mitchell@cadovax.UUCP (Mitchell Lerner) (01/07/88)
I know that this has been talked about before, so please forgive
my redundancy.
We are interested in starting a Cadol BBS. I would appreciate
it if any of you know where I could get some BBS software that we
could run under System V (shareware/public domain is preferable).
Also, please mention some of the features of the package/program that
you are refering to as there will be specific feature that we wil need.
Thanks in advance!
--
Mitchell Lerner
UUCP: {ucbvax,ihnp4,decvax}!trwrb!cadovax!mitchell
"When I fight with my mind, my mind always wins" - Ben Hummelasgard@cpro.UUCP (J.R. Stoner) (01/08/88)
in article <1895@cadovax.UUCP>, mitchell@cadovax.UUCP (Mitchell Lerner) says: > Posted: Thu Jan 7 14:00:07 1988 > We are interested in starting a Cadol BBS. I would appreciate > it if any of you know where I could get some BBS software that we > could run under System V (shareware/public domain is preferable). > Also, please mention some of the features of the package/program that > you are refering to as there will be specific feature that we wil need. > Thanks in advance! > Mitchell Lerner I use UNaXcess (the most current net release - 1.00.02) on my clone running Microport V/AT. I have had this successfully operational for more than a year now and it is about rock-solid as you can get - kudos to Brandon Allberry (allberry@ncoast.UUCP) for this truly clever system. It is a full-security bbs with message conferences by named topic - users can create new conferences for new topics on demand. On-line registration of accounts and passwords. Different access levels for privileged users to 'fairwitness' conferences if the system grows sufficiently. File uplink/downlink using channels for XMODEM protocols (a separate program to do the protocol - many PD versions of that is available) KERMIT, and simple ASCII downlink of text-only files for text capture (like the well-written introduction to UNaXcess which all such systems have, obviously). The file up/down-links are also organized by named subject category. For a sample of what this is about call (415) 582-7691 2400/1200 for an overview of a public-access system with UNaXcess is like. I am told that Hayward is reachable by PC-Pursuit if you have that and you do not like long-distance charges. May the farce be with you. J.R. Stoner asgard@cpro.uucp ...ihnp4!hplabs!ptsfa!cpro!asgard -- "To prevent having to tell fools to RTFM don't let on you WTFM to begin with." J.R. Stoner asgard@cpro.UUCP asgard@wotan.UUCP P.S. I help CompuPro make computers. They do not help me make my opinions.
davidsen@steinmetz.steinmetz.UUCP (William E. Davidsen Jr) (01/12/88)
In article <1895@cadovax.UUCP> mitchell@cadovax.UUCP (Mitchell Lerner) writes: | ... | We are interested in starting a Cadol BBS. I would appreciate | it if any of you know where I could get some BBS software that we | could run under System V (shareware/public domain is preferable). | | Also, please mention some of the features of the package/program that | you are refering to as there will be specific feature that we wil need. I am running two sets of software currently. They are: UNaXcess - contact allbery@ncoast.uucp readonly conferences fairwitness membership conferences table driven passwords are stored encrypted excellent audit trail via LOGFILE I have hacked this heavily, changing the menus, adding YMODEM, ZMODEM and SEAlink. There is a version later than 1.00.02 available. By the terms of the copyright I can't distribute my changes. I do not feel that there is any reason why I can't distribute my utilities, but the documentation is not ready. XBBS - contact sandy@alphacm.uucp RBBS-like interface allows access levels on commands, files, and areas allows reading of info files allows access to commands (I added a few games) Has almost every known file xfer protocol Allows display of contents of .arc, .tar, and .tar.Z files. I added zoo, don't know if sandy has. Has a configurable questionare for new users. I added a few things to the querry language and mailed them to sandy, don't know if he like them. configuration file allows some changes without compilation What I don't like about them: UNaXcess: permissions are not a bit map, I can't have a user class which can read messages and download, but not upload, and other special mixtures like that. does not have the ability to display the contents of archives and/or extract text files for ASCII download. comments are a bit terse (the version posted to the net may have had comments stripped for size limitations) XBBS uses a packed message file rather than one message/file. This saves inodes but requires recycling message numbers. System maintenence tools are not as convenient as UNaXcess, and the documentation is sparse, even by UNIX standards. No membership conferences. Passwords stored as text Not table driven (I changed some of that) No easy way to enter a message from a file (I may have missed it) Poor trail of uploads, user activity, etc (may have been enhanced) Summary: UNaXcess takes much less effort to maintain. It offers a number of features not available in XBBS. XBBS has a user interface similar to RBBS. It is less formal and well suited for a more casual BBS. If the sysop is just keeping things under control as opposed to heavy interraction, it is quite acceptable to run. Why am I running two systems: I wanted to try XBBS. No better way than to install it. I can share files (but not messages) with UNaXcess. My original BBS, which I operate for the local UNIX SIG, requires that users wanting files access either join the group, upload useful software, or pay a one time registration fee. The XBBS system is totally free, but depends on uploads for its files. The selection is minimal at present, but I'm seeing a pickup in usage. I wanted to see if people would use the free system over the pay system, and if the message traffic would be higher on one than the other. There is a unix-pc area on the UNaXcess BBS. If you want to try either of these, you can call 518-346-8033 any time. For UNaXcess login as bbs, then NEW, then answer questions. You will be able to up/download from the guest area, read all message areas and leave messages in guest. Anyone will be validated for message access in a few days. For XBBS login as xbbs, then your name. Anyone who fills out the questionare will be validated for everything, currently including games. There are other BBSs out there, PicoSpan on chinet and magpie on magpie. Pico is commercial, I don't think magpie is available to other right now, when it is I'll run it because I like it. -- bill davidsen (wedu@ge-crd.arpa) {uunet | philabs | seismo}!steinmetz!crdos1!davidsen "Stupidity, like virtue, is its own reward" -me
learn@igloo.UUCP (william vajk) (01/14/88)
In article <8577@steinmetz.steinmetz.UUCP>, davidsen@steinmetz.steinmetz.UUCP (William E. Davidsen Jr) writes: > In article <1895@cadovax.UUCP> mitchell@cadovax.UUCP (Mitchell Lerner) writes: > | ... > | We are interested in starting a Cadol BBS. I would appreciate > | it if any of you know where I could get some BBS software that we > | could run under System V (shareware/public domain is preferable). > | > | Also, please mention some of the features of the package/program that > | you are refering to as there will be specific feature that we wil need. > > I am running two sets of software currently. They are: > > UNaXcess - contact allbery@ncoast.uucp > XBBS has a user interface similar to RBBS. It is less formal and well > suited for a more casual BBS. If the sysop is just keeping things under > control as opposed to heavy interraction, it is quite acceptable to run. > > > There are other BBSs out there, PicoSpan on chinet and magpie on > magpie. Pico is commercial, I don't think magpie is available to other > right now, when it is I'll run it because I like it. I run two commercial packages on igloo. Picospan was the package I started with, and while a tad pricy, I have never regretted my choice. Features multi-thread multiple conferences, with internal thread linking, full fairwitness features, availability of private conferences. Contact mike@m-net for pricing and ordering info. There are several large picospan installations (m-net, chinet, the Well, Chariot, fishnet, and several others I just can't recall, plus one in India.) I also run a second bbs aboard igloo, written by Karl Denninger (karl@ddsw1) as a beta test site for his system. It has similar features to picospan, and is much lower in price. Linking software to network conferences among systems is included in AKSC. Currently, four systems share linked conferences, vp-net, ddsw1, igloo, and nucleus. AkCS is still reeceiving updates and constant upgrades. This sort of thing happens when a programmer also controls distribution. I have never called gryphon, run by greg laskin, and he is pruported to be running software written for the unix environment by Bill Blue. I know nothing of the availability of this software, but I understand that Bill can be contacted at gryphon. There is a list of public access unix boards published and maintained by wayne@warble, and updates seem to be coming with some regularity over pubnet. A wide diversity of bbs software is represented in that list. Anyone wishing a copy of the latest can mail to me, billw@killer, or wayne@warble <select the site nearest you>. In the chicago area, which has 5 (count em five) public access unix systems, UnaXcess is a surefire looser. All five have free access, with some contribution/fee basis for usenet access on those who are so inclined. Igloo permits reading usenet to validated users, and posting to usenet to only to a handfull of staff and computer professionals. Probably, the number of unix boxes open for public use here should come as no surprise....it all started in Chicago. There is a final consideration in setting up a bbs. No matter what software you run, it is the mix of the sysadm's policies and originality coupled with the interests of the users that will make it run well or fail. The software is only another tool, important for sure, but still only a small part of the overall picture. Bill Vajk e-mail learn@igloo igloo---the little machine that could--and one year old this week