Category : Communication (modem) tools and utilities
Archive   : USBBS129.ZIP
Filename : USBBS129.NWS

================================================================
USBBS129.LST News
A List of PC Bulletin Boards for DOS Users
February 1995

Editor: Bob Breedlove
----------------------------------------------------------------
Home BBS: BOBsBBS 916-929-7511 (Messages to SYSOP)
[email protected] or [email protected]
================================================================
LOST MY LEASE!

Well, not really. But, my Internet access provider gave up.
So, as you can see from the header, I am making the change
to Netcom. The change is complete. Please send messages to
the following addresses:

LIST REQUESTS: [email protected]
LIST UPDATES : [email protected]

Sorry for any inconvenience this causes. Comments can be sent
to the address above. And, of course, BOBsBBS is still the
best way to reach USBBS.

----------------------------------------------------------------
USBBSUP.EXE UPDATED TO USBUP103.ZIP

Version 1.03 corrects an error in the address in version 1.02.
I have also reflected that the "F" modem setting includes both
V.Fast and V.34.

----------------------------------------------------------------
LIST KEEPERS TAKE NOTE

Recently, I have been considering ways to make the USBBS list more
accurate and easy to update. I know that there are thousands of
BBS lists being kept out there. Many of the local list keepers
verify BBS's continued existence. Something that I feel is one
of the shortcomings of any list.

The proposal is to create an easy way for listkeepers to reformat
their lists for submission to the USBBS national BBS list each
month. This has the advantage of gaining national exposure for
the boards on the list and gives our national readers exposure
to more BBS systems.

The boards on the list would have to meet the minimum requirements
for posting to USBBS. Thus, the listkeeper would have to collect
the basic information, at a minimum. This information includes:

- Phone number including area code
- City, State
- Sysop's REAL Name
- BBS Software
- Modem Speed and type
- BBS Name
- Disk Space devoted to the BBS
- Number of nodes (phone lines)

I would provide, as my part of the process, a free formatting
program which would format from a text version of the local list
to the submission format for USBBS. The edition field on the USBBS
list would contain an indication of the source list from which
the information was taken. A list of listkeepers would be
provided along with the other information in the USBBSxxx.ZIP.

More details would have to be worked out, but, I think this idea
has some potential -- especially in getting BBS's deleted from
the list when they are down. Tell me what you think.

As you can see from edition 129, I have made arrangements with
the first of the local listkeepers. This listkeeper decided to
format the entries since he already had the software to do so.

----------------------------------------------------------------
USBBS DOWNLOADS AT BOBSBBS

BOBsBBS supports a set of special ID's which are for downloading
the USBBS list ONLY. Here they are:

ID PROTOCOL
USBBS ZMODEM Zmodem
USBBS YMODEM Ymodem
USBBS XMODEM Xmodem-Checksum
USBBS CRC Xmodem-CRC
USBBS Xmodem1k Xmodem-1K

These ID's have no passwords and go through a special script
which starts the download immediately after logon. To help
you automate your downloads, here are the phrases to wait
for and the responses to enter:

WAIT FOR ENTER
Graphics
LAST name {id};;
Protocol starts immediately start protocol download

Wait approximately 1 second after detecting each phrase.

Notice that there is a set of two semi-colons (";;") after

the {id}. This by-passes the password prompt. You MUST
enter this or you will get the "PASSWORD" prompt. For
example, you would enter "USBBS ZMODEM;;" in response to the
"LAST name" prompt.

The connection is terminated immediately after the download
is completed.


----------------------------------------------------------------
SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE FUTURE

The following are some thoughts about the USBBS National BBS
list. It has been around for a long time in about the same
format. But the BBSing and communications worlds are
changing rapidly and the list must keep up with those
changes.

As always your comments are appreciated. Send them to
BOBsBBS 916-929-7511 or contact me on the internet at
"[email protected]"

Expiration of BBS's on USBBS

One of the major problems I have with the list is finding out when
boards go out of existence. They do this quite often and without
notice. I have been toying with the idea of expiring BBS entries if
they are more than ONE YEAR old. What do you think?

----------------------------------------------------------------
RELEASE SCHEDULE

This is a release schedule for USBBS for the next several
months. Unless there is some reason to do so, the list
is released on the last weekend of the month unless the
first of the month is on a weekend. All revisions for the
list should be in by the Wednesday before the release date
to help assure that I get them.

PLEASE NOTE: Because I do this for free, I reserve the
right to change this schedule without notice. Notices about
distribution are posted on BOBsBBS (916-929-7511). Sorry
for any inconvenience this causes.

SYSOPS, please note: I sometimes have difficulty reaching
the remote update points before the release date. If the
board is down or constantly busy, I may not be able to
collect the information before the update for that month.
Call BOBsBBS (916-929-7511) to be assured that your update
will be considered for the next edition of the list.

Edition Weekend Notes
130 2/25/95
131 3/25/95
132 4/29/95
133 5/27/95
134 6/24/95
135 7/29/95
136 8/26/95
137 9/30/95
138 10/28/95
139 12/02/95 Thanksgiving weekend
140 12/27/95

----------------------------------------------------------------
FILES IN ARCHIVE

USBBSxxx.LST The USBBS National BBS list itself.

USBBSxxx.TXT Information about distribution and update
points for the USBBS list. Contact points
for local listkeepers who contribute to the
list. This file is always included with the
list.

USBBSxxx.NWS News about the USBBS list. This file is
only included when there is news to pass on
about the list.

FILE_ID.DIZ An extended description for the USBBS list
archive. Always included.


----------------------------------------------------------------
PROGRAM VERSIONS

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION VERSION
USBBSUP.EXE The USBBS offline update program. 1.03

----------------------------------------------------------------
END of USBBS.NWS