 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Editorial Ash Nallawalla ash@melbpc.org.au |
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PC Update BBS
The PC Update BBS has been installed, and unless something has gone wrong, it should be ready for you to try when you read this. It is presently using Opus 1.03c software, but the eventual goal is to run it under a Unix and USENET-compatible package such as Waffle BBS. By the time we have something stable, I can assure you that you will either become BBS experts or be in strait jackets.
Nearly all callers can log on and get 60 minutes each from the first call. The only catch is that there is little to keep them online for 60 minutes! First time callers can only upload articles or programs and leave messages. A major objective is to enable many users to get on for short periods.
All users can delete their own messages but not those of others. A mail checker automatically tells you if there is mail waiting for you. Only PC Update team members can delete files.
There are two main areas - for files and messages. The first message area concerns PC Update, where you leave messages for subeditors or for me. Messages here could be used for publication unless you specify 'not for publication.' Do not make a message 'Private' unless there is an absolute need for secrecy. The second is a general area where you can leave messages not connected with PC Update, such as USENET or messages to the Committee. Do not use this area to communicate privately with other members - use the main BBS for that purpose. The third message area is only available to authors and subeditors for discussing submissions. A first-time author will have to use Area 1 until his/her access is raised.
The first file area is for authors to up-load articles, letters for publication, and free ads. The second file area is for public domain or shareware files you wish to relay to the main BBS. This will help people who wish to upload but cannot get on the main BBS to do so. There is a third file area that is available only to authors. It will contain PC Update's Ventura style sheets, desktop publishing utilities, and other incentives.
The only people who will need a pre-allocated password to get on are authors whose items have appeared in the November 1989 issue of PC Update, and subsequent issues. I have pre-registered them with a higher level of access, so they will have to get on the main BBS and find out their password. Authors in this issue will not be pre-registered unless I manage to get to the club office to effect their registration. There is no automatic entitlement for authors to get higher privileges, which really means "Don't hassle me; your status will be raised in due course." Simply put, if you log on and are asked for a password it means that you are pre-registered or there is another user with your name.
Authors have download privileges as an incentive to contribute. They won't get anything that is not on the main BBS (except the style sheets), but will merely have less trouble getting the files. This privilege will be withdrawn if it causes a 'traffic jam.'
USENET
Thanks for the many messages of support for USENET. Continue to send in your comments via either BBS, but
don't make them Private, as only one Committee member has the privilege to read private mail. It is the Committee that we have to convince, not me. Many have offered to pay for such a service, so the next thing I'll have to do is to come up with some costs, and get approval from the Committee to proceed.
New Subeditors I had a few applicants for the sub-editorial posts and I selected them on the basis of owning a modem and living in a non-STD (for me) area code region. I welcome the following: Graham Bartlett, John Wilkins, Peter Smith, Brian Hollis, John Corben, and John Avieson. I have one more tentative subeditor but as her husband is the member I am not sure if we can allow this. I didn't stick to the original plan of selecting five, but we'll soon have a meeting to find out what you need to know and do. It will probably be held at the same time as the Committee meeting but in a different room, but you'll find out in writing.
Administrative Officer David Sloan will be checking Area 2 on the PC Update BBS regularly, so you can leave messages for him instead of ringing him.
Bumper Issue
After a long absence we once again have 64 pages, nearly all our own members' material. Keep writing!
Reprinted from the April 1990 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
