The following is
copied from http://www.thedirectory.org which is a great page
devoted to BBSes in the Internet and such. All of the links goto
something on that page.
Since the
beginnings of The BBS Corner, I've been asked a lot of
questions - many of which are common and are often repeated (over
and over and over and over...)
Here's a list of commonly (or "frequently") asked
questions and their answers. This should help many of you out
especially if you're a beginner in the BBS world - either on a
BBS sysop level or on a BBS user level.
Note: This is not a replacement for the Official BBS FAQ by Claire Walters. This is
to compliment it - not replace it.
BBS Sysop FAQ
- Q: I noticed you have
a very large BBS list. I want to have my BBS listed (or
to have the current listing changed)
- A: The BBS Corner
is a seperate operation from its host site of thedirectory
of BBSes, ISPs and Web Presence.
If you want to have your BBS listed, or changed on thedirectory
- follow these steps:
- Send an E-mail to question@thedirectory.org
(Leave subject and body of E-mail blank)
- An auto-responder will send you an E-mail with a
questionnare to fill out. Fill out the
questionnare and send it back to the E-mail
address listed at the BOTTOM of the questionnare
(infosubmit@aol.com).
Send it back as a regular E-mail - do NOT send it
as a file attachment!
- Your FREE listing will be added/updated on the
next update.
Updates to the BBS listings are bi-monthly, so it
may be a while before you see your listing.
- Q: I want to start my
own BBS. What do I have to do? Is it expensive?
- A: Starting a simple
BBS can be done very easily and with very little money.
For more details, check out the page on How
to Start Your Own BBS.
Basically, what you'll need is a computer, a modem, a
dedicated phone line, and some BBS
Software.
The rest is up to you.
- Q: How can I put my
BBS on the Internet?
- A: This is explained
in detail on the following pages:
- Q: Can I run a BBS on
the web?
- A: The general answer
to this question is no. Most Internet accessable BBSes
are done via Telnet.
There are some HTML
based BBS systems that are now appearing. These are
still in the beginning stages and are not yet as good as
a standard BBS system.
Another alternative is the Wildcat Win Server by Mustang Software. This
can be both a standard BBS and a HTML based BBS all in
one system. This is a professional system and carries
with it a professional price tag.
This is not recommended for beginning sysops.
BBS User FAQ
- Q: What is a BBS?
- A: BBS is an
abbreviation for Bulletin Board System. A BBS is a
self-contained On-Line system that is accessable by
direct-dial via your modem. You do NOT access the
Internet to call most of these BBS systems
- Q: What software is
needed to call BBSes?
- A: You will need modem
communications software to call BBSes. Most BBSes use a
video standard called ANSI emulation. Some use a special
kind of software to take advantage of graphical features
in Windows. This software is either free or is
"Shareware".
There is a list of modem software on the BBS
Users Software Page
- Q: Where can I find a
BBS in my area?
- A: There are many
BBSes in all areas of the world. And with that are many
BBS directories. The largest compilation of BBS
directories is thedirectory
of BBSes, ISPs and Web Presence.
Go to thedirectory, look up your area code and
find BBSes in your area.
- Q: Does it cost
anything to call (or Telnet) to BBSes?
- A: The common rule is
that most BBSes are free. However, there are about 25% of
BBSes who do charge users to access their services.
Those who do charge will allow you to access the system
for free for a "grace period" of a few days,
hours, or "points" of usage. Then you can make
payments - via a check, credit card, or cash (or whatever
they want to use) to the sysop of the BBS. You will not
be charged just by calling these systems (unless its a
long distance phone call or your phone company charges
for local calls). The only way the BBSes
"charge" you is if you send in a payment as
described above.
- Q: I've heard that
there are some BBSes on the Internet. How can I get on
these?
- A: There are an
increasing number of BBSes that are now on the Internet.
The total number of BBSes on the Internet is rather
small, however.
To access most BBSes on the Internet, you will need to
have "Telnet" software. Telnet is a process of
accessing another computer and using that computer via
the Internet. Telnet software is available on the BBS
Users Software Page
A list of Telnettable BBSes can be found at Richard Mark's Select
BBSes on the Internet
- Q: Are there any BBSes
accessable via my web browser?
- A: Very few. Most
require the use of "Telnet" (see above).
However, you can program your web browser to start your
Telnet software (NetTerm, for example) if you click on a
telnet link from a web page.
Your browser software's help files should explain how to
do this.
