Hello Digital Man,

I'm still seeing a problem when binkit receives in inbound call from a mystic mailer using CRAM-MD5 passwords. It is working well with a node that sends the password in plain text.

Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP connection accepted from: 67.6 1.82.242 port 55704
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP JavaScript service thread star ted
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP BinkIT/1.60 invoked with optio ns:
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP JSBinkP/1.91 inbound connectio n from 67.61.82.242:55704
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: OPT C RAM-MD5-03002d529b96bac293d1f3936f9746a4 CRYPT TLS
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Got M_NUL command args: SYS fs xHUB Niba [NET4]
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: SYS T he Rusty MailBox
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: ZYZ A lan Ianson
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: LOC P enticton, BC Canada
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: NDL 1 15200,TCP,BINKP
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: TIME Sat Mar 17 2018 14:15:55 GMT-0700 (PDT)
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: VER B inkIT/1.60,JSBinkP/1.91,sbbs3.17a/Linux binkp/1.1
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Sent M_ADR command args: 1:153 /757@fidonet 11:1/201@wwivftn 21:4/106@fsxnet 44:250/0@dorenet 316:403/5@whispn et 637:1/104@happynet
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Got M_NUL command args: ZYZ Bl ack Panther
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Got M_NUL command args: VER My stic/1.12A39 binkp/1.0
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Peer version: Mystic/1.12A39 b inkp/1.0
Mar 17 14:15:55 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Got M_ADR command args: 21:4/0 @fsxnet 21:4/100@fsxnet
Mar 17 14:15:56 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Got M_PWD command args: CRAM-M D5-c08663437632e39c6604fe9ea912250d
Mar 17 14:15:56 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Unconfigured address 21:4/0@fs xnet
Mar 17 14:15:56 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP Inbound session for: 21:4/100@ fsxnet
Mar 17 14:15:56 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP CRAM-MD5 password mismatch for
21:4/100@fsxnet

This is a new error but unrelated I think.

Mar 17 14:15:56 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP !JavaScript /sbbs/exec/binkit .js line 862: TypeError: this.command is undefined
Mar 17 14:15:56 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP service thread terminated (0 c lients remain, 0 total, 1 served)

When binkout or binkpoll runs I get successful sessions.

Mar 17 14:18:18 trmb synchronet: evnt Attempting poll for node 21:4/100@fsxnet Mar 17 14:18:18 trmb synchronet: evnt JSBinkP/1.91 callout to 21:4/100@fsxnet s tarted
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Got M_NUL command args: OPT CRAM-MD5-2ea5 ce3b484041d73525a715a394ef27
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Sent M_NUL command args: OPT CRYPT
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Sent M_NUL command args: SYS The Rusty Ma ilBox
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Sent M_NUL command args: ZYZ Alan Ianson Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Sent M_NUL command args: LOC Penticton, B C Canada
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Sent M_NUL command args: NDL 115200,TCP,B INKP
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Sent M_NUL command args: TIME Sat Mar 17 2018 14:18:19 GMT-0700 (PDT)
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Sent M_NUL command args: VER BinkIT/1.60, JSBinkP/1.91,sbbs3.17a/Linux binkp/1.1
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Sent M_ADR command args: 21:4/106@fsxnet 44:250/0@dorenet 1:153/757@fidonet 637:1/104@happynet 316:403/5@whispnet 11:1/2 01@wwivftn
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Got M_NUL command args: SYS fsxHUB Niba [ NET4]
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Got M_NUL command args: ZYZ Black Panther Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Got M_NUL command args: VER Mystic/1.12A3 9 binkp/1.0
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Peer version: Mystic/1.12A39 binkp/1.0 Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Got M_ADR command args: 21:4/0@fsxnet 21: 4/100@fsxnet
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Sent M_PWD command args: CRAM-MD5-5c95973 26344a78fb8d21f30b4044514
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Got M_OK command args: secure
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Unconfigured address 21:4/0@fsxnet
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Adding outbound files for 21:4/100@fsxnet Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Sent M_EOB command args:
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Got M_FILE command args: 0000fffa.sad 106 4 1521299762 0
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Receiving file: /sbbs/temp/event/0000fffa .sad (1.0KB)
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Got data frame length 1064
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Received file: /sbbs/temp/event/0000fffa. sad (1.0KB)
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Moving '/sbbs/temp/event/0000fffa.sad' to
'/sbbs/fido/sec.in/0000fffa.sad'.
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Sent M_GOT command args: 0000fffa.sad 106 4 1521299762
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Got M_EOB command args:
Mar 17 14:18:19 trmb synchronet: evnt Unlocking /sbbs/fido/outbound.015/0004006 4.bsy.

For some reason fidoin.now and tickit.now are not being touched when I receive mail or files when an event is run (binkout or binkpoll). They are touched when the binkp service receives files in a successful session with irex or binkd.

Ttyl :-),
Al


... A seminar on Time Travel will be held 2 weeks ago

---
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Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: Al to Digital Man on Sat Mar 17 2018 02:47 pm

I'm still seeing a problem when binkit receives in inbound call from a mystic mailer using CRAM-MD5 passwords. It is working well with a node that sends the password in plain text.

I think I have all the log output going into one file now also.. :)

Ttyl :-),
Al


... Don't worry, I'm go*ng t* b*ckup t*d*µ!&%#~%

---
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Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: Al to Digital Man on Sat Mar 17 2018 02:47 pm

Hello Digital Man,

I'm still seeing a problem when binkit receives in inbound call from a mystic mailer using CRAM-MD5 passwords. It is working well with a node that sends the password in plain text.

Okay, that's improvement at least.

This is a new error but unrelated I think.

Mar 17 14:15:56 trmb synchronet: srvc 0052 BINKP !JavaScript /sbbs/exec/binkit .js line 862: TypeError: this.command is undefined

Thanks for the report. I think I just fixed that one in CVS. Please give it a try (it'll still fail with "M_ERR Password mismatch", but at least there shouldn't be a JS error).

When binkout or binkpoll runs I get successful sessions.

For some reason fidoin.now and tickit.now are not being touched when I receive mail or files when an event is run (binkout or binkpoll). They are touched when the binkp service receives files in a successful session with irex or binkd.

I'll look into that and see if I can reproduce it. I might be checking in an update to binkit.js with some additional debug info to help root-caues that issue, so keep an eye out for that.

digital man

Synchronet/BBS Terminology Definition #50:
SSJS = Server-side JavaScript
Norco, CA WX: 56.2øF, 54.0% humidity, 4 mph ESE wind, 0.16 inches rain/24hrs

---
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Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: Al to Digital Man on Sat Mar 17 2018 02:50 pm

Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: Al to Digital Man on Sat Mar 17 2018 02:47 pm

I'm still seeing a problem when binkit receives in inbound call from a mystic mailer using CRAM-MD5 passwords. It is working well with a node that sends the password in plain text.

I think I have all the log output going into one file now also.. :)

Yeah, I noticed. Thanks (much more readable that way)!

digital man

Synchronet "Real Fact" #25:
The Digital Dynamics company ceased day-to-day opperations in late 1995.
Norco, CA WX: 56.2øF, 54.0% humidity, 4 mph ESE wind, 0.16 inches rain/24hrs

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Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: Al to Digital Man on Sat Mar 17 2018 02:50 pm

Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: Al to Digital Man on Sat Mar 17 2018 02:47 pm

I'm still seeing a problem when binkit receives in inbound call from a mystic mailer using CRAM-MD5 passwords. It is working well with a node that sends the password in plain text.

I think I have all the log output going into one file now also.. :)

Can you try an experiment for me?

I don't have any inbound Mystic/BINKP connections, so I can't test this just yet. Look in exec/load/binkp.js for this line:

this.wont_crypt = false;

and change it to:

this.wont_crypt = true;

This will change the sent "OPT" line from BinkIT on incoming connections (removing the 'CRYPT' option).

Please let me know if that allows the mystic mailer to authenticate succesfully (using CRAM-MD5) when initiating a connection with your BinkIT mailer.

digital man

This Is Spinal Tap quote #46:
"Not an Exit" - we don't want an exit. Well that's true.
Norco, CA WX: 59.2øF, 93.0% humidity, 0 mph ESE wind, 0.22 inches rain/24hrs

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Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: Digital Man to Al on Thu Mar 22 2018 02:38 pm

Can you try an experiment for me?

I don't have any inbound Mystic/BINKP connections, so I can't test this just yet. Look in exec/load/binkp.js for this line:

this.wont_crypt = false;

and change it to:

this.wont_crypt = true;

Will do, let you know shortly the result.

Ttyl :-),
Al


... You! What PLANET is this? McCoy, stardate 3134.0.

---
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Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: Digital Man to Al on Thu Mar 22 2018 02:38 pm

Can you try an experiment for me?

I don't have any inbound Mystic/BINKP connections, so I can't test this just yet. Look in exec/load/binkp.js for this line:

this.wont_crypt = false;

and change it to:

this.wont_crypt = true;

Success.. Here is the log..

Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP connection accepted from: 67.6 1.82.242 port 64845
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP JavaScript service thread star ted
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP BinkIT/1.72 invoked with optio ns:
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP JSBinkP/1.102 inbound connecti on from 67.61.82.242:64845
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: OPT C RAM-MD5-d783a3ee954673499d64a9966e25c0b9
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Got M_NUL command args: SYS fs xHUB Niba [NET4]
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: SYS T he Rusty MailBox
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: ZYZ A lan Ianson
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: LOC P enticton, BC Canada
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: NDL 1 15200,TCP,BINKP
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: TIME Fri Mar 23 2018 19:09:11 GMT-0700 (PDT)
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: VER B inkIT/1.72,JSBinkP/1.102,sbbs3.17a/Linux binkp/1.1
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_ADR command args: 1:153 /757@fidonet 11:1/201@wwivftn 21:4/106@fsxnet 44:250/0@dorenet 316:403/5@whispn et 637:1/104@happynet
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Got M_NUL command args: ZYZ Bl ack Panther
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Got M_NUL command args: VER My stic/1.12A39 binkp/1.0
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Peer version: Mystic/1.12A39 b inkp/1.0
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Got M_ADR command args: 21:4/0 @fsxnet 21:4/100@fsxnet
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Got M_PWD command args: CRAM-M D5-d6f186ea285d7a1e8a9cc74d51507559
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Unconfigured address 21:4/0@fs xnet
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Inbound session for: 21:4/100@ fsxnet
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP CRAM-MD5 password match for 21 :4/100@fsxnet
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Adding outbound files for 21:4 /100@fsxnet
Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_OK command args: secure

Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_EOB command args:
Mar 23 19:09:12 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Got M_FILE command args: 0000f ffa.fr4 1531 1521835756 0
Mar 23 19:09:12 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Receiving file: /sbbs/temp/000 0fffa.fr4 (1.5KB)
Mar 23 19:09:12 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Got data frame length 1531 Mar 23 19:09:12 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Received file: /sbbs/temp/0000 fffa.fr4 (1.5KB)
Mar 23 19:09:12 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Moving '/sbbs/temp/0000fffa.fr 4' to '/sbbs/fido/sec.in/0000fffa.fr4'.
Mar 23 19:09:12 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_GOT command args: 0000f ffa.fr4 1531 1521835756
Mar 23 19:09:12 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Got M_EOB command args:
Mar 23 19:09:12 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Touching semaphore file: /sbbs /data/fidoin.now
Mar 23 19:09:12 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP service thread terminated (0 c lients remain, 0 total, 1091 served)

Ttyl :-),
Al


... I couldn't repair the brakes.. So I made your horn louder!

---
þ Synchronet þ The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada - trmb.synchro.net

Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: Al to Digital Man on Fri Mar 23 2018 11:31 pm

Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: Digital Man to Al on Thu Mar 22 2018 02:38 pm

Can you try an experiment for me?

I don't have any inbound Mystic/BINKP connections, so I can't test this just yet. Look in exec/load/binkp.js for this line:

this.wont_crypt = false;

and change it to:

this.wont_crypt = true;

Success.. Here is the log..

Okay, thanks. That's not good new for Mystic however. :-(

Here's the relevant lines:

Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_NUL command args: OPT CRAM-MD5-d783a3ee954673499d64a9966e25c0b9

If we send another option keyword after that that CRAM-MD5 challenge (string of hex-chars), what they call [othropt] in http://ftsc.org/docs/fts-1027.001, then the Mystic BinkP mailer fails to compute the CRAM-MD5 response correctly. It's a bug in Mystic.

digital man

This Is Spinal Tap quote #34:
We'd love to stand around and chat, but we've gotta sit down in the lobby Norco, CA WX: 53.3øF, 89.0% humidity, 0 mph S wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

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On 2018 Mar 24 00:04:48, you wrote to Al:

Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_NUL command
args: OPT CRAM-MD5-d783a3ee954673499d64a9966e25c0b9

If we send another option keyword after that that CRAM-MD5 challenge (string of hex-chars), what they call [othropt] in http://ftsc.org/docs/fts-1027.001, then the Mystic BinkP mailer fails
to compute the CRAM-MD5 response correctly. It's a bug in Mystic.

considering that mystic is an alpha, it isn't surprising, really... that's not a slap at mystic! just a note that running alpha code can cut you... i tried, years back in the 1.10 or 1.11 alphas, to get mystic to have alpha and beta team members to do initial and basic testing... then have gamma releases like their current alpha stuff but it didn't go anywhere... i don't know why traditional development has foregone that methodology and preferrs to make everyone an alpha tester :(

)\/(ark

Always Mount a Scratch Monkey
Do you manage your own servers? If you are not running an IDS/IPS yer doin' it wrong...
... Disassembler: An unattended 5 year old child.
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Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: Digital Man to Al on Sat Mar 24 2018 12:04 am

Success.. Here is the log..

Okay, thanks. That's not good new for Mystic however. :-(

No, but it is best these things are found early so folks don't keep tripping over it.

Here's the relevant lines:

Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_NUL command
args: OPT CRAM-MD5-d783a3ee954673499d64a9966e25c0b9

If we send another option keyword after that that CRAM-MD5 challenge (string of hex-chars), what they call [othropt] in http://ftsc.org/docs/fts-1027.001, then the Mystic BinkP mailer fails to compute the CRAM-MD5 response correctly. It's a bug in Mystic.

g00r00 is active over in that other area when time permits, so we can show him what's happening and he can take a look and let us know.

Ttyl :-),
Al


... Proofread carefully to see if you any words out

---
þ Synchronet þ The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada - trmb.synchro.net

Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: mark lewis to Digital Man on Sat Mar 24 2018 10:22 am

On 2018 Mar 24 00:04:48, you wrote to Al:

Mar 23 19:09:11 trmb synchronet: srvc 0054 BINKP Sent M_NUL command
args: OPT CRAM-MD5-d783a3ee954673499d64a9966e25c0b9

If we send another option keyword after that that CRAM-MD5 challenge (string of hex-chars), what they call [othropt] in http://ftsc.org/docs/fts-1027.001, then the Mystic BinkP mailer fails to compute the CRAM-MD5 response correctly. It's a bug in Mystic.

considering that mystic is an alpha, it isn't surprising, really... that's not a slap at mystic! just a note that running alpha code can cut you... i tried, years back in the 1.10 or 1.11 alphas, to get mystic to have alpha and beta team members to do initial and basic testing... then have gamma releases like their current alpha stuff but it didn't go anywhere... i don't know why traditional development has foregone that methodology and preferrs to make everyone an alpha tester :(

It's pretty similar with Synchronet: we have "releases" and everything else is a "development" or "experimental" version. No alpha/beta tags anymore. We're all testers. :-)

digital man

This Is Spinal Tap quote #32:
Derek Smalls: [A jog?] We don't have time for that.
Norco, CA WX: 62.2øF, 56.0% humidity, 6 mph ESE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

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Digital Man wrote to mark lewis <=-

It's pretty similar with Synchronet: we have "releases" and everything else is a "development" or "experimental" version. No alpha/beta tags anymore. We're all testers. :-)

Seems to be the way of the software world. I personally don't mind it for non critical systems (which BBSs really are). Don't mind the testing aspect either, adds a bit of interactivity into the process, and another domension to the hobby.


... Proofread carefully to see if you any words out
=== MultiMail/Win32 v0.49
--- SBBSecho 3.03-Linux
* Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (3:633/410)
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Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: mark lewis to Digital Man on Sat Mar 24 2018 10:22 am

not a slap at mystic! just a note that running alpha code can cut you... i tried, years back in the 1.10 or 1.11 alphas, to get mystic to have alpha and beta team members to do initial and basic testing... then have gamma releases like their current alpha stuff but it didn't go anywhere... i don't know why traditional development has foregone that methodology and preferrs to make everyone an alpha tester :(

As BBSing is mainly a hobby these days, it's probably easier to just put out an alpha/test release, with a "run at your own risk" caveat. Nothing is going to blow up if a BBS crashes, and bugs can always be fixed.

That said, I rarely see alpha and beta releases anymore even from software companies. I'm not even sure what the difference between alpha, beta, etc. would be.. These days, a lot of software companies develop with the "agile" methodology, which is very iterative and tries to be flexible with their time. With the agile methodology, they try to make many small releases with just a few new things (vs. the traditional waterfall method, where you plan every feature you want to be in the software and then work toward that goal). Sometimes I've seen requests for an early test release, but rarely have I seen releases be marked as alpha, beta, etc..

Nightfox

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

considering that mystic is an alpha, it isn't surprising, really...
that's not a slap at mystic! just a note that running alpha code can cut you... i tried, years back in the 1.10 or 1.11 alphas, to get mystic to have alpha and beta team members to do initial and basic testing... then have gamma releases like their current alpha stuff but it didn't go anywhere... i don't know why traditional development has foregone that methodology and preferrs to make everyone an alpha tester :(

It really just comes down to the size of the user base and the fact that tinkering with new stuff is really what keeps people interested in the hobby.

If 90% of the (already small) user base had to wait a year between each time they get new features to play with, I believe most would lose interest. Mystic does have an alpha-beta cycle, it just doesn't use that exact terminology and it doesn't privatize the releases.

There are frequent "pre-alpha" builds that are usually updated every few days/week. These are marked only by their alpha version and build date/time (see my tear line). They contain test code, unfinished features, and are only available through an FTP site.

When a handful of new features are completed then a new alpha is released, and the alpha number increments. When a very large amount of features are implemented and they appear to be stable, then a stable version is released.

Really the difference is only that anyone can choose to participate in whatever cycle they want to, instead of me hand picking people and excluding others.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A39 2018/03/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Sector 7 [Mystic BBS WHQ] (1:129/215)
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On 2018 Mar 24 13:16:08, you wrote to me:

considering that mystic is an alpha, it isn't surprising, really...
that's not a slap at mystic! just a note that running alpha code can
cut you... i tried, years back in the 1.10 or 1.11 alphas, to get
mystic to have alpha and beta team members to do initial and basic
testing... then have gamma releases like their current alpha stuff but
it didn't go anywhere... i don't know why traditional development has
foregone that methodology and preferrs to make everyone an alpha
tester :(

It's pretty similar with Synchronet: we have "releases" and everything else is a "development" or "experimental" version. No alpha/beta tags anymore. We're all testers. :-)

true... it is a bit different in the nomenclature used but one has to do more work, in a manner of speaking, to get the latest SBBS alpha code stuffings ;)

i dunno... maybe the lines are too blurred these days...

)\/(ark

Always Mount a Scratch Monkey
Do you manage your own servers? If you are not running an IDS/IPS yer doin' it wrong...
... Your body must be screaming out for balanced whole nutrients.
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Re: Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: James Coyle to mark lewis on Mon Mar 26 2018 01:16 pm

If 90% of the (already small) user base had to wait a year between each time they get new features to play with, I believe most would lose interest.

I'm not sure about that.. It's not just about new features being added, but also just keeping it running for people to use, and (as the sysop) using it yourself, reading/posting on the message boards, and possibly interacting with your users. Also, developing mods for the BBS is still fun, even in between releases when there are no new BBS features to play with.

Nightfox

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þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Re: binkit <-> mystic
By: Nightfox to mark lewis on Mon Mar 26 2018 10:06 am

I'm not even sure what the difference between alpha, beta, etc.
would be..

An alpha will have new features that work on paper but have little or no testing in the real world. A beta is generaly released prior to a stable release to be sure things are working as expected and gives time for corrections before a stable release if needed.

Ttyl :-),
Al


... Should I or shouldn't I?... Too late, I did!

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James Coyle wrote to mark lewis <=-

It really just comes down to the size of the user base and the fact
that tinkering with new stuff is really what keeps people interested in the hobby.

Tinkering with software is part of the fun of BBSing, and the frequent release cycle is a good thing in my book. I've got Mystic updating down to a fine art (a script does most of the work, followed bo 0 or more manual steps, depending what you've changed. :) ).

If 90% of the (already small) user base had to wait a year between each time they get new features to play with, I believe most would lose interest. Mystic does have an alpha-beta cycle, it just doesn't use
that exact terminology and it doesn't privatize the releases.

Despite the age of the BBS concept, both Mystic and Synchronet seem to be rapidly moving targets, and the incremental updates are welcomed. I'm sure these two packages are not alone in having frequent releases.

Really the difference is only that anyone can choose to participate in whatever cycle they want to, instead of me hand picking people and excluding others.

Unless you use a Pi. ;) But I can understand some platforms are easier than others to compile for. :)


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