by Phil Young WHAT ARE BULLETIN BOARDS? One of the biggest steps made by many computer users is the purchase and use of a modem. A modem lets you get involved with computing on a global scale. The User Group is justifiably proud of the three excellent Bulletin Boards it provides for members. Bulletin Boards enable members to access the most up-to-date software and information from facilities around the globe, at no cost to the member apart from the cost of a local phone call (or Long Distance charges if applicable). This is all available from the comfort of one's own home. You might ask: "What is a Bulletin Board?" A Bulletin Board Service (BBS) is a computer which contains large quantities of Public Domain and Shareware software, together with Message areas for electronic mail. The Bulletin Board computer is connected to the public phone lines via BBS software and a modem. A BBS can then be called by any computer user who has a modem, communications software and a telephone line. A call to a BBS costs the same as an ordinary phone call, plus any STD or ISD charges if applicable for long distance. A call to a BBS is an extraordinarily cheap method for users to gain non- commercial software, and to receive and send electronic mail. The first call to a BBS causes a little anxiety for some, though it really is quite exciting and need not be stressful if you are organised in advance and read the messages put on the screen by the BBS to guide you. In your first session you'll be led by the BBS through various registration steps; just follow the directions and answer the simple questions. This guide is intended for use by members who are new to using modems and who want to start using Bulletin Boards. It will cover most of the requirements for beginners. HARDWARE & SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Just about any PC equipped with a serial pert, serial cable and modem, (either external or internal modem) is capable of connecting with a Bulletin Board. You can connect with the Sydney PC Users Group BBS's at speeds from 300 bps up to 14,400 bps, depending on the speed and compatibility of your own modem. The choice of modem is a difficult one, the main principle being "the faster the better", but faster modems will cost more. V22bis 2400 bps moderns are now considered slow and barely adequate, whilst V32bis 14,400 bps modems are the current item. It is recommended that a popular brand is bought. Ensure that any brand is Austel approved. The Group offers modems for monthly hire to members, complete with all hardware, software, primed manuals, and a range of "cheat notes" for beginners. Users with very high speed modems find that a 16550 Uart chip on their serial card helps, especially if using a multi-tasker or you have a slower computer. If not sure if you have a 16550 Uart, either use the programme MSD.exe that comes with both MS-DOS V6 and Windows v3.1, or use the programme IS16550.exe which is available from the IBM BBS, or if necessary you can check the markings on the chips on your serial card. The choice of communications software is as wide as any other area of computing. Some modems come with software or you can approach the User Group Shareware Librarian for the Communications Disk containing a number of communications programmes, utilities and text files. The popular communications programs are Telix, Telemate, Procomm and Qmodem for DOS users. Generally speaking, comms is better done in DOS rather than Windows at this stage. Setting up these communications programs to run properly and configuring your modem is not a simple task so it is best to seek advice and assistance when first starting out. The best way to get started in BBSing is to ask a knowledgeable friend to help set up a communications program on your computer. The PC Users Group has a Communications Special Interest Group that will be able to offer advice and demonstrate different aspects of BBSing. You would be well advised to go along to a few meetings if you intend getting involved with BBS's. Check the SIG listings in Printscreen for more information. Bullel Group Compaq BBS Leading Campbelltown BBS For files, and lots of them. For files & messages Sysop: John Clarke Sysop: Tony Mifsud Line 1: (02) 724-6813 Line 1: (02) 540-1842 Line 1: (046) 28-3722 Lines 2-8: (02) 724-6711 Lines 2-4: (02~ 540-5596 A local call from Liverpool, FidoNet: 3:713/730 FidoNet: 32712/505 Fairfield, Miller, AdaNet: 94:8610/8 Engadine, Holsworthy etc All lines on the User Group BBSs use Netcomm E7 or M7F modems and accept up to V32bis or 14,400 bps ~ .... her 1993 I Before you call: My advice to all new BBS users is not to waste time browsing during your first session on a BBS, but that you use it as a session to fill out the new user questionnaire, select a password in the User Group format and complete any other preliminaries necessary to being recognised as a full member. Until you complete these formalities you will only be allowed 15 rains time online per day and you will not have full access to the File & Message facilities. The System Operators (Sysops) are totally helpful people who enjoy what they are doing. Like any mortal they will get a little terse if you have obviously not followed the instructions and you demand that they fix your problem, but they will lift you out of any hole you have dug yourself into. Remember too that the peak times on the BBS's are 7-11 p.m. on weeknights. If you have Telecom EasyCall "Third-Party Waiting" enabled on your phone, turn it off before you call a BBS, using #43# to turn it off, and *43# to restore it. It is recommended to remove any telephone handsets from the same Teleeom line while using the modem, especially if an early model Telecom T200 handset. Bulletin Board Passwords: The User Group BBS's require specially formatted User Passwords in order to ensure that only financial members of the User Group have full access to the Group's BBS's. The biggest single problem encountered by new users of the User Group's BBS's is that of using the correct password, or in making changes to it. All our BBS's check your name and address to establish that you are a member. It looks for your details held in the membership database and checks that your password starts with your First Initial, the first 2 numbers in your address label, and an equals "=" sign. See "Password Format Details" below. if your password is not in the correct format, or your name differs even slightly from the one held by the Membership Officer, no amount of begging or pleading with the Sysops will get you recognised. It may be caused by your failure to use the format, or you may have a different name or address information in your password to that in the membership database. Good examples of most common errors are: "Robert" in the database, and "Bob" in your password; or a P.O. Box in the membership database and a street address in your password. Check that the information on your Printscreen mailing label is correct; if not, advise the Membership Officer. You may change your password from the Change option at the Main Menu of the BBS at any time, ensuring that you retain the User Group Password format. Password Format Details: Your password must be based on the information you previously supplied for the membership database for your Printscreen mailing label. The checks are rigorous to ensure that only financial members benefit from full access. 1. The password must be at least 8 characters long (max. 14). 2. The 1st character of your password is the first character of year tirst (i.e. Christian) name on your Printscreen label. 3. The 2nd & 3rd characters of your password should be the first and second numbers found in the first line of your mailing address. fithere is only one number in the first address line of your mailing address it is repeated as the 3rd character. ff there are no digits in the first line of the mailing address the User Group uses for you, or ff you have no mailing address registered with the Sydney PC Users Group, the "0" (zero) is used for these characters. 4. The 4th character of your password is the equals character "=". In the following examples xxxx represents the rest of your password. Do not use xxxx. Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 John Smith John Smith John Smith John Smith John Smith 123 Kelly St 6 Kelly St PO Box 35 1st Floor The Works Sydney 2000 Sydney 2000 Sydney 2000 6 Kelly St Sydney 2000 Sydney 2000 Your Password will be: J12=xxxx J66=xxxx J35=xxxx Jl l=xxxx J00=xxxx Notes: 1. Your password is compared with the address information in your current MAILING address used by the User Group to mail your copy of Printscreen. It is not the address you used when you completed the registration on the BBS. 2. User Group Members must still answer the questionnaire on the BBS - option "A" at the Bulletin Menu. The upgrade program only works once you have been given access privileges by the Sysop, and you only get access privileges by answering the questionnaire. ~" 3. The detection of User Group Members is based on the last set of membership records received from the Membership Officer. The processing of Users' privileges is nm as part of the automated BBS maintenance at 3:00 a.m. The BBS's normally receive at least two new lists each week from the Membership Officer, so new members may have to wait a few days to be recognised as Financial Members on the BBS. Please note: There is no way of upgrading the access privileges for a new member until the name appears in the financial membership list. Before you call: My advice to all new BBS users is not to waste time browsing during your first session on a BBS, but that you use it as a session to fill out the new user questionnaire, ~elect a password in the User Group format and complete any other preliminaries necessary to being recognised as a full member. Until you complete these formalities you will only be allowed 15 rains time online per day and you will not have full access to the File & Message facilities. The System Operators (SysOps) are totally helprid people who enjoy what they are doing. Like any mortal they will get a little terse if you have obviously not followed the instructions and you demand that they fix your problem, but they will lift you out of any hole you have dug yourseff into. Remember too that the peak times on the BBS's are 7-11 p.m. on weeknights. ffyou have Telecom EasyCall "Third-Party Waiting" enabled on your phone, turn it off before you call a BBS, using ~43# to turn it off, and *43# to restore it. It is recommended to remove any telephone handsets from the same Telecom line while using the modem, especially if an early model Telecom T200 handset. Bulletin Board Passwords: The User Group BBS's require specially formatted User Passwords in order to ensure that only financial members of the User Group have full access to the Group's BBS's. The biggest single problem encountered by new users of the User Group's BBS's is that of using the correct password, or in making changes to it. All our BBS's check your name and address to establish that you are a member. It looks for your details held in the membership database and checks that your password starts with your First Initial, the first 2 numbers in your address label, and an equals "=" sign. See "Password Format Details" below. If your password is not in the correct format, or your name differs even slightly from the one held by the Membership Officer, no amount of begging or pleading with the Sysops will get you recognised. It may be caused by your failure to use the format, or you may have a different name or address information in your password to that in the membership database. Good examples of most common errors are: "Robert" in the database, and "Bob" in your password; or a P.O. Box in the membership database and a street address in your password. Check that the information on your Printscreen mailing label is correct; if not, advise the Membership Officer. You may change your password from the Change option at the Main Menu of the BBS at any time, ensuring that you retain the User Group Password format. Password Format Details: Your password must be based on the information you previously supplied for the membership database for your Printscreen mailing label. The checks are rigorous to ensure that only financial members benefit from full access. 1. The password must be at least 8 characters long (max. 14). 2. The 1st character of your password is the first character of your first (i.e. Christian) name on your Printscreen label. 3. The 2rid & 3rd characters of your password should be the first and second numbers found in the first line of your mailing address. If there is only one number in the first address line of your mailing address it is repeatod as the 3rd character. If there are no digits in the first line of the mailing address the User Group uses for you, or if you have no mailing address registered with the Sydney PC Users Group, the "0" (zero) is used for these characters. 4. The 4th character of your password is the equals character "=". In the following examples xxxx represents the rest of your password. Do not use xxxx. Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 Example 5 John Smith John Smith John Smith John Smith John Smith 123 Kelly St 6 Kelly St PO Box 35 1st Floor The Works Sydney 2000 Sydney 2000 Sydney 2000 6 Kelly St Sydney 2000 Sydney 2000 Your Password will be: J12=xxxx J66=xxxx J35=xxtx Jll=xxxx J00=-xxxx Notes: 1. Your password is compared with the address information in your current MAILING address used by the User Group to mail your copy of Priutsereen. It is not the address you used when you completed the registration on the BBS. 2. User Group Members must still answer the questionnaire on the BBS - option "A" at the Bulletin Menu. The upgrade program only works once you have been given access privileges by the Sysop, and you only get access privileges by answering the questionnaire. "' 3. The detection of User Group Members is based on the last set of membership records received from the Membership Officer. The processing of Users' privileges is nm as part of the automated BBS maintenance at 3:00 a.m. The BBS's normally receive at least two new lists each week from the Membership Officer, so new members may have to wait a few days to be recognised as Financial Members on the BBS. Please note: There is no way of upgrading the access privileges for a new member until the name appears in the financial membership list. Your first call to a BBS: You should be prepared before you make your first call to a BBS. The limited time available means that you have a number of formalities to complete in a brief ime; about 15 minutes on a User Group BBS. The BBS will ask you a series of questions on your first call. Your responses will be used by the BBS to open a User Account, to set the BBS to suit the type of terminal arrangement that you are using at your end. Note that all information you give in response to the questions asked here remain confidential, for use by the Sysop to confirm whether you should be given a higher level of access. The following are the questions you will be asked on any of the BBS's of the Sydney PC Users Group, together with some comments in italics. What is your name: Enter your First Name and Last Name. You should normally enter only two names. l/the BBS responds by asking for a password, this means that either you are already registered on this BBS, or there is another person with your name registered on the BBS. In this latter case, THIS logan will fail because you won't know the password used by the other person. Call back and use your middle name as well. Please enter your city and state/province: Enter your "Suburb, State ". This infbrmation will be visible to other users if they list Today's Callers, so don't put your phone number here. Please enter your phone number [(xxx) yyy-zzzz]: Enter your HOME voice contact number - If the Sysop sees that you have a problem he will call you on this number. Now, you must choose your password. Please enter the password you wish to use: .... It is recommended that you enter a Password using the Users Group Password Format as described above. I/fin doubt about the correct Password format to use, use a temporary password and change your Password on your next ca~ to the BBS. Please re-enter your password for verification: .... Re-enter your Password as confirmation. Please remember this Password. Write it down now, please. Warning: You will have problems t/you forget iL The best method is to store your password in your communications programme and use a script for fast logons to BBS's. You'll never lose your password this way. Does your system support ANSI screen controls [Y,n,?=help]? The BBS can send either plain monochrome text OR Ansi colour & position sequences. Press i/your PC is set up for Ansi graphics, or else "N". Do not select Ansi graphics i/your terminal can't handle it or you get a jumble of unreadable Ansi sequences on the screen. It is preferable if you can use Ansi. Ansi requires the loading of the ANSI. SYS device driver in your con~g. sys file, such as DEVICE=C:tDOSLdNSI. SYS If in doubt about your ANSI compatibility, select ~ ? ~ at this option and an on-screen example will test your ANSI compatibility. Use the MaxEd full-screen editor [y,N,?=help]? I/you can handle Ansi graphics then it is preferable to choose thefull-screen editor, by pressing "Y', if not then 'N". I/you answer N, you will only be able to enter messages artline by means of a "Line Editor". (Remember Edlln?) Most modern PCs are setup to handle Ansi. A full-screen editor looks like a small word-processor on the screen. Use IBM-PC characters [Y,n,?=help]? The BBS can send IBM-specific graphics characters to your terminal, which allows the BBS to display boxes, foreign characters, and shading. If your terminal supports IBM-PC characters, then you should answer Yes. Use 'hotkeys' [Y,n,?=help]? The BBS has two options when you select an option. You enter either a letter for the option you want and press , or just press the letter and have the BBS supply the for you. Hot-keys allow you to just press the letter. It is faster, but can cause problems for those susceptible to line noise, and Hotkeys give beginners no chance to change their mind. It is probably better for beginners to select 'fq" for now, and try Hotkeys later. "Did you enter all the above information correctly tYIn]?" Press if/correct, 'N' if not. I/you enter N you wiU be asked which entry was incorrect, and you will be asked that question again. You will now be asked if you want to answer the Questionnaire at option A at the next Menu. All financial members should answer the Questionnaire. You will be asked the following questions: ú What is your Address (Number and Street)? ú What is your Suburb & State? ú What is the Postcode? ú Daytime Phone Number? ú Evening Phone Number? ú Are you a Sydney PC Users Group Member? You can change your settings for the BBS at any time - select Option "C" at the Main Menu and then follow the prompts. For obvious reasons your password is not displayed but it can still be changed if you wish to, so long as you retain the User Group Password format. For further information on the options described above, there is a file on the IBM BBS in File Area #1 called BEGINNER. TXT - this file will explain a number of mysteries such as file naming conventions, archivers, modems and communications terms, setting up Tells for automated logons etc. Alternatively, that file is being' published and will be available at the Camms SIG meetings.