Possibilities - Computer Shopper & BPS - TBBS Does Double Duty

Contact:   eSoft, Inc. (Makers of TBBS)
           15200 E. Girard Ave., Suite 3000
           Aurora, CO  80014
           (303) 699-6565      Voice
           (303) 699-6872      Fax
           (303) 699-8222      BBS
           support@esoft.com   E-Mail

COMPUTER SHOPPER & BPS - TBBS DOES DOUBLE DUTY
----------------------------------------------

*** From March 1991 Possibilities Newsletter ***
*** Copyright 1991 by eSoft, Inc.  All Rights Reserved ***

Computer Shopper & BPS -- TBBS Does Double Duty
by Alan R. Bechtold

I don't often write these TBBS system profiles in the first person.  Then 
again, I've never before written about a system I run.

In addition to editing the Possibilities newsletter for eSoft, I am also 
president of BBS Press Service, Inc. (BPS).  BPS publishes INFO-MAT
Magazine, an online news weekly designed for electronic distribution on 
commercial and private bulletin boards.  Needless to say, my company has 
come to rely on TBBS for the very core of our day-to-day operation.  Our 
TBBS is our bus- iness office and showroom.  TBBS and the telephone serve as 
our sales department and delivery mechanism.

You might think we've asked as much of one soft- ware product as anyone has 
a right to ask.  Far from it.

In addition to serving all of my company's needs, we now "sub-let" some of 
our system's capacity to Computer Shopper magazine.  This unique form of 
double-duty saves Computer Shopper a lot of money. And it brings in 
additional revenue which pays for our time and covers the entire system's 
operating costs.

A few months ago, we learned that Computer Shopper -- the well-known monthly 
newsstand computer magazine -- was having a problem with the bulletin board 
and computer user group lists that are a regular part of their magazine.

In the past, these two lists were compiled and verified by a large computer 
user group and supplied to Computer Shopper free of charge.  Because of this 
source, the lists were also available to any other publication that wanted 
to run them.  Eventually, one of Computer Shopper's competitors started 
running the very same lists.

That was bad enough, but it wasn't the only problem Computer Shopper had 
with the lists it used to publish.  The folks who used to compile the lists 
required BBS operators and computer user groups to submit their information 
on a post card.  The group did a fine job of verifying information sent to 
them, but inevitably typographical errors crept in when that information was 
keyed into the list.

If you've ever tried proofreading a lengthy list of telephone numbers for 
accuracy you'll understand the monumental nature of the task that they faced 
each month.  It simply can't be done without a few errors slipping through.

Those errors, when published in the Computer Shopper Bulletin Board List, 
resulted in hundreds of telephone calls to the wrong number, often late at 
night, always dialed by a modem.  When modems get a wrong number and don't 
meet another modem at the other end of the line, they just sit there 
quietly, ominously, waiting.  This can be more than a little disconcerting 
if it's your number those modems are accidentally calling.

The folks at Computer Shopper were ready for a change.  The search was on 
for someone else to compile and maintain the lists and BBS Press Service was 
asked to submit a proposal.

The solution to Computer Shopper's problem was easy for us to see.  It was 
clear that the power of TBBS, coupled with additional capabilities offered 
by TDBS (the dBase III Plus language compatible TBBS Expansion Module) could 
handle the task easily.

With TDBS, we could set up an online system that would allow BBS operators 
to enter their OWN information directly into a database that could be used 
to create the Computer Shopper list on demand.  Each month's list could then 
be downloaded directly into their computers, ready for publication.

With this system, there would be no re-entering of telephone numbers or 
other information.  It would eliminate the chance for typographical errors.  
If we verified that every system or user group listed was actually a working 
BBS or active computer user group, the lists we compiled with TBBS and TDBS 
would be even more accurate and up-to-date than any that Computer Shopper 
had published before.

But Computer Shopper didn't want to run their own bulletin board.  They're 
busy enough putting out their huge monthly magazine.  What they needed was 
accurate, timely lists ready to publish.  Again, TBBS came to the rescue.

Because of the incredible power of multiline TBBS, we didn't have to set up 
a completely different computer to handle the task ourselves.  We could, 
instead, "rent" Computer Shopper some space on our existing system, saving 
them the added cost of setting up and running their own system.

We got the job.  Additional lines were added to our TBBS system.  That was 
simply a matter of plugging two additional modems into our existing 
DigiBoard, and configuring the added lines in CEDIT.

Because we were essentially combining two different bulletin boards on a 
single computer, we blanked out the SIGNON1.TXT message that welcomed 
callers to the BBS PRESS SERVICE BBS and instead set up an auto-executing 
menu option that displayed only our BPS welcome text.  We did the same thing 
for the COMPUTER SHOPPER LISTINGS BBS.

These two auto-executing menus reacted to callers depending on how their A3 
flags were set.  In CEDIT, each of the Computer Shopper lines was configured 
to set the callers' A3 flags to match the Computer Shopper auto-executing 
menu option.  Each of the BBS Press Service lines was configured to set the 
callers' A3 flags to match the BBS Pres Service auto-executing menu option.  
This gave us the ability to have two completely different welcoming displays 
for each "side" of the BBS.

[In TBBS 2.2 this will get easier.  TBBS 2.2, which is now in testing, 
allows you to set up different signon messages for each incoming line, if 
you wish.  In the meantime the method used here works fine. - Ed]

Of course, having two completely different systems on one machine required a 
decision about which menu would be accessed first when the system operator 
logs on at the console.  We wanted to keep a close watch on the COMPUTER 
SHOPPER LISTINGS BBS, so we made that the sysop's MAIN menu.  From there, an 
option visible only to a user with SYSOP-level privileges allows the sysop 
to jump to a menu of sysop utilities (access to SYSOM, special upload and 
download directories, etc.) with the press of a single key.

From the SYSOP Utilities menu we added another option that takes the sysop 
to the BBS PressService main menu.

This made it easy for the sysop, accessing the system from the system's 
local console, to log onto one "side" of the board, then hit a single key 
twice to jump to the other "side" of the board.  A Type 12 menu option takes 
the sysop back to the "other" side of the board or to the SYSOP Utilities 
menu that we placed in between the two sides of the system.  This same 
method could be used to connect as many completely different sections as 
you'd like to have on your system.

We had the two boards up and running concur- rently in a little over one 
week, thanks to some expert SDL programming by Gary Funk -- BBS Press 
Service's Technical Director.

We also needed two central TDBS programs -- one to collect data for the BBS 
list and one to collect data for the computer user group list.  Programming 
these TDBS applications, to actually accept data from callers and output it 
into usable reports, was a bit more complicated than setting up the menus.  
Again, Gary handled all the programming chores.

Now a caller selects the menu option to enter his or her BBS data and a list 
of all information that will be requested is displayed down the left hand 
side of the screen.  Callers move an arrow up or down the onscreen list, to 
the data they wish to fill in next, and press ENTER.  A highlighted bar then 
appears at at the bottom of the screen, where the caller can enter the 
requested data.  After the caller has filled in the requested data, they 
press ENTER and that information is automatically placed in the user's 
database record.  It is also displayed next to the appropriate line on the 
right side of the screen.

A number of the selections can even be filled out automatically.  For 
example when a caller selects the "Modem" option a list of modem brands 
appears on the right side of the screen.  The caller only has to use the 
arrow keys to move the onscreen arrow up or down the list to the desired 
modem brand and hit ENTER.  The selected modem type is automatically entered 
into the proper data line on the left side of the screen.  Similar lists of 
choices are also available for easily selecting computer type, brand of BBS 
software, etc.

This method of listing the most often-listed options and allowing the caller 
to just "point and shoot" simp- lifies online data entry and speeds things 
up nicely.  It's especially useful in our application, where callers are 
routinely connected via relatively expensive long distance connections and 
want to enter their data and get off-line as quickly as possible.  Gary also 
included an option for "other" on every list of this type.  Selecting 
"other" from the list of available choices brings up a highlighted data 
entry box at the bottom of the screen that the caller can fill out with 
information not supplied on the ready-made lists.

The last option in each data screen is a text block where callers can enter 
their own description of their BBS or user group.

Another menu option brings up a data entry screen that calls for the 
caller's personal contact information.  This is where they enter their 
mailing address and home and work telephone numbers.  The information is not 
a part of the bulletin board or user group listings and is never made 
available to Computer Shopper or any other party but it is essential to us 
when it comes time to call and verify every listing we receive.  If we have 
problems getting through to a BBS line or can't seem to reach anyone at a 
user group's listed contact number, we can use the personal contact 
information that was provided to get in touch with the caller.

If a caller fails to fill out any of the essential pieces of information, 
the system reports that his or her information was not complete and the 
information won't be included in the listing if everything isn't entered 
properly.  This message is displayed every time the user enters a "Q" to 
Quit the data entry menu for as long as the information in that user's data 
file remains incomplete.

The entire TDBS system was written to tie in to the caller's TBBS logon name 
and date.  When a caller dials back into the system and goes to the data 
entry screen, the information they entered on the last call is right there 
on the screen.  If something has changed -- say more phone lines or a larger 
hard disk drive have been added to the system -- the caller just has to edit 
those information lines.

Even if nothing has changed, BBS operators and user groups must still call 
the system at least once every three months, pull up their listing and check 
a box that says it's ok to run the listing again as is, to stay in the list.  
This allows the TDBS program to automatically delete listings that aren't 
regularly updated or re-verified, keeping the list current and fresh without 
requiring users to constantly re-enter information.

All the information that's entered by the callers goes straight into a dBase 
III Plus compatible database, so we can easily use dBase to create numerous 
offline reports.  One report we run regularly lists all users who have 
recently entered new information into the system.  This tells us which 
listings need to be verified.  Another report, of course, is the complete 
list for publication in Computer Shopper's pages.

Gary was able to include the typesetting codes that Computer Shopper needs 
to indicate headings, subheads and boldfacing.  This allows the final 
report, the current listing of BBSes or computer user groups, to literally 
be "poured" right into their onscreen layout pages, without further editing 
or re-keying.

When Computer Shopper needs the copy for the latest list, they simply call 
up the BBS.  To get the latest list, they select a menu option only they can 
see and a TDBS program generates the latest list which they then download 
directly to their computer.

The list Computer Shopper used to run was always supplied on disk.  An 
editorial assistant spent one or two days every month going through the disk 
file, reformatting the information and inserting all the typesetting codes.  
Our list is always available to them when they want it and it's always ready 
to go.

Multi-line TBBS coupled with TDBS is the key ingredient that makes all this 
possible.  The extra earnings we generate from this "sub-let" arrangement 
pays for our side of the system and saves our client money -- a "Win-Win" 
situation.  Even better, the system literally runs itself.  Except for the 
verification calls and normal system operator tasks of answering e-mail and 
helping new users, everything is automatic.

The principles we utilized in the design of our system could be applied to 
almost any TBBS system operating today.  Whether you want to serve two or 
more tiers of callers for your own needs or "sub-let" space on your system 
to outside clients or two, TBBS and TDBS are ready to handle the task.  Our 
system provides ample proof of that.

To take a look at the "Computer Shopper Listings" BBS by calling 913-478-
3088 at 300/1200/2400 baud.  Fill out a listing for your BBS while you're 
there, if you wish.  Then call 913-478-9239 at 300/1200/2400/9600 baud to 
look over the "BBS Press Service" BBS.  Keep in mind that both systems are 
actually running on the same computer, with one copy of TBBS and TDBS 
handling both.  It STILL amazes me!

- END -
PS0391-3
Rev. 3/91

Copyright (C) 1994 eSoft, Inc., All Rights Reserved.  Permission granted
to distribute this file in its entirety, without modification, to any
interested party.  Any other use requires the written permission of
eSoft, Inc.

IMPORTANT:  The information herein is subject to change without notice.
Please call or write to confirm factual information of importance to you
or your organization.

