I am in a quandry right now, concerning BBS software, and would appreciate suggestions from the other Sysops on this.

For several weeks now, the telnet server of Virtual Advanced (VADV32) is crashing without warning, usually when no one is online. If I am out on
errands with my elderly Mom, the telnet side of the BBS is DOWN, and the FTelnet option from the website is WORTHLESS...even though the website itself is still up with VADV-PHP.

The main draw of BBS's nowadays is "doorgames", even though I obviously take
an active part in the message bases and file areas. I can't see just having
the website up for messages and file areas only (no bulletins, doorgames, etc.).

So, my options are as follows...with the LEAST DESIRABLE first:

1) Retire from Sysoping and shut everything down. That's something I do NOT want to even consider. The BBS is one of VERY FEW hobbies that I can still do.

2) Leave things as they are. The problem is, as noted above, if the telnet server crashes, while the website is up, the telnet side is down until I discover it, and reset it.

3) Change software. I had previously run GT Power under dial-up, and my first telnet/web software was Synchronet, before going to Virtual Advanced
(VADV32). However, these are the pros and cons of those two:

a) GT Power. While I still have the configuration files and menus, I'd have
to reconfigure all the doors. It is now freeware, with telnet capability, but
I had problems with the beta versions, so I abandoned it.

b) Synchronet. While SBBS allows fossil and non-fossil doors, it apparently does not like multiple configuration files for a doorgame. Yet, some of the doors require the door data in a separate directory besides the startup directory, usually in the node directory. I also personally thought the SBBS website interface was too bland (especially compared to VADV32), and the
flame wars in many of the proprietary Dove-Net echoes turned me off.

I can't have dial-up because of cost...and because of construction crews slicing the underground cables out here several years ago (even though they were clearly marked). The line noise was so bad that either a voice call or a modem/data/fax call couldn't be done.

I know there is a lot of other BBS software out there, and I realize that any work will be long and tedious, but that's the nature of the beast. However, I have no clue where to begin...and realize that every Sysop runs the software that appeals to them. The software though must run on Windows XP
Professional, Service Pack 3, as that's what I have.

I realize that there are some Sysops that have used several different
software packages, and others that have found one, and stuck with it. But,
this is where your feedback comes in.

Obviously, what I'd like for the BBS is access via telnet or FTelnet via the website, email (mainly for a new user verification code), message areas, file areas (anonymous FTP would be helpful but not necessary), bulletins, and doorgames. Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is helpful, but not necessary. Also, my HTML knowledge is VERY BASIC, as is my programming knowledge. I can write a batchfile for the BBS, but the programming ENDS at setting the clock on the microwave oven. <G>

Any help, advice, or suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.

Daryl Stout, WX1DER, Sysop
The Thunderbolt BBS
Little Rock, Arkansas

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

Obviously, what I'd like for the BBS is access via telnet or FTelnet via the website, email (mainly for a new user verification code), message areas, file areas (anonymous FTP would be helpful but not necessary), bulletins, and doorgames. Internet Relay Chat (IRC) is helpful, but not necessary. Also, my HTML knowledge is VERY BASIC, as is my programming knowledge. I can write a batchfile for the BBS, but the programming ENDS at setting the clock on the microwave oven. <G>

I personally like Mystic. But I have been using Synchronet since May of this year and have configured a number of doors with it, like the SunRise door games, card games by other authors, JNS games, etc. Based on the quote above Synchronet meets your desires in a BBS software package. There is a learning curve, if you are up to speed in java script your good to go, but this is not necessary. I know since I have no skill in that regard. As far as setting
up the games I can provide sample on how I have done it and there is also the wiki on synchronet that provides much help.

My mystic board is at pb.darktech.org:24 and Synchronet is at pbsync.darktech.org:30. For Synchronet for web go to pbsync.darktech.org:8075

|15Ruben Figueroa
|12M|04ystic |12P|04rison |12B|04oard |12S|04ysop |13telnet://pb.darktech.org:24
|11Web: |14www.rdfig.net

--- Mystic BBS v1.10 (Windows)
* Origin: Mystic Prison Board*Mesquite Tx*pb.darktech.org:24 (1:124/5014)

07 Jul 15 11:48, you wrote to All:

b) Synchronet. While SBBS allows fossil and non-fossil doors, it apparently does not like multiple configuration files for a doorgame.
Yet, some of the doors require the door data in a separate directory besides the startup directory, usually in the node directory.

you need to be more specific about this... we have no problems running doors over here that look in the node directories for the drop files... there's no real special majic to it... maybe some .bat file variables being used but generally speaking, the doors that are worth running have no problems with a multinode environment or being told where to find the drop files...

I also personally thought the SBBS website interface was too bland (especially compared to VADV32), and the flame wars in many of the proprietary Dove-Net echoes turned me off.

you can easily dress up the sbbs web interface... there's a few other themes available as well as much of the interface stuff can be changed via javascript...

of all the options, likes, wants and desires you listed, SBBS comes the closest
from what we've seen and worked with... BBBS might be another but i don't know about operation on winwhatever... mystic might offer some of those features it doesn't yet have in a future version but that remains to be seen... WWIV has had a lot of work done with it but we've not looked at it recently so no real clue what it offers these days... there's also MBSE that might be interesting but again no clue about winwhatever or all the capabilities it offers... SBBS has telnet, ssh, web, ftp, rlogin connectivity capabilities... the interfaces can be modified in any of numerous ways... javascript, compiled c code, baja...
it just depends on how much work you really want to do and how deep into the guts you really want to go rather than just dressing up a few screens here and there... we have a love/hate relationship with SBBS and are still looking at other packages as time permits... next on the list is BBBS and MBSE but we don't know which will be first on the table...

)\/(ark

... Itisdifficulttobeverycreativewithonlyfiftysevencharacters
---
* Origin: (1:3634/12.73)

mark lewis wrote to Daryl Stout:

next on the list is BBBS and MBSE but we don't know which will be
first on the table...

MBSE, trust me.. :)


Ttyl :-),
Al

... It's not the money I want, it's the stuff.

--- MBSE BBS v1.0.4 (GNU/Linux-x86_64)
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757.1)

Hello Alan,

08 Jul 15 12:09, you wrote to mark lewis:

MBSE, trust me.. :)

I second that notion!

BTW, I'm running MBSE 1.0.5.1 now. :D

--Sean

... But, He has not one redeeming vice.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20130910
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN, USA (1:18/200)

Re: Software Issues
By: Sean Dennis to Alan Ianson on Wed Jul 08 2015 18:20:46

Hello Alan,

08 Jul 15 12:09, you wrote to mark lewis:

MBSE, trust me.. :)

I second that notion!

BTW, I'm running MBSE 1.0.5.1 now. :D

Some Full installation and Config Documentation Exist on this MBSE ?

... What do you mean? You actually read this Tagline?!?
--- SBBSecho 2.27-Win32
* Origin: SpaceSST BBS (1:249/206)

Hello Luc,

08 Jul 15 21:41, you wrote to me:

Some Full installation and Config Documentation Exist on this MBSE ?

Sure does. It's old, needs to be updated (which I'm slowly working on). Completely different than running a Windows-based BBS. If you're going to use MBSE, be prepared to spend some time setting it up, but once it's set up, it's quite reliable.

Documentation is built into the archive.

--Sean

... A cat's worst enemy is a closed door.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20130910
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN, USA (1:18/200)

08 Jul 15 18:20, you wrote to Alan Ianson:

Hello Alan,

08 Jul 15 12:09, you wrote to mark lewis:

MBSE, trust me.. :)

I second that notion!

BTW, I'm running MBSE 1.0.5.1 now. :D

i think i have that one here from some hidden directory somewhere... i understand that it is similar to remoteaccess... hopefully so very similar that
i might even be able to copy my existing operational configs over and fly from there...

)\/(ark

... Always be sincere, even if you don't mean it.
---
* Origin: (1:3634/12.73)

I realize that there are some Sysops that have used several different software packages, and others that have found one, and stuck with it.
But, this is where your feedback comes in.

I don't know VADV, but does it force you to use it's telnet server? The reason I ask the new Gamesrv is bullet proof, I get thousands of attmempts
to login as root here and it keeps on trucking.

I just configure it to answer and launch ezycom. (dos based)

Any help, advice, or suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.

Would save you having to learn an entire new project it it would work.

Shawn

... Now and then an innocent man is sent to the legislature.
-*- Open!EDIT v0.99k+

--- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
* Origin: Tiny's BBS - Oshawa, ON, CA - http://tinysbbs.com (1:229/452)

Hello mark,

MBSE, trust me.. :)

I second that notion!

BTW, I'm running MBSE 1.0.5.1 now. :D

i think i have that one here from some hidden directory somewhere... i understand that it is similar to remoteaccess... hopefully so very similar that i might even be able to copy my existing operational configs over and fly from there...

It is similar but not a clone. The BBS interface is similar to RA but it goes beyond simply being a BBS. It has a mailer / tosser / ticker built in. A very well done mailer / tosser / ticker.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... If Pro is the opposite of Con then what is the opposite of Progress?
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20130910
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757)

Sean Dennis wrote to Alan Ianson:

MBSE, trust me.. :)

I second that notion!

Yes, MBSE never fails to amazer me.

BTW, I'm running MBSE 1.0.5.1 now. :D

Some stuff being worked on for the next release?

Ttyl :-),
Al

... Everybody should believe in something - I believe I'll have a beer

--- MBSE BBS v1.0.4 (GNU/Linux-x86_64)
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757.1)

Alan Ianson wrote to mark lewis <=-

mark lewis wrote to Daryl Stout:

next on the list is BBBS and MBSE but we don't know which will be
first on the table...

MBSE, trust me.. :)

I could be wrong, but I believe MBSE only runs on Linux and Daryl mentioned that it MUST run on Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3 installed.



_____
, |[][]|
,__| ______| |
,__/__]|| ________ | D8 |
|__!___!!`--'L_______\ |__________|() ___________
"(_)[___]====(_)(_)=| \_(___________)_/__/=(_)===(_)~'

73 de Ray Quinn W6RAY
Visalia, CA USA DM06ih


... Ham radio operators do it with frequency.
=== MultiMail/Linux v0.50
--- SBBSecho 2.27-Linux
* Origin: US 99 BBS | Visalia, CA | bbs.quinnnet.org (1:214/22)

mark lewis wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

i think i have that one here from some hidden directory somewhere... i understand that it is similar to remoteaccess... hopefully so very
similar that i might even be able to copy my existing operational
configs over and fly from there...

It's similar in configuration and operation, but I do believe that its data structures are different. I don't know much more about that; you may want
to ask in the MBSE echo for more information.

--Sean


... Take my advice, I don't use it anyway.
--- MultiMail/Linux
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN, USA (1:18/200)

Alan Ianson wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

Some stuff being worked on for the next release?

Yep! Andrew is working on getting IPv6 working right and I added a little feature: if "holiday.ans/.asc" exists, MBSE will show it upon login. It's a similar feature I created in Maximus using Maximus' scripting language. I
just added one line into the MBSE source code (can't remember which file
now), recompiled MBSE, et voila! it works.

Andrew and I have several things we want to work on.

--Sean


... It works better if you plug it in.
--- MultiMail/Linux
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN, USA (1:18/200)

Sean Dennis wrote to Alan Ianson:

Some stuff being worked on for the next release?

Yep! Andrew is working on getting IPv6 working right and I added a little feature: if "holiday.ans/.asc" exists, MBSE will show it upon login. It's similar feature I created in Maximus using Maximus' scripting language. I just added one line into the MBSE source code (can't remember which file now), recompiled MBSE, et voila! it works.

Nice touch.. :)

Andrew and I have several things we want to work on.

Message and file area grouping would be a welcome addition if you guys need ideas.. :)

Ttyl :-),
Al

... Oh no, not another learning experience!

--- MBSE BBS v1.0.4 (GNU/Linux-x86_64)
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757.1)

Ruben,

I personally like Mystic. But I have been using Synchronet since May of thi RF>year and have configured a number of doors with it, like the SunRise door RF>games, card games by other authors, JNS games, etc. Based on the quote abov RF>Synchronet meets your desires in a BBS software package. There is a learnin RF>curve, if you are up to speed in java script your good to go, but this is no RF>necessary. I know since I have no skill in that regard. As far as setting RF>up the games I can provide sample on how I have done it and there is also th RF>wiki on synchronet that provides much help.

My HTML knowledge is VERY BASIC, and programming is LIMITED to writing
a batchfile for the BBS, and setting the clock on the microwave
oven...and, that's why I will keep VADV32 for the website, and
eventually go to SBBS for the rest of it. With other things outside the
BBS, it'll take me awhile to get it done. It's not "hard" to do...just
tedious on the setup, but that's the nature of the beast.

I think I'm going to set all the single user doors to write the file
to the startup directory (where the door is), but the multi-node capable
doors to use the node directory (like the JNS doors, the Carlton doors,
and the Shining Star and L.O.R.D. doors).

My mystic board is at pb.darktech.org:24 and Synchronet is at RF>pbsync.darktech.org:30. For Synchronet for web go to pbsync.darktech.org:80

I just checked my "Selected Telnet BBS Listing" bulletin, and I had to
modify it for your system (Prison Board BBS).

Daryl
---
■ OLX 1.53 ■ Conference on Global Warming canceled due to blizzard.

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

Mark,

you need to be more specific about this... we have no problems running doors ML>over here that look in the node directories for the drop files... there's no ML>real special majic to it... maybe some .bat file variables being used but ML>generally speaking, the doors that are worth running have no problems with a ML>multinode environment or being told where to find the drop files...

Apparently, with the directory (Adopt A Door, in this case) having
something like ADOPT.CFG, as well as ADOPT1.CFG, ADOPT2.CFG, etc. SBBS apparently didn't like that. So, I think what I'm going to do for the
single user doors is use just one configuration file, and put the
dropfile in the door directory. For the multi-node doors, I'd put it in
the node directory.

you can easily dress up the sbbs web interface... there's a few other themes ML>available as well as much of the interface stuff can be changed via ML>javascript...

While I'd be curious to see those other themes, my HTML knowledge is
very basic. I don't know the first thing about items like cascading
style sheets, etc. To me, Javascript is instructions on how to make
coffee. <G>

of all the options, likes, wants and desires you listed, SBBS comes the clos

I likely will go with SBBS, since I've set it up before. But, with
other things outside the BBS, it's going to take longer than expected to
get all the work done.

Daryl

---
■ OLX 1.53 ■ Windows Vista7Up Virus: Renders 16-bit programs useless.

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

09 Jul 15 12:50, you wrote to RUBEN FIGUEROA:

I think I'm going to set all the single user doors to write the file
to the startup directory (where the door is), but the multi-node
capable doors to use the node directory (like the JNS doors, the
Carlton doors, and the Shining Star and L.O.R.D. doors).

you shouldn't have to do that... you should be able to point all doors to the proper directory for the drop file... the only thing you would maybe have to do
for single user doors that are not multinode aware is to create an in-use semaphore file when they are being used... ideally the door will handle this on
its own... i dropped all doors that were not at least multinode aware eons ago because they simply weren't worth the trouble... most of them weren't being played anyway, either...

)\/(ark

... A church steeple with a lightning rod on top shows a lack of confidence. ---
* Origin: (1:3634/12.73)

09 Jul 15 12:50, you wrote to me:

Mark,

you need to be more specific about this... we have no problems running
doors over here that look in the node directories for the drop files...
there's no real special majic to it... maybe some .bat file variables
being used but generally speaking, the doors that are worth running have
no problems with a multinode environment or being told where to find the
drop files...

Apparently, with the directory (Adopt A Door, in this case) having something like ADOPT.CFG, as well as ADOPT1.CFG, ADOPT2.CFG, etc. SBBS apparently didn't like that.

that still doesn't make sense... SBBS shouldn't care one iota... however, we're
running the latest development version (3.16a i think) so there may be some changes from what you ran when you ran it...

for example, assuming
the path to the drop file is specified on the command line,
the door config file to use is specified on the command line,
that xyzzy1.cfg is for node 1 and xyzzy2.cfg is for node 2,
we're using a .bat file for execution

my_door.bat %f %#

===== snip my_door.bat =====
@echo off
cd mydoordir
mydoor.exe /dropfile=%1 /config=xyzzy%2.cfg
===== snip my_door.bat =====

OR without a .bat file

c:\my_door\mydoor.exe /dropfile=%f /config=c:\my_door\xyzzy%#.cfg


%f in the sbbs settings command line is %1 in the .bat file because it is listed first after the bat file's name... %f is the path to the drop file (eg: C:\SBBS\NODE1\DOOR.SYS)...

%# in the sbbs settings command line is %2 in the .bat file because it is listed second after the bat file's name... %# is the current bbs node number (eg: 1)...

another important setting is which drop file to create for the door...

there's also a setting for where to create the drop file but it is highly recommended to leave this setting blank so the drop file is created in the bbs node directory... then you just ensure that you point the door to the proper place... if the door is really dumb, use a .bat file to check for or create an in-use semaphore file before copying the drop file from the node directory... you'll still need the %f and/or maybe the %#...

So, I think what I'm going to do for the single user doors is use just
one configuration file, and put the dropfile in the door directory.
For the multi-node doors, I'd put it in the node directory.

it really depends on the door... some are fairly intelligent and allow you to tell it where to look... dumb ones probably aren't worth the trouble any more... especially this day in time...

you can easily dress up the sbbs web interface... there's a few other
themes available as well as much of the interface stuff can be changed
via javascript...

While I'd be curious to see those other themes, my HTML knowledge is very basic. I don't know the first thing about items like cascading
style sheets, etc. To me, Javascript is instructions on how to make coffee. <G>

you don't need to know css to get started... just learn html and javascript... it isn't any different than learning how to write fancy .bat files... later on you can learn about css and adjust things to start using it... the reason you have to do javascript is to pull the info out of sbbs that you need... that because sbbs has a javascript accessible interface so you don't need to know the structure of the data files... you only need to know the javascript function name for the data you are after...

of all the options, likes, wants and desires you listed, SBBS comes
the clos

I likely will go with SBBS, since I've set it up before. But, with
other things outside the BBS, it's going to take longer than expected
to get all the work done.

it would be a good thing if you have a compile environment where you could pull
the latest code from the repository and compile it for your system... that way you could get bug fixes and new features faster than having to wait for a new release... 3.16 is not yet out the door but i think there's a release candidate
available...

)\/(ark

... Dementia has set in: You must immediately increase your squid intake.
---
* Origin: (1:3634/12.73)

My HTML knowledge is VERY BASIC, and programming is LIMITED to writing
a batchfile for the BBS, and setting the clock on the microwave oven...and, that's why I will keep VADV32 for the website, and
eventually go to SBBS for the rest of it. With other things outside the BBS, it'll take me awhile to get it done. It's not "hard" to do...just tedious on the setup, but that's the nature of the beast.

Synchronet is a learning experience. I am the same as you when it comes to programming. Howerver, the main point is for me is not programmning, it is
how to trouble shoot if you have a problem. There is a thing call module and some of the games are modules and those need to be entered into SFCG for external games and I found out there needs to be a corresponding entry into a jason-services.ini file or you get erros. The idiosyncrasy of a particular progams, the learning of it, comes with time and experience and lots of frustration for lack of knowledge about the product. But there is support
out there and I have received it.

I really didn't have a lot of trouble setting up my games, just to learn what syncrhronet passes as parameters like %# and %f came in real handy and in setting up batch files (%# is the node number and %f is the full path of the drop file)

You got it right, tedious is not a strong enough words in setting up things. \

|15Ruben Figueroa
|12M|04ystic |12P|04rison |12B|04oard |12S|04ysop |13telnet://pb.darktech.org:24
|11Web: |14www.rdfig.net

--- Mystic BBS v1.10 (Windows)
* Origin: Mystic Prison Board*Mesquite Tx*pb.darktech.org:24 (1:124/5014)

Alan Ianson wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

Message and file area grouping would be a welcome addition if you guys need ideas.. :)

There's already message grouping...the file grouping is on the to-do list.

--Sean

--- MultiMail/Linux
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN, USA (1:18/200)

Sean Dennis wrote to Alan Ianson:

Message and file area grouping would be a welcome addition if you guys need ideas.. :)

There's already message grouping...the file grouping is on the to-do list.

I have not seen it, is that new? Can message areas be displayed by group instead of all together? If so how? :)

Ttyl :-),
Al

... A pessimist is never disappointed............

--- MBSE BBS v1.0.4 (GNU/Linux-x86_64)
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757.1)

Re: Software Issues
By: Daryl Stout to MARK LEWIS on Thu Jul 09 2015 12:50 pm

Mark,

you need to be more specific about this... we have no problems running doors ML>over here that look in the node directories for the drop files... there's no ML>real special majic to it... maybe some .bat file variables being used but ML>generally speaking, the doors that are worth running have no problems with a ML>multinode environment or being told where to find the drop files...

Apparently, with the directory (Adopt A Door, in this case) having something like ADOPT.CFG, as well as ADOPT1.CFG, ADOPT2.CFG, etc. SBBS apparently didn't like that.

What do you mean? Synchronet doesn't care what door .CFG files you have where. I suggest taking this discussion to the SYNCHRONET or SYNC_SYSOPS echo and we can help you there.

digital man

Synchronet "Real Fact" #21:
The second ever Synchronet BBS was the Mid-Nite Hacker BBS (sysop: The Zapper). Norco, CA WX: 75.2°F, 50.0% humidity, 10 mph SSE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

Shawn,

I don't know VADV, but does it force you to use it's telnet server? The
reason I ask the new Gamesrv is bullet proof, I get thousands of attmempts SH>to login as root here and it keeps on trucking.

It detects when someone connects to port 23. Since I have a matrix
logon script set up, they get an "announcement screen" first, before
they get to the matrix logon choices. Most times, they end up dropping
the connection.

With the telnet server, it usually happens when no one is online.
Windows XP SP3 just gives a message that "the VADV32 Telnet Server has crashed". There have also been times when I missed the message, and when
I move the mouse cursor over the VADV32 icon in the system tray, nothing happens. That's when I know it has crashed, and have to use the 3 finger
salute (ctrl-alt-del) to completely stop it, and restart it.

I just configure it to answer and launch ezycom. (dos based)

Would save you having to learn an entire new project it it would work.

I think I looked at GameSrv a long time ago; but at that time, it
seemed just like a system for doors only.

The 2 main reasons I quit using SBBS, and went to VADV were the flame
wars in DoveNet, and I didn't care for its website interface.

Lately, I've had other things outside the BBS (like my own health
issues, and helping my elderly Mom with errands), that work on the BBS,
let alone the other setup) has had to take a back seat of sorts.

I've said this before, but being that the BBS is one of the last
hobbies I can still do...and because my BBS is that last one in
Arkansas, I'd rather not give it up.

Daryl

---
■ OLX 1.53 ■ Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

Alan Ianson wrote to Sean Dennis <=-

I have not seen it, is that new? Can message areas be displayed by
group instead of all together? If so how? :)

That's different than what you asked about. :D Message grouping does exist. Viewing by message group...well...that's a very low priority.

Me, I'd love to put in the "group.area" functionality like Maximus 3.01 has.

I just discovered that MBSE has the netmail "PING" function...but it's mentioned nowhere in the documentation...

--Sean



... How many lawyer jokes are there? Three. The rest are facts.
--- MultiMail/Linux
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN, USA (1:18/200)

Hello Sean,

I have not seen it, is that new? Can message areas be displayed by
group instead of all together? If so how? :)

That's different than what you asked about. :D Message grouping does exist. Viewing by message group...well...that's a very low priority.

Me, I'd love to put in the "group.area" functionality like Maximus
3.01 has.

That's what I meant but maybe I wasn't clear at first.. :) I was thinking something like the message grouping (BBS wise) that RA has.

I just discovered that MBSE has the netmail "PING" function...but it's mentioned nowhere in the documentation...

Awesome. I wonder how well tested it is? If it is functional it should be added
to the docs so people know about it. MBSE's mailer is second to none.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... Don't argue with he who buys ink by the gallon.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20130910
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757)

mark lewis wrote to Daryl Stout:

next on the list is BBBS and MBSE but we don't know which will be
first on the table...

I shouldn't have omitted BBBS the other day. I like it too although it is different from other BBS packages and I don't know it as well as others but it still has author support.

It has a very capable terminal mode and bterm is available (free) as well. It will actually download files while you are browsing a BBBS, handy feature.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... * GROWING OLD is Mandatory: GROWING UP is Optional *

--- MBSE BBS v1.0.4 (GNU/Linux-x86_64)
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757.1)

Rob,

What do you mean? Synchronet doesn't care what door .CFG files you have wher RS>I suggest taking this discussion to the SYNCHRONET or SYNC_SYSOPS echo and w RS>can help you there.

I'll add that into my QWK setup...I think I have it over here.

Daryl

---
■ OLX 1.53 ■ Software never has bugs. It just develops random features

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

Sean,

I have not seen it, is that new? Can message areas be displayed by group instead of all together? If so how? :)

That's different than what you asked about. :D Message grouping does exist. SD>Viewing by message group...well...that's a very low priority.

Me, I'd love to put in the "group.area" functionality like Maximus 3.01 has.

I just discovered that MBSE has the netmail "PING" function...but it's SD>mentioned nowhere in the documentation...

GT Power had it where you could set up "message boards" by topic, and
not by network. I liked that method, as you could go to the desired boards/subject areas you were interested in, and ignore the rest.

But, when I ran Synchronet, and currently Virtual Advanced, it was
easier to set it up by Message Network.

Daryl

---
■ OLX 1.53 ■ Ahh wight! Where's my WAM memowy you wascwy wabbitt?

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

I think I looked at GameSrv a long time ago; but at that time, it
seemed just like a system for doors only.

Just click the "Door Server Only" button. It just answers the telnet port and launchs your dos based BBS software. I use it here and get thousands
and thousands of false connects without crashing. (Also WinXP)

I've said this before, but being that the BBS is one of the last
hobbies I can still do...and because my BBS is that last one in
Arkansas, I'd rather not give it up.

I didn't say anything about giving it up... trying to point you in the direction of a telnet server that is more robust and able to handle the
false connects that is causing your existing one to fail.

Shawn

... God can't alter history, so he created historians.
-*- Open!EDIT v0.99k+

--- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
* Origin: Tiny's BBS - Oshawa, ON, CA - http://tinysbbs.com (1:229/452)

Hello Daryl!

07 Jul 15 11:48, Daryl Stout wrote to All:

I am in a quandry right now, concerning BBS software, and would appreciate suggestions from the other Sysops on this.

Since you have considerable time invested it was at least be worth trying to discover why you are crashing. A good way to do this is establish controls. If you can safely and easily back up your configuration I would try a fresh install with minimal changes of your existing software.


Regards,

Matt

---
* Origin: The Byte Museum - ftn.bytemuseum.org (IPV6 capable) (1:19/10)

Hello Daryl,

12 Jul 15 18:43, you wrote to me:

But, when I ran Synchronet, and currently Virtual Advanced, it was easier to set it up by Message Network.

Viewing by message group is something that is on the list of "to-do" for MBSE.

The file areas have no group functions whatsoever and that's a higher priority for us to get fixed. I'd do it myself but my C programming skills are minimal at best, but I'm working on learning C so I can do more with the BBS.

For me, Telegard was the best software when it came to dealing with messages, but sadly, it's dead now and won't be revived due to the author.

--Sean

... Famous last words: "Watch me goose that sleeping dragon!"
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20150715
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN, USA (1:18/200)

Shawn,

I think I looked at GameSrv a long time ago; but at that time, it
seemed just like a system for doors only.

Just click the "Door Server Only" button. It just answers the telnet port
and launchs your dos based BBS software. I use it here and get thousands SH>and thousands of false connects without crashing. (Also WinXP)

Does the DOS BBS software have to have a fossil driver??

I didn't say anything about giving it up... trying to point you in the
direction of a telnet server that is more robust and able to handle the SH>false connects that is causing your existing one to fail.

I appreciate all the comments. The Sysop's worst nightmare is when the
BBS is constantly crashing. I get a ton of port sniffers every day, and
the majority disconnect after a minute or two.

I'll take a look at that GameSrv option...but also continue to work
with a possible switch to Synchronet. But, other things outside the BBS
(health concerns, and doing stuff for my elderly Mom) have taken
priority (as they should).

Daryl

---
■ OLX 1.53 ■ Out of my mind. Be back in five minutes.

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

Kurt,

My HTML knowledge is VERY BASIC, and programming is LIMITED to writing a batchfile for the BBS, and setting the clock on the microwave oven...

Your BBS sets the microwave oven clock? kooky! :)

I ought to make that a shareware program. Register it, or your dinner
will get burned. LOL

Don't discount your knowledge -- batch file programming can be very complicated, and the nice thing is that running a BBS at some level
only needs a little batch hand holding to save the sysop time. Worst
case, you could do most things that a batch file does by hand.

I remember one of the documents about "Wanting to be a Sysop" noting
that "you must be able to construct events (batch files), or be prepared
to live at your computer". It usually crashes in the dead of night, or 5 minutes after you walk out the door. :P

Most of the batch stuff I wrote was after getting sick of doing things
on the BBS by hand, then wondering why the ^&^!!! I took so long to automate things once I did. :)

Isn't it the truth?? I've got batchfiles set up to update various
things, not to mention nightly maintenance.

Daryl

---
■ OLX 1.53 ■ A guy who's addicted to brake fluid can stop any time.

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

of all the options, likes, wants and desires you listed, SBBS comes the closest from what we've seen and worked with... BBBS might be another but
i don't know about operation on winwhatever... mystic might offer some of those features it doesn't yet have in a future version but that remains
to be seen... WWIV has had a lot of work done with it but we've not
looked at it recently so no real clue what it offers these days...
there's also MBSE that might be interesting but again no clue about winwhatever or all the capabilities it offers... SBBS has telnet, ssh,
web, ftp, rlogin connectivity capabilities... the interfaces can be modified in any of numerous ways... javascript, compiled c code, baja...

WWIV has had loads of work done to it over the past few years. I'm still using
the old legacy setup since my BBS has an incredible amount of custom modifications done to it and I have no plans on upgrading.

My list of personal favorites.. WWIV (biased, but hey..), Mystic & Renegade.

- Mark

--- WWIVToss v.1.51
* Origin: http://www.weather-station.org * Bel Air, MD -USA (1:261/1304.0)

Hello Daryl!

Hi, Matt...

Since you have considerable time invested it was at least be worth trying to MB>discover why you are crashing. A good way to do this is establish controls. MB>If you can safely and easily back up your configuration I would try a fresh MB>install with minimal changes of your existing software.

I've tried fresh reinstalls of VADV32, and it doesn't seem to work.
It's hard to tell if it's the port sniffers, as when I'm here the error
message of the telnet server crashing happens when no one is online or
logging on.

I'm still working on getting SBBS setup, and seeing if it does the
same thing. But, other things outside the BBS have greatly reduced the
time I can work with BBS related items.

Daryl

---
■ OLX 1.53 ■ WARNING!! I'm naked under these clothes!!

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

Matt...

Based on this I would most likely believe it is an OS patch (which is now MB>incompatible with VADV32) or a OS configuration change to be at fault. The MB>configuration change could even be another piece of software which modified MB>system in someway as to break VADV32 rather than something you directly did.

Micr0$0ft Windblows (typos intended) has been notorious for doing
that. I've had to reinstall several programs after the monthly updates.

I am still working on getting this node fully configured. After that, I wil MB>move on to configuring a SBBS. Granted fidonet handles far less mail MB>considering the state of mail forwarding these days it makes since to have MB>safety valves in place so one doesn't get flooded with old or duplicate MB>messages.

Same here. It's not hard, but if you have a big setup, like I do, it's tedious.

Daryl

---
■ OLX 1.53 ■ The Weather Is Here...Wish You Were Beautiful.

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

On 07/08/15, Sean Dennis said the following...

Some Full installation and Config Documentation Exist on this MBSE ?

Sure does. It's old, needs to be updated (which I'm slowly working on). Completely different than running a Windows-based BBS. If you're going
to use MBSE, be prepared to spend some time setting it up, but once it's set up, it's quite reliable.

Good to hear someone is working on the docs at least. I've thought about playing around with MBSE a little to see what's new, but with work and all, I just don't seem to have as much time to do any BBSing as I used to (just
taking some time before lunch now to read and reply to new echomail).

--- Mystic BBS v1.10 (Linux)
* Origin: Omicron Theta/x | Memphis TN | os2bbs.org (1:116/17)

On Fri, 17 Jul 2015 12:56:24 GMT, Daryl Stout wrote:

I've tried fresh reinstalls of VADV32, and it doesn't seem to work.
It's hard to tell if it's the port sniffers, as when I'm here the error >message of the telnet server crashing happens when no one is online or >logging on.

I'm still working on getting SBBS setup, and seeing if it does the
same thing. But, other things outside the BBS have greatly reduced the
time I can work with BBS related items.

Rehashing old reply.

The more and more I think about it the more I recommend mysticbbs. I
recently configured it for Fido and it was extremely easy to stand up
a configuration to send receive mail. BinkP is built in!

After successful install one coulld probably have it receiving and
sending mail in about a dozen easy steps.

This based on my recent experience of configuring it.

Take care,

Matt

---
* Origin: The Byte Museum - news: news.bytemuseum.org (1:19/10)

Matt,

The more and more I think about it the more I recommend mysticbbs. I M>recently configured it for Fido and it was extremely easy to stand up
a configuration to send receive mail. BinkP is built in!

I'm actually working now on GT Power for telnet. Unfortunately,
numerous issues outside the BBS have delayed my work on that.

Daryl

---
■ OLX 1.53 ■ I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)

I'm actually working now on GT Power for telnet. Unfortunately,
numerous issues outside the BBS have delayed my work on that.

Daryl

I would like to know how things are going with the GT setup, when you are
able to work on it.

|15Ruben Figueroa
|12M|04ystic |12P|04rison |12B|04oard |12S|04ysop |13telnet://pb.darktech.org:24
|11Web: |14www.rdfig.net

--- Mystic BBS v1.10 (Windows)
* Origin: Mystic Prison Board*Mesquite Tx*pb.darktech.org:24 (1:124/5014)

Hi Daryl,

I'm actually working now on GT Power for telnet. Unfortunately,
numerous issues outside the BBS have delayed my work on that.

Something I haven't announced yet and something I should actually put into
the documentation in my doors is that I've added the ability to read
GTUSER.BBS into my doors. I do believe that I originally did that for you
if my memory serves me correctly. Once you get GT Power going, let me know, and I'd like to test this capability out to make sure it works.

--Sean

--- MultiMail/Linux v0.50
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

Hi, Daryl-

We're still in an unsettled weather pattern for late August, and with also helping my elderly Mom with stuff during the day, and my ham radio nets at night, some days, it's hard to find time to do the work. But,
it's not hard...it's just tedious...but that's the case with any BBS setup.

It's been 90+ sometimes in my little shed during the day, so I've been too
hot to work on the BBS or the doors. But it's starting to cool down...and
for the next couple of weeks, I'll be insanely busy as I switched jobs to
work at a college bookstore and with the fall "rush" going on, I'll be busy making money instead of spending it for once. :D

Something you might like: for my birthday next week, I'm buying a 9:1 UNUN
that will allow me to run a random wire as an end-fed antenna. I have to
use at least 16' of coax on the end going into the shack but that shouldn't
be hard with this 25' piece I use. Hopefully I'll be back on HF again soon.

I have a few new door ideas, but I'm working on updating my existing doors
and moving everything else into an archive.

--Sean

--- MultiMail/Linux v0.50
* Origin: Outpost BBS * bbs.outpostbbs.net * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

Hi, Daryl-

Hi, Sean...

It's been 90+ sometimes in my little shed during the day, so I've been too SD>hot to work on the BBS or the doors. But it's starting to cool down...and SD>for the next couple of weeks, I'll be insanely busy as I switched jobs to SD>work at a college bookstore and with the fall "rush" going on, I'll be busy SD>making money instead of spending it for once. :D

Glad to hear of the new job. I remember the college bookstore days
over 35 years ago. One time, my books came to $77.77, with tax. The
cashier said "Looks like you hit the jackpot". I asked "Do I get my
books free??". She said "No", and I said "Damn!!". At least it was worth
a try. <G>

Something you might like: for my birthday next week, I'm buying a 9:1 UNUN SD>that will allow me to run a random wire as an end-fed antenna. I have to SD>use at least 16' of coax on the end going into the shack but that shouldn't SD>be hard with this 25' piece I use. Hopefully I'll be back on HF again soon.

So, you're dropping birthday hints to everyone in the echo, eh?? <G>

I have a few new door ideas, but I'm working on updating my existing doors SD>and moving everything else into an archive.

I found 2 doors I didn't have set up in the bulletins for the new
setup to GT Power...and, I've been busy working with that (creating
ASCII, ANSI, and RIP screens, editing batchfiles, etc.). A Sysop's work
is never done (sigh!).

Daryl

---
■ OLX 1.53 ■ I'm not STUBBORN...I'm just CORRECT!!

--- Virtual Advanced Ver 2 for DOS
* Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS (1:19/33)