From: mto@nic.funet.FI (Markku Toijala)
Newsgroups: comp.archives
Subject: [rec.radio.amateur.packet] FBB 5.14 PBBS software available
Date: 6 Apr 92 10:47:40 GMT
Article-I.D.: agate.rpa8cINN16d
Followup-To: rec.radio.amateur.packet
Organization: Finnish Academic and Research Network Project - FUNET
NNTP-Posting-Host: soda.berkeley.edu
X-Original-Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.packet
X-Original-Date: 5 Apr 92 14:36:26 GMT

Archive-name: auto/rec.radio.amateur.packet/FBB-5-14-PBBS-software-available

New version of the packet BBS software by F6FBB is now available with
anonymous FTP from 

tomcat.gsfc.nasa.gov (USA) in directory bbs/f6fbb or
nic.funet.fi (Finland, Europe) in directory pub/ham/packet/bbs/f6fbb.

Key features of this software are:


   - The usage of this software is very close to the one made by WA7MBL, whose
   commands have  been  kept. It  has  also a  set  of specific  and original
   supplementary commands.

   - Works on any  100 % compatible XT  or AT PC fitted  with a hard disk and
   640 k  RAM,  monochrome CGA  or EGA  VDU,  1 up  to  8 serial  ports. This
   software  allows  user-customized  colours  but  works  also  without  any
   modification on a monochrome adapter.

   - Can take advantage of extended or expanded memory installed in the system

   - Multiconnections:  up  to 50  simultaneous  channels on  8  TNC (4  or 8
   channels per TNC depending on the software used).

   -  Multiplexing:  this   software  supports  usage   of  an  external  MUX
   (schematics included  in the  distribution disk),  supports also extension
   boards in the case  of a hardware configuration  having more than 2 ports.
   The MUX  connects 4 TNC  on 1  serial port,  either com1  or com2. Printed
   board will be  available from the  ATEPRA association, (ATEPRA,  23 rue de
   Provins, 77520 MONS EN MONTOIS - FRANCE).

   - Operates:
   - with any  TNC2 or clone  fitted with the  special 27256 eprom containing
   the WA8DED firmware, or  TF4/TF8, with a Z80 clock  of 2.5 or, better, 4.9
   MHz. -
   - with a PK232 in Host-Mode
   - with a G8BPQ node.
   - With a KAM hostmode (I seem to have still some problems).

   - Standard BBS: it is a BBS  identical to the WA7MBL or W0RLI. It has also
   server functions (computation of  satellite orbits, callbook, and operator
   customizable chapters, gateway  to an other channel,  the users being able
   to chat together in real time on the same or different channels, etc...).

   -  Forwarding:  with  the  other  BBS  WA7MBL  type  or  compatible,  BIDS
   management (up  to 2000  of them,  or more  depending on  a parameter, are
   saved in  a separate file),  a BID  is automatically  generated should the
   user doesnt provide if. Private message  works with the management of MID.
   The messages are suppressed automatically after  a delay which can be user
   defined. This is true for bulletins and private mail.

   - The forwarding is optimized between  BBS using FBB protocole type. It is
   more efficient  on  a  VHF/UHF network.  This  kind of  forwarding  can be
   disabled by configuration.

   - The compressed forwarding allows the  reduction by a factor of about 40-
   50% the quantity  of data  to exchange in  big messages.  The messages are
   protected by checksums, then the transfer is made error-free.

   - The forwarding is simultaneous on  the various ports regardless they are
   incoming or outgoing. There might be several forwardings outgoing per port
   which number is set  by parameter. The number  of incoming forwarding is a
   function of the available channels. The time and the period of forward can
   be set separately on each port.

   - The hierarchical routing is supported.

   - The ping-pong phenomenon is automatically detected and an information is
   given to the sysop by a system message.

   - Messages and  bulletins for SYSOP  are duplicated to  a destination call
   which can be defined by configuration.

   - A  detailed  log  of the  BBS  activity  is maintained  and  a statistic
   analysis program, written by FC1MVP, is also available.

   - Binary  transfer is  supported with  the usage  of the  YAPP protocol of
   WA7MBL.  An extension  to  this  protocol  has  been  made,  including the
   automatic restart  and  the  checksum, should  a  stop has  occurred  or a
   disconnection  took place  during  the  transfer.  This  extension  to the
   protocol works with the TPK, packet terminal program written by FC1EBN.

   - Gateway between connected stations or with another port.

   - Conference within the limits of the available ports and channels.

   - Language: at the first connection, the connect language is attributed to
   the user, depending of the callsign.

   - Remote  SYSOP operation  is supported  and the  housekeeping of  the BBS
   messages, mail and old  mail is done each and  every night at low activity
   period which can be parametered, and is done automatically.

   - Works under DesqView.

73, Markku / OH2BQZ

P.S. I do not act as any kind of distribution or contact point for this
     software other than maintaining ham archives at nic.funet.fi.
     If you do not have internet access please check a phone BBS near you
     e.g. G8LWY Packet BBS in the UK +44 81 5471479 or
          WB6ODZ F6FBB PACKET SUPPORT BBS (USA) 619-376-6383