831.TXT
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Using Microrim's Bulletin Board
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PRODUCT: ALL VERSION: N/A
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CATALOG: General Information AREA : General Information
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With the considerable attention focused on the large commercial
communication services such as CompuServe, America On-line, Prodigy
and the numerous Internet providers, it is reassuring to know that
there are low cost and free services, such as Microrim's Bulletin
Board System (BBS), still available to anyone with access to a
computer and modem. According to the March 95' edition of
PC-Computing there are an estimated 60,000 BBS operators supporting 17
million users_four times the total number of users for all commercial
on-line services. Suffice to say, the less glamorous BBS is alive and
well and growing in popularity. The Microrim BBS number is
206-649-9836.
Most new computers sold today come with a modem and communications
software already installed. All computers need to be configured prior
to contacting Microrim's BBS, however, even if it's just typing the
BBS's phone number in the dialing-up directory. The best
communications software is not self-configuring, and can present a
confusing number of setup options. If you have trouble buying the
correct modem, locating or configuring your commutations software, or
just need more information prior to starting, the Association of PC
User Groups has an automated, 24-hour a day, touch tone phone system
(914-876-6678) that will get you in touch with a helpful, local PC
user group in your area. Their mailing address is: Association of PC
User Groups; 1730 M Street, NW; Washington, DC 20036.
As far as specific hardware needs are concerned, most PC's, even
older 8088/86 systems and Macintosh Computers can connect to
Microrim's BBS if they use a modem that is at least 1200 bps (Bits
per second_speed of data transmission). The BBS does not allow modems
slower than 1200 bps to connect to the system. If you are considering
purchasing a modem, it is advisable that you only consider modems
able to connect at 14,000 bps or above, and consider purchasing a
good surge protector that offers modem protection. Note that while a
Mac might connect to a BBS, it usually has access only to messages_no
file upload or download ability unless the machine is running a
DOS/Windows emulation program.
With so many operating systems and communications software packages
in use today it is difficult to discuss specific aspects of or
recommend any system. In general, for connecting to the Microrim BBS,
your communication software should be set to the following settings:
Full Duplex (No Echo means the same thing); 8 Data Bits; No Parity; 1
Stop Bit, and either ANSI or VT100 terminal emulation. Since the
location of these settings depends on the type of software, be
prepared to contact the appropriate support facility if you cannot
locate them. Make certain that the default download and upload PATHs
used by your communications software are set to actual sub
directories on your computer and that, if those directories are
located on a network, you have read and write privileges in those
directories. If you have the `call-waiting' option for your phone,
you should contact your telephone service for instructions on
turning it on and off. When you are on-line, `call-waiting' should
be switched off since it can cause your modem to disconnect from the
BBS.
Prior to connecting to the Microrim BBS you should decide if you want
to capture the session's screens to a file on your computer. This
option is only available with some software packages, but it is very
useful when you are learning about a BBS. After you login you can
display help screens and support documents, capture them to a file,
then review them off-line.
When your communications software contacts the BBS, you are asked if
you want graphics mode_answer no, then complete the on-line
questionnaire and select a password to use the next time you call.
Currently, Microrim's BBS is divided into three conference areas:
Main, Messages and Technical Support Documents. Each area contains a
selection of bulletins, messages and files; these are subject to
change. Most of the files and bulletins can be downloaded to your PC
by selecting `D' from any of the Conference area menus. If your
software cannot capture screens to a text file, you can download
bulletins by simply selecting the option to download `D' and typing
the name of the bulletin (ex: `blt4') and a zipped version of the
file (blt4.zip) will be selected for download. Using the default
batch mode, you can select several files for download at a time.
Most communication software requires that you initiate the download
sequence after selecting the download option. However, some software
allows an option to automatically initiate ZMODEM downloads.
Selecting that option saves a lot of time and confusion. You should
be familiar with the sequence used by your software to initiate
downloads before you login, but learning about software without
reading the manual is usually more fun, so just try it! You can't
hurt anything, even if you are forced to reboot your PC while
connected. The BBS will usually sense that you have left prematurely
and reset itself. However, the BBS may be unable to reset if you
prematurely terminate a connection while downloading a file with
ZMODEM.
We recommend that you use the ZMODEM file transfer protocol as it is
by far the fastest and will save on phone connect charges.
Some files downloaded to your computer are compressed using PKZIP,
while others are self-extracting. You will need to use the program
PKUNZIP to uncompress files with the extension .ZIP; most files that
you download with the .EXE extension are self-extracting. If you are
unfamiliar with the PKZIP/PKUNZIP utilities you can download this
software utility from the BBS and read the included documentation.
The PKZIP and PKUNZIP utilities are in the self-extracting .EXE file
PKZ204G.EXE. This file contains a number of other files, so you
should move PKZ204G.EXE from your download directory to an empty
directory before you extract the files. To start the extraction,
enter "PKZ204G" at your DOS prompt.
It is always a good idea to uncompress files in an empty sub
directory and read all text messages contained in the ZIP file before
proceeding. In some instances, ZIPped files may contain files that
might copy over other existing files.
Uploading a file to the BBS is generally the reverse of downloading.
Prior to uploading files you should send a fax to the receiving
person at Microrim, stating the name and purpose of the file, and
any special instructions needed to use it. Microrim's fax number is
206-746-9350. All files should be ZIPped using the PKZIP utility
prior to uploading them. This serves two purposes; it reduces the
size of the file and protects the file from corruption while in
transit. Important:: When the BBS prompts you to describe the
uploaded file, place a `/' at the beginning of the description to
code it as private.
Some people login to the BBS and wander though the message and
bulletin areas reading on-line. This can be expensive if you are
connected long distance. There are several methods to enhance your
visit to the BBS by scanning for the desired information, downloading
it, and reading it off-line. If you enter "R;ALL;S;C" from a
conference menu command prompt you can initiate a sequence that Reads
messages from All conferences Since the last time logged-in, then
downloads the results as a capture file named RBASE.CAP. Adding a `Y'
to the sequence will collect only messages to you. You can scan
individual conferences for specific words by entering "TS;printer;D",
then select the message number to start the scan. This captures
messages that contain the word "printer" and initiates a download.
Now for the best method to manage messages on a BBS.
Download the file SLMR21A.ZIP from Microrim's BBS. This is a
shareware copy of the Silly Little Mail Reader (SLMR) from Technique
Computer Systems. SLMR is an off-line mail reader for QWK packets
created by the BBS's software, PCBoard. You can use SLMR to read,
organize and respond to message bases on a wide variety of BBS
systems using QWK packets. You use the same procedure to scan for
messages, only this time substitute QWK for the download option. You
enter, "R;ALL;S;QWK" and MRIM.QWK packet is created by scanning all
conferences for new messages since last you logged-on. After you
log-off, you open the MRIM.QWK packet with SLMR and all of the
messages are organized by conference. You can respond to messages in
SLMR, add a tagline (Short statement about you/politics/etc.), and an
upload packet is created called MRIM.REP. This packet is then
uploaded to the BBS by entering "QWK" from a command line and the
"UPLOAD" option selected. You initiate the upload from your end and
MRIM.REP will be processed by the BBS and your responses
automatically posted. The manual that is enclosed in SLMR's ZIPped
file is chock full features and tips and well worth the download. If
you have any questions concerning Microrim's BBS, feel free to leave
a message for the Sysop.
In addition to it's BBS service, Microrim provides on-line customer
support on it's CompuServe Forum (GO MICRORIM) and Home Page
(http://www.microrim.com) on the World Wide Web. If you need
information about CompuServe call 800-336-6823, outside the US and
Canada call 614-529-1340. Access to the World Wide Web is available
from CompuServe, as well as other Internet providers.