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1.1 - INTRODUCTION
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[1.1.01] - WHY THE OFFICIAL BBS FAQ WAS WRITTEN
August 29th, 1994
Every day, I'd sign-on to local BBSes to download my e-mail
and review the Usenet newsgroups. After reading alt.bbs for
a few months, I noticed the same questions being asked over
and over again. One day, I read a message asking if there
was a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for the alt.bbs
newsgroups. If not, the poster asked if someone would be
willing to write one. The idea appealed to me.
I've never run a BBS of my own; however, I've signed-on a wide
variety of bulletin board services all over the United States.
I've helped sysops setup their boards plus I've done computer
tech support. Additionally, as a consultant and writer, I was
particularly attracted to the idea of assisting computer users
in their enjoyment of BBSing. From all of this combined
experience, I decided to develop the much-needed FAQ.
To begin the project, I posted a message in March of 1994 to
alt.bbs newsgroups, calling for people to contribute to the BBS
FAQ. The mail started flowing-in immediately and continued for
weeks. The overall response was great! All sorts of people were
willing to offer their time and knowledge to the long-awaited
FAQ.
I created a Table of Contents based on my own knowledge and on
the questions/suggestions I saw in the newsgroups. I then
gathered information from various sources to build the
comprehensive guide that follows. The end-product is intended
to aid those who use bulletin boards as well as to assist those
who run them or want to setup BBSes of their own.
The Official BBS FAQ was built BY the people of the Net, FOR
the people of the Net. Many thanks to all who contributed.
Regards,
Claire Walters
Original FAQ Author
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[1.1.02] - BBS FAQ STAFF 
Original Author/Publisher
Claire Walters - Boston, MA
Computer Consultant: Specializing in, not limited to;
Freelance Writer - auction copy editor/writer,
Web editor/designer - Sports cards & memorabilia sales.
E-mail: claire@thebbs.org
Web sites Owned/maintained
http://members.aol.com/cardgirrl/
http://pluto.njcc.com/~clairew/
http://www.sportsworld-usa.com
* EDITORIAL *
* HTML DESIGN *
Webmaster
Frank Robbins - El Paso, TX
A one of a kind, perl programmer, html/technical writer and
researcher of FidoNet related telecommunications systems
observing from a far, one foot in the door and the other
foot out the door, sometimes PRO and the other time CON,
showing the SysOps things that they never knew existed or
never could easily find, so in the end, the hobby is fun
again with others who share the same interests!
BBS SysOp since 1996.
E-mail: webmaster@thebbs.org
* MANAGING EDITOR
Frank Robbins
* ASSOCIATE EDITORS
none currently
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[1.1.03] - CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
CONTRIBUTORS/WRITERS
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Since March of '94 when I first called for writers to help
gather info for the BBS FAQ, there has been a wonderful response.
Without the help of all the writers the BBS FAQ would not have
been possible. Originally there were approximately 20 writers,
since then the number has grown.
Best Regards, Claire Walters
We would to express our special thanks to the original writers
who helped us build the foundation to this document and to
everyone who continue's to contribute which makes it possible
for us to maintain the FAQ.
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[1.1.04] - THE ADVISORY BOARD
As of March 1996 we invited a few selected industry leaders in
the online world to join us in the continued development of the
BBS FAQ.
CHAIR OF THE BOARD:
* Claire Walters
claire@thebbs.org
WindsorWare Consulting
P.O Box 32
Swampscott, MA 01907
* Dave McClure
info@aop.org
Executive Director
Assn of Online Professionals
(703) 924-9692
(703) 264-1750 BBS
Telnet aop.org
http://www.aop.org/
* Mike Ehlert
mike@thebbs.org
Pacific Coast Micro Systems
(805) 493-8388
(805) 493-8318 BBS
(805) 493-8328 BBS/Fax
http://www.pcmicro.com
* Frank Robbins
frank@thebbs.org
Tools of the Trade
(915) 595-2695
http://scselp.com/pbi/
* Andre Durand
andre@durand.com
Durand Communications, Inc.
147 Castilian Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
(805) 961-8700 voice,
(805) 961-8701 fax
http://www.durand.com/
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1.2 - LEGAL NOTICES
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[1.2.01] - DISCLAIMERS
The BBS FAQ is intended for those who want to start a
BBS/Online service or for those sysops already running a BBS
who may be seeking further information.
All information in this article is believed to be correct at
the time of writing. However, please recognize that this is an
evolving document and that the information that follows may
contain inaccuracies. Please direct suggestions for improvement
or corrections to the editor at, mike@thebbs.org
The editor & authors are not affiliated with any of the
companies mentioned herein. Some of the text included in this
document is descriptions written by the software
authors/companies themselves.
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[1.2.02] - COPYRIGHT NOTICE
"The Official BBS FAQ" is Copyrighted © 1994-2000,
by Claire Walters & Mike Ehlert. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
You are granted the following rights:
I. To make copies of this work in original form, so long as
(a) The copies are exact and complete.
(b) The copies include the copyright notice and these paragraphs
in their entirety.
(c) The copies give obvious credit to the authors.
(d) The copies are in electronic form only.
II. To distribute this work, or copies made under the provisions
above, so long as,
(a) this is the original work and not a derivative form.
(b) you do not charge a fee for copying or for distribution.
(c) you ensure that the distributed form includes the copyright
notice, this paragraph, the disclaimer of warranty in their
entirety and credit to the author & editor.
(Claire Walters & Mike Ehlert)
(d) the distributed form is not in an electronic magazine or
within computer software (prior explicit permission may be
obtained from Claire Walters - claire@thebbs.org)
(e) the distributed form is the NEWEST version of the article to
the best of the knowledge of the distributor.
(f) the distributed form is electronic.
You may NOT distribute this work by any non-electronic media,
including but not limited to books, newsletters, magazines,
manuals, catalogs, and speech. You may not distribute this
work in electronic magazines, CD-ROMS or within computer
software without prior written explicit permission. These
rights are temporary and revocable upon written, oral, or other
notice by Claire Walters. This copyright notice shall be
governed by the laws of the state of Massachusetts.
If you would like additional rights beyond those granted above,
write to our legal department at claire@thebbs.org
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[1.2.03] - TRADEMARK INFORMATION
The software & products mentioned in this FAQ is the properties
and trademark of their respective owners.
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1.3 - DOWNLOAD THE BBS FAQ FROM
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A new release of "The Official BBS FAQ" will be announced
periodically in the following newsgroups:
alt.bbs
alt.bbs.allsysop
alt.allsysop
alt.bbs.misc
comp.bbs.misc
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[1.3.01] - FTP SITES
Download the latest ASCII version via the following FTP sites:
* ftp://thebbs.org/bbsfaq/
* ftp://pcmicro.com/bbsfaq/
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[1.3.02] - WORLD WIDE WEB
THE OFFICIAL BBS FAQ WEB SITE
Due to the FAQ constantly being updated, we ask that the FAQ
should NOT be made made available via the internet except from
the BBS Organization's web site at:
* http://thebbs.org
Anyone wishing to be a mirror site of the FAQ most obtain
written permission first, and be willing to update their
mirror on a daily basis.
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1.4 - SIDEBAR NOTES FROM THE EDITOR
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[1.4.01] - THE EDITORS CORNER
Nothing to say yet...
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[1.4.02] - COMMENTS, CORRECTIONS, DELETIONS OR ADDITIONS
The BBS FAQ is constantly being maintained.
Due to the process of changes in the industry, we all
know FTP, Web sites & BBSes go down & pop-up each day,
companies change their contact info, new BBS software
sometimes gets developed etc..
Any comments, corrections, deletions or additions for
this FAQ please send e-mail to the editor,
mike@thebbs.org
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[1.4.03] - WHAT'S NEW IN THIS EDITION
This edition is a major update.
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1.5 - CURRENT NEWS OF THE BBS INDUSTRY
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[1.5.01] - BBS NEWS SOURCES
Under construction.
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1.6 - FIND YOUR BBS SOFTWARE
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[1.6.01] - BRIEF SUMMARY OF BBS SOFTWARE
Under construction.
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