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Post by Space Centurion on Oct 1, 2010 2:02:39 GMT -5
Hi all, just a few basic bbs questions for any sysops out there....is having a BBS worth the time and equipment these days? I have been playing around with the idea of starting up a bbs for a while now, but just wondering if it is worth the time, and more importantly, the equipment. I'd hate to keep an 8050 online for 2 users a month... :-)
Speaking of storage....has anyone tried Jim Brain's UIEC/SD device for bbs use? How fast is it compared to a 1541/81? Can it be set up with multiple luns or drive #'s. For the price, it would be nice to have a few gigs online!
And one final one.....Image or DMBBS? Both seem to be quite nice. I have been playing around with image, but can't get the modem configs to work yet...all well!
Thanks for your time....
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Post by Leif Bloomquist on Oct 1, 2010 11:59:23 GMT -5
I was getting 10-20 calls a day at my Telnet BBS's heyday a couple of years ago. Think of it as a fishtank, set it up for fun and occasionally you'll see something interesting.
I have heard of people using the uIEC for their BBS, but it naturally depends on the BBS software itself.
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Post by Pinacolada on Oct 2, 2010 0:03:22 GMT -5
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Post by Space Centurion on Oct 4, 2010 14:19:39 GMT -5
Hi, thanks for the replies....with the way things are going these days (just busy), I am just going to take my time and build something kinda cool, more of a hobby pleasure than any thing else.
I have been playing with Image for a bit, and overall I really do enjoy it. It has a feel of the Darkstar BBS's (which hold a very special place in my heart...would love to get a Darkstar 88 BBS online!), but offers a bit more for the average user these days.
And, with thanks to people like Ryan, Image does have a good support base.
So....now I just need to find time and do some work on it. Ahhh...time....
Thanks again....
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Post by mhoney on Oct 8, 2010 14:59:45 GMT -5
Hopefully you'll decide to put up a BBS. Sure would enjoy seeing another one to add to my calling list.
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Post by Space Centurion on Oct 9, 2010 9:47:47 GMT -5
Hi all, well..been playing around with some things (Image and Col64v7.37), and have managed to get Image running relatively OK at 1200 baud. Can't get anything higher going, and I have tried both BBS-SERVER (Leif's) and Jim's TCPSER. So, for now it will be 1200. Better than 300 baud (ohh..the memories and the horror).
So, now all I have to do is fine tune the bbs (SEQS, drive assignments, dirs, subs, etc)...also have to make a final choice of a bbs name....lol....but at least we are getting there!
The other HUGE problem right now is that we are expecting the birth of our son Nov 4th, and although my gf has been pretty cool with me having "commodore time", I am getting the evil eye to get some other things done...like build the crib...OOPPPSS.... :-)
I'll keep you posted as things progress...
Michael
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Post by Pinacolada on Oct 9, 2010 14:05:24 GMT -5
There are several things to consider when using a telnet bridge with Image:
1) Choice of RS232 and modem handler file based on the Commodore modem interface
The updated Image 1.2b disk image has two variants of +.modem: +.modem/etc and +.modem/tcpser. If you have a user port modem or interface, rename +.modem/user to +.modem. If you have an expansion port based high-speed RS232 interface such as the SwiftLink or Turbo232, rename +.modem/tcpser to +.modem.
Note that both of these files depend on configuring response codes later in the BBS setup process. Also in the future I'd like to rewrite the config program to automate these processes.
Similarly, depending on the interface type you have, rename ml.rs232/user or ml.rs232/19.2 to ml.rs232.
2) Run modemconfig/19.2 from BASIC and select your modem type (most likely 16, custom). There's more information available in the Google doc about what each prompt means.
3) I'm more familiar with tcpser, so I included a configuration of tcpser wich works with my Turbo232 interface. I'll have to defer questions about other TCP bridge programs to more knowledgable folks.
4) Log in locally and run +.e.modrc
This is the setup file which writes the response code behavior the configurable modem init string functionality requires. I'd like to take Rascal's docs and put them into the manual section concerning this feature. For now, you should select "100% Hayes Compatible." Re-write the e.modrc file and quit.
I'll be uploading an updated disk image to my web site later today:
<http://cbbsoutpost.servebbs.com/dragonseye/flashterm/>
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Post by Space Centurion on Oct 13, 2010 12:23:06 GMT -5
Hi Ryan...thanks for the replies as always. I've been trying to log into your bbs, but I can not get through, is it up and running ok?
As for mine....I don't have those specific +modem files you mentioned. I did try the rest of it though (e.modrc), but I guess without those mod files I am still just at 1200 (which I am actually ok with).
FYI, I am using an omnitronix rs-232 interface, and I have hacked the db25 end off and changed it to a db9 with the new telnet cross-over null modem configuration. If I can get to 2400, I'd be happy with that.
I do have one other question for you....The manual states that fast load carts are not advised, do you know if using a supersnapshot cart has any long term problems (ie, rel files or file xfer, etc)...
I am at the point now of setting up all the drives, and if I can get away with a fastloader, then I'll keep some 1581's for the bbs files. If not, then I'll use some IEEE drives....
Well..thats it for now......back to SEQ creations..... :-)
Michael
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Post by Pinacolada on Oct 30, 2010 17:14:30 GMT -5
> Hi Ryan...thanks for the replies as always. I've been trying to log > into your bbs, but I can not get through, is it up and running ok? No, it's down. The CMD hard drive has some random spinning down issues. I hope it's just the 1581 power supply dying. > As for mine....I don't have those specific +modem files you > mentioned. I think I forgot to include them on the latest disk image. And I never did get around to uploading the latest disk image. I'll do that shortly. > I did try the rest of it though (e.modrc), but I guess without those > mod files I am still just at 1200 (which I am actually ok with). Yeah, 1200 BPS isn't bad. Makes reading posts easier.  > FYI, I am using an omnitronix rs-232 interface, and I have hacked the > db25 end off and changed it to a db9 with the new telnet cross-over > null modem configuration. If I can get to 2400, I'd be happy with > that. I assume that's a user-port interface since you later mention wanting to use a Super Snapshot? I haven't any experience with either. > I am at the point now of setting up all the drives, and if I can get > away with a fastloader, then I'll keep some 1581's for the bbs files. > If not, then I'll use some IEEE drives.... I honestly don't recommend any fastloaders be used, but if you want to be a guinea pig and try, it'd make a nice addition to the manual for testing purposes. Just be sure not to use it on a system with important files you want to keep -- or have backups -- just to be safe. This is something I've neglected myself, since it's so cumbersome. We'll see if I pay for it in the end. Probably. Updated disk image here: cbbsoutpost.servebbs.com/dragonseye/projects/IMAGE12B.D81 |
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Post by robertb on Oct 31, 2010 5:20:11 GMT -5
The CMD hard drive has some random spinning down issues. I hope it's just the 1581 power supply dying. Ryan, if you are using a 1581 power supply on the CMD HD, then you are seriously underpowering it. The HD needs a minimum of 2.2 amps at 5 volts, something that the 1581 p.s. cannot provide. If you get a heavier duty p.s. for the HD, that may cure your random problems. Back from a concert, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group videocam.net.au/fcugThe Other Group of Amigoids www.calweb.com/~rabel1/Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network www.sccaners.org |
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Post by Pinacolada on Nov 1, 2010 20:42:51 GMT -5
Robert: Oh, I see. My roommate made me an adapter which, if I recall correctly, hooked an ATX power supply 4-pin connector to the Commodore power connector used on the CMD HD. I wish I knew where that went and how he made it. Worked great. Several moves later I seem to have misplaced it. Thanks for that info, and I PMed you about another project of mine. |
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Post by Cyberjank on Nov 24, 2010 14:23:10 GMT -5
Robert: Oh, I see. My roommate made me an adapter which, if I recall correctly, hooked an ATX power supply 4-pin connector to the Commodore power connector used on the CMD HD. I wish I knew where that went and how he made it. Worked great. Several moves later I seem to have misplaced it. Thanks for that info, and I PMed you about another project of mine. You can also hook up your PC power supply to just the SCSI drive and the 1581 PS to the CMD unit. The CMD internals work fine on a 1581 PS, the problem is that the SCSI Disk sucks too much power. But yeah, Mine's rigged that way, only because I've not gotten around to wiring it up like your room mate has. It's been like this for a good 4 years now, lol. Maybe some day.... |
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Post by Cyberjank on Nov 24, 2010 14:30:08 GMT -5
Hi all, just a few basic bbs questions for any sysops out there....is having a BBS worth the time and equipment these days? I have been playing around with the idea of starting up a bbs for a while now, but just wondering if it is worth the time, and more importantly, the equipment. I'd hate to keep an 8050 online for 2 users a month... :-) Speaking of storage....has anyone tried Jim Brain's UIEC/SD device for bbs use? How fast is it compared to a 1541/81? Can it be set up with multiple luns or drive #'s. For the price, it would be nice to have a few gigs online! And one final one.....Image or DMBBS? Both seem to be quite nice. I have been playing around with image, but can't get the modem configs to work yet...all well! Thanks for your time.... The number one thing I can say is DONT GET FRUSTRATED. People are either going to call or they or not. If you do it for your pleasure and nobody calls then it's still a win. If you do it for pleasure and people actually call, then it's icing on the cake. Also longevity and reliability are IMHO extremely important. If you're up and then down, offline sometimes and unreliable, it's going to take a very long time for people to bother calling. As far as storage goes? It does depend on software but I would have to say that uIEC is a poor performer when it comes to BBS software. At least the stuff I'm accustomed to. There is a lot of talent out there and I'm sure someone can make the uIEC work for just about anything. As for me, I'm just not that talented. I also agree with Leif on the Fishbowl comparison. Good luck and please do let us know how you make out! |
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Post by Pinacolada on Nov 25, 2010 2:00:40 GMT -5
You can also hook up your PC power supply to just the SCSI drive and the 1581 PS to the CMD unit. The CMD internals work fine on a 1581 PS, the problem is that the SCSI Disk sucks too much power. But yeah, Mine's rigged that way, only because I've not gotten around to wiring it up like your room mate has. It's been like this for a good 4 years now, lol. Maybe some day.... That's good to know, CJ. Thanks for the info! I wonder if we could find a PSU that's the proper voltage and hack on the CMD PSU connectors required. |
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