From: guy.byars@ssa.org (Guy Byars) 
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.soaring
Subject: FAQ ABOUT THE SSA'S BBS
Date: 23 Dec 92 23:21:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: Soaring Society of America's BBS (513)-871-7720
Reply-To: guy.byars@ssa.org (Guy Byars) 



    This is my first pass for a FAQ about the SSA's BBS.  Perhaps this could be
included with the Soaring FAQ.


    Frequently Asked Questions about the Soaring Society of America's BBS
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Q: What is the SSA's BBS

    It is an electronic bulletin board system (BBS) run by the Soaring
    Society of America to promote better communication between SSA members
    and other interested parties.  It is accessed by calling it up via
    phone line, (513)-871-7720 with your computer and modem. (14,400
    V4.2bis V3.2bis are supported.)


Q: Can I access it via internet?

    No, it carries selected Usenet newsgroups and has email capability by
    periodic dialup, but since it has no realtime connection, FTP, Telnet
    ...etc are not possible.


Q: What type of information will be available on it?

    Scoresheets, scoring programs, calendar of events, reports from SSA
    Directors and committee chairmen ... etc.  All the standard BBS stuff.
    There is also a conference for each SSA Affiliate and Division, one for
    calendar of events... etc.


Q:  Can I send E-mail to a user of the BBS?

    Yes, the BBS has a registered domain of @SSA.ORG  To send an Email
    message to a user of the BBS, address it to:

                   first.last@SSA.ORG

    where "first" and "last" are the first and last name of the user of the
    bbs.


Q:  Can I send E-mail to any SSA member?

    You can send mail only to those members who have called the BBS and
    registered there.  You should not blindly send mail to the BBS for
    someone who you know to be a SSA member.  Unless they call the BBS and
    read their mail, they will not get the message.


Q:  Will the BBS carry rec.aviation.soaring?

    Yes, rec.aviation.* (sans Military and IFR) plus rec.birds,
    rec.models.rc and sci.aeronautics are carried in separate conferences
    on the BBS.  They are updated at 0900Z each morning.  Email is also
    sent/received at the same time.  The newsfeed is infoserv connections.


Q:  Will the BBS information be dumped to r.a.s?

    Not automatically, however, since r.a.* is carried on the BBS, it is a
    simple matter to cross post material from the BBS to r.a.*.  The Sysop,
    will try to keep a bi-directional flow of information.


Q: What about gliders for sale?  Will this tie in with the classified section
    of _Soaring_ mag?

    No, the ads from _Soaring_ will not initially be carried on the BBS.
    However, there is a "Trading Post" conference for want ads which will
    allow BBS users to submit and read want ads.


Q: Will I be able to contact people in the SSA main office?

    As this is a "new" thing for the SSA HQ, some time will be required for
    them to assemilate the BBS into their routine.
          "A journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step."


Q: Who is the SSA's contact person for this service.

    The SYStem Operator (sysop) is the person to contact for questions or
    comments on this service.  You can reach him by either Email, or by
    dialing up the BBs and leaving him a message.  The "acting" sysop is:

    Guy Ford Byars
    guy.byars@ssa.org


Q: Is there a document describing the basics of how to use it?

    The reference manual is available on the BBS: "REFGUIDE.TXT" which will
    give the very basics on how to use it.  A complete detailed users guide
    is being written.
        
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.soaring