

        In the last edition, we discussed some of the effects the internet
 is having on the BBS world, and some of the ways that we can use the Net
 to improve our BBS. This month, we will take a look at several of the
 programs that we can use to bring about these changes and improvements to
 our BBS.

        We don't really have the time for an in depth review of each
 program, and I personally, don't use each of these programs. What I will
 do is show you several different programs, that can provide either Email
 or Usenet groups (or both), and let you decide which one you wish to take
 a further look at.

        First on our list is Freejack's QWKNews. QWKNews is a 32-bit WIN95
 program. You must have the 32-bit Winsock that comes with WIN95 installed
 for it to work. Since there will be a full review of QWKNews in this
 edition of the E-Zine, I'll just mention it very briefly here.

        QWKNews is probably the easiest of the programs we will look at
 today. It will log onto your UseNet server, and download the newsgroups
 in a QWK Format, allowing you to use TriNet to import them into your
 TriBBS Board. The same in reverse for uploading your messages. You use
 TriNet to create REP packs and send them when you log on.

        Because QWKNews uses QWK and REPs, it requires no Front End, which
 will make its setting up for the beginner much easier.

        Before we move on to the next group of programs, we need to learn
 about a Unix program that you will have to use. UUCP stands for Unix to
 Unix Copy Program. UUCP was an early Unix program used to transfer files
 between Unix machines. Unfortunately, many ISP's these days have no idea
 what UUCP is (they run under WIN NT) or if they do, have no desire to
 set it up (it takes time on their part) But if you do find a local provider
 that will offer you an account, grab it. You should pay no more than $25
 a month for this service, with $15 being more the norm.

        For your side of a UUCP connection, the best program you will find
 is FXUUCICO. This is a very simple program that has a basic scripting
 language that will allow you to dial into your ISP, logon to your account
 then transfer your mail using the UUCP Protocols. It is my understanding
 that FXUUCICO is no longer supported by its author, and if true, this
 means it is defacto "free" (I did hear a rumor that the authors released
 the last version to the public domain, but I've not been able to confirm
 it)

        Now we know about UUCP, lets look at several programs that will
 use it to transfer your mail and newsgroups.

        GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out) has long been the standard program
 for adding Email and newsgroups to BBS's. GIGO, in a nutshell, is a
 translater for your mail. It translates your FIDO Style Packets, into
 a format that can be read by a Unix machine. (and vice versa) To use
 GIGO, you will need several other utilities to integrate everything
 into your board. A front end, a Tosser (TriToss, GECHO...) TriDog (to
 toss the messages), and a program to search your NetMail for messages
 addressed to your UUCP account (I use MailScan, an old GIGO utility,
 but Net Manager will offer you more flexibility)

        I don't want to get into the whole setup, but to help anyone out
 setting up GIGO, I'll give the "flow" of the setup.

        Run TRIDOG to export email from your board
        Run TRITOSS to create a .pkt for GIGO to read
        Run GATEWAY (GIGO's program) to translate the .pkt
        Run FXUUCICO to upload/download the mail
        Run GATEWAY again to pack the new mail into a FIDO .pkt
        Run TRITOSS to unpack the .pkt
        and finally, run TRIDOG to import them into the BBS

        The author of GIGO is Jason Fesler, and the registration cost is
 $20. I can tell you personally that Jason gives great service. I sent my
 registration while they were having the flooding problems out in CA where
 he lives. Although he could not get to his mail box (Flooding between his
 house and the road) He went ahead and gave me my registration number
 before he actually got the money. This, is great service, and its nice
 to still see trust in action.

        Next on the UUCP front is Watergate. Truthfully, I've not used it,
 so I can't be of much help. But I have read through the docs, and looked
 at the way it works and it is very much like GIGO in what it does, just
 not how it does it. Watergate has much better documents, and does not have
 the multiple confusing config files that frustrate so many GIGO users. In
 fact, I know of at least one sysop who was trying to set up GIGO, and
 Jason himself recommended that he give Watergate a try. (another sign of
 a great programer, knowing that another program may be better for a
 particular users needs)

        Anyway, from what I understand, you will need the same third party
 programs that you will with GIGO, as the program works in much the same
 fashion. If GIGO confuses you on your first look, you may just want to get
 ahold of Watergate and give it a look.

        Watergate is written by Waterline Software Development and they
 have a web page at www.mindport.net/~szarka/brazerko/watergate.html.
 Registration is US $30.


        A new Gateway program that has come on the market may be the
 easiest one to set up yet. Its called IGate (it is version one, so it
 may have bugs) IGate has most, if not all, the same features as GIGO, and
 Watergate, but has a very simple, 5 minute set up (well, it may take longer
 to ensure you have the correct answers to the questions it ask)

        Instead of configuring multiple .cfg files like GIGO, IGate has
 a menu driven setup, and as I said, appears to be very simple. Registration
 is $25 (hey, the same as GIGO) and this may the the next generation in
 FIDO style gateways for BBS's.


        KA9Q (sometimes referred to as FNOS) is a program that is changing
 the way many folks get their FIDO mail. KA9Q allows you to log onto your
 ppp account, and FTP to another site, download and upload your mail, and
 then log off. It works under DOS, which makes it much easier for those
 of us running DOS based BBS's (like TriBBS)

        The difference with KA9Q is that is does allow PPP while under
 DOS. The potential of this should be obvious. No more UUCP. While most
 sysops are using KA9Q to get FIDO and other Networks, I understand that
 some are now using it for other purposes. Since it uses simple scripts,
 I would imagine you could do just about anything you could under a
 telnet session, and then some. It uses simple Unix commands, and I
 would assume you could use it to download mail or newsgroups, as well
 as other things, if you know Unix, and know the commands. I would love
 to hear from anyone that is doing more than just FIDO mail with it.

        Because of the nature of the program, and the fact it is freeware,
 there are several different flavors. Many programers have "tweaked" it for
 special needs, or for special networks. I would suggest if you are going
 to use it to get FTPMail, that you ask your mail provider to send you
 a copy with a script for their side of the logon to you (you will still
 need to create a script to log onto your local ISP. It is not hard, but
 it can take a little time to get the waits correct)

        TranSx is a fairly new commer to the world of Email and offers
 some options that may make it easier for some sysops to send Email to
 the net. But, there are some limitations that I just don't like. TranSx
 is by the same author as IGate.

        TranSx is a Fidonet mail tosser that uses Internet email as the
 transfer medium. It looks through your Netmail directory for mail
 destined to sites you have setup. It then encodes the mail, and any
 file attachments, and sends them via Email. It can be used via a UUCP
 account, or using a free companion program, using a DOS PPP setup. The
 downside (big downside in my personal opinion) is that the distant
 user, who gets your mail, must also use TranSx to Decode the mail. This
 means, in the long run, that the author gets at least 2 registrations
 when folks decide to use it.

        TranSx registration is $25, and I would like to hear from anyone
 who is using it to find out just how simple it really is (The Docs make
 it sound VERY simple)

        So far we've covered programs that handle basically just Email
 and Usenet. These programs are further divided between WIN95 and DOS
 applications. The next couple programs we will take short look at
 handle more than just mail and newsgroups. They will, with a little
 work, automate FTP sessions and to some degree, Web cruising.

        Net Tamer is the first of these programs. I'll preface this is
 saying I've not yet set this program up, but I believe that John Johnson
 is using it to get WME Mail from me. This is a DOS based PPP program that
 uses scripts to do many things on the Net. This include Email, Usenet,
 FTP, Telnet and Web Browsing.

        Just a short look through the documents makes it appear to be a
 fairly easy program to set up and get running. If you've ever used a
 regular comm program, then you should be able to set this up. Most
 people will be able to use the included logon scripts with just minor
 changes.

        Net Tamer seems to have several uses for the BBS sysop. Besides
 the normal Email and Usenet, the ability to automatically download FTP
 files, at night, while your asleep should open your eyes.

        I won't go into depth on this program, as I'm not presently using
 it. The registration is $35, and prior to registration, it is really not
 crippled in a way that effects its use.

        AutoNet is an outstanding program for the File Hound. It is a DOS
 based (I understand there are WIN3.1 and WIN95 versions) ppp program that
 can be fully automated to grab files for you. In a nut shell, you can
 do it in one of two ways. You can log on yourself, and get a list of
 all the files on a FTP Site, then use the file manager included and tag
 those files for later retrieval. Or, you can set it to automatically download
 X number of the latest files (and other options) This enables you to list
 the files you want, and the actually log back onto the site, late at
 night when no one is on your board, and download the files you wish. I'm
 sure you see the advantage of this !!

        Registration is $35 + $5 Shipping and handling (why, I have no
 idea) From reading the documents, there are several features that would
 make it a little hard to completely automate things unless you are registered.
 Probably the most important feature is that unregistered, the program does
 not delete the files from your Internet Home directory (it uses a DOS
 Shell from my understanding) Since many ISP's charge for storage, this
 could be expensive if you download allot of files. But, even with this
 feature left out, Autonet deserves a look from sysops looking to grab
 new files, without spending all the time online (when you could be out
 fishing like me <G>)

        This is not a complete list, and I doubt I could ever come up
 with one. These are just a few of the programs I've found while looking
 for a way to use the web to my advantage.

        If your truly interested in using the Net to improve your BBS, or
 you just want to find out ways to use the net under DOS, I can recommend
 a few places to look. FIDO has a great conferences called appropriately
 DOS_INTERNET. And there is a great DOS Internet FTP site at





