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95 KiB
Plaintext
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ·ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ·ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ·ÚÄÄ· ÚÄÄ·ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ·ÚÄÄ· ÚÄÄ·ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ·
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³ ÄÄÄÄÄ º³ ÄÄÄÄÄ º³ ÄÄÄÄÄ º³ º ³ º³ ÄÄÄÄÄ º³ º ³ º³ ÄÄÄÄÄ º
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Ô͸ Éͼ³ ÉÍÍÍͼ³ ÉÍÍÍͼ³ º\³ º³ ÉÍÍÍͼ³ º ³ º³ ÉÍÍͼ
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³þþþº ³þþº ³þþÓÄ· ³þþºþ³þþº³þþÓÄ· ³þþº ÚÄÄ· ³þþº³þþþÓÄÄÄ·
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³±±±º ³±±º ³±±Éͼ ³±±º\³±±º³±±Éͼ ³±±º ³±±º ³±±ºÔÍ͸±±±±º
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ÚÄÙ ÓÄ·³ ÓÄÄÄÄ·³ ÓÄÄÄÄ·³ º ³ º³ ÓÄÄÄÄ·³ ÓÄÙ ÓÄÙ ºÚÄÄÙ º
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³ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛº³ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛº³ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛº³ÛÛº ³ÛÛº³ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛº³ÛÛÛÛÚÄÄ·ÛÛÛÛº³ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛº
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ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍͼÔÍÍÍÍÍÍͼÔÍÍÍÍÍÍͼÔÍͼ ÔÍͼÔÍÍÍÍÍÍͼÔÍÍÍ; ÈÍÍÍͼÔÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ
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Volume 3, Issue 3 The Journal of IceNET December 1993
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ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
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³ The Editor's Desk ³
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³ 1. From The Top 1@1 ³
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³ 2. Letters To The Editors Introduction 2@7653 ³
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³ ³
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³ Feature Articles ³
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³ 3. Is IceNET In Danger Of Being Absorbed By FIDOnet 1@5462 ³
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³ 4. How To Avoid Burnout 1@9680 ³
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³ ³
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³ Technical ³
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³ 5. The Odd Modem 1@9661 ³
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³ ³
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³ WWIV Specific ³
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³ 6. New Sysop Help Line 1@4707 ³
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³ ³
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³ Hardware ³
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³ 7. Building a Personal Computer System 1@6754 ³
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³ ³
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³ Software ³
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||
³ 8.Programming In C++ 1@8273 ³
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³ ³
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³ Light Bytes ³
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³ 9. Silly Strings 1@9661 ³
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³ 10.SysGods: Sysops With An Attitude 2@7653 ³
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ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ
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T H E E D I T O R ' S D E S K
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
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³ From The Top ³ Jim 1@1
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ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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IceNEWS is back ! I hope you enjoy this issue as I believe it's just the
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||
first of what will be a very good electronic journal publication. There's a
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||
newfound enthusiasm within the people now helping prepare IceNEWS. I'd like to
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||
give them a hearty thanks and congratulations for getting this issue
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||
published. I feel the new team will continue to grow and develop and will
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become a yet another gem in the string of IceNET Innovations you've come to
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||
expect.
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With great pleasure, and as Editor-in-Chief (who does nothing :)), I
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bring you the new and improved IceNEWS. Read, and enjoy!
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Jim 1@1
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IceNEWS Editor-In-Chief and Publisher
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ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
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³ Letters To The Editors Introduction ³ Deacon Blues 2@7653
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ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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As this month's Managing Editor of the newly restructured IceNEWS, I
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||
would like to announce the arrival of a new monthly feature to the
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||
publication, one that has been long overdue. IceNEWS Letters To The Editors
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||
will now appear in each new issue of IceNEWS as a service from the editors to
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||
the readers.
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||
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As the network that it serves has grown, so, too, has IceNEWS. Gone are
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||
the days when only one or two people were responsible for producing IceNEWS as
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||
editors. This new restructuring effort has added many more dedicated and
|
||
energetic people into editing and writing capacities for IceNEWS, thereby
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||
(hopefully) broadening the scope of the publication while maintaining the
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||
highest overall quality in every respect. With the addition of new features,
|
||
the opportunity for input from our readers also broadens as there will be more
|
||
for you to comment on.
|
||
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||
When the new editors of IceNEWS and others who also wished to be a part
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||
of the publication got together and began the rebuilding of the publication,
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||
one of the first questions we asked ourselves was "How can we open up IceNEWS
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||
more to the readers, the people we're supposed to be publishing this for in
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||
the first place?" One of the first suggestions was one of the most simple,
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||
basic ideas one can think of, yet so simple that somehow it had never been
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||
implemented before in the history of the publication. One that appears in
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||
almost every other type of publication, from the largest newspaper or magazine
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||
to the smallest school newsletter. A Letters To The Editors section.
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||
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At IceNEWS, we want to know what you think about what we publish. As the
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||
editors, it is our job to put forward the best possible product to serve the
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||
network and the people who read it. We need to know from you if you think
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||
we're doing or not doing our jobs. Did you enjoy the issue? What did you like?
|
||
What did you dislike? Why? What would you like to see more of? Less of? These
|
||
are things we need to know from you, the readers, to keep us on our toes and
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||
to help us produce the types of issues you'd like to read.
|
||
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Please address your responses or questions to:
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||
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||
IceNEWS Letters To The Editors
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c/o Jim, 1@1
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Editor-In-Chief, IceNEWS
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As this is the first installment of this new continuing feature, we have
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||
no actual letters from readers to print here for this issue. However, we're
|
||
counting on you to change that for us. Please take the time to write us
|
||
regarding your feelings on IceNEWS, good or bad. We want to hear what you have
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||
to say. We need to hear what you have to say.
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Respectfully yours,
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Deacon Blues, 2@7653
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Managing Editor for IceNEWS - Volume 3 Issue 3 - December 1993
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ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
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F E A T U R E A R T I C L E S
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ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
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ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
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||
³ Is IceNET in danger of being absorbed by FIDOnet ³ Jessica Lovecraft 1@5462
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ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
|
||
With the upcoming release of WWIV4.23 many a SysOp have voiced concern
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||
that IceNET in it's current state may be assimilated inside FIDOnet. I think
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||
it's an unwarranted fear mostly found in people who are wary of change.
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I've been involved with IceNET for a while now. I've seen the network
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grow, change and adapt. In it's present format it has become quite viable.
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||
Perhaps it's not as well spread outside North America as FIDOnet, or
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||
Internet/Usenet, however IceNET continues to grow and expand. With the
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||
multi-language addition it will most certainly attract new systems from other
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||
areas world wide.
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||
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||
What has made WWIV software popular among those who use it is it's user
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||
friendly interface. With a minimum of computer literacy, most have been able
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||
to run a netted WWIV BBS. Such is not the case with FIDOnet compatible BBS
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||
software.
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||
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||
In the past year we have seen features such as multi-network capability.
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||
This has brought to life numerous WWIV based networks, some which are bound to
|
||
expand, but most are nothing more then local networks who's well-being is
|
||
entirely dependent on one individual the N.C. Most of these smaller nets come
|
||
and go without affecting IceNET.
|
||
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||
As AC in WWIVnet and IceNET for the 514 area, I've noticed recently that
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||
most of the BBSes that have had longevity with WWIVnet also carry either
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||
WWIVlink , IceNET as well as local networks.
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We've had FIDOnet in the 514 area code for as long as I can remember.
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||
Twice a local system had decided to gate subs between FIDO and WWIV. Twice it
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||
was dropped due to the lack of interest from the majority of the sysops in
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||
both networks.
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Making WWIV software compatible with FIDOnet will permit those who
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||
already gate subs or run a dual system to continue to do so. Those who are
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||
like myself who like things quick and dirty and had been thinking FIDO will
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||
take the leap, but for most it will be nothing more then an extra feature they
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||
have the option to use.
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||
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||
The philosophy behind both networks is totally different from both the
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||
standpoint of the sysop and also that of the users. We can all enjoy the
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||
anonymity that WWIV provides us. This is extremely important to those who are
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||
part of visible and not so visible minorities. As a female pagan, I have the
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||
opportunity to discuss with others all over without the fear of being
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||
persecuted for my beliefs in my daily life.
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||
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||
FIDOnet does not have the same standards. For instance it is common
|
||
practice to send files via the network, through automatic request. IceNET is a
|
||
more cost conscious network, where Sysops are concerned about the extra cost
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||
of having routing information imbedded in the messages.
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||
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||
Even the structure of both networks is different. My understanding is
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||
that it is easier to weed out bad apples in IceNET, and keep some control over
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||
the systems that are in the network. Have you tried moderating a heavy traffic
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||
FIDOnet conference?
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||
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||
Assimilated inside FIDOnet? In some people's dreams only. Those who have
|
||
made the network what it is today will not go FIDO tomorrow. If they had
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||
wished to do so, they would have left long ago.
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Jessica Lovecraft 1@5462
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ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
|
||
|
||
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||
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
|
||
³ How To Avoid Burnout ³ Chris 1@9680
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||
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
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||
|
||
One of the most fulfilling hobbies I have ever been involved in has been
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||
BBS communications. And, the most gratifying part of modem communication has
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||
been using bulletin board systems to express my thoughts and ideas. One can
|
||
almost completely express themselves through this wonderful avenue. But, if
|
||
you are like me, there comes a time when you put so much into the medium, as a
|
||
sysop, that you loose yourself and other means of enjoyment from what I call
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||
BBS BURNOUT! This is what I am going to address in this article.
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||
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||
To define burnout I would be best to describe it in practical terms. Have
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||
you ever put yourself into something so much and dedicated yourself so wholly
|
||
to something that it seemed to get old? Have you ever seemed to grow tired by
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||
the very thought of the same thing over and over? Have you ever spent so much
|
||
time on something that it caused a stress point to the effect that you felt
|
||
like just tossing in the towel? How about this? Have you ever felt that your
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||
bbs takes too much of your time? That it seems to be so addicting that you
|
||
just can't leave it alone? Your bbs seems to cause undo stress because of,
|
||
perhaps, users that just don't understand how you put your all into the bbs
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||
but yet they want you, and even demand you to give them instant action? These
|
||
are just some of the symptoms of BBS BURNOUT!
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||
Now how does one handle this situation. Well, that is the point of the
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||
whole matter isn't it. I personally got so burned out that I announced a
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||
premature closing of my bbs. I was so tired of it all that I was about to shut
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||
it down for good. But being as addicted as the rest of us sysops, I decided
|
||
that was not the thing to do. I needed to learn how to handle and control my
|
||
love for the bbs and, yet, still keep my sanity and my other life's priorities
|
||
in line.
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||
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||
Here are some things I learned on this matter that I hope will help you
|
||
to never come to the point of burnout, or to help get you through the point of
|
||
burnout. First, look at your priorities. If you don't have any, think of some
|
||
of these. Which is more important to you. How about your family? How about
|
||
your time to get alone by yourself? How about he priority of relationships
|
||
outside the bbs life? What about your means of earning a living? Indeed these
|
||
should be close to the top of your priority list. One needs to set priorities
|
||
in their life if they are to survive.
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||
I have a list that I thought you may like to see. This is my personal
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||
list that, if only I would adhere to, I would be a lot better off.
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||
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||
1. My family. Providing for their care and giving them not only my financial
|
||
benefits but my time, quality time, and providing advise and love and just
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||
being there when needed? If this is lacking, it could be most miserable for
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you.
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2. My job. Where do the bucks come from? Sometimes a job can provide a way of
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escape from the same old same old if you know what i mean.
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3. My personal time alone. Now this really is a need in everyone's life you
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||
know. We all need time to collect our thoughts and to think the day
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through. To evaluate our life and see where we have come from and to where
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||
we are going.
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4. My bbs. This is the last of my priorities. Now sometimes this tends to get
|
||
on the top of the list, but when it does, I find that is when burnout
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||
becomes a problem. Yes, your bbs is an important thing, but is it more
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||
important than the other priorities?...
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||
Now I am not saying that these are all my priorities, but they are some
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||
of the major ones. How about you? Have you set priorities in your own personal
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life? If not, I would suggest that you think your priorities over and set up a
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list of importance.
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Second, after you have set your priorities, consider how you react to
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your bbs. Is it almost an obsessive thing to you? Can you leave it for a day
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without feeling that you are missing something. DO YOU CONTROL YOUR BBS OR
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||
DOES YOUR BBS CONTROL YOU? That is the root of the thing isn't it? We all need
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||
to learn that a bbs will survive us say, leaving for a vacation or just
|
||
getting away for a day. It will operate fine even if we don't log on every
|
||
hour to check our mail or to check who has logged on. We need to learn that we
|
||
MUST put it aside at times. If we don't, there may come a time we may just
|
||
leave it for good.
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The thing I want us to learn here is that we must be able to control all
|
||
extra things in our lives if we are to maintain our sanity or our stress
|
||
levels. Too much of anything is not good. I guess the word here is MODERATION.
|
||
Don't be obsessive about the bbs. Walk away at times. Not that I think we
|
||
should abandon it altogether, but just realize it will still be there when we
|
||
get back to it.
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There are a few things we could do that will give us that time away. How
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||
about a very close friend or relative that will share the sysop
|
||
responsibilities with you? I have learned that having another person take some
|
||
of the responsibility does wonders for my out look of the bbs. A one person
|
||
show, sometimes, is not the best way to go. Delegate some duties to others.
|
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There are those who would be very happy to assist... Just make sure they are
|
||
people you can trust. Everyone has someone they can delegate to. If you are
|
||
one of the rare ones who doesn't, train someone you like that is on your bbs.
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Get to know them. And try them out on different responsibilities to see how
|
||
they handle them.
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Learn to cope with your stress. Live just one day at a time. Realize that
|
||
you can't do it all in a day. Anything is good doesn't come over night. Don't
|
||
worry about it so much. Worrying doesn't solve a thing, it only brings on more
|
||
stress and eventual BURNOUT. Toss those things you worry about to other people
|
||
you delegate to help you. Once you delegate learn that you still have to
|
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follow through on your helpers. Here is a little list on delegation which may
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help you, it has me.
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||
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Identify the project.
|
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Identify who can deal with the project.
|
||
Delegate that responsibility to someone you can trust to do it.
|
||
Make sure they have the necessary materials to handle it.
|
||
Follow through by asking how it is coming, if they are on top of it.
|
||
Let it go and don't worry about it.
|
||
|
||
Yes, delegation is a tremendous way to aid in lowering your stress
|
||
factor. Try it! Anyway, I would rather see that us sysops try to control our
|
||
own situations by setting priorities and learning how to delegate
|
||
responsibilities than taking down our bbs's.
|
||
|
||
So, in conclusion, do give in to BURNOUT! Prioritize, and delegate where
|
||
you can. You will find these are some of the major keys to avoiding the giving
|
||
up feeling and keeping your sanity. Hang in there, and let me know if I can be
|
||
of further assistance
|
||
|
||
Chris Nicholson, 1@9680
|
||
ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
|
||
|
||
|
||
T E C H N I C A L
|
||
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
|
||
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
|
||
³ The Odd Modem ³ Ima Moron 1@9661
|
||
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
|
||
Some months ago I received a free Racal Vadic 9632VP modem. The Racal
|
||
9632VP isn't listed in Modems.mdm and with Racal's unique service policy where
|
||
they burn an eprom according to the customer's needs the modem created a
|
||
unique setup problem for putting this modem to use.
|
||
|
||
Definitions: anomaly; a quirk that is a deviation from the expected norm
|
||
but does not render a device useless. TOS; Top Of Screen, the user data.
|
||
|
||
For one whole day the old Racal operated flawlessly, then the eprom blew
|
||
when a user changed the baud while online. BAM! the Racal came offline and I
|
||
called Racal Milgo company for a price quote of $257.00 to repair or replace
|
||
the modem. Good luck Racal, at that price I could buy a new US Robotics
|
||
sportster. I caught a user friend of mine on the BBS and requested that he
|
||
look at the modem, he fixed the eprom for the use of the modem for a month. My
|
||
sincere thanks Lucas Nihart for having salvaged my Xmas present.
|
||
|
||
EPROM CHIPS
|
||
|
||
The eprom chip is the operating brain in a modem. The buyer of a used
|
||
modem may expect a standard "hayes compatible" burn, the reality of the
|
||
situation is that you never know what the previous owners have had done to the
|
||
hardware setup. A smart move for the buyer of a used modem would be to plug it
|
||
in and run some diagnostic software to determine if the non-volatile memory
|
||
and the uart chip are operating correctly, particularly if you acquired an old
|
||
modem used in a business. You can acquire diagnostic software made
|
||
specifically for this purpose from;
|
||
|
||
The Modem Doctor Copyr. 1989, 1990,1991,1992,1993 Hank Volpe
|
||
P.O. Box 43214
|
||
Baltimore MD 21236
|
||
Voice : 410-256-5767
|
||
BBS : 410-256-3631
|
||
|
||
This is semi-shareware that will determine the operating condition of a
|
||
modem. If you're interested in acquiring that file watch for MDR51.ZIP,
|
||
MODEMD51.ZIP, and MODOC51.ZIP. 51 stands for version 5.1, the latest release
|
||
from the programmer. This file determines the condition of both chips and
|
||
spells out the operating standard programed into the eprom.
|
||
|
||
Eprom knowledge learned and applied
|
||
|
||
An interesting point about the new genre of modems and eprom chips should
|
||
be mentioned at this point. Some of these modems have an engineering anomaly
|
||
(1) of the eprom, this anomaly in the operation may cause some of what the
|
||
operator presumes possible to be impossible. This anomaly has manifested
|
||
itself before myself within a GVC corporation manufactured modem which had a
|
||
problem switching v42 off and establishing a v22bis at 2400 baud connect, also
|
||
a non v42 9600 baud MNP5 v32 connect. The modem was engineered to utilize the
|
||
v42 data compression with MNP5, if switched off the modem had a problem
|
||
acquiring the connect parameters as per the instructions of the hayes B1
|
||
command. GVC believing that this anomaly was harmless had engineered new soft-
|
||
ware designed to operate within the hardware limitations. Eventually the
|
||
retailer replaced my GVC model 144I modem with a different model of the GVC
|
||
144I. I actually believed that GVC had designed the modem to sell a certain
|
||
software, actually they just attempted to capitalize on an anomaly that forced
|
||
that model of modem to the bargain bins of the Fingerhut Company mail order
|
||
businesses. The point here is that you need a working and predictable eprom
|
||
chip that you may command to be compatible with software of your choice.
|
||
Again, the modem doctor will return whether your eprom is a standard hayes
|
||
type or something from mars. When you run modem doctor watch the S register
|
||
returns for normal results, if modem doctor receives an unusual return it will
|
||
send a message to the display.
|
||
|
||
The Racal Vadic 9632VP modems.mdm
|
||
|
||
As it is today, my Racal Vadic 9632VP will connect at all baud rates with
|
||
or without MNP 1-5. Below is the current modems.mdm file I have for the Racal
|
||
modem, I have since added a 14.4 Infotel to the BBS and now use the Racal on a
|
||
different computer, but this file works. Pervious connects with @9680 have
|
||
produced bi-directional transfers of 1300 cps throughput, @9680 uses a Supra
|
||
14.4.
|
||
|
||
One more note...always check your terminal software program for which
|
||
file number the modem auto-install wrote to, if you don't you might wind up in
|
||
a conflict with your BBS modems.dat file when you raise your terminal.
|
||
|
||
##############################################################################
|
||
#
|
||
# Racal-vadic 9632VP
|
||
#
|
||
|
||
FILE: "RACAL"
|
||
NAME: "RACAL 9632VP"
|
||
NOTE: "This is a tested addendum to modems.mdm, created by 1@9661"
|
||
SETU: "AT&F{~~~~~AT*E1E*F20M0&C1&D2S2=1S0=0X9&W0{"
|
||
INIT: "ATZ0*E1S0=0S2=1{"
|
||
ANSR: "ATA{"
|
||
PICK: "ATH1{"
|
||
HANG: "ATH0{"
|
||
DIAL: "ATDT"
|
||
SEPR: "/"
|
||
DEFL: MS=9600 CS=19200 EC=N DC=N AS=N FC=Y
|
||
RESL: "OK" "Normal" NORM
|
||
RESL: "RING" "Ring" RING
|
||
RESL: "NO CARRIER" "No Carrier" DIS
|
||
RESL: "ERROR" "Error" ERR
|
||
RESL: "NO DIALTONE" "No Dial Tone" NDT
|
||
RESL: "BUSY" "Busy" DIS
|
||
RESL: "NO ANSWER" "No Answer" DIS
|
||
RESL: "CONNECT 103" "300" MS=300
|
||
RESL: "CONNECT" "300" MS=300
|
||
RESL: "CONNECT 1200" "1200" MS=1200
|
||
RESL: "CONNECT 2400" "2400" MS=2400
|
||
RESL: "CONNECT 4800" "4800" MS=4800
|
||
RESL: "CONNECT 9600" "9600" MS=9600
|
||
RESL: "ERROR CONTROL" '/MNP' EC=Y CON
|
||
RESL: "NO ERROR CONTROL" '' EC=N CON
|
||
RESL: "CLASS 5 COMPRESSION" '/MNP5' DC=Y CON
|
||
RESL: "NO DATA COMPRESSION" '' DC=N CON
|
||
|
||
Ima Moron 1@9661 - IceNEWS Contributing Writer
|
||
ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
|
||
|
||
|
||
W W I V S P E C I F I C
|
||
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
|
||
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
|
||
³ New WWIV Sysop Help Line ³ Jack Ryan 1@4707
|
||
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
|
||
The first few months for a new sysop are trying times. At least, they
|
||
were for me. For the most part, a new sysop won't know from what resources
|
||
he/she will be able to draw from, and the documentation is not always easy for
|
||
the uninitiated to understand. Hopefully, this continuing feature will help
|
||
clear up some of the mysteries of running a bbs for new sysops, and also
|
||
provide possible sources of information for future questions to be referenced.
|
||
|
||
This first column is designed to help the new sysop (or any sysop) find
|
||
the right place to go for help. While Wayne, Filo and Jim are always willing
|
||
to help sysops, it is not always necessary to go to them for assistance. I'm
|
||
sure that they enjoy it, but I imagine it can become overwhelming at times.
|
||
Hopefully after reading this, there will be a better understanding of the
|
||
support system that has been established for all sysops (new or old) in
|
||
IceNET.
|
||
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
The [ISB] and [IPSS] Systems
|
||
|
||
In the two years that I have been a sysop, there have been some dramatic
|
||
improvements in assisting new sysops. One of the best, in my opinion, was the
|
||
revamping of the ISB (IceNET Support Board), and the addition of the IPSS
|
||
(IceNET Primary Support System). These systems can be identified by the [ISB]
|
||
or [IPSS] designations following the BBS name. There are a limited number of
|
||
ISB and IPSS systems, ISB systems are limited to 1 system for every 10 systems
|
||
while IPSS systems are limited to 1 per 100 systems in the network. This helps
|
||
to ensure that each system has been checked out, and can provide quality
|
||
assistance to the sysops who come looking for files, and answers to questions.
|
||
|
||
All ISB systems have a Guest Sysop Account [GSA] for visiting sysops to
|
||
log in under so that they have immediate access to the board. There will also
|
||
be a minimum of 5 megs. of WWIV related files, and the current BBSLIST.* and
|
||
CONNECT.* files available for download.
|
||
|
||
IPSS systems are required to have a sysop with at least one year of WWIV
|
||
experience, 30+ megs. of WWIV related files, including the most recent WWIV
|
||
support files, and will also have Auto-Sysop Validation [ASV]. I have listed
|
||
the IPSS systems below to provide you with a convenient reference.
|
||
|
||
[IPSS] Systems
|
||
|
||
Node Number Modem Info. BBS Name
|
||
|
||
@1 716-592-5652 #38400 < !$ The Great White North [IPSS]
|
||
@2050 210-631-5841 #14400 < !$ Dragon's Ice Den [IPSS]
|
||
@3402 304-465-5223 #2400 The Empire BBS [IPSS]
|
||
@3950 319-296-1529 #14400 < HIT BBS [IPSS]
|
||
@5900 509-487-6572 #14400 !$ DATA*NORTH*WEST [IPSS]
|
||
@6100 601-969-1190 #14400 !$ Patriot Games [IPSS]
|
||
@6211 602-942-9228 #14400 < !$ Moon Valley Triangle [IPSS]
|
||
@8315 803-731-0690 #38400 < !$ Trading Post South [IPSS]
|
||
|
||
[ISB] Systems
|
||
|
||
@13 716-235-5235 #9600 < ! The Doctor's Office [ISB]
|
||
@2101 201-991-2369 #2400 Cyber World [ISB]
|
||
@2461 214-661-3410 #14400 !$ Roide's Pleasure Palace [ASV][ISB]
|
||
@2920 209-523-5878 #14400 !$ One More BBS [ISB]
|
||
@3314 303-755-1884 #14400 !$ Erana's Peace [ASV/ISB]
|
||
@3321 303-469-5223 #14400 !$ The Underground [ISB]
|
||
@3454 314-963-7960 #2400 Rap City BBS [GSA] [ISB]
|
||
@3466 314-432-8031 #14400 !$ Death's Lair [ISB] [ASV]
|
||
@3476 314-939-4113 #16800 < !$ Callahan's Crosstime Saloon [ISB]
|
||
@3480 314-942-9907 #14400 < !$ Tracy's Place [ISB]
|
||
@3500 305-587-0185 #16800 < !$ The Samurai Palace [ISB]
|
||
@4903 409-830-0719 #14400 !$ Mental Meltdown [ISB]
|
||
@5050 510-256-9809 #14400 !$ Party Wherehouse [ISB]
|
||
@5802 508-757-1102 #14400 !$ Sanctuary [ISB] [PIB]
|
||
@5814 508-795-7672 #14400 !$ The Bears Cave BBS [ISB]
|
||
@5850 518-587-0317 #14400 !$ Florida Keys [ISB]
|
||
@5851 518-566-8903 #14400 < !$ Alpha Station [ISB]
|
||
@5902 509-624-2480 #2400 Tiki's Express[ISB]
|
||
@6258 612-755-1264 #2400 The Shack BBS [ISB]
|
||
@6259 612-935-3505 #14400 !$ AeroTech BBS [ISB/ASV]
|
||
@7662 716-691-9036 #14400 < !$ The Gaming World [ISB]
|
||
@7663 716-691-7257 #14400 < !$ The œunar œounge [ASV/ISB]
|
||
@7664 716-691-0798 #14400 < !$ The Nine Worlds of Asgard [ISB/ASV]
|
||
@7671 716-675-9384 #9600 < ! Berea [CIN/ISB]
|
||
@7686 716-283-7236 #14400 !$ The Tower of High Sorcery [ISB]
|
||
@7704 707-539-8361 #14400 !$ Atlantica [ISB]
|
||
@7751 717-298-2136 #14400 !$ Starfleet Command [ISB/ASV]
|
||
@8135 801-774-5574 #14400 < !$ The Sandbox ][ [ASV/ISB]
|
||
@9050 910-000-0000 #14400 !$ The Pet Shop [ASV] [ISB]
|
||
@9653 916-275-5708 #14400 !$ The Electronic Maelstorm[ISB]
|
||
@9680 916-222-8911 #16800 < !$ Maestro BBS [ASV][CIN][ISB]
|
||
@9707 907-356-7632 #14400 !$ The Trading Post [North][ISB]
|
||
@9902 909-243-8570 #2400 Mental Illusions[ISB]
|
||
@9958 919-924-2373 #2400 InFiNiTe rEaLiTy BBS [ISB]
|
||
@9969 919-497-2963 #14400 !$ The Pet Shop [ASV] [ISB]
|
||
@15269 512-592-8054 #14400 !$ Secret City BBS [ASV/ISB]
|
||
|
||
Modem Info Identifiers:
|
||
< USR Host ! CCITT v.32 (9600bps) $ CCITT v.32bis (14.4bps)
|
||
|
||
Daryl (1@5900) is the coordinator of this program, and he (along with Jim
|
||
(1@1) have done a wonderful job of implementing this very valuable support
|
||
system.
|
||
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
[GSA] and [ASV] Directory
|
||
|
||
Another recent development within IceNET has been the compilation of
|
||
systems that have ASV (Auto Sysop Validation) and GSA (Guest Sysop Accounts).
|
||
Lance Halle (1@6211) is handling this task for IceNET, and has done his usual
|
||
fan- tastic job with it. These systems allow other WWIV sysops first call
|
||
access to the files section on their boards. The list is compiled with
|
||
identifiers to show which systems carry what type of files, and the quantity
|
||
(number of files). This list may be obtained straight from the IceNET sysops
|
||
conference every month, or you may wish to contact Lance for more information.
|
||
|
||
Here is the updated version of the directory from Lance himself
|
||
specifically for IceNEWS:
|
||
|
||
GSA / ASV DIRECTORY
|
||
==== Guest Sysop Account systems [GSA] ====
|
||
==== Auto Sysop Validation systems [ASV] ====
|
||
|
||
+++ NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW +++
|
||
Now being distributed on IceNET, and includes two new service flags
|
||
and network identifiers.
|
||
1 = WWIVnet 2 = IceNET 3 = WWIVnet + IceNET
|
||
@ = IPSS (IceNET Primary Support System) ! = ISB (IceNET Support Board)
|
||
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
### -=* Please read NEW policy on granting access to MODS & MODNET *=- ###
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
|
||
FILE CATEGORIES
|
||
|
||
Number of files available
|
||
LOWER case list UPPER case list
|
||
|
||
A = Audio Files 20+ 200+
|
||
C = Games For WWIV 25+ 250+ NOTE - This listing only
|
||
D = Dos Utilities 25+ 250+ gives an indication of
|
||
E = GIFs 30+ 300+ how many files a system
|
||
G = Games - off line type 30+ 300+ has to offer. Many
|
||
I = IceNET support files 2+ 20+ systems with small hard
|
||
L = Link support files 2+ 20+ drives keep only the
|
||
M = Mods for WWIV 50+ (SEE BELOW) 500+ BEST and MOST RECENT
|
||
N = Communications Programs 10+ 100+ files, so don't overlook
|
||
O = OS-2 Utilities 15+ 150+ them!
|
||
P = Compression Files 5+ 50+
|
||
S = Virus Scanners 5+ 50+
|
||
V = VBBS support files 5+ 50+
|
||
W = WWIV support files 50+ 500+
|
||
X = Windows Utilities 15+ 150+
|
||
|
||
NOTE ABOUT MODS: Per Filo's & Wayne's request, MODS and MODNET should NOT
|
||
be available to first time callers. The Sysop needs to verify the caller's
|
||
WWIV registration number by verifying it in the BBSLIST.* files of WWIVnet, or
|
||
with Filo (1@2050) BEFORE granting access MODS or MODNET. NOTE: MODNET refers
|
||
to SubType 2370. MODS refers to any other Sub or Directory that carries WWIV
|
||
mods.
|
||
|
||
SERVICES
|
||
* = Official Source Distribution Site
|
||
# = Official WWIV Support Board
|
||
@ = IPSS (IceNET Primary Support System)
|
||
! = ISB (IceNET Support Board)
|
||
% = PCPursuitable
|
||
~ = Unknown System
|
||
These will be removed from the listing after 30 days to allow
|
||
time for errors in the NET updates to be corrected.
|
||
|
||
NETWORKS
|
||
1 = WWIVnet 2 = IceNET 3 = WWIVnet + IceNET
|
||
|
||
PROTOCOL IDENTIFIERS
|
||
< = USRobotics HST protocol ! = V.32 protocol
|
||
> = Hayes V-series protocol $ = V.32bis protocol
|
||
| = Telebit PEP protocol / = Compucom 9600 protocol
|
||
|
||
MODEM LINK SPEEDS (Sp)
|
||
2 = 2400 9 = 9600 14 = 14400 16 = 16800
|
||
|
||
ACCOUNT TYPES
|
||
A = Auto Sysop Validation systems [ASV]
|
||
G = Guest Sysop Account systems [GSA]
|
||
|
||
DIRECTORY
|
||
Files & Account type-|
|
||
Services Protocol-| |
|
||
ACDEGILMNOPSVWX*#@!% Node Net Phone BBS Name St Sp | |
|
||
-------------------- ----- -- ------------ ------------------ -- -- --- --
|
||
c M w *# 7 1 415-349-4141 Crest CA 16 <!$ A
|
||
W *# 856 1 011-81-611-733-4832 Shinobi's SwordJA 14 <!$ A
|
||
c ilm w *#@ 2050 3 512-631-5841 The Dragons Den TX 14 !$ A
|
||
C ilM w *#@ 2051 3 512-631-9417 The Dragon's Den II TX 14 !$ A
|
||
A DEG Mnops wX # 2077 1 210-659-7267 Sam's BBS TX 14 <!$ A
|
||
c lm w % 2456 1 214-570-5950 The Insane Asylum TX 14 <!$ A
|
||
ACDeGilMN PsvwX 2623 1 206-252-1568 The FIREHOUSE! WA 9 >! AG
|
||
cdeg n ps wx 2660 1 216-743-4215 R.A.D.S Y-TOWN BBS OH 9 ! AG
|
||
cdeg w 2661 1 216-337-0758 K's Korner BBS OH 14 !$ AG
|
||
CD n s W *# 2914 3 209-549-0423 Anything Goes BBS CA 12 !$ A
|
||
c e m 2924 1 209-469-3532 CandyLand BBS CA 14 !$ AG
|
||
AcDEG lmNOPSvwX 2932 1 209-274-0621 Ship's BBS CA 14 !$ A
|
||
c mn ps wx 3081 3 310-973-4949 Entity CA 14 !$ AG
|
||
cd gilm p 3085 1 310-790-8560 The SlowSleep BBS CA 14 !$ G
|
||
acdeg mn p x 3101 1 301-229-2957 The Star-Lit BBS MD 14 !$ A
|
||
c m w 3106 1 301-208-0832 Dupont Plaza [ASV-GSA]MD 2 AG
|
||
cde m w *# !% 3314 3 303-755-1884 Erana's Peace CO 14 !$ A
|
||
n ps w * % 3459 1 314-861-1820 The M&M Factory MO 14 <!$ G
|
||
egilM !% 3476 3 314-939-4113 Callahan's Crosstime MO 9 ! AG
|
||
c il W 3484 1 314-963-7960 Rap City BBS MO 2 G
|
||
ac eg lmn w 3518 1 305-587-0185 The Samurai Palace FL 14 !$ A
|
||
g lmnOps wx # 3900 1 309-452-2838 Adventurer's Corner IL 16 <!$ A
|
||
c mn w 3905 1 309-452-2616 The Dark Side IL 2 A
|
||
Cd ilmn p w @ 3950 3 319-296-1529 HIT BBS IA 16 <!$ AG
|
||
d n ps 3956 3 319-277-0166 Diamond's BBS IA 16 <!$ A
|
||
acdEgILMn ps wx 4052 2 410-252-8355 The Futile Maelstrom MD 14 !$ A
|
||
cd g M p x 4065 1 410-374-4696 Doug's Den MD 2 A
|
||
4075 1 410-315-9854 Central Station MD 2 AG
|
||
Acd gi v 4079 1 410-290-3752 Sorcerer's Quarters MD 14 !$ AG
|
||
ACDEGi mNOPSvWX 4654 1 416-208-7029 Sledgehammer Base BBS ON 14 !$ AG
|
||
acdi mn ps wx 4656 1 416-267-6559 Cloud 9 BBS ON 9 ! AG
|
||
acDEG mnop wX 4703 1 407-352-4699 The Professor's Lab FL 14 !$ A
|
||
acdEg mn ps wx 4704 1 407-384-7166 No Name Yet!! BBS Fl 9 >! AG
|
||
c eg mn p x ~5208 1 502-877-2573 The New Generation KY 14 !$ A
|
||
cdegIlmn ps x 5212 1 502-352-2169 The Barbarian's Hut KY 14 !$ AG
|
||
ac m 5480 1 514-652-5752 Twiggy's Board PQ 2 A
|
||
Cd IL N PSvw 5489 1 514-948-4802 CYBERGATE! PQ 14 !$ AG
|
||
acde ilmn p wx # 5497 3 514-664-4503 Alternative Worlds CN 2 A
|
||
AcDEGi MNopS wX # 5800 1 508-795-7672 Bears Cave BBS MA 14 !$ A
|
||
d g w 5809 1 508-251-9812 Omega BBS MA 2 G
|
||
cdG ilMn ps wX @ 5900 3 509-487 6572 DATA*NORTH*WEST WA 14 !$ AG
|
||
ACDEgI MNoPs WX @ 6100 3 601-969-1190 Patriot Games MS 14 !$ AG
|
||
CD MN W 6101 1 601-374-0072 Hacker's Heaven MS 16 <!$ G
|
||
cd gi Mn ps w *#@ % 6211 3 602-942-9228 Moon Valley Triangle AZ 14 <!$ AG
|
||
g mn p w 6401 3 604-578-7634 The BS BBS BC 9 ! AG
|
||
ACDEGIL V 6460 1 614-282-3409 The GWE BBS OH 14 <!$ A
|
||
AcDegi mNoPS wX % 6754 1 617-247-3383 DataExpress MA 14 !$ G
|
||
AcDEG mNoPs wx % 6755 1 617-282-7796 BitByteBob's BBS MA 14 !$ AG
|
||
c lmn p w 6956 1 619-434-1482 Cold Fusion CA 16 !$ AG
|
||
AcDEG MNOPSvwX 6970 1 619-446-1316 The Clinic BBS CA 14 !$ AG
|
||
cd g m 7105 1 701-746-7778 The Hard Disk Cafe ND 14 ! A
|
||
d m ps 7111 1 701-293-9197 The Final Frontier ND 16 <!% AG
|
||
acdegilmn ps wx % 7313 1 703-978-4611 The Church VA 9 ! AG
|
||
aCDeg Mn psvWx*# 7400 1 704-554-1496 Funny Farm (East) NC 14 <!$ AG
|
||
C ILM vW # 7652 1 716-684-7939 BoardWalk [DSS] NY 14 < A
|
||
acd gilMn ps x 7653 3 716-677-0232 The Cavern [ASV/RIP] NY 16 >!$ A
|
||
d Gil * 7663 1 716-837-1636 Paragon NY 16 <!$ AG
|
||
acdegI mnops wx ! 7663 2 716-691-7257 Lunar Lounge NY 14 !$ A
|
||
ac mn ps 7686 2 716-283-7236 Tower of High Sorcery NY 9 ! AG
|
||
d gI Mn psvw ! 7704 2 707-539-8361 Atlantica CA 14 !$ AG
|
||
deg n ps w 7707 1 707-485-7143 Divers Delight BBS CA 9 ! G
|
||
CD MN PSvw 7750 1 717-823-0027 The Doctor's Office PA 14 !$ AG
|
||
cdEgi M w *# 8135 1 801-774-5574 The Sandbox ][ [ASV] UT 14 <!$ A
|
||
cd g lMnops w * 8251 1 812-877-4342 The Resource Center IN 14 <!$ AG
|
||
m w 8270 1 812-331-1796 The Gate BBS IN 2 AG
|
||
cd gi Mn W @ 8315 3 803-731-0690 Trading Post [SOUTH] SC 16 <!$ A
|
||
acdeg mn ps wx 8375 1 813-434-0911 The Cat Box BBS FL 16 <!$ A
|
||
i m w 8433 3 804-766-3192 Collage VA 14 !$ A
|
||
acdeg n vw 8513 1 805-937-5354 Info Center II CA 14 !$ AG
|
||
acdegilMn ps W # 8861 3 818-848-4101 Blue Thunder BBS CA 16 <!$ A
|
||
a d gi Mn w 9361 1 913-681-0365 The Pipeline BBS KS 14 !$ A
|
||
c m w 9402 1 904-771-7770 Data*West BBS FL 2 AG
|
||
Ac E n ps wx 9408 1 904-223-5374 The Timewarp FL 14 AG
|
||
c e lm w 9654 1 916-891-3546 Mirage Works CA 2 G
|
||
acd I mn w # ! 9680 3 916-222-8911 Maestro BBS CA 14 <!$ A
|
||
cd m w 9692 1 916-674-0947 The DFLmemCyberStop CA 9 ! A
|
||
c g % 9933 1 909-370-3773 Damar's Haven CA 9 ! A
|
||
de m s 9939 1 909-931-7395 Dyson's Sphere CA 2 AG
|
||
m 9949 1 909-621-2007 The Wireless Cafe CA 2 AG
|
||
acdegIlmn psvwx ! 9969 3 919-497-2963 The Pet Shop NC 14 !$ A
|
||
M 13452 1 314-821-5146 Ronda's Riverboat BBS MO 14 !$ AG
|
||
p 15267 1 512-595-0838 Forbidden Borders TX 14 !$ AG
|
||
cDegil NopS wX 15269 1 512-592-8054 Secret City BBS TX 14 !$ AG
|
||
cdeg Mn ps Wx 19955 1 919-676-0738 The Rubicon NC 14 !$ A
|
||
g m s 29958 1 919-523-3730 The Wizard's Conclave NC 14 !$ AG
|
||
******************************************************************************
|
||
To apply for a listing, to update your's, or for ADDITIONAL
|
||
INFORMATION on setting up a GSA, just send a note to 1@6211.
|
||
|
||
LISTING ERRORS
|
||
|
||
I don't have time to "Police" all the listings in this directory. I take
|
||
the Sysop's word for the correctness of the listings. If, in your calling, you
|
||
find any discrepancies, PLEASE E-mail 1@6211 with that info, and I will look
|
||
into it.
|
||
|
||
As usual, all comments, complaints, and suggestions are welcome. That is
|
||
where I get the ideas to improve this directory.
|
||
|
||
Lance Halle, 1@6211
|
||
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
Sysop Subs
|
||
|
||
One readily available source of help for any sysop are the numerous subs
|
||
designed specifically for sysops. I won't even begin to start calling of sub
|
||
names and host, because I'm sure I'll leave some out accidentally. There are
|
||
subs designed to assist the sysop with on-line games, setting up hardware, how
|
||
to attract new users, and the list goes on forever. These subs can be a
|
||
valuable addition to your message area. While your users will never see them,
|
||
they can give you valuable insight into many different aspects of running your
|
||
bbs. Just look at your SUBS.LST file under "Of Interest to Sysops" and you
|
||
should find something that fits your need.
|
||
|
||
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
||
I hope that this has shed a little additional light on some of the
|
||
avenues available to sysops that are looking for assistance. In future columns
|
||
I will cover step-by-step procedures for the different aspects of setting up
|
||
and running WWIV. So far, most of the feedback that I have received has asked
|
||
for assistance in the file transfer section, including protocols, and setting
|
||
up CD-Roms for use with WWIV. This will be the focus of the next column.
|
||
|
||
Please send any comments and questions to me so that I can be sure to
|
||
cover them in future columns. I look forward to hearing from you.
|
||
|
||
Jack Ryan, 1@4707
|
||
IceNEWS Contributing WWIV-Specific Editor
|
||
ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
|
||
|
||
|
||
H A R D W A R E
|
||
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
|
||
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
|
||
³ Building Your Own Personal Computer System ³ Will Crawford 1@6754
|
||
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
|
||
One of the major stumbling blocks of a computer-related hobby is, of
|
||
course, the inherent expense of purchasing ready made computer equipment. One
|
||
way to save money on a new computer is to build it yourself. In this series of
|
||
articles, we'll discuss how to build yourself a new computer system from
|
||
scratch and how to upgrade older systems to new performance levels. In this
|
||
issue: How to decide what you need, and how you can go shopping for it.
|
||
|
||
PLEASE NOTE!! Building your own system will save you money, but not very
|
||
much. You also loose the benefits of technical support, factory burn in, etc.
|
||
Therefore, this is advised only for experienced computer people, or those with
|
||
access to trustful assistance. This author can not be held liable for any
|
||
costs you may incur while building your system and also advises that anyone
|
||
seriously interested in building their own system obtain additional reference
|
||
material.
|
||
|
||
You can't start buying components until you know exactly what you need or
|
||
you'll find yourself either over- or under-buying. It's generally best to go
|
||
over exactly what you'll be using the computer for now, and what you think you
|
||
may end up needing or using it for in the future. Failure to fully plan ahead
|
||
for future upgrades can really cost you in the long run. Know what you need
|
||
before you even begin to look into buying.
|
||
|
||
The first, and most important, thing you need to decide is whether or not
|
||
you'll be running Windows or OS/2. If you have a large amount of DOS
|
||
applications you're using and merely want them to run faster, then you don't
|
||
need a screaming processor. For the purposes of future expansion, an
|
||
80386sx-33 is probably the most you'll want. This gives you the opportunity to
|
||
break into Windows later (if you want) and will speed up your DOS applications
|
||
a good bit. It's also the minimum that's commonly available right now, and is
|
||
quite affordable. If you need to shave a few more dollars off, you can dip
|
||
down to a 25, 20, or 16 MHz model. If, on the other hand, you will be running
|
||
Windows and Windows applications from the start, you'll want something in the
|
||
486 range. The minimum here is again the 386sx-33, or better a 486sx-20 or 25
|
||
processor, going right up to a 486dx2-50 or 66 for extreme performance. A good
|
||
midrange Windows processor is a 386dx-40. This will give you good performance
|
||
levels without breaking your bank. If you're interested in running OS/2, the
|
||
386dx-40 is a good low end model, although the operating system has been run
|
||
successfully on lesser machines.
|
||
|
||
Like the processor, choosing how much memory you'll need depends on what
|
||
programs you'll be running. For a basic DOS system, 1 megabyte is sufficient,
|
||
although two will allow you to take full advantage of DOS 5+ memory
|
||
management, as well as certain programs capable of using above the 640k line.
|
||
For a Windows machine, 2 megabytes is the minimum for the environment to run.
|
||
For most applications, as well as reasonable performance, you'll need 4
|
||
megabytes. Between 6 and 8 will get you a nice performance increase, and the
|
||
ability to easily juggle multiple programs. For an OS/2 system, 4-5 megs is
|
||
the bare minimum, and you'll experience a substantial jump in performance with
|
||
8 megabytes. The more you can scrape together, the better. If you're going to
|
||
try running Windows NT, a minimum of 16 megabytes is recommended.
|
||
|
||
Another question it's appropriate to ask here is "Will you be running a
|
||
BBS?". If you need a machine to handle one node of a board, either on it's own
|
||
or on a network, any processor in the 386 or 386sx range will do. Performance
|
||
is acceptable on lower machines, though you will run into some problems. Since
|
||
the prices for low end 386sx machines have dropped a good deal recently, it's
|
||
worth it to spring for a 386, especially since the price differential is
|
||
almost nil. If you plan on running a BBS under Windows or OS/2, you'll need at
|
||
least a midrange Windows machine, as BBS software takes a large amount of
|
||
processing ability. Anything in the 486 range should suffice with some tuning.
|
||
Performance will almost always be less than under DOS, even on 486dx2-66's.
|
||
|
||
A point you will also need to address is hard disk space. This again
|
||
varies with the applications you're running. For a BBS, you can get by with as
|
||
little as 40 meg drive if you'll forgo a large file area. Prices have dropped
|
||
so much, however, that it's not cost effective to purchase any less than a 130
|
||
meg drive. For Windows, at least a 130 is the effective minimum if you'll be
|
||
using many Windows applications. In the case of DOS, anything around or above
|
||
60 is sufficient. As always, the more the merrier. If you find yourself with a
|
||
bit of extra money in the budget, the hard disk is the best place to put it.
|
||
|
||
For a hard disk drive interface, it's best to go with IDE (which stands
|
||
for Intergrated Drive Electronics). These drives are generally cheaper, have a
|
||
high performance level, and are readily available. For high speed
|
||
applications, you may want to go with Fast SCSI-2 which allows daisy-chaining
|
||
of up to 7 devices and has a much faster data transfer rate than IDE. Other
|
||
drive control standards have fallen by the wayside in recent years, and
|
||
shouldn't be considered as serious options.
|
||
|
||
If you're building a system from scratch, as opposed to updating a
|
||
pre-existing system, you'll need to purchase a new case and power supply. The
|
||
two are generally sold together. When picking a case, you'll have to take into
|
||
account the number of drives and peripherals you want to add, as well as the
|
||
size of the motherboard you picked. For high end systems you plan on expanding
|
||
in the future, a tower case with at least 6 bays and a 250+ watt power supply
|
||
is the best choice. For systems with less lofty aspirations, mini-tower,
|
||
desktop, and mini-desktop cases suffice. The case has to be large enough to
|
||
hold the motherboard and disk drives, as well as having enough openings in the
|
||
back to accommodate all the expansion card slots on the motherboard.
|
||
|
||
For your video system, you'll want a minimum of VGA if you're running
|
||
Windows or graphics in DOS. Local Bus, and co-processed cards will get you the
|
||
best performance levels, but to save money a cheap frame-buffer card will
|
||
suffice. If you're under DOS and don't care about color, but do want to save
|
||
money, a Hercules-compatible monochrome system will save you a lot of money.
|
||
The Amber monochrome monitors are great for DOS word processing tasks and for
|
||
dedicated DOS BBS systems. It's possible to run Windows on them, but the
|
||
resolution is sufficiently low that it's not possible to do very much with
|
||
them.
|
||
|
||
Purchase a monitor according to the type of display system you want. The
|
||
size depends on what you can afford. You can often find a good deal on
|
||
monitor/controller bundles. With VGA systems, make sure that the monitor can
|
||
handle a 72hz refresh rate, and has a dot pitch no greater than .28. If you
|
||
find a monitor with a 60hz refresh rate, it's perfectly usable, however, if
|
||
you attempt to run it at high resolutions you will see some flicker and
|
||
blurring of lighter colors.
|
||
|
||
Every PC needs a set of serial and parallel ports for communication with
|
||
the outside world. If you're only going to be plugging in a mouse, for
|
||
example, a cheap $10 card will be sufficient. If you plan on using a high
|
||
speed modem, though, you'll need something with a 16550 UART (the chip that
|
||
controls dialog between the PC and serial devices). Running a fast modem
|
||
without one can be a trying experience. For your parallel port, just about
|
||
anything will do. If you think you'll be using LapLink or another parallel
|
||
port data transfer utility, make sure you have a bi-directional parallel port
|
||
(most are, by this point). If you're only dealing with a printer, anything
|
||
will suffice. Generally, the best deal on ports is an "all in one" controller
|
||
card. These have floppy, IDE hard disk, serial, and parallel ports all
|
||
controlled from one card.
|
||
|
||
For diskette drives, keyboards, and mice, there aren't many guidelines.
|
||
Diskette drives by Teac and NEC are generally good performers, and you won't
|
||
find much cheaper. A decent no-name keyboard can be found just about anywhere,
|
||
and $10 Taiwanese mice will work just as well as a $100 Microsoft offering.
|
||
|
||
Once you know what you want, the next step is to go out and buy it. For
|
||
demonstration purposes, we'll assume that we're building two computers, a
|
||
bare-bones 1 mb monochrome 386sx-33 system with a 130 megabyte hard disk, and
|
||
a 486dx2-66 with 16 megabytes and local bus video, and a 520 megabyte hard
|
||
drive. We'll assume that both will be used with high-speed modems, and use IDE
|
||
hard drive interfaces.
|
||
|
||
Please Note: For price examples in this article, I'll be using primarily
|
||
two companies, JDR Microdevices, a computer parts suppliers, and Insight/Hard
|
||
Drives International, a general supplier. While the prices here are not
|
||
absolute rock bottom, they are on the low end and both companies are stable
|
||
and offer good service and support. If you're interested in cutting costs even
|
||
more, the back pages of PC Magazine, Computer Shopper, and other magazines
|
||
often offer rock bottom prices on various components.
|
||
|
||
The rest of the system is molded by the motherboard, so it's a good idea
|
||
to pick that part first. For the high end dx2-66 system, JDR sells a Modular
|
||
Circuit Technology dx2-66 motherboard with two local bus slots, ZIF socket for
|
||
Pentium upgradability, AMI Bios, 8 SIMM sockets, and a 128kb external cache.
|
||
The board will fit in full sized or mini cases. The price is $899. A 33 mhz
|
||
version is available for $599. For the low end system, JDR also sells a 33 mhz
|
||
386sx motherboard with 6 16-bit expansion slots, 4 SIMM sockets, AMI Bios, and
|
||
math co-processor socket. The cost here is only $129.
|
||
|
||
The next step is memory. The dx2-66 motherboard requires SIMMS to be
|
||
installed in multiples of 4, so the best way to make 8 megabytes is with 4 4
|
||
mb SIMMS, leaving 4 sockets open for expansion. SIMM prices are fluctuating
|
||
wildly, but JDR charges $159.95 for each module, bringing the total to
|
||
$639.80. The 386sx-33 motherboard requires that SIMMS be installed in
|
||
multiples of 2, but since 512k SIMMS are not commonly available, it's best to
|
||
use 4 256k SIMM modules. JDR sells these for #14.95 a piece in the 80
|
||
nanosecond configurations. 60 nanosecond versions go for 16.95. You need four,
|
||
so the total price is $59.80. The drawback here is that you need to remove the
|
||
256k SIMMs to upgrade further. If you have the cash available, it pays to buy
|
||
2 1 megabyte SIMMS (49.95 a piece from JDR). You pay more, but get more
|
||
expandability in the future, have 2 free sockets, and more memory now.
|
||
|
||
The next purchase you need to make is the case for your new system. JDR
|
||
sells it's "Mini Slide Case" for $69.95, with an additional $99.95 for a 230
|
||
watt power supply. The case has 3 5.25 inch drive bays, and one vertical 3.5
|
||
inch bay. The case will accommodate either motherboard.
|
||
|
||
If you need something larger, mid-size upright cases are available for
|
||
$99.95 each, plus power supply. These hold either two 3.5 inch and two 5.25
|
||
inch, or 3 3.5 inch and 2 5.25 inch. For maximum expandability, a 7 bay tower
|
||
case is available for $99.95 as well, plus $129.95 for a 250 watt power
|
||
supply. Make sure any case/power supply combination you buy comes with a power
|
||
cord.
|
||
|
||
It's best to buy hard drives and interface cards together, both for
|
||
compatibility and some excellent bundle deals that are available. For the
|
||
sx-33, a Seagate 130 mb IDE drive with a 16 bit hard/floppy interface is just
|
||
$189 from Insight/Hard Drives International. This gets you the drive (3.5 inch
|
||
1" height, with mounting rails for mounting in 5.25 inch slots), other
|
||
mounting equipment, an installation guide, a 16 bit IDE controller (capable of
|
||
running two hard IDE hard disks), and two floppy drives. The same kit is
|
||
available with a 540 megabyte drive for $619. Insight has a large range of
|
||
hard drives in various sizes. Interestingly enough, this author runs his BBS
|
||
off of one.
|
||
|
||
There isn't much difference between floppy drive prices. Insight and JDR
|
||
charge about the same, around $60 for each 1.44 or 1.2 mb sizes. For these
|
||
systems, we'll assume one drive a piece.
|
||
|
||
There's a huge array of different monitors available. For the low end
|
||
system, an Amber monochrome monitor costs $109 from JDR. A Hercules-compatible
|
||
monochrome and RGB color graphics card is $49.95, and includes a parallel
|
||
printer port. I've seen these cards as low as $20 at local computer stores, so
|
||
go ahead and shop around. For the 486, an MCT VESA Local-Bus VGA card is
|
||
available from JDR for $199, and is capable of driving the monitor at 24 bit
|
||
color at 640 by 480 pixel resolution, with a maximum resolution of 1280x1024
|
||
at 16 colors. The card has 1 mb of RAM pre-installed, and uses an S3
|
||
accelerator chip. For a monitor, 17 inch AOC monitor with .26 dot pitch and
|
||
72hz 1024 x 768 NI refresh rate goes for $799. For the more budget conscious,
|
||
a 1024x768 14 inch VGA monitor with .39 dot pitch and 87 hz interlaced refresh
|
||
rate at 1024x768 (72 hz Non-Interlaced at 640x480) is $269.95.
|
||
|
||
For serial and parallel ports, a fast 16550 multi-I/O card (2 Serial with
|
||
16550 UARTs, one parallel, and one game port) is $89.95 from JDR. A cheaper,
|
||
lower-performance card (1 serial, 1 parallel, 1 game) is $49.95, with a second
|
||
serial port available for $24.95.
|
||
|
||
All that remains is peripherals such as the keyboard and mouse. For the
|
||
mouse, a basic Microsoft compatible serial mouse is available from JDR for
|
||
$14.95. A 101 key keyboard is available just about anywhere (JDR offers one
|
||
for $49.95). You'll need the full version of Microsoft DOS (or PC-DOS, or
|
||
Novell DOS), which will cost around $80.
|
||
|
||
Congratulations, you now have all the components you need for a new PC!
|
||
Let's total up the costs:
|
||
|
||
33 mhz 80386sx -33:
|
||
------------------------------------------
|
||
80386sx-33 Motherboard 129.95
|
||
4 256 k Simms @14.95 59.80
|
||
Mini Slide Case 69.95
|
||
230 Watt Power Supply 99.95
|
||
1.44mb Floppy Drive 59.95
|
||
Serial Mouse 14.95
|
||
Keyboard 49.95
|
||
130 mb IDE HD + Controller 189.00
|
||
Amber Mono Monitor 109.00
|
||
Mono Controller 49.95
|
||
Multi-IO Card $89.95
|
||
------------------------------------------
|
||
Total : $922.04
|
||
|
||
66 mhz 80486dx2-66 :
|
||
------------------------------------------
|
||
66 mhz 80486 dx2-66 motherboard 899.00
|
||
16 mb RAM 639.80
|
||
Mini Slide Case 69.95
|
||
Power Supply 99.95
|
||
540 Mb IDE HD + Controller 619.00
|
||
1.44 mb Floppy Drive 59.95
|
||
Serial Mouse 14.95
|
||
Keyboard 49.95
|
||
1024x768 14" VGA Monitor 269.95
|
||
VESA Local Bus VGA Controller 199.95
|
||
Multi-IO Card 89.95
|
||
------------------------------------------
|
||
Total : $3011.60
|
||
|
||
Well, that's it for part one. Next issue we'll get on to how these
|
||
expensive pieces go together in a new system, and how to upgrade older systems
|
||
with new motherboards. We'll also discuss adding expansion cards and
|
||
peripherals, and troubleshooting your new PC.
|
||
|
||
Will Crawford, 1@6754
|
||
IceNEWS Contributing Hardware Editor
|
||
ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
|
||
|
||
|
||
S O F T W A R E
|
||
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
|
||
³ Programming in C++ ³ Nato 1@8273
|
||
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
|
||
To start off, and to clear away the initial complexity of programming,
|
||
Turbo-C++ (hereby referred to as TC) is not hard to learn and/or use. Now, at
|
||
first sight, the appearance of all that garbled code and unintelligible word
|
||
sequences is quite overbearing. But you must realize that learning TC (or any
|
||
programming language for that matter) is almost like learning a foreign
|
||
language. However, instead of learning to use voice tones and new word
|
||
structures, you learn the functions of the programming language and also how
|
||
to "phrase" it.
|
||
|
||
I have been programming in TC for about 2 and a half years now, and I
|
||
know pretty much how the basis and some higher functions work. For about 2
|
||
years I have been working inside of WWIV's source code (MUCH credit goes out
|
||
to Wayne Bell for his excellent programming ability, and how much it taught
|
||
me), and lately I have also been working on making a door-game for WWIV. I
|
||
also have attended several TC college classes, so I I believe I am
|
||
knowledgeable enough to give a small teaching on it. Enough about me, though.
|
||
Let's take a look at some of the basics of building a simple program.
|
||
|
||
TC is basically built on the manipulation and creation of information
|
||
that, depending on your ability to program, can make a very nice, usable
|
||
program. Some of the main abilities in TC is to define strings into certain
|
||
arrays: CHAR (characters) and INT (integers, real numbers). Also, these arrays
|
||
can be stored in different ways: STATIC (Preserves the value of a variable),
|
||
DOUBLE (used only with INT's, allows for decimals), REGISTER (Store variable
|
||
in CPU register), UNSIGNED (Alter the data type -not really sure here-), and
|
||
many others that aren't immediately necessary to write a simple program.
|
||
|
||
Another important ability for TC is the manipulation of files. You can
|
||
make a program to open a file, write data to it, close it, and re-open to
|
||
re-load the data. In my example mini-program I will show how to do this. Let's
|
||
take a look at it...
|
||
|
||
(The text in between /* and */ or behind // are comments, and TC ignores them)
|
||
|
||
-----MINIPRG.C-----[begin here]
|
||
|
||
#include <stdio.h> /* These files hold the info to use the inner- */
|
||
#include <stdlib.h> /* functions to be used in the program. Some */
|
||
#include <conio.h> /* may not be needed, but its nice to have them. */
|
||
#include <fcntl.h>
|
||
#include <sys\stat.h>
|
||
#include <ctype.h>
|
||
#include <string.h>
|
||
#include <io.h>
|
||
|
||
struct {
|
||
char name[200][36];
|
||
int tnum,
|
||
iceaddress[200],
|
||
iceunum[200];
|
||
} data;
|
||
|
||
void save_stuff(void); /* Definition 'prototype' for save_stuff */
|
||
|
||
int usernum,f;
|
||
|
||
int main(void)
|
||
{
|
||
char ch[81],*s,*s1;
|
||
int i,l=0;
|
||
|
||
clrscr();
|
||
if ((f=open("INFO.DAT",O_RDONLY|O_BINARY))==-1) {
|
||
f=open("INFO.DAT",O_RDONLY|O_BINARY|O_CREAT);
|
||
} else
|
||
read(f,&data,sizeof(data));
|
||
close(f);
|
||
textcolor(MAGENTA);
|
||
cprintf("What is your name? ");
|
||
gets(s);
|
||
l=strlen(s);
|
||
for(i=0;i<l;i++) {
|
||
s[i] = toupper(s[i]); /* Make the name in all UPPERCASE */
|
||
}
|
||
for(usernum=0;usernum<data.tnum;usernum++)
|
||
if(strcmp(data.name[usernum],s)==0) break;
|
||
if (usernum==data.tnum) {
|
||
clrscr();
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTBLUE);
|
||
cprintf("Hello! Looks like you aren't on record yet!\r\n");
|
||
cprintf("So, what's your name? ");
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTCYAN);
|
||
gets(s1);
|
||
l=0;
|
||
l=strlen(s1);
|
||
for(i=0;i<l;i++) {
|
||
s1[i] = toupper(s1[i]);
|
||
}
|
||
strcpy(data.name[usernum],s1);
|
||
printf("\r\n");
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTBLUE);
|
||
cprintf("What's your ");
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTCYAN);
|
||
cprintf("IceNet ");
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTBLUE);
|
||
cprintf("node #? ");
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTCYAN);
|
||
scanf("%d",&data.iceaddress[usernum]); /* The & operator is */
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTBLUE); /* important here */
|
||
cprintf("What's your user number at %d? ",data.iceaddress[usernum]);
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTCYAN);
|
||
scanf("%d",&data.iceunum[usernum]);
|
||
printf("\r\n");
|
||
data.tnum++;
|
||
save_stuff();
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTRED);
|
||
cprintf("Your info has been saved to 'info.dat'...");
|
||
} else {
|
||
printf("\r\n");
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTBLUE);
|
||
cprintf("Hello! Here is your information from 'info.dat'!\r\n\r\n");
|
||
cprintf("Name : ");
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTCYAN);
|
||
cprintf("%s #%d\r\n",data.name[usernum],usernum+1);
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTBLUE);
|
||
cprintf("IceNet Address : ");
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTCYAN);
|
||
cprintf("%d@%d\r\n",data.iceunum[usernum],data.iceaddress[usernum]);
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTBLUE);
|
||
cprintf("Total users in this program : ");
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTCYAN);
|
||
cprintf("%d",data.tnum);
|
||
textcolor(WHITE);
|
||
}
|
||
printf("\r\n\r\n");
|
||
textcolor(LIGHTMAGENTA);
|
||
cprintf("Thanks for using this DEMO program off of IceNews!\r\n");
|
||
cprintf("by Nato 1@8273");
|
||
printf("\r\n");
|
||
textcolor(WHITE);
|
||
return(0);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
void save_stuff(void)
|
||
{
|
||
|
||
f=open("info.dat",O_WRONLY|O_BINARY);
|
||
write(f,&data,sizeof(data));
|
||
close(f);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
-----MINIPRG.C-----[end here]
|
||
|
||
For the sake of beginning programmers, I have kept the length and
|
||
complexity of MINIPRG.C to a minimum for easier understanding. Now, to explain
|
||
a bit. The main operations in the "mini-program" are to store information for
|
||
one particular user, write it to the file 'info.dat', be able to write more
|
||
users, and then retrieve a particular user entered. The file manipulation in
|
||
this program might seem complicated at first, but, as you get more fluent with
|
||
the logic of Turbo-C the functions will make more sense. You will see
|
||
functions such as 'open', 'close', 'write', and 'read' alot and they are
|
||
pretty self-explanatory. For more help on any specific function of C, just put
|
||
the cursor on the function name, and hit Shift-F1. You will get the functions
|
||
purpose, usage, and and example (for most functions at least).
|
||
|
||
As for the more basic functions you will use in most beginning programs,
|
||
the concept of the 'for' loop, the 'do' loop, the 'while' loop, and how to
|
||
call a defined function. The 'for' loop basically runs like:
|
||
|
||
('i' has been defined as an 'int')
|
||
for(i=0;i<10;i++) {
|
||
printf("%d",i);
|
||
}
|
||
|
||
What that will do is print out the numbers 0 through 10. The loop is
|
||
saying that 'i' equals 0 to begin with, to keep running the loop as long as
|
||
'i' is less than 10, and for the value of 'i' to increase by 1 each time the
|
||
loop is run. In a while loop, it would look like this (also contains a 'do'
|
||
loop):
|
||
|
||
('s' has been defined as a 'char[81]')
|
||
do {
|
||
scanf("%s",s);
|
||
while((s[0]=0)!=0) {
|
||
scanf("%s",s);
|
||
}
|
||
} while(s[0]!=0);
|
||
|
||
What this will do is have the user input 's' (the [81] after the char
|
||
means that the longest the string in 's' can be is 81 characters (it is
|
||
actually 0 to 80, the 81st character is a null-pointer to end the string))
|
||
and, if the user just hits return and doesn't input anything, he will have to
|
||
re-input it. The do loop implemented means that the loop will run at least
|
||
once, the last 'while' statement is only needed when using a 'do' loop, it is
|
||
the clause for the loop.
|
||
|
||
Now, the most basic ability (I think at least) in C++: the calling of a
|
||
defined 'void', 'int', or 'char' function. If the function is defined by you
|
||
(such as the 'save_stuff' function in MINIPRG.C) you will need to define it at
|
||
the top of the file such as this:
|
||
|
||
...
|
||
#include <io.h>
|
||
|
||
void save_stuff(void);
|
||
...
|
||
|
||
And to call the function, all that is needed is: 'save_stuff()'. I stated
|
||
that fact because I knew someone who was taking a basic level C class in
|
||
college and for weeks did not know how to do that. To learn how to define
|
||
functions, refer to MINIPRG.C, as it is shown there.
|
||
|
||
Well, hopefully this little tutorial helped you somewhat, if not, you
|
||
still got a neat little program.
|
||
|
||
Nato 1@8273
|
||
IceNEWS Contributing Writer
|
||
ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
|
||
|
||
L I G H T B Y T E S
|
||
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
|
||
³ Silly Strings ³ Ima Moron 1@9661
|
||
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
|
||
Silly Strings will be a new regular feature to IceNEWS in the Light Bytes
|
||
department. Silly Strings are odd or humorous little one-liners that appear on
|
||
various BBS systems from around the network. They can include SSMs, ESMs,
|
||
modified strings, hard-coded mods, or taglines.
|
||
|
||
If you have any Silly Strings that you'd like to share with other by
|
||
having them appear in IceNEWS, please send your submissions to:
|
||
|
||
Silly Strings
|
||
c/o Ima Moron, 1@9661
|
||
IceNEWS Light Bytes Contributing Editor
|
||
|
||
Enter sex M)ale F)emale O)ther
|
||
(From 1@9661, at the newuser information input.)
|
||
|
||
[Please wait]...the FBI is tapping your phone.
|
||
(From 1@9653, when the sysop drops to DOS.)
|
||
|
||
Naw', don't feel like it.
|
||
(From 1@9660, declining an extended file description.)
|
||
|
||
>MARTIAN INVADER<
|
||
(From 1@9661, system title for an unknown system's post on a net sub.)
|
||
|
||
Parts Unknown
|
||
(From 2@7653, system title for an unknown system's post on a net sub.)
|
||
|
||
Mail's Nuked!
|
||
(Formerly on Kling the Lofty's BBS (defunct) when the user deleted mail.)
|
||
|
||
xxxx claims to have read your mail.
|
||
(SSM for mail read from @7653.)
|
||
|
||
Enter a long winded description?
|
||
(Located on Kling the Lofty's BBS (defunct) when a user is asked to enter
|
||
an extended file description.)
|
||
|
||
These people felt inclined to write you
|
||
(From 1@8135, located at the mail waiting message.)
|
||
|
||
Hard Coded: "Making coffee..."
|
||
(From 1@8411, in place of "Answering phone, 'H' to abort" at WFC screen.)
|
||
|
||
Hard Coded: "Waiting for coffee machine..."
|
||
(From 1@8411, at WFC screen in place of "Waiting" for modem.)
|
||
|
||
[MENOPAUSE]
|
||
(From 1@4701, replacement for [PAUSE].)
|
||
|
||
Well, We're waiting...
|
||
(From 1@7653, replacement for [PAUSE].)
|
||
|
||
Well, that should give you something of an idea of what we're looking for
|
||
in the way of submissions. If you have submissions to make, please send them
|
||
along to me. I'll do my best to publish as many submissions as possible for
|
||
each column.
|
||
|
||
Ima Moron 1@9661
|
||
IceNEWS Contributing Light Bytes Editor
|
||
ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
|
||
|
||
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
|
||
³ SysGods: Sysops with an attitude ³ Deacon Blues 2@7653
|
||
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÁÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
|
||
or "I Did It MY Way"
|
||
|
||
"You ask me if I have a God complex. I AM God."
|
||
- Alec Baldwin in commercials for the film "Malice" -
|
||
|
||
We've all heard the horror stories. Accounts deleted for "no reason."
|
||
Mail from users being routinely ignored or just plain "zapped" without reply.
|
||
New user accounts remaining unvalidated for weeks, sometimes months. Sudden
|
||
loss of carrier from the BBS, then a busy signal when redialing is attempted.
|
||
Seventy-five line posts from the #1 account on a daily basis explaining in
|
||
excruciatingly exact detail just why he/she holds the #1 account and what
|
||
he/she can do to those who dare to oppose. I am, of course, talking about the
|
||
sysop. More precisely, the sysop with an attitude. If you continually
|
||
experience any or all of the potential symptoms I've outlined above, you may
|
||
have found yourself a sysop with a "SysGod" complex.
|
||
|
||
The SysGod complex can best be described as a habitual misuse of the
|
||
powers vested in being a sysop for reasons of pleasure or personal gain. The
|
||
complex causes the sysop to act in a manner that would suggest delusions of
|
||
godhood and a semi-divine detachment, thus alienating his/her users to the
|
||
point of them no longer calling the BBS. The complex can be broken down into
|
||
two categories: "Demi-SysGod Syndrome" [DSS] and "Holy SysGod Syndrome" [HSS].
|
||
|
||
Believe it or not, in most cases of DSS, the afflicted sysops usually
|
||
started their BBS with all the best of intentions, and in most cases used to
|
||
be a "regular" user prior to becoming a sysop. But, apparently, somewhere
|
||
along the way something happens to them. Maybe it's the fact that running a
|
||
BBS is more of a task than they thought it was. Maybe they're experiencing
|
||
personal problems. Maybe their pet goldfish died. Somewhere down the line,
|
||
they experience a "break" in their attitude as a sysop. A kind of a digital
|
||
"Falling Down," if you will, where they start to vent their anger and
|
||
frustrations out onto their users. When detected early, most of these cases
|
||
manage to correct themselves in a relatively short time and with little
|
||
lasting repercussions to their users. Once a sense of normalcy returns to the
|
||
sysop's life, so too does it to the BBS in most cases.
|
||
|
||
HSS sufferers, on the other hand, while also usually being users prior to
|
||
becoming sysops, also generally suffer from other outside, pre-existing
|
||
personality disorders. As regular users (and I use the term "regular"
|
||
loosely), they often acted in "irregular" manners that most would describe as
|
||
being combative, disrespectful, disagreeable, belligerent, and/or offensive
|
||
toward others. Typically, they are the type of user who feels that they are
|
||
"God's gift to BBSs" or a form of "Modem Messiah" and anyone else who has
|
||
differing ideas or ideals is irrelevant and only there for his/her personal
|
||
amusement. They are usually shallow, close-minded individuals who quite
|
||
probably used to be (or still are) either the school, neighborhood or work
|
||
bully. Mostly, their motivation to start their own BBS is based on their
|
||
feelings that "All of the other 35 BBSs I call suck, so I'll make one in my
|
||
own image with my own rules and forget everyone else." While HSS sufferers
|
||
make up only a small minority of those who suffer from the SysGod complex,
|
||
they are the one's who draw all the scrutiny from others as their affliction
|
||
is usually chronic in nature and long in duration.
|
||
|
||
One of the saddest things about this affliction is that everyone, not
|
||
just the sysop, suffers because of the effects of the SysGod complex. This
|
||
includes the BBS itself. Many times, in fits of rage and delirium, they will
|
||
make changes to the BBS itself to reflect their newfound divine philosophy in
|
||
the way of allowing certain policies, adding particular subs that normally
|
||
wouldn't be carried, deleting files or users, regularly interrupting or
|
||
kicking users offline in order to allow the SysGod to access the computer for
|
||
things like playing games, viewing adult .GIFs, calling other BBSs and leaving
|
||
posts saying how much that system sucks and how great his system is, etc. As a
|
||
result, the users will slowly start to disappear as they either stop calling
|
||
back or are deleted by the sysop. Eventually, the BBS will receive sufficient
|
||
bad word-of-mouth publicity as to discourage new callers from logging on.
|
||
|
||
In order to better understand the psyche of those who suffer from HSS, I
|
||
decided to look for a local BBS that is run by an afflicted sysop and give it
|
||
a call. After searching the advertisement subs of several local systems, I
|
||
found the following ad:
|
||
|
||
CALL HERE!!!!!!
|
||
|
||
MY DAMN BBS (Sysop: The All-Powerful 1)
|
||
|
||
If you don't call "My Damn BBS," you're a chump.
|
||
|
||
716-555-1001
|
||
|
||
Nine months old and going strong.
|
||
|
||
As this looked like a good potential candidate for a HSS sufferer, I
|
||
called. Here is the capture file I ran while online at My Damn BBS. My
|
||
personal notes written later appear in [brackets].
|
||
|
||
|
||
Connected at 14400
|
||
|
||
Welcome to:
|
||
|
||
___ ___
|
||
/\ /\ | \ | \
|
||
/ \/ \ | |\ \ | o /
|
||
/ /\ /\ \ | |/ / | o \
|
||
/_/ \/ \_\ Y |_ _/ AMN |___/ BS
|
||
|
||
|
||
Sysop: The All-Powerful 1
|
||
|
||
24 Hours (but not in a row)
|
||
|
||
2400-14.4 (if I like you) - 1200 (if I don't)
|
||
|
||
|
||
Enter your number or name or `NEW'
|
||
NM: NEW
|
||
|
||
Would you like to use our Guest User account to look around first? Y/N Y
|
||
Too damn bad, we don't have one here.
|
||
|
||
[At this point, I was somewhat certain that I'd reached a HSS sufferer,
|
||
but some doubts still remained. Those, however, were washed away by what
|
||
followed next. At this juncture, one would expect to see a system rules file
|
||
and/or a legal disclaimer. Here's what I got:]
|
||
|
||
|
||
>>Welcome To My Damn BBS<<
|
||
|
||
My Damn BBS was started because I felt that all the other sysops in the area
|
||
are [CENSORED]. So I leeched a copy of WWIV from somebody and started by own
|
||
BBS. My motto here is: If you don't like it, too damn bad. Since this
|
||
BBS is run on by damn computer, I'm gonna run this place the way I want to and
|
||
nobody better tell me any different.
|
||
|
||
Here's my damn rules for My Damn BBS:
|
||
|
||
Don't bother trying to chat with me about any of your problems as I got enough
|
||
of my own to deal with and shouldn't have to deal with yours too. If you leave
|
||
me mail, I might get around to answering it someday if I find it interesting
|
||
and relevant, but don't hold your breath. If you don't like it, too damn bad.
|
||
|
||
If you have problems with using the BBS software, don't bug me for help. I had
|
||
to learn once too, you know, and nobody showed me how to do it. If you can't
|
||
figure it out for yourself, that's your problem. If you don't like it, too
|
||
damn bad.
|
||
|
||
If you want to swear here, that's fine with me. I'm sure it's nothing I
|
||
haven't heard or said already anyway. Cuss all you want. If you've got virgin
|
||
ears and don't like it, too damn bad.
|
||
|
||
Don't bother asking me for files that I have backed-up offline in the transfer
|
||
section. I've got "Castle Commando II," "Rocket Jockey IV," and "The Further
|
||
Adventures of Happy Henry Hedonist in the Land of the Sexually Explicit Women
|
||
Who'll Never Sleep With Him" taking up 85 megs on my BBS HD, so I don't have
|
||
the room for them. And I'm not going to clear-up any HD space just for YOU.
|
||
This is >>My<< Damn BBS, and if you don't like it, too damn bad.
|
||
|
||
Don't pester me for more time to download files. If you've got a 14.4 modem,
|
||
you should be able to get whatever you want in the 20 minutes I give you
|
||
online. If the file is too big and you don't like it, too damn bad. If you
|
||
call at any speed less than 14.4 and you want more D/L time, too damn bad,
|
||
get a 14.4 modem and I'll start to think about it. Maybe.
|
||
|
||
Don't post anything contradictory to whatever I post. I'll either delete it or
|
||
flame you, probably both. If you get me riled-up enough, I'll delete your
|
||
account and throw your name into my trashcan.txt file. Remember, since I've
|
||
got the #1 account here, whatever I say is law and whatever I want to do, I'll
|
||
do. If you don't like it, too damn bad.
|
||
|
||
These are the rules for MY Damn BBS. If you don't like them, too damn bad,
|
||
press ALT-H to hang up now since you obviously disagree with me and users here
|
||
aren't allowed to disagree with me.
|
||
|
||
Continue to logon? Y/N Y
|
||
|
||
[At this point, I was fully convinced I had encountered a sysop with a
|
||
particularly advanced case of HSS, one which looked terminal for this
|
||
sufferer. Sadly, my initial diagnosis for this patient is that he suffers from
|
||
a not-so-rare form of HSS in the manifestation of a "Ptolemy complex" in
|
||
which, as the name suggests, he sincerely believes that the universe (and his
|
||
BBS in particular) does indeed revolve around him, and not vice-versa. On the
|
||
average, about 70-75% of HSS sufferers also are afflicted with a Ptolemy
|
||
complex. Medical science is currently at a loss to explain the cause for such
|
||
conditions and attempts at treatment are usually unsuccessful.]
|
||
|
||
[I decided that, in the interest of getting better insight into this
|
||
ailment, I needed to logon to this system to further see just how far the HSS
|
||
had manifested itself. I also decided that, given the nature of this
|
||
particular case, it would be best for me to logon under an assumed name with
|
||
bogus user info. While considered unethical from a journalistic and a BBSing
|
||
point of view, I felt safer personally, since I don't want this loop to ever
|
||
know who I really am. I feel that, to paraphrase his own inspired words, if he
|
||
don't like that, too damn bad. Following my logon info, I sent the obligatory
|
||
new user feedback to The All-Powerful 1 to reflect my bogus statistics and
|
||
stated that I'm just a general user looking to check out his BBS. Upon
|
||
completion of that, I glean my next view of the effects of HSS on the sysop
|
||
and his particular BBS as the logon continues.]
|
||
|
||
|
||
Good Evening, Mr. Blahblahblah.
|
||
You are the 3rd caller for today.
|
||
|
||
|
||
Last Callers:
|
||
=======================================================================
|
||
Call # User Name Time Baud #
|
||
=======================================================================
|
||
278 Blow Hard #3 2:53 am 2400 1
|
||
279 The All-Powerful's Babe #2 3:21 pm KB 1
|
||
280 Redneck #4 4:14 pm 9600 1
|
||
281 Blow Hard #3 6:00 am 2400 1
|
||
=======================================================================
|
||
|
||
|
||
[Things don't look too good so far. Considering that his BBS has been up
|
||
(supposedly) for 9 months, 281 calls is pretty sparse business. Also, since I
|
||
called at around 10 pm and I'm only the third caller for the day, it looks
|
||
like there's not too much activity in these parts. I can't imagine why. I also
|
||
don't see a user number higher than 4. Strange. Let us continue on:]
|
||
|
||
|
||
Auto Message by: The All-Powerful 1 #1
|
||
|
||
Welcome to My Damn BBS
|
||
Anyone who changes this automessage dies.
|
||
If you don' like it, too damn bad.
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
User Name Mr. Blahblahblah #9
|
||
Member since 10/26/93
|
||
Member status Inconsequential Unvalidated New Peon
|
||
Time allowed on 10 minutes
|
||
Mail waiting 0
|
||
Times on today 1
|
||
Sysop is NOT going to answer you even if he's here
|
||
System is WWIV v4.22 (Reg #[DELETED])
|
||
|
||
|
||
[User #9, eh? After 9 months of operation? Either there have been alot of
|
||
deletions, or people have just stayed away in droves. I think it's probably a
|
||
combination of both. I also like the automessage. It shows just how possessive
|
||
that this person has become. This is common in advanced cases. Also note the
|
||
member status and sysop availability lines, as well as time allowed online. At
|
||
least you know where you stand with this guy. Let's move on further, shall we.
|
||
Now we've made it to the main message prompt, let's take a look around and see
|
||
what's online for subs before time expires:]
|
||
|
||
|
||
Time Remaining = 9 minutes, 7 seconds
|
||
[1] [The All-Powerful 1's Decrees]:*
|
||
|
||
|
||
Available message bases:
|
||
|
||
Sub Network/ New
|
||
# Scan? Local Sub Name Msgs
|
||
======================================================================
|
||
1 Yes Local The All-Powerful 1's Decrees 1
|
||
2 Yes Local The All-Powerful 1 on Everything 50
|
||
3 Yes Local The All-Powerful 1 on Politics 50
|
||
4 Yes Local The All-Powerful 1 on Sports 50
|
||
5 Yes Local The All-Powerful 1 on News 50
|
||
6 Yes Local The All-Powerful 1 on Television 50
|
||
7 Yes Local The All-Powerful 1 on Movies 50
|
||
8 Yes Local The All-Powerful 1 on Women 50
|
||
9 Yes Local The All-Powerful 1 on Programming 50
|
||
10 Yes Local The All-Powerful 1 on Games 50
|
||
11 Yes Local The All-Powerful 1 on Music 50
|
||
======================================================================
|
||
|
||
|
||
Time Remaining = 8 minutes, 59 seconds
|
||
[1] [The All-Powerful 1's Decrees]:
|
||
|
||
|
||
[I'm sensing a distinct pattern here. Obviously, this particular patient
|
||
is definitely in the most advanced latter stages of the disease. The
|
||
aforementioned Ptolemy complex is well represented by this sampling.
|
||
Mercifully, I believe that this patient will succumb to the effects of HSS
|
||
very soon and his suffering (as well as everyone else's) will then end. While
|
||
there still appears to be some life left in the body, let us further sample so
|
||
of this person's delusions of Godhood by viewing some messages. We'll start
|
||
with The All-Powerful 1's Decrees. Since there's only one message on there,
|
||
this shouldn't take long:]
|
||
|
||
|
||
Time Remaining = 8 minutes, 59 seconds
|
||
[1] [The All-Powerful 1's Decrees]: Q
|
||
|
||
< Q-scan The All-Powerful 1's Decrees 1 - 1 msgs >
|
||
|
||
|
||
Message 1 of 1
|
||
Title/Subject: If you don't like it, too damn bad. [Random Title]
|
||
Name: the All-Powerful 1 #1
|
||
Date: Sun Feb 24 11:41:17 1993
|
||
|
||
Well, I finally got this piece of [CENSORED] up and running. I hope you're all
|
||
happy now. I know I am. I've finally got my own little stomping ground and I
|
||
plan on stomping anyone who gets in my way here. If you don't like it, tough
|
||
[CENSORED].
|
||
|
||
BTW = The board will be down for the entire month of April because that's when
|
||
Star Shooter XXIII comes out and I won't have enough room on my HD for both
|
||
the game and the BBS. Whenever I get thru with the game, I'll put the board
|
||
back up. Maybe. If you're lucky. If you don't like it, too damn bad.
|
||
|
||
#1
|
||
|
||
< The All-Powerful 1's Decrees 1 - 1 Q-scan Done >
|
||
Time Remaining = 8 minutes, 53 seconds
|
||
[1] [The All-Powerful 1's Decrees]:
|
||
|
||
[Again, the Ptolemy complex shows here. Deciding to take down a system
|
||
that has only recently gone online for the purpose of playing a newly-released
|
||
game shows where this particular sysop's priorities lie.]
|
||
|
||
[Just as I was going to begin to delve into the message bases to see
|
||
further preachings of higher thinking from The All-Powerful 1, the following
|
||
occurred:]
|
||
|
||
|
||
Time Remaining = 8 minutes, 53 seconds
|
||
[1] [The All-Powerful 1's Decrees]:ɵ^áœ/!PIy£ö½Õµ!ú(>Ž="L¢UÑňcÀ⪂ÄÊlk8ÃŽõV<C3B5>
|
||
˜Žç3Ï<EFBFBD>’"íµçþÌé3þfè<66>Öñ&iòûßE¯‹áî[EtòÜÍÉyé˜éóœïê§ÖÂ*åIUïP‰Ù(—æ»hSpãZV8’ù‹‹rÅ„(¤´
|
||
?ÝůE>*<2A>H"éÉŒ¸Âï<C382>½+0'•©—wƒ3¶¡`Ÿ†Éw¥©Õæg#NWóc&÷<>Öl¶±¾Êl5kaÓÜép™(oL»×“xe¨ŒÁã‘\R
|
||
ÇIì›d“Dj¹ŠT’Râ[ý`}ºÓÝü€<C3BC>kBnʵíöwÍxgñŸ3Žß¶…«#ÜcXçBÇ*eÊ¢ÆÞƒàS¾OÖÛ°f$úa‚¿ì¯B•ãÚ
|
||
§crD<EFBFBD>]Èi[ƒ6ù—SQ…Ûl(ÕŸð>8E!©ß #@ãõÎbV°²@Ÿiß,š”BÑ·[Ãàg3o)ëEÃU™ÞK ¶e•ºGŽHo q¦Z¦fê
|
||
;îæÌüIÆšÞWÛ¹„ÁåmiÇ.fOûô<œá͆uFÕÎlÀ;W/„ŠÔæ¯ç<C2AF>£Éœ¯ªí’½ïËéûúN0_ð-ª¤qðÇ?G|Ú¨ÜuV½
|
||
Þ¾äx?Wsiyš…sû÷¡":1&ª¼`Ç®e½ü¹?ž¦‹3ýÑÄ0#,b°Óq’ÎZ²ìù¼‘3Ÿí7Ìh„€kW,Ão¹“Q<E2809C>°²#Ãp p
|
||
:K/0qþR7$2A5%s¡;QJB§yù1Q¬k:!Ú`Ê˯ÐÀÆ<C380><C386> †ºÐÎãž#ÛÔ¿#Ê•réÍ´µ3[uU‹û½%5”RmÅøðZ3í}:æ
|
||
«Jwš‹vÈÚÀªïrAÀ¸€Sé=tÐWWÖgsý‡ûךj*çÙN‰¿bgâœêi¢‚~‘8óíLÀc›”u¸šgàÜ‘sAçèÜ/y×ùK¿*,ù
|
||
›U©>Õ’äc³I‹êÞÍxjkdB`)Ìc„øò6s<36>t…¥P±E3BîlÓ‹·:·˜À¤·†‰2VûŒ<C3BB>é¢K4IÇï€Ä¡MžÄªM‹•î<E280A2>Ö‹xx
|
||
ØIp˜›Ñw1d½x6p|ðÅç¶Ô}QäãpNÃ@s"32Üþ;M(ûÂëž´@<40>KfÛÍÚÆ¸-Ù–b¡‚~¿a2_V6#Í@ŽÎÖNüˆ<C3BC>U"pX
|
||
ïXè-ŠøëÉuˆ)Ç–äƒÜ™HÌ€j„nÜïu«( 0è~+#X/SrÊ,ð‹ö;#°’ž¯=Krï~4¦ÃË),Åíl>ÐC¿þ‡œ<E280A1>öé<C3B6>59è†
|
||
˜Žç3Ï<EFBFBD>’"íµçþÌé3þfè<66>Öñ&iòûßE¯‹áî[EtòÜÍÉyé˜éóœïê§ÖÂ*åIUïP‰Ù(—æ»hSpãZV8’ù‹‹rÅ„(¤´
|
||
?ÝůE>*<2A>H"éÉŒ¸Âï<C382>½+0'•©—wƒ3¶¡`Ÿ†Éw¥©Õæg#NWóc&÷<>Öl¶±¾Êl5kaÓÜép™(oL»×“xe¨ŒÁã‘\R
|
||
ÇIì›d“Dj¹ŠT’Râ[ý`}ºÓÝü€<C3BC>kBnʵíöwÍxgñŸ3Žß¶…«#ÜcXçBÇ*eÊ¢ÆÞƒàS¾OÖÛ°f$úa‚¿ì¯B•ãÚ
|
||
§crD<EFBFBD>]Èi[ƒ6ù—SQ…Ûl(ÕŸð>8E!©ß #@ãõÎbV°²@Ÿiß,š”BÑ·[Ãàg3o)ëEÃU™ÞK ¶e•ºGŽHo q¦Z¦fê
|
||
;îæÌüIÆšÞWÛ¹„ÁåmiÇ.fOûô<œá͆uFÕÎlÀ;W/„ŠÔæ¯ç<C2AF>£Éœ¯ªí’½ïËéûúN0_ð-ª¤qðÇ?G|Ú¨ÜuV½
|
||
Þ¾äx?Wsiyš…sû÷¡":1&ª¼`Ç®e½ü¹?ž¦‹3ýÑÄ0#,b°Óq’ÎZ²ìù¼‘3Ÿí7Ìh„€kW,Ão¹“Q<E2809C>°²#Ãp p
|
||
:K/0qþR7$2A5%s¡;QJB§yù1Q¬k:!Ú`Ê˯ÐÀÆ<C380><C386> †ºÐÎãž#ÛÔ¿#Ê•réÍ´µ3[uU‹û½%5”RmÅøðZ3í}:æ
|
||
«Jwš‹vÈÚÀªïrAÀ¸€Sé=tÐWWÖgsý‡ûךj*çÙN‰¿bgâœêi¢‚~‘8óíLÀc›”u¸šgàÜ‘sAçèÜ/y×ùK¿*,ù
|
||
›U©>Õ’äc³I‹êÞÍxjkdB`)Ìc„øò6s<36>t…¥P±E3BîlÓ‹·:·˜À¤·†‰2VûŒ<C3BB>é¢K4IÇï€Ä¡MžÄªM‹•î<E280A2>Ö‹xx
|
||
ØIp˜›Ñw1d½x6p|ðÅç¶Ô}QäãpNÃ@s"32Üþ;M(ûÂëž´@<40>KfÛÍÚÆ¸-Ù–b¡‚~¿a2_V6#Í@ŽÎÖNüˆ<C3BC>U"pX
|
||
ïXè-ŠøëÉuˆ)Ç–äƒÜ™HÌ€j„nÜïu«( 0è~+#X/SrÊ,ð‹ö;#°’ž¯=Krï~4¦ÃË),Åíl>ÐC¿þ‡œ<E280A1>öé<C3B6>59è†
|
||
|
||
NO CARRIER
|
||
|
||
[Man! That's a pretty generous helping of line noise there! My computer
|
||
was beeping out the pc speaker big-time on that dosage of dumping. It's quite
|
||
possible that this sufferer has installed a combination line noise generating
|
||
nuke mod built into his system. As if it's not simple enough to just hit F5 to
|
||
dump a user off the system, this guy needs special line noise key to give the
|
||
act a true meaning of personal satisfaction. Looks like this sufferer has got
|
||
something better to do with his system than to allow me (or others, for that
|
||
matter) to use it. Upon redialing, the line was busy. Why am I not surprised?]
|
||
|
||
[After three hours of solid war-dialing, I finally managed to get back on
|
||
the system. After going through my logon, I see the following:]
|
||
|
||
Last Callers:
|
||
=======================================================================
|
||
Call # User Name Time Baud #
|
||
=======================================================================
|
||
279 The All-Powerful's Babe #2 3:21 pm KB 1
|
||
280 Redneck #4 4:14 pm 9600 1
|
||
281 Blow Hard #3 6:00 am 2400 1
|
||
282 Mr. Blahblahblah #9 10:04 pm 14400 1
|
||
=======================================================================
|
||
|
||
[Uh-huh. Just as I suspected. Notice who the last caller was. Me.
|
||
Obviously, our HSS sufferer is lurking near the keyboard somewhere. Let's see
|
||
if I can call him out.]
|
||
|
||
Time Remaining = 9 minutes, 45 seconds
|
||
[1] [The All-Powerful 1's Decrees]: C
|
||
|
||
|
||
The All-Powerful 1 can't be bothered by your trivial problems. Leave feedback
|
||
instead.
|
||
|
||
Leave feedback to The All-Powerful 1 #1 ? (Y/N) Y
|
||
|
||
[Since our sufferer seems to be above speaking with me, I decided that I
|
||
will leave him feedback instead. I chose to make a fairly neutral statement
|
||
regarding what had happened to me earlier. This should manage to get some
|
||
response from our esteemed SysGod.]
|
||
|
||
|
||
Enter Title or Press [Return] for a Random Title.
|
||
(---=----=----=----=----=----=----=----=----=----=----=----)
|
||
Title: Hello...
|
||
|
||
Enter message now, max lines are 20
|
||
Type /COLORS to change your default colors.
|
||
Type /MACROS to change your default macros.
|
||
Type /HELP for help. Type /Q to quote from message.
|
||
/S Save /ABT Abort /LI List /CLR Clear CTRL-P # Change color
|
||
[...|....1....|....2....|....3....|....4....|....5....|....6....|....7....|....]
|
||
|
||
Hi there. Sorry to trouble you, but I am a new user here and recently
|
||
experienced a problem when I was on your system earlier tonight. I was just
|
||
looking around when I suddenly lost carrier. I was wondering if this was due
|
||
to a problem on your end, or if it was a problem with my terminal program. I
|
||
don't have call-waiting or an extension phone on this line that I call out
|
||
with, so I'm kind of puzzled by the dropped carrier problem. Can you enlighten
|
||
me?
|
||
|
||
Thank for any help.
|
||
|
||
Mr. Blahblahblah
|
||
/es
|
||
Saving... message sent to The All-Powerful 1 #1.
|
||
|
||
|
||
Time Remaining = 9 minutes, 45 seconds
|
||
[1] [The All-Powerful 1's Decrees]:
|
||
|
||
|
||
[What happened next was totally unexpected:]
|
||
|
||
|
||
The All-Powerful 1 is Here:
|
||
|
||
Hey! What's your problem, buddy?
|
||
|
||
|
||
[Well, I expected a response to my letter, but not THIS fast! Let's see
|
||
what he has to say:]
|
||
|
||
|
||
Hello. I'm not sure what the problem is, if it's with my software or if it's
|
||
on your end. I was on earlier this evening and
|
||
|
||
I know, dammit. don't you think I saw the mail you sent me? So, what's your
|
||
point?
|
||
|
||
Well, I was wondering if you were around when I lost carrier here earlier and
|
||
saw what happened. Did your board hang? I saw by the daily log that nobody
|
||
else been on the system since I lost carrier.
|
||
|
||
|
||
[I deliberately gave him an "out" in my question by suggesting that the
|
||
board might have locked-up. This was my way to finally determine once and for
|
||
all if he was indeed suffering from HSS. If he was, he wouldn't take the
|
||
escape that I gave him, instead opting to blather something to the effect that
|
||
it was "his" system and if I didn't like it, then that was too damn bad.]
|
||
|
||
|
||
Hey! I had to do something on the computer. You got a problem with that? What
|
||
are you, some kind of [CENSORED] troublemaker?
|
||
|
||
No, I'm not trying to cause a problem, I just asked a question. If you needed
|
||
to use the computer, you could have just popped in on me in chat mode like you
|
||
are now and ask me to logoff. I would've done it. There was no need to hang up
|
||
on me.
|
||
|
||
[CENSORED] off, buddy. You're outta here!
|
||
˜Žç3Ï<EFBFBD>’"íµçþÌé3þfè<66>Öñ&iòûßE¯‹áî[EtòÜÍÉyé˜éóœïê§ÖÂ*åIUïP‰Ù(—æ»hSpãZV8’ù‹‹rÅ„(¤´
|
||
?ÝůE>*<2A>H"éÉŒ¸Âï<C382>½+0'•©—wƒ3¶¡`Ÿ†Éw¥©Õæg#NWóc&÷<>Öl¶±¾Êl5kaÓÜép™(oL»×“xe¨ŒÁã‘\R
|
||
ÇIì›d“Dj¹ŠT’Râ[ý`}ºÓÝü€<C3BC>kBnʵíöwÍxgñŸ3Žß¶…«#ÜcXçBÇ*eÊ¢ÆÞƒàS¾OÖÛ°f$úa‚¿ì¯B•ãÚ
|
||
§crD<EFBFBD>]Èi[ƒ6ù—SQ…Ûl(ÕŸð>8E!©ß #@ãõÎbV°²@Ÿiß,š”BÑ·[Ãàg3o)ëEÃU™ÞK ¶e•ºGŽHo q¦Z¦fê
|
||
;îæÌüIÆšÞWÛ¹„ÁåmiÇ.fOûô<œá͆uFÕÎlÀ;W/„ŠÔæ¯ç<C2AF>£Éœ¯ªí’½ïËéûúN0_ð-ª¤qðÇ?G|Ú¨ÜuV½
|
||
Þ¾äx?Wsiyš…sû÷¡":1&ª¼`Ç®e½ü¹?ž¦‹3ýÑÄ0#,b°Óq’ÎZ²ìù¼‘3Ÿí7Ìh„€kW,Ão¹“Q<E2809C>°²#Ãp p
|
||
:K/0qþR7$2A5%s¡;QJB§yù1Q¬k:!Ú`Ê˯ÐÀÆ<C380><C386> †ºÐÎãž#ÛÔ¿#Ê•réÍ´µ3[uU‹û½%5”RmÅøðZ3í}:æ
|
||
«Jwš‹vÈÚÀªïrAÀ¸€Sé=tÐWWÖgsý‡ûךj*çÙN‰¿bgâœêi¢‚~‘8óíLÀc›”u¸šgàÜ‘sAçèÜ/y×ùK¿*,ù
|
||
›U©>Õ’äc³I‹êÞÍxjkdB`)Ìc„øò6s<36>t…¥P±E3BîlÓ‹·:·˜À¤·†‰2VûŒ<C3BB>é¢K4IÇï€Ä¡MžÄªM‹•î<E280A2>Ö‹xx
|
||
ØIp˜›Ñw1d½x6p|ðÅç¶Ô}QäãpNÃ@s"32Üþ;M(ûÂëž´@<40>KfÛÍÚÆ¸-Ù–b¡‚~¿a2_V6#Í@ŽÎÖNüˆ<C3BC>U"pX
|
||
ïXè-ŠøëÉuˆ)Ç–äƒÜ™HÌ€j„nÜïu«( 0è~+#X/SrÊ,ð‹ö;#°’ž¯=Krï~4¦ÃË),Åíl>ÐC¿þ‡œ<E280A1>öé<C3B6>59è†
|
||
|
||
NO CARRIER
|
||
|
||
[Well, I think that settles it. I decided to try one more time calling
|
||
back to see just how badly my little comment had affected this guy.]
|
||
|
||
Connected at 14400
|
||
|
||
|
||
Welcome to:
|
||
|
||
___ ___
|
||
/\ /\ | \ | \
|
||
/ \/ \ | |\ \ | o /
|
||
/ /\ /\ \ | |/ / | o \
|
||
/_/ \/ \_\ Y |_ _/ AMN |___/ BS
|
||
|
||
|
||
Sysop: The All-Powerful 1
|
||
|
||
24 Hours (but not in a row)
|
||
|
||
2400-14.4 (if I like you) - 1200 (if I don't)
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
Enter your number or name or `NEW'
|
||
NM: Mr. Blahblahblah
|
||
Sorry, I don't know that user
|
||
|
||
|
||
Enter your number or name or `NEW'
|
||
NM: Mr. Blahblahblah
|
||
Sorry, I don't know that user
|
||
|
||
|
||
Enter your number or name or `NEW'
|
||
NM: 9
|
||
Sorry, I don't know that user
|
||
|
||
NO CARRIER
|
||
|
||
|
||
I think it's safe to say that My Damn BBS isn't going to be long for this
|
||
world, so long as The All-Powerful 1 is the sysop. What you've seen here is a
|
||
rare glimpse of a sysop who suffers from an extreme case of SysGod Complex. As
|
||
I stated earlier, cases such as the one documented above are relatively few in
|
||
numbers but I think you can see that while they are few, they also have the
|
||
potential to be very acute.
|
||
|
||
Medical science has thus far been unable to find a cause for this
|
||
ailment, let alone a cure. Unless the disease is caught in its earliest
|
||
stages, it is ultimately fatal to a sysop and his/her BBS. Like rubber-neckers
|
||
gawking at a car wreck while passing it on the highway, there's little anyone
|
||
can do or say except "What a shame. I wonder what happened."
|
||
|
||
The best way to protect yourself from the ravages of the SysGod Complex
|
||
is to know the tell-tale warning signs:
|
||
|
||
-=- Repeatedly hanging-up on your users
|
||
-=- Repeatedly taking the board down for your own uses
|
||
-=- Chronically ignoring e-mail from your users
|
||
-=- Deleting users who question or disagree with you
|
||
-=- Continually telling your users that the board is "mine"
|
||
|
||
If you notice any of these potential warning signs in yourself, you may
|
||
be at risk of having one of the two complexes. The best way to tell is to put
|
||
up a public post on the board asking the opinion of your users on how you're
|
||
running the system. If you see a noticeable number of negative posts, you may
|
||
have a problem. If you then begin to delete these posts and the users who made
|
||
them, then you DEFINITELY are suffering from either DSS or HSS.
|
||
|
||
Once you are diagnosed with having a SysGod complex, the only treatment
|
||
can come from within. YOU must be the one who treats the disease by changing
|
||
your habits and starting to act more responsibly toward your users, your BBS,
|
||
and yourself.
|
||
|
||
Hopefully, this article will help to illuminate others to the effects of
|
||
SysGod Syndrome and, perhaps, may save others from succumbing to this most
|
||
dreaded of afflictions. For only through effective education and communication
|
||
can this monstrous malady ever be eradicated.
|
||
|
||
Deacon Blues 2@7653
|
||
IceNEWS Contributing Light Bytes Editor
|
||
ÄÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÄ
|
||
|
||
ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
|
||
³ IceNEWS is an independent journal published monthly as a service to ³
|
||
³ IceNET, its Sysops and users. The opinions & reviews expressed herein ³
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