
Keep the Bulletin Board Systems Alive!!

The following is just a short little tutorial that the author has put 
together if you are interested in calling a BBS, or a Bulletin Board 
Service. Since the birth of the ISP's (Internet Service Providers) the 
bulletin boards have all but died out. If you've never called a BBS 
before, find a number to one, and give it a call. It will open up a 
whole new world for you, and I think you'll be glad you called. 


What exactly is a BBS? 

A BBS is just short for a bulletin board service. A BBS is a place 
where people with a computer and a modem, can come together into one 
place and share files, messages, and ideas. BBS's are also usually FREE. 
Some sysops (short for system operator, that's the guy that runs the BBS)
do charge a small amount for access to their BBS, but probably 1 out of 
every 100. 

How is an ISP different from a BBS? 

Well, there are a couple of ways that an ISP and a BBS are different. 
The first thing, is that a BBS is usually not hooked up to the Internet,
and if it is, it's not the same way that an ISP is. If a BBS offers 
Internet access it is usually all text based, this is for all the services 
that it offers. Another thing that makes them different is that a BBS 
isn't connected with any other computers, it's a stand alone system. The 
only thing that can be shared with other BBS's is messages, which many in 
fact do belong to some type of network where they get messages from hundreds 
of other BBS's. 

What are the good points of calling a BBS? 

Actually, the same thing that makes it look like its not as good as the ISP 
also makes it better than the ISP. Confused? Let me explain. Because a BBS 
usually doesn't offer a lot of the more elaborate services that the ISP's do,
there's not a whole lot of overhead, which bring down the price it costs to 
access a BBS, which is usually FREE. Since the BBS is a stand alone system it
gives you a chance to meet many of the people in your local area. Sure it's 
great to meet that guy from Russia, but wouldn't you also like to meet Dan 
down the street? BBS's are also a good way to get information about your 
computer system from someone locally, who might be able to lead you through 
things over the phone, instead of just constantly messaging back and forth. 

How do I call a BBS? 

Calling a BBS isn't really as hard as you might think. If you are using an 
ISP to read a web page, then you already have a basic knowledge of connecting
to other computer systems via modem. The only thing that you need is a 
different type of software to use your modem. 

This software is called a terminal program and some are available on Web 
Pages for download. These files are in .ZIP format. If you have no idea 
what .ZIP is then you need to download either winzip95.exe or wz16v61.exe 
according to what version of Windows you are running. Then just run the 
winzip application, read the directions, and you'll be going in no time. 

Once you have that done come back and download one of the terminal programs. 
Instructions on how to install the software are included in the .ZIP file. 
Follow all the instructions regarding the installation. Most of it is pretty 
self explanatory, if your not sure of a question that it asks, just use the 
default values. 

Calling the BBS 

Now that you have your communications software configured you can now call 
the BBS. If your not sure of a BBS to call there are several different bbs 
lists out there. Many stores selling computers and your local library have 
free magazines which list local BBS systems. 

BBS's vary, on the inital login, but the first screen should give you plenty 
of information to login. If it asks for your first name, go ahead and put in 
your real first name to start out. If it asks for a user name or an alias 
it's probably best to enter in new. That's all there is to it, each individual 
system that you call from now on will give you the information you need to 
get access to the system. 

This essay was written by: 

CHARLES MURRAY
DOG PATCH USA * CHATTANOOGA TN * 423-867-5971
