Msg: 183 *Conference*
07-08-91 01:23:24
From: RICHARD HANSON
To : ALL
Subj: BOARDWATCH
----- For the first time in a long time, I'm out, scouting around on other BBSs. I'm doing research on what it's like to be "new" on a BBS. I want to feel the frustration, first hand--the uncertainty; the overwhelm; the excitement; the sense of adventure; the feeling of money spent on long distance calls. I'm online at 2400 baud but it feels so slow. God! What would it be like at (gasp!) 300 baud? Hey. I've been there but I "forgot" what it was like. I decided to log onto Boardwatch Magazine's BBS. They've been online for several years. I subscribe to Boardwatch and decided to call the editor, Jack Rickard (by voice) and discuss the "state of the BBS" with him. Jack and I had a nice chat last week. Actually, he suggested that I look around on his BBS, since both of us are TBBS sysops. I waited until the weekend when the rates are low and logged on. My first log was just to see the prompts. I logged on and logged off. Then, I built an auto-loggon script for Procomm and logged on, again. This time, I started capturing menus and informational files. I logged on and off several times, each time capturing more "organizational" stuff. Each time going deeper and deeper into the system. I'm using my word processing program(s) to organize everything into a "system binder" for future use of the Boardwatch service. I've got over 100 pages, and there's still "tons" more. Wow! I am overwhelmed. The sheer volumn of "stuff" is unreal. I could go on but won't. I'm doing this BBS thing, my way. But, is my way the only way? I don't know. I need your feedback. What do you do to "understand" a new BBS? What activities are "real" for you and what is not? Describe the "ideal" BBS. -Rick-