Subj : RE: Getting new users
To   : Nightfox
From : Geri Atricks
Date : Mon Oct 10 2022 17:39:48

 Ni> Regarding this, one thing I keep thinking about is that BBSes like the
 Ni> ones we run are a retro tchnology as far as their interface, and many of
 Ni> us sysops run BBSes for nostalgia, to preserve these systems of ours
 Ni> with the text interface, ANSI art, and way of interacting with the BBS.
 Ni> As more modern features (such as a mobile app, web interface, etc.) are
 Ni> added to our BBSes, it feels like we're re-creating what has already
 Ni> been done since the internet became popular.  I feel like the text
 Ni> interface, ANSI & ANSI artwork, etc. is a defining feature of the BBSes
 Ni> we run, and that's why we run them.

^^^^^ THIS RIGHT HERE ^^^^^

 Ni> Also, what would you a mobile app to do with a BBS?  Do you imagine a
 Ni> mobile app that allows users to read & post messages, upload & download
 Ni> files, etc?  Or would it be something more basic like a telnet app? 
 Ni> Mobile telnet apps do exist.  And if you make a mobile app for reading &
 Ni> posting messages & accessing the files, etc., then you'd still probably
 Ni> want it to have some way to allow users to play the door games. 
 Ni> Switching into a text mode would be good, at least, and RIP support
 Ni> would be interesting too.

As for this ^^^ maybe a good mobile app QWK reader would be the best way to go if you're just wanting to give your users access to your message bases and echoes while on the go.

But I have yet to find a mobile app that can deliver the proper BBS experience for 2 reason: 

1 - they can't display ANSI to save their code.

2 - About the only way to use a mobile app is with an external keyboard as the on-screen keyboards take up way to much of the screen realestate.

As for bringing in new users, I'd suggest making some fliers and business cards that you can take around to your local computer stores and see if they will let you either post a flyer somewhere or leave a small stack of the cards or fliers. 

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/09/29 (Windows/64)
 * Origin: Legends of Yesteryear (furmenservices.net:23322) (21:4/102)

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