModemWorks, a communications programming language that allows Applesoft programmers to build modem- related applications." ProLine Version 1.2 package is $195.50. It isn't clear to me whether you also need ModemWorks, but the order form lists ModemWorks 2.0 at $59.95. It runs on an Apple II+, Apple //e or Apple IIgs and REQUIRES a hard disk and ProDOS compatible clock. The only internal modem supported is the Apple-Cat II (212 card optional). If you do call ProLine, I would try to find out the exact hardware configuration they are running. My gut feeling is that you're gonna want an accelerator card to make this run well. Every user has his own directory area (the software has a logical limit of 300 users) so you might ask some pointed questions about large scuzzy hard disks and multi-phone line capabilities. Morgan Davis may want to "build an empire which surpasses that of a certain networked BBS named after a dog." but the trend here in Portland seems to be more a local 'internet'. We have an active FidoNet (#105) and a number of linked semi-private unix systems. We have a Opus BBS that is posting 10+ usenet newsgroups using uuslave and a bunch of MS-DOS systems linking with uucp for mail using UUPC. Two of our Atari systems running STadel have preliminary uucp links. I maintain the Portland BBS list (which means I call all the 100+ BBS on a regular basis) and have a special interest in Wide Area Networks and am having a terrible time keeping up with just the Portland 'meganet'. What is this about a networked version of GBBS? I don't have time to call the GBBS support board and I haven't gotten anything in the mail from them since the postcard a year ago announcing that L & L Productions would henceforth be distributing the GBBS software. Lisa Gronke Co-Sysop, Applephilia BBS 503/591-8090 UUCP ....!tektronix!reed!percival!gronke