From: hucke@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Matt Hucke)
Subject: Re: Help on starting bbs's  
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 19:40:11 GMT

In article <1992Sep4.052527.29018@newshost.anu.edu.au> cml851@huxley.anu.edu.au (I'm crazy) writes:
>	    I don't know whether this is the right place to post this and it's a trivial question, but where oh where can I get info on starting a bbs, I would prefer net sources, but anything will do.

Well, I have nothing better to do right now... I'm making this up as I go
along, so comments are welcome...

1.  Get a second phone line.  Don't try to run a bbs off a voice line.  
    You'll just get a lot of machine-originated calls annoying you, and
    many people will refuse to call a part-time bbs because it's not "serious".
2.  Choose a software.
  1a: call around, see what you like from the user's end.  Some good features:
         ANSI color
         Network capability
         Capacity for many newsgroups
         a menu system that seems to make sense
         fullscreen vt102/ansi editors
  1b: mail the sysops and ask about what how well it works from the other side.
         lots of security levels
         good log files
         user/newsgroup/etc. editors
         easy setup.
3.  Download it.  Most likely, you can get it from someone who runs it
    locally, or by FTP if you can get to the internet.  wuarchive.wustl.edu
    is always a good place to look.
4.  Install the bbs.  Some programs will do this automatically, all you 
    have to do is pkunzip it, and when you run it the first time everything
    will fall into place.
5.  Install networking software.  These days, every bbs has to be in some
    sort of network, or you won't get any callers except file leeches.
    Fidonet is the most popular... use Archie to find all the programs 
    you'll need.
6.  Contact the local net.gods and beg to be let in.  If you want in Fidonet,
    mail (from your system) node 0 of your net.  If you want to be in a 
    WWIV net, look for a ^ in the net listing, then call that person's bbs.
    (area coordinator).  If you want an internet connection, mail root@
    somewhere.
7.  Set up message and file areas.  PKZIP all interesting files you have and
    move them into the download section.  Write policy statements for all
    areas explaining what they're for and the rules ("No flames" "No swearing"
    "Don't let anyone under 18 see these GIFs!!" etc.)
8.  Take steps to avoid trouble with the police.
       8a: Don't carry pirated software.
       8b: Put age limits on sexually-related message/file areas.
       8c: you might want to consider a registration form demanding proof
           of age.
       8d: post an announcement that there are no facilities for private
           mail, and the sysops can read supposedly private messages at
           any time.
9.  Have a friend call and test before opening to the public.  This is 
    especially important if you have a weird modem, so you can be sure
    it answers.  Choose co-sysops and raise their access levels... they'll
    help you with maintenance.
10. Everything's ready... so advertise!  Post on all local bbs's.  If their
    software supports automessages (a message shown to everyone during
    logon, sort of like /etc/motd), and you have access to change it, place
    an ad there.  Be sure to post on all bbs's running the same software
    as yours, so you can attract users who prefer that software type.  If 
    your areacode has a semi-official bbslist maintainer, mail him the
    relevant information.
11. The first few days, you must be open 24 hours... don't use your pc for
    anything else, don't make any phone calls out.  Often, when a new bbs
    is advertised, and a potential new user calls and the phone rings 
    without being answered, he will assume the listing is bogus and never
    call back. 
12. Avoid restrictions until you have a steady user base.  Post/call ratios,
    file download restrictions, timelocks on the games, etc., will anger
    new users.  When you first start up, there will be few messages, so
    most people will spend their time in the file/game areas rather than
    posting.  When the articles start coming in, then you can install these
    features to prevent abuse.

That's all I can think of right now... I run WWIV, so my biases toward that
program are probably reflected in the above... good luck!
-- 
   And thither came Conan, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, to tread the jeweled 
   thrones of the Earth beneath his sandaled feet.  --THE NEMEDIAN CHRONICLES 
hucke@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu             _V_a_l_h_a_l_l_a BBS, 217-352-3682, WWIV4.21, 14.4k
Newsgroups: alt.bbs