BBS Sysop
Resources
Main Page
BBS Software
BBS Utilities
Door Games
Other Resources
Sysop FAQ
Telnet Utilities
BBS
User
Resources
Intro to BBSing
Getting Connected
Telnet BBS Guide
Other BBS Lists
User FAQ
Other Useful
Information
BBS Corner Home
About Us
Contact Us
Weblog
DM Online Home
|
Overview on Telnet BBS Systems |
If you are new to the concept of Telnet BBS systems, here's a quick overview on what Telnet BBS systems are, how they work, and how to get started.
- What Is Telnet? How is it different than the Web?
Telnet is one of many protocols on the
Internet. The World Wide Web (HTTP - Hyper Teletext Protocol) is another
protocol. So are E-mail and FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The major
different of Telnet versus the Web is an interactive connection with a
remote (host) computer. Web pages allow a user to go from one page to
another or to download a file, but are not really interactive with the
host computer (in this case, a web server). Most of the work is done your
computer (client) rather than on the host computer (server).
Telnet allows users to be interactive with the remote computer. The host
computer (in this case the BBS) takes in commands from the client (in this
case the user's computer) and performs functions and sends the output to
the remote computer
- Why Use Telnet?
Telnet BBS Systems are very similar to that of traditional dial-up BBS systems. This is good for several reasons. Many BBS Sysops still use "legacy" BBS systems that they've used for many years. They don't want to start all over. Adding a "Virtual Modem" software add-on to an existing BBS system will allow them to continue their dial-up BBS on the Internet. Even if a BBS Sysop chooses to use a BBS system with built-in Internet capabilities, many people still like the traditional BBS "ANSI" color interface. While this is somewhat crude by today's standards, a number of people still like it. There are a vast number of existing BBS related programs (such as Door Games) that work better on a traditional BBS interface rather than the Web. Since Telnet is almost like a dial-up BBS interface, it does not take much to change from the old way to the new way.
- Using a Telnet Client Program
The down side of using Telnet versus the Web is that your users will have to use a program called a Telnet "Client". There are a number of them out there with various kinds of functionality. A number of them are either freeware or shareware. Such examples include mTelnet, ZOC and NetTerm. Make at least one available for users to download. My suggestion is to use mTelnet since its free, simple, yet powerful.
Windows ME, NT, 2000 and XP have a good built-in Telnet client (just click on Start, then Run, and type in Telnet). The built in Telnet client in Windows 95 and 98 (Hyperterminal) is not very good and does not display ANSI colors. Fortunately, other telnet clients exist (see previous paragraph!)
Telnet-Ready BBS Software Packages
There are several BBS software packages that are designed with the Internet in mind and have built-in Telnet servers along with other Internet features such as E-mail, FTP and more.
Commercialware systems include Wildcat Winserver and Worldgroup. Freeware systems include Mystic and Synchronet.
Using Legacy BBS Systems with Telnet
Many BBS sysops are using traditional legacy (DOS based) BBS systems, early Windows BBS systems, or OS/2 based BBS systems. These systems can be adapted for use as Telnet BBS systems by the use of a device known as a Virtual Modem. A Virtual modem acts an interface between the modem world and the telnet world. Your users see it as a telnet port, your BBS sees it as a modem. The most you will have to do is to change your "modem" configurations (COM port and "AT" modem settings) and maybe enable the use of a "FOSSIL" driver. Other than that, the legacy BBS system operates the same as if it were connected to a physical modem.
The Next Step
Now that you've read the above overview, here is some additional information to help you get started in setting up a Telnet BBS.
- Types of Internet Connections
- Don't know which type or speed of Interenet connection methods are available or which one is the best for you? This section describes various to physically connect your computer to the Internet.
-
- Virtual Modem Interfaces
- Virtual Modems are used to interface old-style (DOS based and early Windows based) BBS systems to the Internet. Your BBS sees it as a modem - your users see your BBS as a Telnet port. Here is all the information you will need to find out which is the best one for you and how to set it up and run on your system.
- Dynamic DNS Services
- If you do not have a Static IP address, don't let that keep you from operating a Telnet BBS. Here is information on what Dynamic DNS (Domain Name Server) services are about, what they do, and how they can help your users find your BBS.
Site Created April 1996. Page last modified January 1, 2006
Contact us for more information