Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!maverick.ksu.ksu.edu!unlinfo.unl.edu!hoss!greg
From: greg@hoss.unl.edu (Lig Lury Jr.)
Subject: Re: Apple ][ BBS Software
Message-ID: <1991Jun3.060551.25417@unlinfo.unl.edu>
Sender: news@unlinfo.unl.edu
Nntp-Posting-Host: hoss.unl.edu
Organization: GBBS/ACOS Sysop Support
References: <1991Jun2.151552.9445@clark.edu>
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1991 06:05:51 GMT
Lines: 101

apollo@pro-hindugods.cts.com (Amrit Chauhan) writes:
>dvac@druwa.ATT.COM (Dan) writes:
>>apollo@pro-hindugods.cts.com (Amrit Chauhan) writes:

>>>MD-Basic does require an Apple //gs, but ProLine does not.

>>Not clear yet.  Is this to say that you can not modify ProLine at all, unless
>>you have an Apple //gs to run MDBASIC?  This would tend to dictate to me that
>>you need a //gs and MDBASIC to run ProLine.  I have never run a 100% Canned
>>BBS program, I like to have certain things that make my system different from
>>the rest.  
>>
>>SO, the big Q.... Can you modify ProLine without MDBASIC (and a GS)?

As I said, yes, but it is damn difficult.

>Ok...first of all, I don't know how I did it, but I made a small, real SMALL,
>moderation to a ProLine program.  I don't have MD-BASIC, but I think ProLine
>uses it?.  I probably was just using AppleSoft and it is hell to program. 
>That's not what I was trying to say.  If you want to program efficiently,
>then ok, why don't you put the price in for MD-BASIC.

Dan implies that he doesn't have a IIgs.  Therefore, he has a good reason
not for putting the price in for MD-BASIC.  And remember it ads a list
price of $49.95 to the system, even if you do have a IIgs.

>You don't have to buy
>ProLine WITH MD-BASIC...buy ProLine now and in about 4 months, or so, when
>you have some more money, buy yourself a copy of MD-BASIC.

Still, that means a larger investment, when ACOS is already inseperable
from GBBS, and METAL is inseparable from Future Visions.

>Let's go people,
>but really, ProLine is a MUCH better program than GBBS.  If you don't want to
>program ProLine, there are plenty of people on the network that do, and have
>MD-BASIC, and did I ever say this...listen up...:

>        YOU GET ALL THE PROLINE UPDATES OVER THE PHONE LINES, VIA MODEMS, FOR
>ABSOLUTELY NO MONEY EXECPT WHAT THE PHONE CALL COSTS YOU!

You get the same thing, updates, over phone lines, via modems (what,
dictate the code?) except for the cost of the call.  And using faster
protocols.

>        Morgan puts out an update for ProLine about once every three-four
>months.  Right now, we're about due for one, and everyone's being very
>patient and Morgan is really nice about it.  We don't bug the hell out of him
>for it, he just surprises us with it one day and everyone has something to
>talk about in the sysop only networked feeds for a while with questions and
>answers about the new stuff the update has.

Does it really need to be updated that often?  Plus, since it is
scheduled, I guess the only surprise is of what the update entails.

>You ask a question of almost
>anything and the next thing you know, you have an answer in your mailbox...no
>you have 10 answers in your mailbox and you don't know who to thank.  That's
>support...not some 30 site link up, but well over 90 ProLine only, then you
>can count all the brigdes we have here, and you're talking about thousands
>(am I going too far here) of sites!  ProLine is a far superior BBS program
>than anything OUT THERE NOW.  I have yet to see GBBS surpass it.  If you buy
>MD-BASIC and you have a //gs, then ProLine is the BEST BBS program.

Effectively adding the cost of MD-BASIC and difference in cost between a
//e and a //gs into the $195.50 cost of ProLine.  Oh, and a HD with 5 MB,
minimum.  For a person who wants to run a hobby system, ProLine is not a
viable alternative.

Plus the requirements line for MD-BASIC from the MDGroup Product Guide,
"Needs: IIGS and GS/OS.  ORCA/M or other development shell is optional."
Yet it doesn't tell you in the manual how to use it without the "optional"
development shell.

>If you
>have a //e, and no MD-BASIC, programming is hell, and you may not want to do
>it.  But, with the network and the help other sysops give, you can get things
>from all over.

Networking should not and is not necessary for a BBS.  Even in the 90's.
StarCruiser Epsilon of Lincoln, NE is still one of the most popular
systems here.  It isn't even networked.  Even against competition between
other networked IBM systems and a 10-node chat system, that ACOS system
(the GBBS code has gone through so many modifications you can't really
call it GBBS anymore) is still going strong.

>Somewhat clearer?

I feel like bringing out the "GBBS Propaganda" file, or the list of
installed GBBS systems with support available provided with the system
from L&L Productions.

>Amrit
>ProLine:apollo@pro-hindugods     | Internet:apollo@pro-hindugods.cts.com     |
>UUCP: crash!pro-hindugods!apollo | ARPA: crash!pro-hindugods!apollo@nosc.mil |

--
///   ____   \\\ "The major problem--one of the major problems, for there are
| |/ /    \ \| |       several--one of the many major problems with governing
 \\_|\____/|_//            people is of whom you get to do it, or more to the
greg \_\\\/ hoss.unl.edu    point, who gets people to let them do it to them."
