Making an Inter-Network Connection: Bulletin Board Systems on the Internet Jeff Marraccini, MichNet liaison, Oakland University, USERW02V@UMICHUM In increasingly popular phenomenon on the Internet is computerbased communication. Much of this communication is done over the many bulletin board systems (BBSs) now available on the Internet. Use of a BBS fosters conversations and information sharing between users. BBSs traditionally were systems that were run by individuals on home computers or perhaps on a work machine. Typically the BBS user would dial the telephone number of the BBS using a modem. Unfortunately, most BBS systems only had one incoming phone line with many users competing against busy signals to get through. Now, some BBSs are mega-BBS systems, set up with many phone lines, or more recently, Internet connections to allow more people to connect simultaneously. Also, with many users connecting at the same time, applications such as real time communications become feasible. Electronic mail, group discussions, and store houses of public domain software are other popular uses of these giant bulletin board systems. Several hosts on the Internet have made public-access BBS systems available. Most are accessed using the telnet command available from Internet hosts or at the MichNet Which Host? prompt. After connecting to the BBS host, most systems use a special public access account such as bbs, cosy, or new to allow new users to log onto the BBS. Most BBS systems create accounts for users immediately, but some systems require some form of authentication. The authentication may be a voice phone call or a written letter to the system operator of the BBS. A list of several well-known Internet BBS systems is in the table following. Internet BBS systems are primarily a way for Internet users to relax and chat with others about recreational topics. However, they can be (and often are) used for serious work. For instance, a user that has a question about a computer application may be able to get the answer at any time of the day or night from someone logged into a BBS system. Also, most BBS systems make available collections of useful utilities, directories of public access hosts, and computer documentation. Following is a sample of a typical BBS session, which shows some of the services and options available. Some of these systems are free to users, and provide convenient access to services such as e-mail, while others require a membership fee to cover expenses. Which Host?telnet samba.acs.unc.edu Authorization required for access outside MichNet. Enter authorization code or HELP Authorization code? vela/janedoe Enter password for authorization code VELA.ACS.OAKLAND.EDU/janedoe ? password? xxxxxxxxx %TN03:OK0A-OK0C:TN00 telnet %Call connected - 128.109.157.30 ULTRIX V4.1 (Rev. 52) (samba.acs.unc.edu) *** ATTENTION EBBS USERS *** Type bbs at the login prompt. login: bbs Last login: Mon Feb 4 15:52:16 from twist78.acs.unc. ULTRIX V4.1 (Rev. 52) System #1: Thu Dec 13 12:23:19 EST 1990 UWS V4.1 (Rev. 197) The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Academic Computing Services Bulletin Board System bbs.acs.unc.edu 128.109.157.30 ************************************** If you are new to the bbs, keep in mind that you can use any name you like, but should use your real name if you plan to apply for Internet mail and news privileges. ****To apply for these privileges, send by US Mail a completed copy of the request form. You will find this form listed as_bulletin.req_ in the bulletins area. **** ************************************* Enter your first name ( or first and last ) ==> jane doe Hello Jane Doe! Did I get your name right? (Y/n) ==> y Enter your password ==> ________ Record successfully written Default editor is vi. Your mail address is: Jane_Doe@bbs.acs.unc.edu Last login on: 02/04/91 at 15:40:55 Terminal Type: vt100 Time left = 179 minutes and 54 seconds UNC-ACS Bulletin Board System 1. Message System 2. File Access 3. Network News Access 4. Special Interest Groups 5. UNC Campus INFO System 6. User Options 7. Bulletins and Additional Information 8. Goodbye 9. Library Card Catalogs ?. Help ===> 1 Record successfully written Time left = 179 minutes and 48 seconds Current message area = pc You have the following messages: UNC-ACS Bulletin Board System 1. Return to Main Menu 2. Read Messages 3. Send Messages 4. Scan Messages 5. Change to a new Message Area 6. List BBS Users ?. Help ===> 5 Directory Description =================================== 1) general General Message Area 2) programmers Programmers Message Area 3) sysopsBBS System Operators Area 4) unix Message Area 5) pcIBM PC Message Area 6) amiga Amiga Message Area Q) Quit to Previous Menu Enter Selection ===> q Time left = 179 minutes and 4 seconds UNC-ACS Bulletin Board System 1. Message System 2. File Access 3. Network News Access 4. Special Interest Groups 5. UNC Campus INFO System 6. User Options 7. Bulletins and Additional Information 8. Goodbye 9. Library Card Catalogs ?. Help ===> 9 UNC-ACS Bulletin Board System 1. Return to Main Menu 2. DELCAT - U. of Delaware 3. MELVYL - U. of California 4. CARL - Colorado Research Libraries 5. DRA - Data Research Associates (has Library of Congress on-line) Q) Quit to Previous Menu Enter Selection ===> q Are you sure you want to exit? (Y/n): Y Would you like to leave a private message for the Sysop? (y/N): N The management welcomes any comments! Please visit again! %Call cleared - 128.109.157.30 %TN03:OK0A-OK0C:TN03 128.109.157.30 Connection closed Some Popular Internet BBS Name Address Login as fncom1.cwru.edu 129.22.8.43 new mars.ee.msstate.edu 130.18.64.3 bbs quartz.rutgers.edu 128.6.4.8 bbs samba.acs.unc.edu 128.109.157.30 bbs uafcseg.uark.edu 130.184.64.202 bbs (For a complete list of Internet Bulletin Boards, send electronic mail to the author at jeff@vela.acs.oakland.edu ) ************************************************************* CCNEWS Copyright Notice If you use this article, in whole or in part, in printed or electronic form, you are legally and morally obligated to credit the author and the original publication name, date, and page(s). We suggest that you also inform the author of your intention to use this article, in case there are updates or corrections that he or she might wish to suggest. The ideas and opinions expressed in this article, as well as articles obtained through CCNEWS and the CCNEWS Articles Archive, do not necessarily reflect those of EDUCOM. EDUCOM will not accept responsibility for misinformation, nor will EDUCOM be responsible for misuse of information obtained through the CCNEWS Articles Archive. If space and format permit, we would appreciate your crediting the "Articles database of CCNEWS, the Electronic Forum for Campus Computing Newsletter Editors, a BITNET-based service of EDUCOM." We would also appreciate your informing us (via e-mail to CCNEWS@EDUCOM) when you use an article, so we will know which articles have proven most useful. *************************************************************