Possibilities - Realities 9/90

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

REALITIES 9/90
--------------

*** From September 1990 Possibilities Newsletter ***
*** Copyright 1990 by eSoft, Inc.  All Rights Reserved ***

REALITIES...how to make it work
by eSoft Technical Support Staff

From the moment you first install TBBS, it's easy to see the possibilities are 
almost endless.  Turning those possibilities into realities can bring up 
questions.  For this reason, quality customer support is at least half the 
overall value of any software package. 

We recommend you call the eSoft Support BBS (303-699-8222) and read through 
the messages in each of the various support areas.  You could find answers to 
your questions, even before you've asked them!  You'll definitely get some 
useful tips and ideas for bringing possibilities to life with tbbs.  In this 
section of the newsletter, we will answer some of the more commonly asked 
questions we receive. 

Being Bigger Better...

Q. We're running 5 lines now, but would like to go up as high as 20 lines, 
possibly more.  I'd also like to add some 9600 bps modems to our system.  
We're using an older 10 MHz 286 now.  Will it handle the job? 

A. Your existing machine will handle adding a few 9600 bps modems, or it will 
handle adding 15 lines or more at 2400 bps, but not both.  Increasing your 
line count and/or adding high speed modems place more demands on the CPU, and 
if you're using older or slower hardware, you may well have to upgrade it. 

When you move above 6 to 8 lines or so, you'll most likely need expanded 
memory, also known as EMS or LIM memory.  This is much more easily implemented 
on 386 and 486 based machines, so we normally recommend at least a low-end 
386SX based machine for medium to large multi-line systems.  (See "Realities" 
in the August, 1990 issue of Possibilities for additional information about 
EMS.) A maximum of 4 megabytes of EMS is required for a 32 line system with 
all option modules loaded.  For your 20 line system with a bare TBBS (no 
option modules) only about a half megabyte of EMS should be required (in 
addition, of course, to your base 640k of main memory). 

Your existing machine could handle about 8 lines at 9600 bps.  A 16 MHz 386SX 
could handle about 15 lines at that speed.  A 20 MHz 386 machine handles 20 
lines at 9600 bps.  If you go all the way to 32 lines all at 9600 bps, you'll 
need a 33 MHz 386 or a 25Mhz 486 machine. 

In all cases, the faster the seek time on your hard disk, the better.  For 
large high speed systems we generally recommend hard disks in the 10 to 15 
millisecond range.  Normally such drives are large capacity with ESDI or SCSI 
interfaces and have a tendency to be somewhat expensive.  A 28 millisecond MFM 
or RLL drive, typical for AT and many 386 machines, should be an adequate and 
less expensive solution unless you have several 9600 bps lines. 

Switching the Packets...

Q. My system is making a lot of money for us, but I'd like to provide and 
easier way for my users to reach me.  We have a lot of out-of-state users who 
call long distance.  I've heard that an X.25 network can help.  Can one be 
used with TBBS? 

A. Yes, you can connect TBBS to an X.25 network.  The X.25 networks that you 
are talking about are national or international data services that allow a 
user to dial a convenient local telephone number, and be connected to a 
distant computer.  If you've ever used CompuServe, BIX, Prodigy or other such 
services, you've used an X.25 network to connect to them.  X.25 networks are 
also called "packet switched networks" because small portions of data are 
"packetized" and sent through a data circuit inter-mixed or "switched" with 
the data of other local users.  Telenet and BT Tymnet are examples of the most 
common national X.25 networks. 

To connect TBBS to an X.25 network, you need a PAD -- Packet Assembler 
Disassembler.  At this time, TBBS supports only external PADs, not internal 
PAD cards.  The PAD is purchased, or in some cases leased from the network 
service provider.  Lines coming through the PAD are connected to a DigiBoard 
cable, just like your modem lines are now.  No modem is needed; the PAD takes 
its place for X.25 connections. 

X.25 networks charge by the packet, by connect time, or by "kilocharacter" 
(1000 characters).  Because TBBS is hot key based, and for other technical 
reasons, TBBS is expensive to use on X.25 networks which charge by the packet.  
"RBOC Gateway" services such as NYNEX and Bell Atlantic charge this way.  
Telenet and BT Tymnet usually charge by connect time or kilo-character, and 
can be economically used with TBBS.  

It's important to understand that X.25 networks normally charge YOU for their 
services, and you in turn charge your users.  There is also a minimum monthly 
charge to you for X.25 services.  For this reason, X.25 is generally only 
economical for very large, high volume systems that are already generating 
substantial income. 

Terminal Action...

Q. I want to connect another computer to our multi-line TBBS so I can connect 
to the system without a modem.  Can I do this, and if so, how? 

A. Connecting another computer or data terminal to TBBS directly is easy and 
simple.  You need an available line, a 25 pin serial cable, and a null modem 
adapter block. 

In CEDIT, define the new line with the appropriate address and IRQ. Select 
modem type E, make sure the INIT field is blank (use the spacebar), and of the 
five yes/no options, select Hard Wired=Y. If you'll be using speeds of 9600 
bps or higher, select RTS/CTS Flow Control=Y as well.  Leave the other options 
set to N. 

If you've configured RTS/CTS flow control in CEDIT, you'll also need to make 
sure that the terminal software or data terminal you're using on the other end 
is also configured for RTS/CTS flow control.  (How to do this varies with the 
program or terminal.) 

Connect the null modem adapter block to the TBBS end of the connection (the 
DigiBoard cable).  Plug one end of the cable to the adapter block, and the 
other end to the computer or data terminal serial port.  See your TBBS manual 
page 5-15 for wiring of a Null Modem cable.  TBBS requires this exact wiring 
to work! 

Start the terminal or terminal program.  Ensure that it is configured 
properly.  To "awaken" TBBS and sign-on, simply press the ENTER key two or 
three times, and you should see the sign-on screen. 

Kicking Me Off...

Q. I have maintained the MSG TO SYSOP message area that came with the 
installed TBBS system.  However, I structured it so that people could leave a 
message in that area within the system, not just at logoff.  But when someone 
leaves a message there, they're kicked off the system, even though they never 
selected my "goodbye" menu option.  What's going on? 

A. A message area named "MSG TO SYSOP" is a special area in two ways.  When 
someone enters a message there, it's automatically routed to the Sysop (the 
user is not prompted who to send the message to).  The second way in which 
it's special is optional. 

On the CEDIT MESSAGE BOARD OPTIONS screen, you'll find a line that says, 
"Chain Logoff to MSG TO SYSOP write".  If this is set to YES, then every time 
a person enters a message in that area, they are automatically logged off the 
system.  This is what is happening to you.  By setting this option to NO, then 
the user must manually logoff (if desired) after entering a message in the 
area. 

Periodically reviewing the CEDIT screens and their options is a good way to 
maintain familiarity with some of the more esoteric TBBS configuration 
possibilities. 

Inactivity Isn't So Bad...

Q. My system is set to kick users off who are inactive for 10 minutes.  Is 
there a way to change this so that users never get kicked off for inactivity? 

A. Yes.  On the CEDIT SYSTEM OPTIONS screen, you'll find a line that says, 
"Inactivity timeout".  The timeout is set in minutes. By setting the timeout 
to 0 minutes, users will never be logged off by TBBS for inactivity -- they 
may stay inactive for as long as their authorized time limits allow their call 
to last. 

- END -
PS0990-2
Rev. 9/90

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.

