Harry Sideras
Joining the Bulletin Board networks can be a daunting task, Harry Sideras,
veteran of the file echos, helps relieve the pain...
Access to the Bulletin Board networks, privately run by experienced Atari
enthusiasts, is free. All the software required is PD or Shareware and
runs on any Atari compatible machine. Once set up you'll be able to send
messages and participate in file areas which span the globe from America
and Australia and all points in between.
Tooled up
Numerous software combinations can be used, but I've plumped for the
following:
- Teddy Term v2.14, terminal software
- Kivi v1.41a, the off-line reader
- HSModem, serial port handling software
- LZHShell and STZip, to handle archived files
- Everest v3.5e, text editor
- XYZ.TTP v2.02b, ZModem data transfer
- Don't forget to have a modem close by - you'll be needing that!
After setting up HSModem the relevant programs should be placed in the
Auto folder to ensure the serial port is set up properly (Atari World
Issue 7 explains this in depth). I'd advise owners of Mega STe's and TT's
to settle for the MFP module and connect using the Modem 1 port, otherwise
Teddy Term loses some features even with the M1EMU option set. Falcon
owners may hit similar problems and should consider alternative terminal
programs such as ConNect (Shareware) or Stalker (Commercial from Titan
Designs) - the principles of setting the terminal up still apply, although
the details may differ.
Terminal setup
Configuration of Teddy Term is hidden in a popup menu called by a left
mouse-click. The first dialog to configure is the Modem Settings and
the defaults are adequate for any Hayes compatible modem.
Match your modem speed to the serial port for optimum connections
If you are on a digital exchange make sure Prefix is set to ATDT (tone
dialling), otherwise set it to ATDP (pulse dialing). The baud rate setting
depends on your modem's speed - a basic 2400 baud modem with no data
compression should be set to 2400 but if your modem is 9600 or faster
with data compression select 19200 for starters.
The serial port (RS232) input/output (I/O) buffers should be kept small
because HSModem has its own.
Next, open the Transfer Protocol dialog, double click on the Program line
and locate XYZ.TTP in the XFER folder. Once again the defaults are
acceptable, but make sure you have ZModem selected (slot 1) and a split
screen type for both uploads and downloads otherwise Teddy Term produces
unpredictable results when on-line.
File transfer protocols control the uploading and downloading of files
The final dialog to visit is Terminal Settings. At this stage the settings
should be kept as simple as possible, as shown in the screenshot - you can
customise them to view the pretty screens Sysops spend hours creating
after you're comfortable being on-line, at the moment they're just one
more thing to go wrong (with apologies to Sysops everywhere)!
Terminal emulations can be set for a simple text display or full colour
graphics
Go through the other options in the main popup menu and set up your
personal preferences. We've configured all the mission critical stuff
already so if there's anything you don't understand just leave it blank
and save your settings.
Cost calculation to logon scripts can be specified for each BBS you dial
Ready, steady, dial!
Choose a BBS local to you from the boxout. In the dialer select an empty
box and click on Edit. The only options you need to enter are the BBS name
and the phone number. Teddy Term has a nice feature that allows the entry
under UserName to be sent to the BBS when you press the cursor-left key
and the entry under Password when the cursor-right key is pressed. Once
you've got the hang of logging on manually it's worth setting these up to
semi-automate the log on procedure.
The port and terminal setting options are the defaults we set in earlier
dialogs and the cost tables can be applied if they've been set up. The
remainder of the dialog relates to a method of fully automating
connections to the BBS - but we won't worry about that at the moment -
let's save the settings and get on-line.
Check you're ringing during the BBS operating hours (many offer 24hr
access), select the BBS from the Dial Directory and hit Dial. After a
series of screeching noises the two modems should connect!
Almost all BBSs "validate" new callers, so follow the on screen
instructions. You'll be asked to enter your real name and password
(remember that left and right cursor trick from earlier) and much more.
Some of the questions will ask you how your terminal software is setup so
make yourself familair with these.
Access to the BBS on your first visit may be restricted until the Sysop
validates your details. Take the opportunity to navigate around the menus,
paying particular attention to bulletins and help files which are always
available. Read them off-line if possible - your terminal capture buffer
records all the text that scrolls past and saves it to a file when you log
off. Alternatively you can download the files, Teddy Term automatically
detects download attempts and starts XYZ ready to receive it.
Several message networks are available from a single BBS - even Internet
Email!
Off-line reading
Even if you have shares in a telecom company it makes sense to read
messages off-line. To do this you need to use an off-line reader. While
you are on-line to a BBS locate the QWK Message area and select the
message areas you're interested in. The first time you select an area
you'll get loads of earlier messages which serve to bring you up to date
and give you a flavour of what to expect. I recommend you select a few
subjects to begin with and add areas once you've figured out how
everything works. After selecting your areas select the option to download
a QWK packet and one will be created while you wait. You'll be given a
choice of using ZIP or LZH then the QWK packet is ready to download to
your machine using XYZ, select the ZModem option in preference to any
other available options. Before logging off leave the Sysop a message to
introduce yourself or indicate any problems you experienced on-line.
Kivi's general options allow detailed customisation of your message reply
format
Configuration of Kivi is straightforward compared to setting up Teddy Term
and BBS settings. Paths need to be selected as upload and download
directories (set these to the paths set in your terminal software) and to
the TTP versions of ZIP and/or LZH, to match the setting you selected to
compress your QWK packets on-line.
You need to select an external text editor because Kivi doesn't feature a
built-in editor. This leaves the General dialog, for which a working
set-up is shown in one of the screenshots.
Once set-up load the QWK packet you downloaded into Kivi using the File
menu, which will be unpacked to reveal a window showing the message areas
you selected on-line. The cursor and return keys are used to select areas
and read messages in turn.

Communication is the end result
To reply to a message select Reply from the Activity menu, which runs your
text editor and loads the message ready to add your comments.
Bulletin Board etiquette suggests you delete irrelevant parts of the
quoted message and you insert your comments as desired. Use the existing
messages as a guide and you won't go far wrong.
When you've finished, save your message and exit your editor and you'll be
returned to Kivi which will ask you to re-save the message in Kivi format
after which you are free to read th next message.
After a message writing session you need to pack your messages using the
option in the File menu, ready for uploading in the QWK area of the BBS
the next time you log on and the cycle is completed.
Your messages are uploaded and replies and new messages are received.
Next time we'll take a look at tweaking your setup to and how to make the
best use of your on-line time.
UK Atari supporting BBS Systems |
Name | Location | Sysop Name | Phone | Restricted Times |
42BBS | Hants | Colin Fisher-McAllum | 01256 895106 | |
680+ | Hull | Peter Buscada | 01482 509700 | |
Ad.Lib | Chester-Le-Street | Andy Curtis | 0191 370 2659 | |
All At Sea | Coventry | Antony Lacey | 01203 601448 | |
Conventus | Edinburgh | Kevin Norman | 0131 556 9734 | |
DanSoft | Carnforth | Daniel Horne | 01524 732957 | 21:00-00:00 |
Dog House | Royston | Neil Burton | 01763 230043 | |
Dream Machine | Cardiff | David J. Thomas | 01222 689812 | |
Druid | Prestatyn | Peter Carr | 01745 853503 | |
Fortress | Plumstead | Kevin Osborne | 0181 244 9825 | |
Fractal | Dorchester | Tim Putnam | 01305 266304 | |
Keith's Point | Derby | Keith Jackson | 01332 662988 | |
Magic Castle | Birmingham | Mick Coleman | 0121 430 3761 | |
Penske | Kidderminster | Andy Taylor | 01562 743661 | |
PMT | Blackpool | Paul Seed | 01253 344819 | 18:00-09:00 |
STandard | Felixstowe | Karl Foley | 01394 271550 | |
SysTem | Shotts, Scotland | Paul Leonard | 01501 825856 | |
Tavern | London | Paul Baker | 0181 445 6514 | |
T.G.M | Bradford | Paul Simmonds | 01274 787361 | |
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