Frequently Asked Questions About Telnet BBS Systems
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Written   7/03
Updated   2/06

Telnet BBS User's FAQ

Q. What is a "Telnet" and what is a "Telnet BBS"? 
A. Telnet is one of may Internet protocols and systems. The World Wide
Web is only one system. Internet E-mail (POP3 and SMTP), Usenet, FTP
(File Transfer Protocol) are other common Internet protocols. Telnet is
a method of "logging" onto a remote computer and interfacing with that
remote computer via a text interface. If you are familiar with the
traditional "dial-up" BBS, this is basically the same thing but using
the Internet instead of dialing a BBS with your modem.

Q. How do I telnet to these Internet accessable BBS systems? 
A. In order to access these Telnet BBS systems - you will need to use a
special kind of software called a "Telnet Client". These are widely
available for users of Windows and OS/2 based operating systems.
Most BBSes use a video standard called ANSI emulation. The following
is a brief list of ANSI telnet software. The one we highly suggest
is mTelnet:

CRT (Windows)
(http://www.vandyke.com/products/crt/index.html)
A great Telnet client - one of the best. Shareware. 

mTelnet (OS/2 & Windows)
(http://ozone.eesc.com)
A great telnet client for Windows & OS/2. Freeware.

NetTerm (Windows)
(http://www.netterm.com)
A great Telnet client - highly suggested. Shareware.

ZOC (OS/2 & Windows)
(http://www.emtec.com)
A great Telnet client from Germany - available in both English and
German versions. Versions available for both Windows & OS/2. Shareware.

Q. Why can't I just use my web browser?

A. Telnet uses a different system than the World Wide Web (HTTP or Hyper
Teletext Protocol). You must use a Telnet Client, as described above.
Once you install a Telnet Client, you may wish to visit our How To Telnet
page (http://www.dmine.com/telnet/howto.htm) to understand the proper
addressing format (its almost like the web, just a little bit different).

Q. Will I be charged to telnet to an Internet accessable BBS system? 
A. Your will *NOT* be charged be accessing a BBS. The vast majority of
BBS systems are absolutely *FREE*. However, there are a very select few
BBS systems that do request payment to access their system. Those that do
charge will inform you when you log onto a BBS that you must send the
System Operator (Sysop) a payment (personal check or credit card).
Each system is different. But it is your option to utilize these systems,
and you won't receive any surprise billings on your Internet bill. (Your
Internet provider doesn't charge you extra for visiting other websites or
sending E-mail. Same goes for BBS systems.)

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Telnet BBS Sysop's FAQ

Q. How do I set up a Telnet BBS?? 
A. If you have never operated a Telnet BBS system before and wish to set
one up, please see our section on Setting Up a Telnet BBS System
(http://www.dmine.com/bbscorner/telnet.htm).

Q. How do I add my Telnet BBS to the Telnet BBS Guide? 
A. Adding (or updating) your Telnet BBS is free of charge and can be done
easily at our Add or Update a Telnet BBS Listing page
(http://www.dmine.com/telnet/addbbs.htm).

Q. Is it possible to operate a BBS on the Web? 
A. The general answer to this question is no. Most BBS systems do not lend
themselves to the web. Hence, you can run a telnet BBS on the Internet,
but it will not have a web-based interface. Some exceptions are Wildcat
Winserver (http://www.santronics.com/) and Worldgroup
(http://www.worldgroupware.com), both of which offer web-based interfaces
in addition to their traditional ANSI interfaces (dial-up and telnet).
For those who run their own web servers on the same computer as their BBS,
there is a Java applet called Java Telnet Client (http://www.mud.de/se/jta)
that provides a telnet interface on a web page. It is slow to load and it
does work, but doesn't allow for file transfers (Zmodem). And for those of
you who like a full web-based interface, Synchronet (http://www.synchro.net)
now has a web-based interface available.

