I'm fairly new to BBS, and the learning curve is a little steep. Pardon me!

I saw in some of the advertisements a syntax next to a BBS connection information such as 1:23/45. Can someone explain to me what this is? Thanks!! :)

---
þ Synchronet þ Valhalla Home Services þ USA þ http://valhalla.synchro.net

Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Gela to All on Tue May 08 2018 09:59 pm

I saw in some of the advertisements a syntax next to a BBS connection information such as 1:23/45. Can someone explain to me what this is? Thanks!! :)

That looks like a fidonet address, Zone 1 Net 23 node 45.

It an adressing scheme, each node will have a unique address for echo and netmail.

Fidonet is zone 1 - 4 and othernets have their own zones. fsxNet user zone 21, whispernet uses zone 316 and the list goes on.

My Fidonet address is 1:153/757 although you won't see that here since DOVE-Net is a QWK network.

Ttyl :-),
Al


... Enter any 12 digit prime number to continue

---
þ Synchronet þ The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada

Gela wrote to All <=-

@VIA: VERT/VALHALLA
I'm fairly new to BBS, and the learning curve is a little steep. Pardon me!

I saw in some of the advertisements a syntax next to a BBS connection information such as 1:23/45. Can someone explain to me what this is? Thanks!! :)

That's the Fidonet network address, which is used for routing mail and other network related functions between BBSs. A full Fidonet address looks like

1:23/45.0@fidonet

The various parts are:

the 1: part is the zone. In Fidonet, the zone represents geographic regions (in this example zone 1 is North America). In many other networks using Fidonet technology (FTN), so-called "othernets", the zone can be and often is the entire network. E.g. for FSXnet, the zone is 21 for the entire network, in my own network - VKRadio, the zone is 432.

The next number (23) is the net. Nets are a smaller group of systems. In Fidonet, nets represent geographic areas, could be the side of a state or city.
In othernets, nets could have a different meaning, doesn't have to be geographic. Smaller networks may only have one net.

The third number (45) is the node. This is an individual BBS.

The next part (.0) is occasionally seen. This is the "point address". Points are BBS like systems that exchange mail with their main BBS (otherwise known as the "boss node) using the same protocols as BBSs used to exchange mail. Points are typically run by advanced users who want something more powerful than the telnet interface or offline mail, and sometimes sysops may setup a point for specific reasons (for example, I once ran a point as an Internet gateway). In Fidonet, points are considered equivalent to users of their boss node, and have no status at network level. .0 is the boss node itself, and an address without a point number is equivalent to .0. Points are numbered from .1 onwards, e.g. 1:23/45.6.

The final part of the address (@fidonet) is the domain. A domain represents an entire network, for example @fidonet is all of Fidonet, including all zones. Domains were introduced to make it easier to handle multiple othernets with conflicting zone numbers.

Hope that helps. :)


... "Mount your horses, men!!" "We're not that lonely, sir!!"
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.49
þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au

Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Gela to All on Tue May 08 2018 21:59:16

information such as 1:23/45. Can someone explain to me what this is?

Those are Fido-net style addresses..

Marisa
--- https://AmigaCity.xyz - Portal for the Amiga - More than 2,600 free DLs
--- https://AmigaCityLaptops.com - Laptops & Handhelds that run AmigaOS
--- https://AmigaCity.xyz/radio.html - Amiga game music 24/7
--- https://BBSlist.SynchronetBBS.org - Active BBS List for all BBS types
--- https://SynchronetBBS.org/OurServers - A list of all our websites
þ Synchronet þ Amiga City - The BBS for the Amiga - more than 2,500+ files

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Vk3jed to Gela on Wed May 09 2018 05:02 pm

That's the Fidonet network address, which is used for routing mail and other network related functions between BBSs. A full Fidonet address looks like

Thank you for the very thorough information! It's hard to find this kind of information these days, I'm sure most written manual style information about BBS systems is no longer in circulation, but I'll keep my eyes open for any file references to BBS user manuals. Thanks again :)

---
þ Synchronet þ Valhalla Home Services þ USA þ http://valhalla.synchro.net

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Gela to Vk3jed on Wed May 09 2018 01:32 pm

Thank you for the very thorough information! It's hard to find this kind of information these days, I'm sure most written manual style information about BBS systems is no longer in circulation, but I'll keep my eyes open for any file references to BBS user manuals. Thanks again :)

There's still information on BBSes available online here and there. Also, the thing that got me back into BBSing was Jason Scott's documentary "BBS: The Documentary". See www.bbsdocumentary.com for more information. You might still be able to buy a copy (or find it on BitTorrent - I seem to remember him giving permission for people to freely copy it). I've seen some of the episodes from his documentary on YouTube too. His documentary is arguably lacking in some details, but he did a lot of interviews with people talking about BBSes back in the day, and it was fairly fun to watch (at least for me, since I remember those days).

Nightfox

---
þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Nightfox to Gela on Wed May 09 2018 12:30 pm

There's still information on BBSes available online here and there. Also, t thing that got me back into BBSing was Jason Scott's documentary "BBS: The Documentary". See www.bbsdocumentary.com for more information. You might

I actually started watching some of it, it is available on youtube, and I believe it's creative commons (you can't pirate what doesn't have economic value, can you now?!). What a fascinating history. I'm slightly ashamed, my first computer growing up was a Windows 3.1, and all I did was dial up TCP/IP with it. I would have really loved connecting to BBS systems back in the hey day.

Speaking of this, it seems BBS is having a resurgence. All these software updates with Synchronet, recent posts since last year. What's gotten people back on board? (Is it the passive references to BBS made in the book/movie "Ready Player One" [aside, the audiobook is narrated by Will Wheaton. Listen to it. It's gold.], or something else?). Not that I'm complaining. I think this system of communication is better than even some modern bulletin board systems. The quality of educated, well thought out topics and conversation is stunning compared with the unwashed masses of the HTTP.

---
þ Synchronet þ Valhalla Home Services þ USA þ http://valhalla.synchro.net

Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Gela to All on Tue May 08 2018 21:59:16

Actually, the other guys explanation is correct. Ignore my nonsensical answer.

---
þ Synchronet þ electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Nightfox to Gela on Wed May 09 2018 12:30:37

might still be able to buy a copy (or find it on BitTorrent - I seem to remember him giving permission for people to freely copy it). I've seen

I have the documentary on youtube. You can find links to it at synchronetbbs.org...

Marisa
--- https://AmigaCity.xyz - Portal for the Amiga - More than 2,600 free DLs
--- https://AmigaCityLaptops.com - Laptops & Handhelds that run AmigaOS
--- https://AmigaCity.xyz/radio.html - Amiga game music 24/7
--- https://BBSlist.SynchronetBBS.org - Active BBS List for all BBS types
--- https://SynchronetBBS.org/OurServers - A list of all our websites
þ Synchronet þ Amiga City - The BBS for the Amiga - more than 2,500+ files

Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Marisag to Gela on Wed May 09 2018 06:20:28

information such as 1:23/45. Can someone explain to me what this is?

Those are Fido-net style addresses..

I probably have this wrong, but I want to say, Zone(Region):Hub/BBS.

So, Zone 1, Node 23, #45.

Again, I probably have that wrong.

---
þ Synchronet þ Amiga City - The BBS for the Amiga - more than 2,500+ files

Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Gela to All on Tue May 08 2018 09:59 pm

I'm fairly new to BBS, and the learning curve is a little steep. Pardon me!

I saw in some of the advertisements a syntax next to a BBS connection information such as 1:23/45. Can someone explain to me what this is? Thanks!! :)

http://wiki.synchro.net/ref:fidonet_glossary

digital man

Synchronet/BBS Terminology Definition #30:
IP = Internet Protocol
Norco, CA WX: 73.9øF, 54.0% humidity, 11 mph NE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

---
þ Synchronet þ Vertrauen þ Home of Synchronet þ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Gela to Nightfox on Wed May 09 2018 08:49 pm

Speaking of this, it seems BBS is having a resurgence. All these software updates with Synchronet, recent posts since last year. What's gotten

I'm not sure I'd say there has been a resurgence.. I've been running my current BBS on the internet since 2007, and I'd say the stream of posts (on Dove-Net at least) has been fairly steady, though it has its ups and downs sometimes. BBS use is still not near what it was at its height in the early-mid 90s.

Nightfox

---
þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Gela to Nightfox on Wed May 09 2018 08:49 pm

Speaking of this, it seems BBS is having a resurgence. All these software updates with Synchronet, recent posts since last year. What's gotten people

things have actually been real slow for bbsing.
---
þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Marisag to Nightfox on Wed May 09 2018 10:53 pm

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Nightfox to Gela on Wed May 09 2018 12:30:37

might still be able to buy a copy (or find it on BitTorrent - I seem to remember him giving permission for people to freely copy it). I've seen

I have the documentary on youtube. You can find links to it at synchronetbbs.org...

i'm the first guy that uploaded it to google video/youtube. then a bunch of other people copied it so they could make money. i had no idea how any of that shit worked.

they upgraded my account to some weird documentary status and they thought i was sardofsky. i ended up just closing the account.

if anybody wants it they can download it off of me.
youtube vids have shitty quality
---
þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Gela wrote to Vk3jed <=-

That's the Fidonet network address, which is used for routing mail and other network related functions between BBSs. A full Fidonet address looks like

Thank you for the very thorough information! It's hard to find this
kind of information these days, I'm sure most written manual style information about BBS systems is no longer in circulation, but I'll
keep my eyes open for any file references to BBS user manuals. Thanks again :)

You're welcome. I like to share knowledge. It was all so confusing back in the 90s when I started a BBS, so more than happy to pass my knowledge and experience along.

And for a bit more background. :)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FidoNet


... Because that's what the holidays are all about: SUFFERING.
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.49
þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au

Nightfox wrote to Gela <=-

There's still information on BBSes available online here and there.
Also, the thing that got me back into BBSing was Jason Scott's
documentary "BBS: The Documentary". See www.bbsdocumentary.com for

That's an awesome documentary. I bought a copy when it first came out. Had to support that one. :) Pity it wasn't more global in scope, but BBSing is such a huge subject.

more information. You might still be able to buy a copy (or find it on BitTorrent - I seem to remember him giving permission for people to
freely copy it). I've seen some of the episodes from his documentary
on YouTube too. His documentary is arguably lacking in some details,
but he did a lot of interviews with people talking about BBSes back in
the day, and it was fairly fun to watch (at least for me, since I
remember those days).

I enjoyed it as well. :)


... Abdicate (v.) to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.49
þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au

Gela wrote to Nightfox <=-

I actually started watching some of it, it is available on youtube, and
I believe it's creative commons (you can't pirate what doesn't have economic value, can you now?!). What a fascinating history. I'm
slightly ashamed, my first computer growing up was a Windows 3.1, and
all I did was dial up TCP/IP with it. I would have really loved
connecting to BBS systems back in the hey day.

You missed out big time. BBSs were awesome in their heyday (still are now ;) ), and the BBS documentary is an excellent watch.

Speaking of this, it seems BBS is having a resurgence. All these
software updates with Synchronet, recent posts since last year. What's gotten people back on board? (Is it the passive references to BBS made

Yes, there seems to be a gradual increase in BBS activity. A lot of it is returning sysops (like myself), wanting to get back into something that was such a big part of our younger years.

in the book/movie "Ready Player One" [aside, the audiobook is narrated
by Will Wheaton. Listen to it. It's gold.], or something else?). Not

Must watch the movie, audiobooks aren't a great medium for me, unfortunately.

that I'm complaining. I think this system of communication is better
than even some modern bulletin board systems. The quality of educated, well thought out topics and conversation is stunning compared with the unwashed masses of the HTTP.

Oh, BBSs crap all over web forums for usability, especially on busy echoes, and the networkability of BBSs allows a sysop or point user to aggregate their mail feeds, to avoid "login fatigue" from keeping track of so many forums. For me (with ADHD), that is a critically important feature that BBSs offer that web forums don't (each web forum is a standalone system). If I find a network I like, I can simply join it and read it from my own BBSs, rather than having to remember to login here and there, and eventually logging in nowhere, because (1) I couldn't be stuffed, and (2) I've forgotten what systems I log into anyway.


... But I did read the docs, I just didn't understand them!
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.49
þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Vk3jed to Gela on Thu May 10 2018 02:50 pm

Oh, BBSs crap all over web forums for usability, especially on busy echoes, the networkability of BBSs allows a sysop or point user to aggregate their m feeds, to avoid "login fatigue" from keeping track of so many forums. For m

I mean, not just from the ergonomics of having a centralized login point, but I think the culmonation of so many technically inclined people tends to filter out the detrius of unrelated and unhelpful communication so popular on social media and sites today. Just take a look at any comments feed on any platform and shake your head in disapproval for humanity...

I have found that some connection methods just tend to attract the right people with semi intelligent answers. IRC is one I've used for years, and despite people's interest in Slack or Discord today, I still go to IRC whenever I have technical questions about a topic. Browsing a couple BBS servers with a high amount of interconnected BBS systems, I've seen some great discussion posted. I think I'll find a niche on FidoNet or DOVEnet and enjoy it thusly.

Also, I'm very much enjoying the older text based games, with a reverence for the history of the time. Time to play though some classics :)

---
þ Synchronet þ Valhalla Home Services þ USA þ http://valhalla.synchro.net

Re: Correction
By: Chai to Gela on Wed May 09 2018 20:34:39

Actually, the other guys explanation is correct. Ignore my nonsensical answ

... Context? Whose explanation? What response? What's the subjuct.

I apologize, I wasn't paying that much attention to this conference lately.

-jag
Code it, Script it, Automate it!

---
þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Thu May 10 2018 02:36 pm

Also, the thing that got me back into BBSing was Jason Scott's
documentary "BBS: The Documentary". See www.bbsdocumentary.com for

That's an awesome documentary. I bought a copy when it first came out. Had to support that one. :) Pity it wasn't more global in scope, but BBSing is such a huge subject.

That's true, particularly when FidoNet became a global network. I heard that particularly in countries where information is restricted, FidoNet allowed doctors (for instance) to get information from people outside the country when they normally would not have been able to get the information they needed. I don't remember if Jason Scott's BBS documentary mentioned that or if I heard that somewhere else.

Nightfox

---
þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: MRO to Marisag on Wed May 09 2018 11:27 pm

youtube vids have shitty quality

I haven't found that to be the case. If you upload a decently encoded video and view it back with sufficient bandwidth, it looks the same as the original video I uploaded.

digital man

This Is Spinal Tap quote #29:
I find lost luggage. I locate mandolin strings in the middle of Austin!
Norco, CA WX: 75.5øF, 55.0% humidity, 2 mph NW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

---
þ Synchronet þ Vertrauen þ Home of Synchronet þ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Thu May 10 2018 02:36 pm

That's an awesome documentary. I bought a copy when it first came out. Had to support that one. :) Pity it wasn't more global in scope, but BBSing is such a huge subject.

I'd love to see a sequel - present-day BBSing. Anyone up for it?

---
þ Synchronet þ realitycheckBBS -- http://realitycheckBBS.org

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Digital Man to MRO on Thu May 10 2018 11:54 am

youtube vids have shitty quality

I haven't found that to be the case. If you upload a decently encoded video and view it back with sufficient bandwidth, it looks the same as the original video I uploaded.

I agree. I've also seen some 4K videos on YouTube that look pretty nice.

Nightfox

---
þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Vk3jed on Thu May 10 2018 11:22 am

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Thu May 10 2018 02:36 pm

That's an awesome documentary. I bought a copy when it first came out. Had to support that one. :) Pity it wasn't more global in scope, but BBSing is such a huge subject.

I'd love to see a sequel - present-day BBSing. Anyone up for it?

When the BBS documentary was made there was a "present-day BBS" scene. Though the scene was much smaller than "before the 'net", it still existed but Jason Scott wasn't interested in covering it (and really, he had too much material to cover as it was). My "beef" with the documentary really was that it conveyed the impression that BBSes were totally dead and there was no more development or innovation going on with BBSes, which is just not true. Still, the BBS documentary was an awesome tribute to our hobby and legacy (thank you, Jason!).

A documentary-length movie covering the current state of BBSing probably wouldn't be very interesting, but there are some cool (or at least decent) YouTube videos covering the topic of modern (Internet-connected) BBSes today. I think more of those types of videos, from different producers and perspectives would be nice. Not really a "sequel", but more of a "reboot". :-)

digital man

Synchronet "Real Fact" #27:
Rob Swindell (digital man) was born approximately 4 hours before the Unix epoch.
Norco, CA WX: 77.4øF, 49.0% humidity, 10 mph ENE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

---
þ Synchronet þ Vertrauen þ Home of Synchronet þ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Digital Man to MRO on Thu May 10 2018 11:54 am

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: MRO to Marisag on Wed May 09 2018 11:27 pm

youtube vids have shitty quality

I haven't found that to be the case. If you upload a decently encoded video and view it back with sufficient bandwidth, it looks the same as the original video I uploaded.

well i meant to say the bbs doc vids.
it depends overall with other youtube videos.
---
þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Vk3jed on Thu May 10 2018 11:22 am

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Thu May 10 2018 02:36 pm

That's an awesome documentary. I bought a copy when it first came out. Had to support that one. :) Pity it wasn't more global in scope, but BBSing is such a huge subject.

I'd love to see a sequel - present-day BBSing. Anyone up for it?

donate to jason scott and i'm sure he will get right on it :D or atleast take your money gladly
---
þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Digital Man to poindexter FORTRAN on Thu May 10 2018 02:10 pm

When the BBS documentary was made there was a "present-day BBS" scene. Though the scene was much smaller than "before the 'net", it still existed but Jason Scott wasn't interested in covering it (and really, he had too much material to cover as it was). My "beef" with the documentary really was that it conveyed the impression that BBSes were totally dead and there was no more development or innovation going on with BBSes, which is just not true. Still, the BBS documentary was an awesome tribute to our hobby and legacy (thank you, Jason!).

A documentary-length movie covering the current state of BBSing probably wouldn't be very interesting, but there are some cool (or at least decent) YouTube videos covering the topic of modern (Internet-connected) BBSes

i wondered why he only used short clips of the people being interviewed.
when i saw the full interviews online recently i knew why. he wasn't recording his own voice and everything seemed really amature style. if i was traveling THAT far i would make sure i'd have a microphone on everyone and do a decent job. he did a great job of editing but his own friends got way too much screentime.

my favorite one is make it pay where it was sea vs pkware. i knew some of the pkware people so it was very interesting. i also went to the strip club that phil frequented!


what was cool is later on some people came out and spoke about the situation on the ascii.textfiles blog. there was a LOT of drama back then and there were people on phil's side who had some inside info about the situation. people at sea were lying a lot and got called on it a few times.

today. I think more of those types of videos, from different producers and perspectives would be nice. Not really a "sequel", but more of a "reboot".

yeah that would be nice, but i dont anybody in the bbs community could pull off something decent.
---
þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Gela wrote to Vk3jed <=-

I mean, not just from the ergonomics of having a centralized login
point, but I think the culmonation of so many technically inclined
people tends to filter out the detrius of unrelated and unhelpful communication so popular on social media and sites today. Just take a
look at any comments feed on any platform and shake your head in disapproval for humanity...

That's all well and good if you're after technical discussion, but I am in other communities that are well managed, but I'm still having to fight with the forum issues. Tech people are one group who can (sometimes!) create a nice little community, but with the added advantage of creating the technological hurdles to keep the riff raff out, but they're not the only ones who can build a decent community. :) And unfortunately, the others often congregate on web forums.

Oh, and have you seen the FIDONEWS echo lately? Just to blow it out of the water. ;)


... C:\BELFRY is where I keep my .BAT files. ^^^oo^^^
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.49
þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au

Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

That's true, particularly when FidoNet became a global network. I
heard that particularly in countries where information is restricted, FidoNet allowed doctors (for instance) to get information from people outside the country when they normally would not have been able to get
the information they needed. I don't remember if Jason Scott's BBS documentary mentioned that or if I heard that somewhere else.

No I don't recall that being mentioned, but the doco did mention that minority groups, especially LGBTI groups were able to use Fidonet to connect on a global scale for the first time. And in that sphere, the technology saved lives. I've seen lives saved by BBSs myself (through suicide prevention), probably the most rewarding part of being a sysop. :) A sysop was also a bit like an electronic bartender, in that they were the ear to bend when users needed someone to talk to. I've had a few users page me to get something personal off their chest.


... Micro$oft: How much money is left in your wallet today?
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.49
þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au

poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-

@VIA: VERT/REALITY
Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Thu May 10 2018 02:36 pm

That's an awesome documentary. I bought a copy when it first came out. Had to support that one. :) Pity it wasn't more global in scope, but BBSing is such a huge subject.

I'd love to see a sequel - present-day BBSing. Anyone up for it?

Would love to! :) And get people like Digital Man, g00r00 and other BBS software developers in on that one. :)


... Our program, who art in memory. EXE be thy name.
--- MultiMail/Win32 v0.49
þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Digital Man to poindexter FORTRAN on Thu May 10 2018 02:10 pm

wouldn't be very interesting, but there are some cool (or at least decent) YouTube videos covering the topic of modern (Internet-connected) BBSes today

Before I decided to check out BBS systems this week (I'm a newbie.), I had checked youtube videos about it. They all seemed to have the presence of "experience the internet like it's 1990, then forget about it!" More as a novelty, not as a functioning piece of technology. I don't think there's much content out there about modern BBS, a couple site mentions and a couple nostalgic videos and that's it. I think that should be changed.

I think a subject youtube video about modern BBS could be awesome, if it wasn't approached in a way that made it seem like you were in a museum. There's a LOT to offer here, and we just need more people to play along with us!

---
þ Synchronet þ Valhalla Home Services þ USA þ http://valhalla.synchro.net

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Vk3jed to Gela on Fri May 11 2018 07:05 am

Ok, fair point. It's not just techies that can make a good community. :)

---
þ Synchronet þ Valhalla Home Services þ USA þ http://valhalla.synchro.net

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Vk3jed on Thu May 10 2018 11:22:51

That's an awesome documentary. I bought a copy when it first came out. H to support that one. :) Pity it wasn't more global in scope, but BBSing such a huge subject.

I'd love to see a sequel - present-day BBSing. Anyone up for it?

Oh yeah! I game! :D

-jag
Code it, Script it, Automate it!

---
þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Digital Man to poindexter FORTRAN on Thu May 10 2018 14:10:09

A documentary-length movie covering the current state of BBSing probably wouldn't be very interesting, but there are some cool (or at least decent) YouTube videos covering the topic of modern (Internet-connected) BBSes today think more of those types of videos, from different producers and perspectiv would be nice. Not really a "sequel", but more of a "reboot". :-)

The only one I have seen that explicitly talks about BBSes in this day and age was by LGR (Lazy Games Review); although, I don't think it was the focal point of the vide: a piece of hardware that provided a modem-like connection via Wi-fi.

-jag
Code it, Script it, Automate it!

---
þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Fri May 11 2018 07:13 am

technology saved lives. I've seen lives saved by BBSs myself (through suicide prevention), probably the most rewarding part of being a sysop. :) A sysop was also a bit like an electronic bartender, in that they were the ear to bend when users needed someone to talk to. I've had a few users page me to get something personal off their chest.

With my BBS I ran in the 90s, I sometimes had users page me and just chat with me, which I enjoyed. I didn't see anything as serious as someone wanting to commit suicide, but it's good to hear there were BBSes that were able to help people in that regard.

Nightfox

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Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: MRO to Digital Man on Thu May 10 2018 04:56 pm

Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Digital Man to poindexter FORTRAN on Thu May 10 2018 02:10 pm

When the BBS documentary was made there was a "present-day BBS" scene. Though the scene was much smaller than "before the 'net", it still existed but Jason Scott wasn't interested in covering it (and really, he had too much material to cover as it was). My "beef" with the documentary really was that it conveyed the impression that BBSes were totally dead and there was no more development or innovation going on with BBSes, which is just not true. Still, the BBS documentary was an awesome tribute to our hobby and legacy (thank you, Jason!).

A documentary-length movie covering the current state of BBSing probably wouldn't be very interesting, but there are some cool (or at least decent) YouTube videos covering the topic of modern (Internet-connected) BBSes

i wondered why he only used short clips of the people being interviewed. when i saw the full interviews online recently i knew why. he wasn't recording his own voice and everything seemed really amature style. if i was traveling THAT far i would make sure i'd have a microphone on everyone and do a decent job. he did a great job of editing but his own friends got way too much screentime.

I'm not sure which were his friends and which were not. I certainly had never met him before our interview and he showed up very late, like 2AM, after driving way too long, so he was tired and like you said, didn't mic himself, so you couldn't really hear his questions. In at least one case, he planted phrases into my response, like "short shrift" (I was repeating the question) - I'd never used that phrase before in my life, nor since, and he kept that short bit in the movie, which to mean, sounds awkward. <shrug>

It was an amateur documentary for sure, but better than what most other amateures would have made.

my favorite one is make it pay where it was sea vs pkware. i knew some of the pkware people so it was very interesting. i also went to the strip club that phil frequented!

Does that mean you met Phil Katz or you just frequented the same establishment?

what was cool is later on some people came out and spoke about the situation on the ascii.textfiles blog. there was a LOT of drama back then and there were people on phil's side who had some inside info about the situation. people at sea were lying a lot and got called on it a few times.

Cool. Got a link to that blog/discussion?

today. I think more of those types of videos, from different producers and perspectives would be nice. Not really a "sequel", but more of a "reboot".

yeah that would be nice, but i dont anybody in the bbs community could pull off something decent.

Avon (mystic guy) makes pretty good videos though they're all Mystic-related, so it's certainly possible.

digital man

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Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Gela to Nightfox on Wed May 09 2018 08:49 pm

modern bulletin board systems. The quality of educated, well thought out topics and conversation is stunning compared with the unwashed masses of the HTTP.

...Because on those days We were just a few who really really wanted to do all this stuff and we enjoyed so much!!
The trolling came long long after when anybody could do anything, but in here it's mostly less nobody and a bit more of the somebody being respect an important one...

RainManHood<---

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Re: Correction
By: Jagossel to Chai on Thu May 10 2018 11:08:13

Actually, the other guys explanation is correct. Ignore my nonsensical answ

... Context? Whose explanation? What response? What's the subjuct.

I apologize, I wasn't paying that much attention to this conference lately.

I replied to a message explaining FidoNet addressing. My explanation was slightly off. It was a separate message that I was referring to. At any rate, I'm still figuring out these message editors, so bare with me.

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Gela wrote to Vk3jed <=-

Ok, fair point. It's not just techies that can make a good community.
:)

Exactly. :)


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Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

With my BBS I ran in the 90s, I sometimes had users page me and just
chat with me, which I enjoyed. I didn't see anything as serious as

Yes, I enjoyed chatting with users as well. :)

someone wanting to commit suicide, but it's good to hear there were
BBSes that were able to help people in that regard.

As I said, that was one of the highlights of being a sysop. It's nice to know someone is probably alive because of the BBS. :)


... My spelling? Oh, it's just line noise.
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Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Fri May 11 2018 05:05 pm

Yes, I enjoyed chatting with users as well. :)

I can't count how much time I spent chatting with the sysop of a board I co-sysoped for him - we were boh in our twenties and going through relationship and first job hassles; I so wish I'd saved an archive of those messages and the messages on my board back then. I'm still in contact with quote a few of them, and we documented our generation growing up and coming into our own online in an environment much different than today's online experience.

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Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Vk3jed on Fri May 11 2018 08:53 am

I can't count how much time I spent chatting with the sysop of a board I co-sysoped for him - we were boh in our twenties and going through relationship and first job hassles; I so wish I'd saved an archive of those messages and the messages on my board back then. I'm still in contact with quote a few of them, and we documented our generation growing up and coming into our own online in an environment much different than today's online experience.

That's cool. It definitely seems like a different time today than it used to be. I think "online" meant something a little bit different back then.. Back then, you'd go online to a BBS temporarily and do some stuff, and then disconnect. In-person get-togethers with friends seemed more common back then, at least for me, where you'd actually go out somewhere and do stuff. These days, it seems like everyone is always connected online, and it seems less personal. Sometimes I feel a little sad seeing so many people walking around staring at their phone.

Nightfox

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Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Nightfox to poindexter FORTRAN on Fri May 11 2018 10:13 am

That's cool. It definitely seems like a different time today than it used to be. I think "online" meant something a little bit different back then.. Back then, you'd go online to a BBS temporarily and do some stuff, and then disconnect. In-person get-togethers with friends seemed more common back then, at least for me

We had an othernet with boards scattered around the San Francisco bay area, and we'd have quarterly gettogethers. Seeing the people behind the words made things more civil and more real than nowadays.

..And some of those people are still my friends today.

My current job is the first job I've had since 1991 where someone didn't know me as Poindexter.

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Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Fri May 11 2018 07:13 am

prevention), probably the most rewarding part of being a sysop. :) A sysop was also a bit like an electronic bartender, in that they were the ear to bend when users needed someone to talk to. I've had a few users page me to get something personal off their chest.

if you run into a troubled person, please try to get them into counseling. i have training and even I had to go into counseling with my crazy old lady.

it's not that bad and there's different ways to do it. we went with a qualified person who did it out of her home and my gf was comfortable.

helping peole is a hard thing to do, so if it gets past venting, help them get some help.
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poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-

I can't count how much time I spent chatting with the sysop of a board
I co-sysoped for him - we were boh in our twenties and going through relationship and first job hassles; I so wish I'd saved an archive of those messages and the messages on my board back then. I'm still in contact with quote a few of them, and we documented our generation
growing up and coming into our own online in an environment much
different than today's online experience.

That would have been an interesting time. We did similar, though I was the only one in a relationship (for the rest of the time the BBS ran and beyond).


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MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-

if you run into a troubled person, please try to get them into
counseling. i have training and even I had to go into counseling with
my crazy old lady.

Sometimes they need to know it's OK to do so, and not a sign of weakness. Some guys in particular have a hard time admitting things like that.

it's not that bad and there's different ways to do it. we went with a qualified person who did it out of her home and my gf was comfortable.

helping peole is a hard thing to do, so if it gets past venting, help
them get some help.

Agree. In this case, just knowing he had options in life was enough to turn things around.


... No, no, nurse! I said SLIP off his SPECTACLES!!
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Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: Digital Man to MRO on Thu May 10 2018 05:27 pm

I'm not sure which were his friends and which were not. I certainly had neve met him before our interview and he showed up very late, like 2AM, after

i cant remember their names but there's a woman and a man on a couch that got a lot of time. i think those were his friends.

you couldn't really hear his questions. In at least one case, he planted phrases into my response, like "short shrift" (I was repeating the question) I'd never used that phrase before in my life, nor since, and he kept that sh bit in the movie, which to mean, sounds awkward. <shrug>

yeah that's not a common expression, atleast in my region.

my favorite one is make it pay where it was sea vs pkware. i knew some the pkware people so it was very interesting. i also went to the strip c that phil frequented!

Does that mean you met Phil Katz or you just frequented the same establishme

i went to the same one that he went to. i think i was probably just turned 21 when he was going there so i probably wouldnt have met him.
dude's dont really interact with eachother at strip clubs so maybe i walked past him. i met screech from saved by the bell at the same club.

what was cool is later on some people came out and spoke about the situat on the ascii.textfiles blog. there was a LOT of drama back then and there were people on phil's side who had some inside info about the situation. people at sea were lying a lot and got called on it a few times.

Cool. Got a link to that blog/discussion?

http://ascii.textfiles.com/archives/2398

there's also a bunch of text captures http://www.textfiles.com/computers/arcsuit.txt

http://cd.textfiles.com/rbbsv3n1/fasm/exec_pk.txt

https://textfiles.habd.as/computers/sea.txt.html


there's stuff all over the place, not sure if it's one location.
there are huge flamewars with people from sea and phil's supporters someplace.

anyways, everyone ripped off of lha. arc did it and other people did it too. ---
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Re: Re: 1:* BBS terminology
By: MRO to Digital Man on Wed Jul 08 2020 03:59 pm

there's stuff all over the place, not sure if it's one location.
there are huge flamewars with people from sea and phil's supporters someplac

"Recently SEA filed contempt of court charges against Katz. While
the company has kept details of their allegations under seal, they
appear to be alleging that any use of the word "arc" by Katz,
even as a descriptive or generic term (for instance, to refer to the
act of achiving a file--whether one is using SEA's ARC or ZOO or
any other archiving utility--as "arcing" it) is in violation of the settlement.

SEA has lately been contacting other software developers whose
products make use of the ARC file format and threatening legal
action. Gary Conway, author of NARC, an archive extraction
utility, was contacted by the company, which tried to pressure him
to license the ARC format and turn over the source code of NARC.
Don Kinzer of Polytron received a similar call from Thom
Henderson of SEA. Henderson told Kinzer that if a software
product had the ability to read an ARC file--not create or
extract it, merely read it--SEA would require the vendor to
obtain a license from SEA
"

this is from the sea.txt.html

it also states that there wasnt an expert in court that examined the source.

oh here's a compilation of the stuff http://www.bbsdocumentary.com/library/CONTROVERSY/LAWSUITS/SEA/
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