Msg: 4395 *Conference*

06-14-93 09:12:01

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : RON BLIZZARD

Subj: REPLY TO MSG #4389 (SORRY)

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Ron: I appreciate your concerns about dropping carrier vs. using the (G)oodbye
to log off.  We're okay on this end either way.  This host, TBBS on a DOS
computer is very fault tollerant.  Dropping carrier only results in the line
being reset.  No harm is done.

There once was a time, back 14 years ago, when carrier drops resulted in a
crashed host, and damaged file allocation table on the boot disk--back before
hard disks.  I recall rebuilding FAT's almost every day, back then.  I was
running TBBS on a TRS 80 Model 3, and a 4, under Newdos80.  The software was
okay but the equipment was just too slow and uncertain.  Even the little things
made it crash.

It used to worry me a lot.  I couldn't take a vacation without wondering if the
host would crash as we drove out the driveway for a weeks vacation.  To this
end, I once hired club member Paul Perry, a local young high school geek, to
baby sit the house and the host.  At last I didn't have to worry.

In 1987, when I finally installed a DOS computer as the host under TBBS, I was
pleasantly surprised to finally have a stable host.  Of course, I was
constantly backing it up, but noted that it never, never, never carshed.  My
comfort level got the point that I don't back up the host for several months,
or years!  Yes, you read that right... years!  Hmmm... that reminds me... it
has been about 3 years since I backed up this host.  I'll make a note to think
about doing it... one day real soon. :)

Thanks again for your concerns.  Dropping carrier happens every day around here
with no harm done but it is VERY NICE of you to present your concerns--much
appreciated, sir.  -Rick-