langz@athena.mit.edu (Lang Zerner) (05/08/88)
Hi. I have a bunch of PCs and diskless PC workstations (3com 3stations) on a
3com network. I want to provide a bulletin board system for my clients that
meets the following conditions (not necessarily in order of importance):
* Multi-user
I want to be able to hook up many modems to each full PC, using a multiport
serial card or a multimodem card such as the Galacticomm boards.
*Network-compatible
I want to have the BBS running on multiple machines, using the network
fileserver as a central file system, so the BBS software has to be able to work
with 3com.
*Customizable
In addition to to the multiple ports per PC, I need a good programming library
(such as the one in the Galacticomm package) or a near-infinitely flexible
configuration system. Some things I can think of that I'd like to work into
the system are:
(1) setting up certain accounts so that they don't go into the menu system,
but instead do some preprogrammed activity like downloading certain files,
then uploading others, then logging out. This would enable someone to login
as, say, `update' and have their system updated remotely.
(2) Different menu trees depending on user, so user A could start at the
`Client' main menu, while user B would be greeted with the `System' main
menu. Each of these menus could be at the top of totally different menu
trees.
In essence, I want the BBS to provide the UNIX ability of specifying the login
shell on a per user basis. If this feature is built into the system, good; if
it is built in as a collection of library functions that I can play with, even
better.
I've seen literature on the Galacticomm board, and I'd be interested to hear
anyone's comments on it. Does it work with networks? I know they have a
complete programmer's library for writing systems. Could this provide the
features I'm looking for? I'm also very interested in hearing about any
alternatives to the Galacticom system. Please mail or post (I know there are a
few `readers' who are interested in this topic).
Thanks much!
Be seeing you...
Lang Zerner langz@athena.mit.edu ihnp4!mit-eddie!athena.mit.edu!langz
"Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage..."
-- Bill Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, I.v.19