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                     Running a Quality Bulletin Board
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                      Presented by Dark Technologies
                         Written by Justin Scott
Table of Contents
-----------------
Part One...: Why Run a BBS?
Part Two...: What Will I Need?
Part Three.: Consider A Theme
Part Four..: Put It All Together
Part Five..: Getting Online
Part Six...: Public or Paid?  You Decide.


Part One: Why Run a BBS?
------------------------
  "Why would anyone want to run a BBS", you ask?  Well, since you're reading
this article, you must have some reason.  Some do it for fun, profit, or
a way to support their products.  Some do it for many reasons.  Others just
don't have anything better to do with their time.  If you have a reason to
run a BBS, and the stuff you need to run one (explained below), then by all
means, go for it!


Part Two: What Will I Need?
---------------------------
   To start off, you'll need at least a 386 DX 33mhz processor, a 14.4 bps
modem, some RAM (at least 640k), a phone line, BBS software, 3rd party BBS
utilities and doors, about $200.00, and a lot of free time.

   The computer and processor is a biggie when it comes to bulletin boards.
Depending on what type of BBS you want to run, you'll need different types
of processors.  To run a small, one node system, a 386 DX 33mhz system will
do just fine.  For a two node system, a 486 DX4 100mhz will be your best
friend.  For anything more than that, get a Pentium 586 133mhz system.

   The modem is THE most important piece of hardware you'll ever need when
running a BBS.  The faster the modem, the better.  A 14.4 is ok, but a 28.8
or 33.6 modem will really help.  If you only have a 2400, upgrade.  I can
tell you right now from experience that nobody wants to call a BBS at 2400.

   RAM is another important factor when running a BBS.  If you're only
planning to run a one node system out of DOS, then RAM won't be a problem
unless you've got a lot of drivers loaded.  If you have problems with your
conventional memory, install a memory manager like QEMM or something.  If
you're going to use Windows, get at least 4 MB of RAM.  If you're running a
multi-node system, consider Windows95, and have at least 16 MB of RAM.

   Any BBS needs a phone line to run on.  I'd say that if you don't already
have a dedicated data line, seperate from your voice line, get one.  The
phone companies don't charge that much for a line, just the installation.
I know you're going to say, "Well, I'll run it part-time."  This doesn't
work out too well.  You can, but most people won't remember that your system
is only up from 11:00pm to 6:00am and dial you whenever they feel like it.
This means that your phone will be ringing all day long with a modem on the
other end.  Either that or people will decide that they won't bother calling
at all because they don't want to accidetally call you when it's not up.

   The driving force behind any BBS is your choice of BBS software.  There
are more BBS software packages than you could possibly try.  I've tried
several, and have setup about 20 of them.  If you're going to run a simple
BBS, with some file areas, message bases, and a few doors, SPITFIRE works
great and is very easy to setup and get working.  It's multi-node capable,
but don't plan on running any networks with it.  SPITFIRE is a pain to get
working with front-end mail programs.  SPITFIRE is available from Bufflo
Creek Software for a one-time registration fee of $85.00.  Upgrades are
free. The shareware version has no limitations and is available on The Arena.
If you're really into the BBS scene and wish to have Windows graphics, sound,
networked mail, Internet e-mail and newsgroups, a high level of
configurability, online CD-ROMs, more than one node, and many other features,
consider running Virtual Advanced.  VADV has all this and more.  It's easy
to setup and get working, but there's A LOT of options to setup.  Only use
this if you have about a week of spare time to tweak all its settings.  VADV
really is an advanced piece of software.  It's available from Virtual
Comtech, Intl. for $69.00 for the 5-node edition, and $99.00 for the 10 node
version.  Updates are generally $10.00-$25.00.  For more information on
VADV, visit their web site at http://virtualc.com.  The shareware version is
limited to 25 users, IRC chat options are unavailable, and the Internet
kit (VISK) is available seperately for $25.00.  VADV can also act as an
Internet passthrough for your users.  Other good BBS software packages to
consider include Renegade, WildCat!, Remote Access, and Iniquity.  Renegade
and Iniquity are good choices if you wish to run a private or "elite" BBS.

   Your BBS will also depend on 3rd party utilities or doors to add that
extra spice to your system.  Imaging a BBS without games or statistical
bulletins.  Doors are some of the most used programs in the BBS world.  BBS
utilities include statistical screen generators, autopost/oneliners systems
(ex: DarkPost or DarkLiners, available from DT for $10.00 and $5.00), and
other utilities to help you maintain your system.  Door games are a very
popular part of bulletin boards.  Good investments in the world of doors
include LORD (Legent of the Red Dragon), FE (Falcon's Eye), and P:TEOS
(Planets: The Exploration of Space).  These make a good start, but depending
on what type of BBS you decide to run, your doors will vary.  If you wish to
move into the realm of including VGA graphics and sound with your doors,
Land of Devistation (LOD) and VGA Palnets are good choices.

   As you can see, running a BBS is no easy task.  You must be willing to
put in time, money and efforts that you probably won't get back.  If you run
a good BBS, people may donate money to help keep it running and make it
better for everyone.


Part Three: Consider A Theme
----------------------------
   Any good BBS will have a theme.  The theme of your BBS should be reflected
in the name of your system, your graphics, services, doors, software, files,
and anything else you offer on your BBS.  If you pick a good theme, more
people will call.  Remember not to limit yourself when you choose a theme.
If you pick a limited topic, say, Star Trek, you limit yourself to one show.
Although there is A LOT you can do based on Star Trek, I'd suggest opening
it up to the level of Science Fiction.  Then you can include people from
Star Trek, Star Wars, and other science fiction topics.  If you decide not
to choose a theme, that's fine too.  Sometimes it's better not to have a
theme.  As in the case of a business or support BBS, a formal system is
better.  Most bulletin boards are "fun" boards, and do have a theme though.
If you're not running a business or support system, and still just can't
think of a theme, that's just fine.  It's your system and you can put up
whatever you want.  You could just be a "general" BBS offering a wide range
of available services and options.


Part Four: Put It All Together
------------------------------
   Once you have your setup decided upon, it'll be time to setup the BBS.
Now, where should we start?  Well, get your hardware setup to handle the BBS
first.  This includes installing any modems, phone lines and memory you have
lying around.  After you get the computer up and running, get your BBS
software package installed.  It's a good idea to use the shareware version
for a couple weeks after your system goes online so you can test it, so use
that for now.  Worry about the registered version later unless there's a
disabled feature you want to setup.  Once the software is installed, get it
setup to your liking.  This will include menus, display strings, many
configuration options, and more.  If you decide to run SPITFIRE, consider
picking up a copy of SF-Master, a 3rd party utility for SF that does
everything except make cofee (also available on The Arena).  If you have
trouble understanding the settings in your software, consult the manuals or
other support channels provided by the author.


Part Five: Getting Online
-------------------------
   Now that your computer is up and running, your software is fired up and
waiting for calls, and everything has been tested, re-tested, and is setup
exactly the way you dreamed, you wait.  "Wait," you ask?  Yes.  Wait.  There
is a very good reason for this.  You forgot to tell people you exist, or as
they say, advertise.  Call around to other bulletin boards and post notices
in the message bases to let people know that your BBS is ready to join the
community.  Another excellent place to go is the Internet Newsgroups.  There
are thousands of them that you can post in.  Be sure to tell about your
available services or any unique features your system has to offer.  ALWAYS
make sure you put the phone number (with the area code) at least twice in
your messages.  Also be sure to include the BBS name, software name, and
available baud rates.  After you've posted several messages on every BBS you
could find, put your system online again.  Go out and see a movie, get a hair
cut, go get that new big screen T.V. you wanted (if you havve any money left
from the BBS...:).  I say this because it may be days before you begin
recieving calls.  It may take weeks for people to realize there's a modem
with their name on it just waiting to be dialed.  In some cases, you'll get a
call as soon as you put it online, but usually it takes a while.  In any
case, be patient.  Don't feel bad if nobody calls you for 3 days after you
get online.  Once people do start calling though, you'll be amazed at how
many new people you get (word of mouth).

Part Six: Public or Paid?  You Decide.
--------------------------------------
   Another important factor to consider when running a quality bulletin board
is the subscription syndrome.  This is where a sysop decides that his/her BBS
is too good to give free access to, so they go paid.  Most bulletin boards
will start out for free and let anyone in.  This is known as a "Public" BBS.
People like these kinds.  The other type is "Subscription" based.  This is
where you decide to charge people to get into your system.  One thing you can
trust me on is that people will not pay for your BBS unless you have something
that nobody within 100 miles can give them.  Let's say you're a programming
wizard and create a system that will allow 1000 people to play any game they
want to over the Internet.  You get this thing hooked up, people hear about it
and you get 200 new users every day.  Your phone line is busy 24 hrs., so you
decide that it would be wise to add 10 more.  This will cost you a lot of
money, and since people love this so much, maybe they'll help you pay for it,
so you charge them for the time they spend on your system.  With this example,
you're offering a service that nobody else has, so you can charge for access.
If you just decide one day that your BBS is better than all the others in the
area and tell people that they have to pay you $10.00 a month or they can't
call, you'll probably lose all of your users and never get them back.  Being
a "Public" system is the best way to go, unless you have a lot of costs that
you have to pay and not enough income, then a "Subscription" system may be a
better way to go (as long as you have a reason for charging for access).

