In scfg/system/advanced options, there is some verbiage about "credits per dollar". What's that all about? Are/Were people selling credits?

I searched the web and got varying info about using it in conjunction with 900/976 numbers...???

SYS64738

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þ Synchronet þ TEXNet

Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: Sys64738 to All on Fri Nov 12 2021 07:55 pm

In scfg/system/advanced options, there is some verbiage about "credits per dollar". What's that all about? Are/Were people selling credits?

At one time, yes, there were "pay BBSes" and selling credits (in turns used for downloading files or playing games) was one way for sysops to charge for the use of their systems.

I searched the web and got varying info about using it in conjunction with 900/976 numbers...???

Yup, that was another option: Call a special number (900/976 numbers in the US) just to add credits to your user account. I don't think that feature got much if any real use, but it was pretty simple to implement, so we had that too.
--
digital man

Sling Blade quote #17:
Charles Bushman: A shovel just makes too goddamned much racket.
Norco, CA WX: 80.6øF, 23.0% humidity, 3 mph ENE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

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Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: Digital Man to Sys64738 on Fri Nov 12 2021 06:40 pm

Yup, that was another option: Call a special number (900/976 numbers in the US) just to add credits to your user account. I don't think that feature got much if any real use, but it was pretty simple to implement, so we had that too.

metropolous and rock garden and the other bbses used that a lot.
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Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: Digital Man to Sys64738 on Fri Nov 12 2021 18:40:35

In scfg/system/advanced options, there is some verbiage about "credits per dollar". What's that all about? Are/Were people selling credits?

At one time, yes, there were "pay BBSes" and selling credits (in turns used for downloading files or playing games) was one way for sysops to charge for the use of their systems.

That is interesting. Is there any documentation available to show how it was employed over the bbs? I've looked around to satisfy my curiosity, but haven't found anything. I'm mainly curious if this was all done electronically through the bbs using credit/debit cards, banking aba routing numbers with account numbers, or...?

SYS64738

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þ Synchronet þ TEXNet

Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: Sys64738 to Digital Man on Sun Nov 14 2021 12:01 pm

That is interesting. Is there any documentation available to show how it was employed over the bbs? I've looked around to satisfy my curiosity, but haven't found anything. I'm mainly curious if this was all done electronically through the bbs using credit/debit cards, banking aba routing numbers with account numbers, or...?

there was a number you called. you got a code.
you put the code into the bbs.

it wasnt all done electronically through the bbs.

i think when i did it there was a 'door' i used made a selection and my phone was billed.

it went on the phone bill. you actually didn't have to pay those charges and i canceled it once when i didn't get access to the bbs. you called up the phone company and said you didnt want to pay that charge and they said ok. no skin off their nose.

so it was really brain dead and simple stuff.
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Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: Sys64738 to Digital Man on Sun Nov 14 2021 12:01 pm

Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: Digital Man to Sys64738 on Fri Nov 12 2021 18:40:35

In scfg/system/advanced options, there is some verbiage about "credits per dollar". What's that all about? Are/Were people selling credits?

At one time, yes, there were "pay BBSes" and selling credits (in turns used for downloading files or playing games) was one way for sysops to charge for the use of their systems.

That is interesting. Is there any documentation available to show how it was employed over the bbs?

Likely in the Synchronet v2 docs.

I've looked around to satisfy my curiosity, but
haven't found anything. I'm mainly curious if this was all done electronically through the bbs using credit/debit cards, banking aba routing numbers with account numbers, or...?

There were some add-ons (e.g. Domain Point of Sale, something like, from Domain Entertainment) that could be used by BBS users to purchase credits or account upgrades using credit/debit cards.

The 900/976 number was a different thing that didn't need any add-ons but the sysop would have to be running their own 900/976 service and know how much each call was charged (in $) and apply that much credit the user's account when they entered their user name (and were then disconnected). The user would then use the regular BBS phone numbers to use the BBS (and their newly-purcased credits).
--
digital man

Synchronet "Real Fact" #99:
The Synchronet Wiki (wiki.synchro.net) went online in April of 2010.
Norco, CA WX: 91.2øF, 13.0% humidity, 4 mph ENE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

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there was a number you called. you got a code.
you put the code into the bbs.

it wasnt all done electronically through the bbs.

i think when i did it there was a 'door' i used made a selection and my phone was billed.

These are the ways I used to buy credits on the multi-line BBSes in my area. (419)

I used to get in trouble with that phone number, but I had to stay in the teleconferences to chat w/ the gals!



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: MRO to Sys64738 on Sun Nov 14 2021 13:14:50

it wasnt all done electronically through the bbs.

i think when i did it there was a 'door' i used made a selection and my phone was billed.

I see. So, what was the use of the variable for "credits per dollar" on the bbs if it was all handled through the phone company?

SYS64738

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þ Synchronet þ TEXNet

Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: Digital Man to Sys64738 on Sun Nov 14 2021 15:30:06

Likely in the Synchronet v2 docs.

I will check that out. The BBS historian in me is dying to know more. lol

There were some add-ons (e.g. Domain Point of Sale, something like, from Domain Entertainment) that could be used by BBS users to purchase credits or account upgrades using credit/debit cards.

I think I saw that door program (or something like it) somewhere.

SYS64738

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þ Synchronet þ TEXNet

Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: Sys64738 to MRO on Mon Nov 15 2021 08:26 am

i think when i did it there was a 'door' i used made a selection and my phone was billed.

I see. So, what was the use of the variable for "credits per dollar" on the bbs if it was all handled through the phone company?

i'm not sure what you mean. people paid money for the credits. it was just handled through the 900 number.

back in the day kids could call a phone number to talk to santa claus. it would say how many dollars per call. same deal. that company would be paid through the money taken off the person's phone bill.
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þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: MRO to Sys64738 on Mon Nov 15 2021 10:23:47

I see. So, what was the use of the variable for "credits per dollar" on the bbs if it was all handled through the phone company?

i'm not sure what you mean. people paid money for the credits. it was just handled through the 900 number.

back in the day kids could call a phone number to talk to santa claus. it would say how many dollars per call. same deal. that company would be paid through the money taken off the person's phone bill.

I guess what I'm getting at is there was a function written in the synchronet bbs software to handle the "credits per dollar" portion. So, I assume at some point there is an interaction between the BBS and the phone company or someone to let the bbs know how much money was paid so the BBS would allocate to that user the proper amount of credits. I'm curious as to how that interaction occurred or what subroutine/file handled it.

SYS64738

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þ Synchronet þ TEXNet

Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: Sys64738 to MRO on Tue Nov 16 2021 12:35 am

I guess what I'm getting at is there was a function written in the synchronet bbs software to handle the "credits per dollar" portion. So, I assume at some point there is an interaction between the BBS and the phone company or someone to let the bbs know how much money was paid so the BBS would allocate to that user the proper amount of credits. I'm curious as to how that interaction occurred or what subroutine/file handled it.

the source is right there. you can look if you're interested.
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þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: Sys64738 to MRO on Tue Nov 16 2021 12:35 am

Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: MRO to Sys64738 on Mon Nov 15 2021 10:23:47

I see. So, what was the use of the variable for "credits per dollar" on the bbs if it was all handled through the phone company?

i'm not sure what you mean. people paid money for the credits. it was just handled through the 900 number.

back in the day kids could call a phone number to talk to santa claus. it would say how many dollars per call. same deal. that company would be paid through the money taken off the person's phone bill.

I guess what I'm getting at is there was a function written in the synchronet bbs software to handle the "credits per dollar" portion. So, I assume at some point there is an interaction between the BBS and the phone company or someone to let the bbs know how much money was paid so the BBS would allocate to that user the proper amount of credits. I'm curious as to how that interaction occurred or what subroutine/file handled it.

In Synchronet v2, there was a place to configure how much the 900/976 phone charge was for a specific node/phone number. And then Synchronet would apply the appropriate number of credits (based on the credits per dollar ratio) when a user connected to that node and entered their user name. No interaction between the BBS and the phone company.

In Synchronet v3, the only place the "credits per dollar" ratio is used is when the sysop adds credits to a user account (using the '+' key in the ;uedit user editor), they can enter the amont in dollars and the conversion to credits is automatic. That's it.
--
digital man

This Is Spinal Tap quote #3:
How much more black could this be? and the answer is none. None more black. Norco, CA WX: 72.1øF, 36.0% humidity, 5 mph NNW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

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That is interesting. Is there any documentation available to show how
it was employed over the bbs? I've looked around to satisfy my
curiosity, but haven't found anything. I'm mainly curious if this was
all done electronically through the bbs using credit/debit cards,

They even used 900 numbers to help upgrade people's memberships too.

---
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Re: Credits per Dollar?
By: Digital Man to Sys64738 on Tue Nov 16 2021 12:10:31

In Synchronet v3, the only place the "credits per dollar" ratio is used is when the sysop adds credits to a user account (using the '+' key in the ;uedit user editor), they can enter the amont in dollars and the conversion to credits is automatic. That's it.

Good info. Thanks.

SYS64738

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þ Synchronet þ TEXNet

Rob,

When I've tried to install the latest version of sbbs_dev and sbbs_run,
when I go to start the control panel, I get an error about the cfg file
sizes, and then control panel closes. So, I've had to go back to a backup
so things would run. Any idea what's causing this?? I don't think the cfg
file has gotten corrupted, but I hate to have to do a fresh install.

Daryl

... When I erase a word with a pencil, where does it go??
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas

Re: Re: Cfg Error
By: Daryl Stout to Digital Man on Wed Nov 17 2021 08:05 am

Rob,

When I've tried to install the latest version of sbbs_dev and sbbs_run, when I go to start the control panel, I get an error about the cfg file sizes, and then control panel closes.

Double-check that error message, I doubt it mentions "file". More likely, it's the size of scfg_t that is being complained about and that indicates that the sbbs.dll and sbbsctrl.exe files you're using are not from the same version/build.

So, I've had to go back to a backup
so things would run. Any idea what's causing this??

The sbbsctrl.exe and sbbs.dll are not from the same version/build.

I don't think the cfg
file has gotten corrupted, but I hate to have to do a fresh install.

No, a "fresh install" won't be necessary.
--
digital man

Synchronet "Real Fact" #20:
Michael Swindell was directly responsible for Synchronet's commercial success. Norco, CA WX: 57.5øF, 86.0% humidity, 0 mph SW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

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

Re: Re: Cfg Error
By: Daryl Stout to Digital Man on Wed Nov 17 2021 08:05 am

Rob,

When I've tried to install the latest version of sbbs_dev and sbbs_run, when I go to start the control panel, I get an error about the cfg file sizes, and then control panel closes. So, I've had to go back to a backup
so things would run. Any idea what's causing this?? I don't think the cfg file has gotten corrupted, but I hate to have to do a fresh install.

Daryl

it would be good to see exactly what the error is and what the size of your 'cfg' file is. and which 'cfg' file it is.
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þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Re: Re: Cfg Error
By: Digital Man to Daryl Stout on Wed Nov 17 2021 09:41 am

When I've tried to install the latest version of sbbs_dev and
sbbs_run, when I go to start the control panel, I get an error about
the cfg file sizes, and then control panel closes.

Double-check that error message, I doubt it mentions "file". More likely, it's the size of scfg_t that is being complained about and that indicates that the sbbs.dll and sbbsctrl.exe files you're using are not from the same version/build.

The sbbsctrl.exe and sbbs.dll are not from the same version/build.

I'm having the same problem. I was running a build from October 11th, and I downloaded today's build. I double-checked that I copied all the binaries, including sbbsctrl.exe and sbbs.dll from today's build, but still got the error when loading sbbsctrl:
Error loading configuration
cfg->size (23944) != sizeof(scfg_t) (23952)

Nightfox

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

I'm having the same problem. I was running a build from October 11th,
and I downloaded today's build. I double-checked that I copied all the binaries, including sbbsctrl.exe and sbbs.dll from today's build, but still got the error when loading sbbsctrl: Error loading configuration

cfg->size (23944) != sizeof(scfg_t) (23952)

That's exactly what I got...I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Daryl

... "Daddy?? What does 'Formatting Drive C:' mean??"
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas

Rob,

Double-check that error message, I doubt it mentions "file". More
likely, it's the size of scfg_t that is being complained about and that indicates that the sbbs.dll and sbbsctrl.exe files you're using are not from the same version/build.

That is likely the issue. The previous download was from Nov. 1.

The sbbsctrl.exe and sbbs.dll are not from the same version/build.

When I unzip the files, I shut down the control panel beforehand. But,
I didn't think deleting those 2 files beforehand would solve the problem.

No, a "fresh install" won't be necessary.

That's good.

I saw a message from Nightfox, and what he reported was exactly the
error I was getting.

Daryl

... RAM DISK is NOT an installation procedure.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas

Re: Re: Cfg Error
By: Daryl Stout to Nightfox on Wed Nov 17 2021 05:55 pm

I'm having the same problem. I was running a build from October 11th, and I downloaded today's build. I double-checked that I copied all the binaries, including sbbsctrl.exe and sbbs.dll from today's build, but still got the error when loading sbbsctrl: Error loading configuration

cfg->size (23944) != sizeof(scfg_t) (23952)

That's exactly what I got...I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Thanks for the report (and the confirmation, Nightfox) - now fixed.
--
digital man

Breaking Bad quote #37:
only the very best... with just a right amount of dirty. - Saul
Norco, CA WX: 61.8øF, 68.0% humidity, 2 mph NE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

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

Rob,

cfg->size (23944) != sizeof(scfg_t) (23952)

That's exactly what I got...I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Thanks for the report (and the confirmation, Nightfox) - now fixed.

I'll get the file later. I just had Yag Laser Eye Surgery this morning,
and am just doing QWK Mail after lunch before I go back to bed...I was up before sunrise (the butt crack of dawn), as I had to be at the clinic
EARLY. So, my eyes are real tired right now.

Daryl

... If a train station's where the train stops, what's a workstation?
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Re: Re: Cfg Error
By: Daryl Stout to Digital Man on Thu Nov 18 2021 01:04 pm

I had cataract surgery Monday. No ill effects, and wow, what a difference!

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þ Synchronet þ Hobby BBS - Sun City Center, FL

Mike,

I had cataract surgery Monday. No ill effects, and wow, what a difference!

I went from 20/2000 visual acuity to 20/20.

I think of the joke where the girl was so depressed. She thought
the man she was going to marry dealt with Cadillacs...but, he had
actually said "cataracts". <G>

Daryl

... Stewardess Trainee: "Where does this door gooooooooooo??"
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas

Re: Re: Cfg Error
By: Daryl Stout to Mike Dippel on Fri Nov 19 2021 12:51 pm

I've had a lot of things in my lifetime, but never a Cadillac :)

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þ Synchronet þ Hobby BBS - Sun City Center, FL

Mike,

I've had a lot of things in my lifetime, but never a Cadillac :)

My parents had a 1964 Pontiac Catalina 4 door station wagon in Florida. Before that, they had a 1957 DeSoto. My Dad had a 1963 Volkswagen, which
had 315,000 miles on it when we sold it to the Central Arkansas Volks
Folks shortly before his death nearly 15 years ago...and it still ran.

Daryl

... The Congressional Virus - if you get it, nothing happens.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
þ Synchronet þ The Thunderbolt BBS - Little Rock, Arkansas

On 11/20/2021 7:06 AM, Daryl Stout wrote to Mike Dippel:

I've had a lot of things in my lifetime, but never a Cadillac :)

My parents had a 1964 Pontiac Catalina 4 door station wagon in Florida. Before that, they had a 1957 DeSoto. My Dad had a 1963 Volkswagen, which
had 315,000 miles on it when we sold it to the Central Arkansas Volks
Folks shortly before his death nearly 15 years ago...and it still ran.

Daryl

Ah! Longevity. Wouldn't it be nice for humans to have that.

Mike

--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: The Hobby Line! BBS (3:640/1116)
þ Synchronet þ Vertrauen þ Home of Synchronet þ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Mike,

Ah! Longevity. Wouldn't it be nice for humans to have that.

It's like the tagline "Never have children...only grandchildren".
If I could figure out how to do that and patent it, I'd be rich.
It's like the saying "I'm only one step away from being rich. All
I need is money". <G>

Daryl

... Federal Law prohibits the removal of this tagline.
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