On-Line #09 05 ноября 1995

Интернет

E-MAIL - What is BBS? (Continued)

                 E-MAIL



   In addition to networking, most of Western 
telecommunications constitute Bulletin Board System (BBS - 
Bulletin board). Thanks technical simplicity, BBS can arrange 
for everyone who computer and modem. The result is a 
telecommunications the world does not yield networks of 
branching, but less formal and more flexible. 

            WHAT IS BBS



   In telecommunications, there are two poles: the e-mail and 
BBS. 


   Principle of the email - the network formed
computers connected to each other. Each recipient has an 
address that is unique on the network. Message sent to one 
recipient another passes through the chain of computers. 
Recipient can read came to his name correspondence and to send 
their letters. As a means of correspondence, it is more 
convenient than regular mail. 


   Unlike e-mail, BBS - "alone" computer,
care with which the user's responsibility. BBS has
phone number in the telephone network, through which she 
communicates with outside world. Other communication channels 
at the BBS there. Their users that connect to the queue and 
running interactively, it is You can leave a message. Messages 
tend to be be read by all. If e-mail - is analog of the usual 
mail, BBS - Bulletin board analog. 


   Such a separation - not the classification, and two options. 
The development of modern, usually combine features of both 
BBS, and e-mail. For example, batch e- Mail is gradually being 
replaced online. 


   Normal BBS is a computer connected via
modem to the telephone and performs a special program. Thus, 
the user runs the program on a remote computer, almost as his 
own. 


   Scheme of BBS, as described above, the simplest and most 
common. There are more sophisticated schemes for the work 
which, unlike conventional BBS, you have to pay. Such BBS 
contain more of the proposed user fee-based services. For 
example, multi-user system connected directly to multiple 
phones, can allow users to Dialogue in real time, or play 
together in some kind of game. 


   If multiple systems are connected by special high-speed 
communication channels, which turns a network that allows user 
to connect to multiple remote from him information or 
commercial services, after which he can use them without 
leaving home. Here is the popular network in America GEnie. 
Being on connection with it, you can find out the weather 
anywhere in the world, book a hotel room or airline tickets, 
first studying timetable, to make a purchase. All this - 
without leaving behind computer.



   However, GEnie - this is a commercial network. But normal 
amateur BBS does not require user fees. They exist as a hobby 
who want to be in the thick of things or, as the place 
organized with arbitrary Hacker, exchange tricks and tale. By 
the way, so some of them - at night: the day the computer and 
phone are used for normal operation, and at night stay to work 
as a BBS. Rights, which provides job BBS, called system 
operator (sysop). 


   As a rule, BBS suit small businesses to maintain customer 
feedback. As with the BBS can be reached and the toll it 
deystvitelno a great opportunity for contact. 


   Moreover, many BBS connected to the network, called an 
FidoNet. This is an amateur non-profit network. The most 
amazing thing in it that it uses no additional communication 
channels, except phone. Transmission of information occurs 
during the periodic calls to each other. Therefore, FidoNet 
exist without the official sponsors on their own initiative 
(and from his own pocket) system operators. FidoNet was born in 
the late 1993, when a few friends - the system operators began 
to exchange of information between their BBS. FidoNet now 
combines about 10-15 thousands of systems worldwide.



   More information about the work and organization of a 
network FidoNet read the following article. 


   In contrast to the BBS for other systems (where the server 
gives user menu) for BBS ZX-Spectrum You can read an 
information file on this BBS, break connection, look at it. 
Typically, this file is always the first in the directory drive 
"A:" with the name BBS (for example: Alex_BBS.W, MIHA_BBS.W). 
The contents of these files include information about the days 
and times of the BBS, file sharing, etc. 


   This information reduces the time for further contacts with 
this BBS. 


   Typically, the attitude towards newcomers in the BBS 
favorable. Topics at least worth knowing a few simple rules 
that can save time and nerves:



   1. Installing the modem:


   - Mode - TURBO;

   - BREAK LINE - 55 (with a noisy phone line may be the serial 
error to 15 in a row);


   - SLOW SPEED - 2-3 (faster modem will be configured on a 
line speed change cycles: ie, slower, and then again high); 
greater importance will only lead to loss of time when bad 
connection. 

   INSTALL SPEED parameter to work in TURBO mode does not affect
(Only used in TURBO-2).


   2. Always end a relationship by selecting the END, but not 
via BREAK or RESET.



   3. If after the third attempt, you are going to establish 
communication error and can not - call to another BBS or call 
in an hour. This way you will not "cut off" from the BBS for 
other users. Do not be stubborn: did not work today - you will 
get tomorrow! Allow time for others! 


   And do not pull the wire coming from the modem to the 
telephone line. Typically, poor communication after the rain, 
and between separate PBX at all never connect via modem is 
failing. Here will help you transfer files to your friend just 
BBS. 


   4. Most BBS is also a list of files. Convenient to obtain 
such a list and consider it in isolation from the BBS. 


   5. Having acquired some experience, you can expedite the 
work. Having hand printing information files BBS and knowing 
what specific file you need can be used successfully QUICK MODE 
(Note: on some BBS use this mode is not recommended). 


   6. Before the coupling is useful to draw a plan of what you
going to do. Do not take BBS vain. If you can not decide what 
else to do - a sure sign that it's time to disconnect. 


   7. Write down or print the file on the time of the BBS, and
call only during these hours. At other times it is a regular 
phone and You only disturb people.


                       BBS 1641684; 22.45-07.15
                        Aleksey@alex.msk.ru
                    On: The graph (on BBS or
                          in the newspaper ON-LINE)