The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Using Bulletin Boards Doug Brooke

This document is intended to provide some detailed information on using bulletin board systems (BBS) and in communicating through BBS networks. Actual screen dumps from an access to the Melbourne PC User group BBS are included from time to time to illustrate certain points. 

But first something about the bulletin board itself. 

A bulletin board in essence is a computer running a very specialised program which supports a range of services for the transfer of electronic mail and the exchange of Public Domain software. The particular program used on the Group's BBS is MAXIMUS. The powerful information and data exchange functions available to each BBS user are enhanced by a menu-driven interface which is both fast and friendly. As a BBS system you will find MAXIMUS to be fast, flexible and friendly. 

The real power of MAXIMUS lies in its Electronic Mail capabilities. Electronic Mail is the fastest growing type of communication in our society at this time with the ability to link individuals regularly and predictably at low cost. It has provided a method of sharing information which is revolutionizing our capacity to communicate. MAXIMUS allows its users to partake fully in this emerging technology. 

Electronic Mail services allow a user to link to a variety of other Bulletin Boards on a National or world-wide basis. Electronic Mail of virtually any variety can be accommodated. Such services as Conferencing, multi-BBS discussions and EchoMail are all available through MAXIMUS. It provides a nearly limitless capability for the exchange of Electronic Mail between personal computers. The ability to keep in touch with another user on a local BBS, in a nearby city, or around the world makes MAXIMUS a powerful vehicle for personal communications and information by its users. 

With the development of EchoMail BBS users are now able to participate in a variety of conferences which link BBSs on a National, and even International, basis. A user need simply enter, or reply to, a message in a special conference area in the same manner as he/she would for a local message to a friend. These messages are then shared with each participating BBS on a daily basis. This results in a variety of timely and highly vivid multi-user discussions on a broad range of topics. EchoMail conferences are an excellent source of important information and a real education. 

The MAXIMUS system has been designed to accommodate such activities as EchoMail as part of its normal service. When logged onto a MAXIMUS system you will see the various EChOMaiI conferences clearly marked. These conferences are generally public and if you are interested, be sure to participate in this fascinating aspect of communications technology. MAXIMUS also supports a large number of file transfer capabilities, specialty file areas, file related services and multiple file exchange protocols.

How do you use a BBS?

Well now, how does one get to use all these marvellous facilities awaiting a BBS user? The necessary facilities are:

First: a computer. In most cases it will be an IBM or IBM compatible PC with at least one floppy drive (preferably two) or one hard drive. The computer should have at least 512k of memory, preferably 640k, and must have an RS-232 serial port. The RS-232 port is the outlet through which the computer will communicate with the modem to access the BBS. 

Second: a modem. There are many brands of modem operating at a variety of speeds and characterised by the highest speed (in bits per second but often referred to incorrectly as bauds) at which it is capable of operation. Speeds of 300, 1200/75 (Viatel type services), 1200, and 2400 bps are commonly used by BBSs. The modem should support the faster speeds as this allows you to get information into and from the BBS more quickly. If you can afford it, opt for a 2400 bps modem. Do not buy a modem that operates only at 300 bps and/or 1200/75 bps - used for videotext services like Viatel and some banking and commercial services. Modems are one of the items of which the Group arranges bulk orders from time to time. If you are interested in buying a modem let the Office Manager know to put your name on the list. 

To save frustration it is preferable that the modem be auto-dial - that is, it will dial the telephone number automatically. There is no restriction against buying purely manual dial modems but they really do make heavy work of a simple process. 

The minimum usable requirement is a 1200/1200 bps (V.22) modem. The 1200/1200 bps refers to sending and receiving data at 1200 bps. (V22 is a reference to a particular international communication standard used by a 1200/ 1200 bps modem). The reason for a minimum of 1200/ 1200 bps is that many other BBSs will not allow users of 300 or 1200/75 bps modems to access them. Furthermore, 300 bps operation is just too slow to allow files of any size to be downloaded. Purchase only brands that are approved by Telecom and stick to the well-known brands. Ask a few users what they have and also whether they would buy the same brand again. 

Third: a cable. Most modems do not come with a cable to couple the modem to the RS-232 port on the computer because of the variety of connection arrangements presented on different models of computers. If you have a DB-25 connector (i.e. 25 pins) on your RS-232 port then buy or get a straight-through cable made up. The cable should have all pins at one end connected to the same respective pins at the other end. If you are handy you can buy a length of ribbon cable and fit the special push-on connectors (IDC - insulation displacement connector) to each end without any soldering. If there is a DB-9 (9 pins) type of connector on the serial port of your computer, refer to the documentation supplied with your modem or contact your supplier to ascertain the proper connections or type of cable to go to the modem. 

Fourth: a communications program. TELEMATE, TELIX and BOYAN are widely-used and suitable for new users as also are PROCOMM and 9-MODEM. These programs can all be obtained from our User Group Library but remember that they are all Shareware programs and not Freeware programs. If you decide to adopt one of these programs for long-term use you should pay the required registration fee to the author of the program. You should print out the documentation that comes on the disk, read it carefully, make sure you understand it, and have it handy when you commence your BBS access. If you do not understand any point in the documentation, ask someone - another user, a Dial-Help person or ask a question at Question Time at a monthly general meeting. You will most certainly get help quite easily. 

Fifth: a double adapter for your telephone connection. This allows you to plug your modem and telephone into the same line and so minimise inconvenience to normal telephone use. Of course you will only be able to use either the modem or the telephone at a time. Any attempt to use the telephone during the course of a session involving the modem will result in the modem instantly aborting the session. Use of the modem whilst the telephone is in use will result in the users getting loud squealing modem signals in their ear.

How do you set-up your communications program? 

After connecting your modem. cable and plug you must configure your comets. program so that it will talk to a BBS and this is done from within the comms program. This is an area where many newcomers become confused but by carefully reading the comms program manual and fully following the directions this task can be successfully completed. Alternatively find a friend or associate who has done it before and ask her/him to come over and help you set up. It is almost impossible to assist you by answering questions over the phone because your mentor cannot see the screen or the configuration that has been attempted. With users having different modems and comms programs it is frustrating to all concerned and so the hands-on approach is much the best. If need be, pack up your bits and pieces and drive many kms to your helper's place to get it right - it will be well worth the time and trouble in the long run. 

It is assumed that you have all the above pieces of equipment, that they are connected, and that the comets. program has been installed on your computer and correctly configured. As part of the configuration process it will be necessary for you to have some BBS phone numbers inserted into the phone directory of the comets. program so that automatic dialling can take place. Please note that initial registration for the BBS can only be done on line #1 but after your registration has been verified, (a period of not more than 12-14 days) access can be obtained on any line. 

Connect the modem to the telephone line (make sure that other people can not use the telephone or a parallel telephone whilst the modem is connected otherwise your call will be aborted). Turn on the modem, fire up the comms program and select the dialling option (usually Alt-D) followed by the directory number of the BBS you want to call. You will hear the dialling pulses or tones (depending on the type of exchange you are connected to) emitted from the modem speaker, then ringing tone (if the chosen BBS is free) or the engaged signal. In the latter case press the spacebar to recycle dialling until the call is successful. When the BBS answers the call you will hear the BBS answer tones and a message will appear on the screen - CONNECT (and the speed you have chosen). Always configure your comms program at the highest speed, commonly 2400 bps.

Further messages will be displayed on the screen which should be followed and a welcome screen will appear and you will be asked your name and be given the opportunity to verify what you have given in reply. The BBS will immediately check and if you have not been recorded before you will be directed to a registration questionnaire of address, age, interests and other details, to which you must respond. You will also be asked to nominate a unique password known only to yourself and from then on you will be recognised by the combination of your name and password. DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSWORD as the Sysop as a matter of BBS security will not tell you what it is - you will have to go through the routine and delay of re-registering. 

On many BBSs, as a newcomer (referred to as a visitor) you will be able to look around the BBS to see what is there but you will have limited or no download rights until registration formalities are completed. This typically takes from 7-14 days. Visitors to the Melb PC User BBS are allowed 15 minutes access. They can look around the Message areas but can download files only from Area 1 - Sysop's Favourites. After verification that you are a member of Melb PC you are upgraded to 30 minutes per day and then have access to all areas of the BBS. 

Assuming that you have registered previously, and you have dialled in on line #2, the opening screen will be something like this:

This is line #2 of the Melbourne PC User Group, Inc Bulletin Board.

At this stage it is good practice to capture the messages to file (usually Alt-L but check your comets. program) so that they can be read at leisure instead of reading on-line and occupying valuable log-on time. If any messages are found they will be displayed on the screen in turn and you will asked if you want to reply to it, kill (delete) it or move to the next message.

The main menu then appears:

To access any area of the menu type in the initial letter (highlighted) of the heading you require and press ENTER This brings up the corresponding area. A brief explanation of each of the commands is as follows:

(M)essage Areas This enters the message section. From here all the message entering and reading features are available. See the section on the message areas for more detail. 

(F)ile Areas This enters the files menu. From here a user can exchange files by uploading or downloading, or simply see what files are available. See the section on the 81e areas for more detail. 

(C)hange Setup This enters the Change Setup menu. From here, a user can modify their user profile. They can set their screen length, change their graphics mode, password, toggle the full-screen editor, and more. See the section on the Change Setup menu at the end of these explanations for more details. 

(G)oodbye (log off) This option logs the user off the system and hangs up the phone. This command simply asks the user to confirm that they want to disconnect, asks them if they want to leave a message to the sysop, and then hangs up on them. 

(S)tatistics This option displays the user's statistics, including the time the user has been online for the current call, the time online for the day, amount uploaded, amount downloaded, etc.

(Y)ell for Sysop This option is not operative on the MPCUG BBS. On other BBSs it allows the user to attempt to contact the Sysop by paging him. 

(U)serList This command simply displays a list of all the users who are currently in the user file. 

(V)ersion of BBS This displays the version number and a few other statistics about the current revision of MAXIMUS and the system that it's running under. 

(L)atest Uploads lists the recent additions of files to the BBS as displayed to you just after message checking on log-on. Renewals by CC allows you to renew membership of Melbourne PC User Group by credit card. 

(X)press Mail packages selected message areas for rapid transmission (not yet working on MPCUG BBS).

(B)ulletin Menu take you to the start of the welcome screens containing the latest bulletins. 

(W)ho is On shows the name of the current caller on the other line to the BBS. 

(?)help is the menu help screen to assist you by explaining each of the commands in the menu.

The Change Setup Menu

From this section, a user may change the settings of their configuration on the BBS. Upon entering the change menu, the user's profile is displayed. The menu options are as follows: 

City Allows the user to change his/her city. Phone Number Allows the user to change his/her phone number. 

Password Allows the user to change their password. The user will be prompted to enter his/her old password, then enter his/her new password twice. If the user gets his/her old password wrong five times, he/she will be ignominiously disconnected. If the new passwords don't match, the password will not be changed. It is good practice for security reasons to change passwords every so often. 

Help Level Allows the user to change his/her help level. There are four different help levels available in MAXIMUS:

Width Allows the user to change the width of his/her screen. The screen width is used to determine where MAXIMUS should word-wrap, and how wide the menus should be, among other things. 

Length Allows the user to change the length of his/her screen. The screen length is used to determine when the "More?" prompts appear. 

Tabs Allows the user to toggle the translation of tabs. Normally tabs are sent unaltered, which speeds up the display time marginally. If this option is off, tabs will be translated to spaces before being sent 

More This allows the user to toggle the "More[Y,n,=]" prompts on and off. 

Video Mode This allows the user to change Video modes. Currently, only TTY (Plain), ANSI and AVATAR video modes are supported. More video modes will be added in future releases of MAXIMUS-CBCS for compatibility with other systems. 

Full Screen Editor This command allows users to toggle the use of the MaxEd full-screen editor. 

IBM Graphics This allows the user to toggle whether or not MAXIMUS will send IBM extended ASCII characters. The IBM (and compatibles) have a special "extended" 8-bit character set, which allows things such as box-drawing and block graphics, while running in text mode. Most non-IBM systems do not support these extended ASCII characters.

The Message Section

There are three basic types of message areas within MAXIMUS. The three types are Local, NetMail, and EchoMail. 

Local messages are messages entered by a user on to the BBS. They may be either public or private, and remain on the BBS. Other users can only read these messages by logging onto the BBS and going to the same area that the message was entered in. A private message can only be read by the person to whom it is addressed. 

NetMaiI messages are messages that are sent from one BBS to another through a network that the BBS is connected to. They are generally private messages. NetMail messages are either entered on the BBS or sent to the BBS from another. MAXIMUS is fully compatible with the FidoNet mail standard for these messages. 

EchoMail messages are messages that are shared between several BBS systems in a wide-area conference setup. An EchoMail message will be sent through the network to which the BBS is connected to all other systems participating in the conference. Generally EchoMail messages are public only, and private messages in EchoMail areas tend to upset people. To the Maximus user, this area will function identically to a local message area. The difference is that any messages entered in these areas will have special EchoMail processing information added to them, such as origin lines. In addition, when a user enters a message in an EchoMail area, Maximus will append that area's tag name to a file to be used by the EchoMail processor. 

To change to the message area, type "m" at the Select: prompt and the Message Area menu appears:

The procedure in the message area is similar to the main menu - select what you want to do by pressing the highlighted initial letter. The options are: 

(A)rea Change This command allows the user to change to another one of the 49 message areas. You will be prompted to enter the message area you want to go to, or to enter a "?" for a list of the areas that are available. 

(N)ext Message This command will display the next message in the current area. To keep reading messages in this direction, the user can press the ENTER key at the next prompt. The ENTER key will repeat the last (N)ext or (P)revlous command. 

(P)revious Message This command will display the previous message in the current area. To keep reading messages in this direction, the user can press the ENTER key at the next prompt. The ENTER key will repeat the last (N)ext or (P)revious command. 

(E)nter Message This command will allow the user to enter a message. After the user selects this command, MAXIMUS will prompt them for some information it needs to know to send the message, such as who the message is to, the subject of the message, and whether the message is public or private, and other information. If the area does not allow private messages, the user will not be able to select whether they want the message to be public or private. 

(R)eply to a message This command allows the user to send a response to the author of the current message. The reply command is similar to the enter command, except that some of the message fields will be filled in (the name of the author of the message to which you are replying will automatically be inserted in the To: field). Also, once in the editor, the user will be able to QUOTE the message they are replying to. 

(=)read_non_stop This command will allow a user to read all of the messages in the current area, starting with the current message, without pausing between each message. This is useful if users want to capture the messages to a disk file for later perusal. 

(-)read_original This command will allow the user to display the original message to which the message they are reading is a reply. Messages that are replies to another will have a "*** This is a reply to #xx" tag at the bottom of the message. 

(+)read_reply This command will allow the user to display any messages that are replies to the message they are reading. Messages that have replies to them will have a "*** See also #x#" tag at the bottom of them.

(L)ist (brief) This command will show a list of all the messages in the curre         nt area (starting with the specified message) in a brief format, so a user can quickly select the message to read, without having to see the full text of each message. 

(S)can, msgs to YOU This command will scan all of the message areas and display any messages addressed to the user. This command activates the MAXIMUS internal mail checker. 

(I)nquire This command will allow a user to scan all of the messages in the current area for a pattern of text in the "To:", "mom:", or "Subject:" fields. Entering a "?" at the inquire prompt will provide additional help on the (I)nquire 

(M)ain Menu This will return the user to the main menu. 

(J)ump to File Areas This takes the user direct to the File Menu bypassing the Main Menu. 

(G)oodbye (log off) This is identical to the (G)oodbye command at the main menu. It will logoff the user.


(K)ill (Delete) Msg This command allows a user to delete a message in the current area. A user will only be able to kill messages which are TO or FROM them 

(U)pload a Message This command allows a user to directly upload a text file as a message to the current area. This is identical to the (E)nter message command, except instead of invoking the editor, MAXIMUS will start an Xmodem upload. The user may then upload a pre-typed ASCII text file which will be stored as a message. 

(F)orward (copy) This command allows a user to make a copy of a message in the current area, and send it to someone else. The user enters the message number to forward, and the name of the person to forward it to. The user can also forward the message directly into another area by typing the area number when prompted. 

(H)url (move) This command is used to move messages from one area to another. It will ask the user which message to hurl and which area to hurl it to. 

(X)port to disk - not available. 

(C)hange Msg - in some message areas you are able to make changes to the suject or classification of a message. 

(?)help - as for previous screen. 

If you want to go to "General messages between members' (area 1) type in "al" and you will see messages such as the following. You will notice that MAXIMUS remembers which messages you have read on previous log-ons and reminds you of the next message. As indicated earlier it is good practice to log to file (usually Alt-L) and read the messages later.

You will have seen that I selected "=" (read non-stop) to capture those messages to a file in the shortest time. If you want to move to another message area type in "a" followed by the number of the message area you want to go to. Regular scanning of particular message or conference areas of interest to you is an excellent way of keeping up with the latest or of finding the solution to problems. Remember, there is a very large number of enthusiasts reading the message areas who may have a solution to your problem 

Typing J" takes you directly to the File area bypassing the main menu. The file menu appears:

As for the other menus the first letter of each heading is highlighted and is used to lead into that area. The options are as follows: 

(A)rea Change This command allows the user to change to another file area. The user will be prompted to enter the file area they want to go to, or to enter a "?" for a list of the areas that are available to them 

(L)ocate a file This command allows a user to search all of the file areas for a particular filename or description. The text that the user enters will be matched anywhere in the filename or description, so wildcards are not required. 

(F)ile Titles This command will display a list of files in the current area, along with their descriptions. New $les will be flagged with a flashing asterisk ('). 

(T)ype (show) This command will allow a user to display the contents of any ASCII text file. The file is checked to make sure that it is an ASCII file, and the user is informed if it is not. 

(G)oodbye (log off) This is identical to the (G)oodbye command at the main menu. It will log the user off. 

(D)ownload (receive) This is the process of transferring a file from the BBS to your machine. It is treated in some detail later on in this document. 

(U)pload (send) This is the reverse of the download command, and allows a user to send files to the BBS. MAXIMUS will ask the user which protocol they are using to upload (always choose Zmodem if possible for fast transfer and best error correction), and in some cases the name of the Me they are uploading. If a batch protocol, such as Zmodem or SEAlink is chosen, the filename is transmitted automatically in the transfer, so MAXIMUS won't bother prompting the user). The protocols are identical to those used for the Download command. 

(S)tatistics This option displays the user's statistics, including the time the user has been online for the current call, the time online for the day, amount uploaded, amount downloaded, and so on. It will also display the CPS (characters per second) of the last file transfer. 

(N)ew Uploads This option lists the titles and sizes of all new files placed on the BBS since you last logged on. 

(C)ontents The (C)ontents command will allow a user to look into a compressed (archived) file and see what files are contained inside. The (C)ontents can view any .ZIP, .ARC, .PAK or .LZH Me. 

(R)aw Directory This will display a listing of ALL the files in the current file directory, not just the files listed in the files listing. 

(K)ill file This command will allow the user to delete a file from a file area. They will be asked for the name of the file to kill, and will then be asked to confirm that they want to delete it If they answer "n" to the "Delete?" prompt, they will be given the option of leaving the file but simply removing the entry from the file listing. For obvious reasons, this command is usable only by the Sysop. 

(H)url (move) This command will allow a user to move a file from one area to another. It will ask the user the name of the file to move, and the number of the file area to hurl it to. This command is available only to the Sysop. 

(M)ain Menu This will return the user to the main menu. 

(J)ump to Mag. Areas This command will take the user direct to the message area menu. 

(?)help This command explains each of the commands in the menu.

Downloading a file

Flies can only be downloaded (sent to your computer) from the file area in which the file resides. If you know the name or part of the name of the required file you can search for it by the (L)ocate command from any area, then (A)rea change to that area and download it.

The required file is FILELIST.LZH so type "d" for (D)ownload, select a protocol (always Zmodem if possible), type in the exact name of the file and downloading will take place. If you use Zmodem receipt of the file at your computer will be automatic, other protocols require that you instruct your computer to start receiving by pressing (usually) the PgDn key. The screen of your computer will give you instructions and keep you informed of progress.

Alternatively it is possible to concatenate the commands so that the same result is obtained by typing "dz filelist.lzh" at the menu prompt. 

Finally, to leave the BBS type "g" for (G)oodbye and follow the instructions on the screen.

The BBS has now cut the user off but depending on the requirements of the comms program you may need to hang-up the phone (usually Alt-H) and exit from the program (usually Alt X). 

It is recommended that you carefully read the manual on your comms. program and follow out the instructions. It is possible to successfully access a bulletin board on the first trial but a lot easier if you can get someone with BBS experience to assist you in the first instance. In any case keep trying, software does not break and sooner or later it works!

Reprinted from the June 1991 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia

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