(I wrote this once before, but I think I deleted it. If you see it twice, my apologies.)

So if you're reading this, I've at least got DOVE-NET set up properly. I just set up Synchronet lastnight for the first time. I haven't run a BBS since the mid 90s, and when I did it was RemoteAccess, and I wasn't very good at being a SysOp.

That said, how are you guys running your door games on Linux? I've got an Ubuntu box lying around as a media server, so I tossed Synchronet on it out of nostalgia mostly. I've got Dosemu installed via apt, and cannot get LORD 4.07 to run properly on it, nor under DOSBOX on my Windows 8 PC. Not to mention getting the program to work launching out of a door menu.

Inaddition, does anyone have a suggestion on a good ANSI editor? I'm a
terrible artist but I'd like to at least make some splash screens. I'm torn about whether or not I want to pony up for a Linode and a domain name and actually run a BBS or if I want to keep it in my house as a hobby deal and just give the IP out to a few friends to let them play with it.

Thanks for the help, in advance.


Xir
Sysop, Bayou Connection
---
þ Synchronet þ My Brand-New BBS

Re: New to Synchronet
By: Xir to All on Sun Nov 02 2014 08:31 pm

1. Re door games on Linux : Yes,it can be done, and perhaps someone will tell you how to do it the DOSEMU way, but I'll also plug BBSlink.net as a good resource if you want to connect directly to a few active games using a javascript telgate launcher with some authentication things built in. Check out their site in your browser for more info.

2. Re ANSI editor : PabloDraw is a pretty good choice for a modern editor. One bug-a-boo with later versions is they add some sort of metadata at the end that you should strip out of your ANSI's with a text-editor. You'll know it when you see it.

cheers and good luck,
---
þ Synchronet þ Futureland.Grudgemirror.Com ** LIVE

Re: New to Synchronet
By: LaRRy LaGoMoRpH to Xir on Mon Nov 03 2014 12:31 pm


Thanks for the BBSlink.net idea. That's a stellar idea and I'm going to avail myself of it, I believe.

Does PabloDraw support the old TheDraw fonts? I still have a bunch of those lying around on some CD backups that I'm playing with using TheDraw under DOSBOX but I don't have to tell you how clunky that is.

I appreciate the reply. =)

Xir
Sysop, Bayou Connection
---
þ Synchronet þ Bayou Connection - SHV - gumbo and gators, sometimes at the

Re: New to Synchronet
By: Xir to LaRRy LaGoMoRpH on Mon Nov 03 2014 03:10 pm

Re: New to Synchronet
By: LaRRy LaGoMoRpH to Xir on Mon Nov 03 2014 12:31 pm

Thanks for the BBSlink.net idea. That's a stellar idea and I'm going to avail myself of it, I believe.

Does PabloDraw support the old TheDraw fonts? I still have a bunch of those lying around on some CD backups that I'm playing with using TheDraw un

d

DOSBOX but I don't have to tell you how clunky that is.

I appreciate the reply. =)

Xir
Sysop, Bayou Connection

I don't believe PabloDraw has fonts, but I could be wrong. It has some stuff you wouldn't expect, like server functionality for collaborative drawing, but I don't think it has fonts.

There are probably a few ways to do fonts, but the way I do it is using a tool in the browser that generates ASCII fonts and I just copy and paste into Pablo Draw. It's not ideal, but in a lot of ways it's superiorto the Draw which people have told me is not a vortex I want to get sucked into. I remember being good at making animations inthe 90's, and that would be what I miss in Pablo Draw, although I can animate a bit using some synchronet Javascript libraries. But yeah, I digress, I don't believe it supports the Draw fonts,
but you should be able to copy and paste something similar inthere. This is the URL of the place I generate ASCII fonts, I'm sure there are other ways to do it including from the command line, but using this URL with the copy and paste method is my trick : http://patorjk.com/software/taag/

I have to color stuff in after it's done, but I'm ok with that. When I think about it, there's probably a gazillion features that could be added to Pablo Draw to make things easier, but I have no idea who even wrote it and I'm just grateful there's something semi-modern, cross platform, etc that is pretty stable for making ANSI art. There's probably not a huge market for that software, although it seems like there are ANSI artists active who don't do the BBS thing but still enjoy the artform. I think the majority of those people use Pablo Draw, for what it's worth.

Glad to hear you're probably gonna sign up for BBS link, more players for the games! Watch out for me in Tradewars.

cheers,
---
þ Synchronet þ Futureland.Grudgemirror.Com ** LIVE

Re: New to Synchronet
By: LaRRy LaGoMoRpH to Xir on Mon Nov 03 2014 12:31 pm

will tell you how to do it the DOSEMU way, but I'll also plug
BBSlink.net as a good resource if you want to connect directly to a few
active games using a javascript telgate launcher with some
authentication things built in. Check out their site in your browser
for more info.

centerofawarenes.net is another such service, we have cake too.
---
þ Synchronet þ Shodan's Core - shodan.synchro.net:23 & :2323

Re: New to Synchronet
By: Android8675 to LaRRy LaGoMoRpH on Thu Nov 06 2014 08:32



































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































am

centerofawarenes.net is another such service, we have cake too.

Yes, you guys do have cake. And by cake I mean there are things you guys do above and beyond what bbslink does. One of these days I'll probably join up as it is an excellent service, a couple things though about the website.

First, the URL is centerofawareness.net - it's misspelled above.

Second, the website could benefit from minor updates that knowing the CoA crew should take a minimal amount of time. It doesn't neccessarily need to be updated, it could be a conscious choice to make people venture onto a BBS and irc to get the low-down. How CoA administrates itself or determines how it wants to find members is up to them, but there are probably more straightforward ways of starting an application process like submitting a form.

Third, there isn't very much content/information on the website anyways and there are useless parts that are just uninviting. Like the footer is

Hello LaRRy,

On 07 Nov 14 10:52, LaRRy LaGoMoRpH wroteto Android8675:

Anyways - I don't mean to rip into the site, I'm just trying to be constructive as far as if you guys are making a push for members
things you guys can do that will empower people to want to join. I
think the technology and the people behind CoA are great but the
website could provide a better entry point for people who are unaware. Hope I don't upset anyone with this mild opinion.

Were you ever around in the 90s? Do you remember ANSI and ASCII group rivalries

Re: New to Synchronet
By: LaRRy LaGoMoRpH to Android8675 on Fri Nov 07 2014
10:52:36

need to be updated, it could be a conscious choice to make people
venture onto a BBS and irc to get the low-down. How CoA administrates

That's basically the thinking at this point.

itself or determines how it wants to find members is up to them, but
there are probably more straightforward ways of starting an application process like submitting a form.

True, but if the current sign-up process is too confusing or takes too much effort for somebody, then it is serving as a filter for now. :D

It's likely that in the new year we will revise the membership process, and it will become mostly automated. A few other bits and pieces need to fall into place before then, and we're busy with other stuff for now. At this point setup is just a matter of running an installation script, so I'd like to make it so that people can join the network with little to no manual intervention on my part.

Third, there isn't very much content/information on the website anyways and there are useless parts that are just uninviting. Like the footer

The website is sparse, but I'm not sure what all to put on there. It explains the system, tells you how to join ... so it's basically doing its job. Screenshots of some of the features in action, maybe? I dunno. Suggestions welcome.

and there are useless parts that are just uninviting. Like the footer
is just a middle finger to everyone in the world. While I don't neccessarily have a problem with that, in the long run what does that footer really accomplish? If it had some context it might be ok, hell,

The footer is the only really useless and potentially uninviting thing I can think of. If there's something else, please let me know.

The text in the footer is our slogan, and is a joke. I suppose I often forget that some people take offense to things that barely even register on me. Oh well. :D

---
echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 416-273-7230

Re: Re: New to Synchronet
By: Access Denied to LaRRy LaGoMoRpH on Fri Nov 07 2014
18:40:08

does is nothing compared to that. It's just the way they are, and act, on a somewhat regular basis (you should know this, since you've spent time on IRC with most of them).

Indeed.

I take it all as a "scene related" joke, since that's how it has always been.

Indeed.

And with that, all you need to reply to any of that with is something in thelines of: YOUR FACE! :D :D :D

Indeed, your face is hated.

---
echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 41

Re: New to Synchronet
By: LaRRy LaGoMoRpH to Android8675 on Fri Nov 07 2014 10:52






































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































am

centerofawarenes.net is another such service, we have cake too.

Yes, you guys do have cake. And by cake I mean there are things you
guys do above and beyond what bbslink does. One of these days I'll probably join up as it is an excellent service, a couple things though about the website.

First, the URL is centerofawareness.net - it's misspelled above.

Yep, I'm a terrible speller, glad you figured it out.

Second, the website could benefit from minor updates that knowing the
CoA crew should take a minimal amount of time. It doesn't neccessarily need to be updated, it could be a conscious choice to make people
venture onto a BBS and irc to get the low-down. How CoA administrates itself or determines how it wants to find members is up to them, but
there are probably more straightforward ways of starting an application process like submitting a form.

Website isn't a priority, also CoA is in transition, lots of changes, until it's stable, probablynot a huge priority.

Also, like most high paying jobs, applications are not required, it's all about networking, and finding the right people.

Third, there isn't very much content/information on the website anyw

Re: New to Synchronet
By: Android8675 to LaRRy LaGoMoRpH on Mon Nov 10 2014
16:05:09

Website isn't a priority, also CoA is in transition, lots of changes, until it's stable, probably not a huge priority.

Again, state of flux, it's just a landing pad, up to you to get out of

It's stable for now, but there may be some flux in coming months. Even then, updates will likely just be to make it a bit easier to get people set up, and shouldn't affect existing systems.

Continuing this conversation on IRC, LL suggested putting game scores up on the website, which might be nice. I may add a network-wide who's-online to the site, and contemplate the pros and cons of fully automating the sign-up process.

---
echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 416-273-7230

There's no need to defend CoA - I like them. I've been kind of lazy to respond






















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































in doveNet
because I don't want to nitpick a website or what not, just I think it's a little more
straightforward to get on BBSlink.net, and that's one of the things it's got going for it for a
new comer. The website is a small component of that, you're right, and I mentioned it on irc,
but I really think the only real feature that could be added was a high score list so people
could have that echoed on their websites or what not. As far as where and how you want to
deliverthe boilerplate is all a matter of a taste and is NOT prohibitive for myself personally. (edit: did I double post this, I think I deleted the message but I posted without the NOT earlier and it totally changes everything omg)

I don't think it's an either or thing, I've always been interested in joining CoA and still am,
I've just been lazy in that regard recently. Change is constant but now seems like as good a
time as any to join since I've been around. Anyways, I could write out a pro's

Re: New to Synchronet
By: LaRRy LaGoMoRpH to echicken on Tue Nov 11 2014
17:53:59

There's no need to defend CoA - I like them. I've been kind of lazy to

Well, I don't see how I was being defensive of it. I was simply responding to your comments, explaining things where appropriate, and indicating that we're open to suggestions.

just I think it's a little more straightforward to get on BBSlink.net, and that's one of the things it's got going for it for a new comer. The

Sure, it is more straightforward to fill out a form on a website than to have to leave the site and go somewhere else to contact an admin. As I've said, a form and possibly a fully-automated sign-up process will likely emerge later on.

I've been around. Anyways, I could write out a pro's and con's as I see them of both services, but really I'm too lazy. Basically, CoA comes out on top in a lot of ways, but that's not to say BBS link doesn't deliver on

It's maybe a bit unfair to BBS Link to say that we come out on top. Their goal is to deliver the games, and my understanding is that they accomplish this just as well as we do (maybe better, if their support extends beyond Synchronet.) Our goals are a bit broader, but we deliver features that perhaps the BBS Link person or people aren't interested in.

there's less room for subjectivity in the process. I'm not sure CoA would accept someone who hadn't had their BBS up for at least a little bit and shown at least a minor competency with the software. I guess those

We're not as concerned about that as we used to be. Our setup process was never difficult, but we wanted to be sure that joining sysops would understand what they were setting up, and beable to configure things without much
trouble. These days the setup process is just a matter of running an install script.

The whole system is a lot simpler and tidier now than it was in previous incarnations. We've been at it for quite a while.

things are subject to change as well, but that's been my understanding and I actually think it's a good thing, a form of quality control.

We're not too worried about quality. Stability maybe. Most systems are welcome to join, from stock setups to highly customized ones. If a crappy board joins, at least it gains some games and features, and our community increases.

---
echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com - 416-273-7230

Re: New to Synchronet
By: echicken to LaRRy LaGoMoRpH on Wed Nov 12 2014 12:10
pm

Well, I don't see how I was being defensive of it. I was simply responding

I was kind of being defensive of it actuallybecause I felt like I may have
been criticizing it, not referring to you, sorry for any misunderstanding, just wanted to fill Android in, I think I said it didn't have to be an either or thing, and I'd be totally down to set-up CoA at any convenience, thehold up
has mostly been on my end these days, and the script sounds awesome.

That's a good point that BBSlink now supports Mystic is my understanding. I'm definitely in favor of both platforms, basically it sucks having games with no one in them or having to pass messages using mailing systems. For me, I just have really the worst DOS skills ever and very little desire to get it, but I think there were some great DOS door games.

I hope I didn't put down BBSlink either, actually, you could use BBSlink to create a doorway to CoA synchronet javascript games for the potential Mystic systems carrying BBSlink, so Mystic users could play chicken delivery, star trek, etc, and be jealous of synchronet.

I also really think CoA's messaging system looks pretty interesting as far as being able to challenge people to games across systems. I know you guys use/created json-chat which I use as a chat lobby built into my command shell, and it would be cool to connect that into the network eventually were it possible.

Long story short, great value in both systems, I love everyone, keep doing what you've been doing and keep the games and features coming!

---
þ Synchronet þ Futureland.Grudgemirror.Com ** LIVE

Re: New to Synchronet
By: Android8675 to LaRRy LaGoMoRpH on Thu Nov 06 2014 08:32



































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































am

centerofawarenes.net is another such service, we have cake too.

Yes, you guys do have cake. An

Re: New to Synchronet
By: LaRRy LaGoMoRpH to Android8675 on Fri Nov 07 2014 10:52






































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































am

centerofawarenes.net is another such service, we have cake too.

Yes, you guys do have cake. And by cake I mean there are things you
guys do above and beyond what bbslink does. One of these days I'll probably join up as it is an excellent service, a couple things though about the website.

First, the URL is centerofawareness.net - it's misspelled above.

Yep, I'm a terrible speller, glad you figured it out.

Second, the website could benefit from minor updates that knowi

There's no need to defend CoA - I like them. I've been kind of lazy to respond























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































in doveNet
because I don't want to nitpick a website or what not, just I think it's a little more
straightforward to get on BBSlink.net, and that's one of the things it's got going for it for a
new comer. The website is a small component of that, you're right, and I mentioned it on irc,
but I really think t

Re: New to Synchronet
By: Android8675 to LaRRy LaGoMoRpH on Thu Nov 06 2014 08:32