On-Line #13 03 декабря 1995

ZXNet

User - Night thoughts on the BBS.

            USER PAGE


           NIGHT REFLECTIONS ON BBS
            by Hallowe'en Research


   That's already one and a half weeks since I joined the ranks 
of users all available to me BBS, and, moreover, thanks to BBS, 
since it is only when using files downloaded from STS BBS in 
early October, I was able to connect the modem to GRM2 +. 
During these ten days I have thought about many things, and by 
these their nocturnal reflections on the BBS, and I wanted to, 
to share with you. 

                *


   I am a thousand times agree with STS'om that in one of his
messages enthusiastically exclaimed that the modem takes the 
good old ZX-Spectrum in a whole new level. Of course, we can 
expand the memory up to 512 K, connected Covox, videoskaner 
etc. and currently sit quietly, peacefully in front of the 
screen, filling another masterpiece, whether new MEGADEMO, or 
text editor. And then either quietly enjoy his creation, or to 
rewrite it your friends - let too enjoy, biting his elbows in 
thought "how-could do better?", or try to fly "Inforkoma" for 
the mass "vnedrezha" program and stay in a state of sweet 
expectations - perhaps, then broke some of the distribution of 
...". 


   Or, in another case. A genius of a soldering iron for a 
couple of weeks invented, assembled, debugged and is connected 
to its 128-th machine disk drive controller card. Then in his 
joy sat down and wrote an article in ZX-Revue, and, together 
with the scheme, has sent a "Inforkom. And for a while, until 
the letter reached the addressee, was reviewed, discussed and 
published, someone else is burned three computers, since also 
tried to solve the problem of connecting the hard drive, but 
went "dyugim way." And so, after month-long delay, long-awaited 
number Revue came out, thereby saving lives fourth Speccy, 
already writhing in agony under the soldering tip. 


   However, die he will have all the same, for the recruitment 
and print the magazine in the scheme of the controller crept 
dozen typos and their correction remains a half-year wait for 
the order number Revue, which will be shown that the nth list 
of bugs or typos, or, at worst, to sacrifice the last computer. 
What remains to do in this case, the hapless user'u as do not 
remember all the bad relatives? 


   It is obvious that the problem of rapid dissemination of new 
information among users of the Spectrum is very serious and 
only those using it more or less mastered, until recently, was 
a radio market. Another thing - BBS. 


   Virtually every new development for ZX, which can be
presented in the form of a file (Figure controller, program, 
etc.) with the advantage of a modem connection, comes to the 
consumer, that is before us with you more "cushy", literally 
next day after its creation. But that's not all, because the 
author always has the opportunity to learn about all of them 
unidentified glitch much earlier than detect them himself, for 
modem connection is bidirectional. Well, what user does not 
want to specify the author its shortcomings? The obvious 
advantage of modem software distribution here is obvious - the 
encoder can always promptly to correct their blunders and 
deficiencies and quickly release new, improved and corrected 
version of their program. As a result, everybody wins - and the 
author, since he even in this the situation has managed to keep 
its brand, and we, because we do not have to spend precious 
time on analysis of program code, revealing its bad areas and 
correcting them. Of course, all this can be done without using 
a modem and BBS, but for how long? By about this well written 
article K. Makarov Correction program error TASM3.0 "(ZX-Revue, 
N 5 - 1995, p.39). 


   But you can do in another way. Make good
DEMO-version of its program to make it a full HELP-file
description of all functions performed by it (even if absent in 
the demo) and send it to all the available BBS with a request 
leave all the wishes, suggestions and comments to the author. 
Somewhere in a month, the author examines all who came to his 
name and correspondence, preparing a fully working version his 
creation, is trying to take into account all the criticisms and 
proposals. Maybe someone does seem too unfair, but in this 
case, we, the users become as it were co-authors of the new 
program. Again, as in the previous example, benefit from it all 
- and the author, who is now reliably knows that his work was 
not in vain and his program will not be erased at the next day, 
and the user that rewrites itself is not "a cat on the track 
"but really what he wanted. That is such a kind of advertising. 
Moreover, the next time user will have to look deliberately at 
the market or on BBS program of this particular author, because 
he knows he does not waste brooms and makes sensible program. 
In this case the experience is the best source of advice, the 
more personal experience. 

                *


   Now go down to earth, where everything is not so rosy
seemed dominant, and the theoretical reflections turn to
for practical, consider the real issues.


   Should immediately agree that the most urgent issues
namely those relating to quality and use of English verbs to 
MGTS, we will not deal with, because no way we can improve this 
very quality of communication and to prove the inapplicability 
of English verbs to MGTS. 


   We begin with users. How they use the BBS? Certainly,
most of them eagerly dials on all available servers in order to 
replenish their collections of toys, looking for systems they 
need, and maybe, just to "ping". And condemn them for it not 
because of their interest in a perfectly healthy, and these are 
the difficulties that they cause in this case sysop - already 
entirely different matter, and to it we turn below. Another 
group of users ob'edinyaet in themselves those who use the BBS, 
as an open platform to express themselves, they say, "That's 
how I can do!". As I have said, the best advertising campaign 
does not come up with. Of course, about any fee for the 
distribution so software out of the question, but there is no 
accident there is the word "SHAREWARE", and even declare itself 
often need as quickly as possible, because that is what later 
would play on your side, and, perhaps, and bring some income. 


   Well, a third group "writers". In a typical representative 
of this clan are combined qualities of members of previous 
groups, but most of the time he wrote and wrote once wrote, on 
business or just like that, asking for help or give advice. It 
uses a BBS as a means of communication and that's fine. It is 
not always, when at 3 am your head comes an amazing idea you 
have the opportunity to share it with someone yet. And then - 
please run the ZX-Word, stuffing all the things you think the 
transition to the C-DOS and ... 


   I'm not talking about how nice to know that not only are you 
the maniac-owl, sitting now in front and scribble text. Someone 
on the other end of town at that time engaged in by the same 
token, moreover, it is possible that the text, to fly from 
under his fingers under the tap keys, addressed specifically to 
you. Let You may not know each other personally. It does not 
matter. Very likely be that after a week of such 
correspondence, you simply need to meet. New friends are always 
good, especially as related to such common interest, like the 
good old Speccy. 


   But, unfortunately, among the writers, however, as to all
others, there are bullies who pump on the BBS kilobytes
away messages and stronger all and sundry. Not only did they 
take the server, but plus to this, they seem to seriously think 
rubber disk and it can upload hundreds of files. But, usually 
drive on the BBS is already full to half, if not more. As a 
result, an ordinary user, after long and fruitless attempts to 
reach the server, and finally to his call, sees a nearly full 
disk, scored a bunch of the most refined of insults. Enjoy 
this, look you, is not enough. 


   Maybe I would be wrong, but still dare to see
when STS ecstatic in his letters from the excess of emotion
goes on profanity, it is perceived as something self-granted - 
well, an emotional man, and he expresses his emotions better 
this way, so that people kind, forgiving him for it. But when 
someone starts a completely Timezone neob'ektivno call their 
caregivers (and in fact Sysops and editors "ON-LINE" and 
others, as they are called Timezone, "Schizophrenics" are 
essentially, if I really do not our bread-winners, then at 
least the breadwinners of our hungry Spectrum) bastards, it's 
never at a loss in any one of the gates in any sideways. Even 
the complete absence of the mat. Well, let's satisfy Timezone 
their pride and arrogance like the message, and result of a hit 
prime user'y, one fine day to reach a server and seeing on the 
screen gentle message complete mismatch password reality 
objectively. It is in the best case. Much worse if the two 
dozen existing servers now will be only two or three, and all 
labor of love created sisopov go to pieces. 


   So, it is easy to see that sisopov problems and difficulties
more than enough - far more than the users. And the shift, even 
some of them on someone else's shoulders is not possible. So do 
not think that the labor of love does not deserve respect. On 
the contrary, it is worth it in the first place and any sysop 
without words can be called "first among equals." 

                *


   And yet be optimistic, we hope that bullies in
Air izzhivut themselves and BBS will be more. With a large 
number of existing BBS will be possible to their specialization 
and here will be along such a path: if you wish and consent 
sisopov having the opportunity to use your computer to a 
server, the maximum amount of time to turn them into BBS 
specialized information banks. Thus the user associated with 
the bank involved in iron gains access to the information on 
this topic. Instead, the disk directory on the screen he will 
see a list of topics, and by selecting him, get the titles of 
articles, charts, etc., are currently on the server. Can 
provide a brief overview of each article to user to quickly 
assess - then, does this mean that he is looking or not. After 
that, he can download the necessary information themselves and 
are already quietly working with her at home and not clog their 
already puhnuschuyu of the world's problems head issues where, 
from whom and what to find. It is useful, to have and the mode 
Search by keyword, in which the user enters the server is ready 
to order. The computer will choose the files and send them. 
Certainly, though, no software can not do such a project and 
its development will take time, however, consider what will 
benefit from implementation of this project!                *



   And finally, I want to ask one more question. Why such a
solid company, as Inforkom "or such publication as
"Spectrofon" totally ignore the existence of our network of BBS?
Not a word, a line I have not found it. Although there is no 
excuse, in N 15 "Spectrofona" was reprinted article OLDMAN'a 
and mentioned Newspaper "ON-LINE". But that is all. But 
"ON-LINE" potentially is a serious competitor and the 
"ZX-Revue", and "Spectrofon'u" as well as a network of BBS is a 
dangerous opponent "Inforkoma" though, would be in Moscow. Why, 
you ask? I will answer that because all the same. This, in 
fact, was my whole article. Having eyes - so will see!          
      * 


   Article I got controversial, largely with me can not agree 
and so I will be glad of any feedback from readers - Whether it 
be criticism, suggestions, comments and suggestions. 


    Sincerely Hallowe'en Research
                          265-6783 (Dima)
                         04-dec-95, 02:37 am