As a Sysop, you have a few places you can go for support. This sub is a
great place for help! But sometimes, I need a bit more
interactive/real-time help in BBS setup and coding/scripting. Help in a
way that's more difficult/time-consuming over FTNs.

I've been using (among other things) the various discord communities that
BBS sysops have setup. There are also communities (like Meatlotion)
using other platforms. The great thing is, they are often extensions of
each BBS community and they augment--rather than detract--from BBSing.

I know others feel differently, no need to re-hash the "off platform"
debate :)

Anyway -- I've setup a dedicated community JUST for BBS SysOp help.
For new sysops (new to BBSing), AND experienced one. Share code snippets.
Work in progress art. Debug scripts/mods. Celebrate the medium. There are
areas for each BBS type (e.g. Mystic, Talisman, Synchronet, Enigma, WWIV,
etc.)

Anyway -- going to leave the community open if you want to join. And if
you're a BBS author, you get mod access for your area. The goal? Create
AWESOME BBS experiences for ourselves, and for others.

Cheers!

BBS SYSOP HELP DESK
https://discord.gg/BmEj4KY7Qj

|04a|12LPHA
|03Alpha Complex |15- |11alphacomplex.us:2323

--- Talisman v0.27-dev (Linux/armv7l)
* Origin: THE COMPUTER IS YOUR FRIEND. Alpha Complex - alphacomplex.us:2323 (21:4/158)

On 24 Oct 2021 at 09:18a, aLPHA pondered and said...

I know others feel differently, no need to re-hash the "off platform" debate :)

Anyway -- I've setup a dedicated community JUST for BBS SysOp help.
For new sysops (new to BBSing), AND experienced one. Share code snippets. Work in progress art. Debug scripts/mods. Celebrate the medium. There are areas for each BBS type (e.g. Mystic, Talisman, Synchronet, Enigma, WWIV, etc.)

I wish you well but lament that the information and knowledge discussed may be lost to FTN echos like this (and on othernets). With a growing array of non BBS platforms to host BBS discussions it's an unfortunate byproduct of such things.

As a Sysop, you have a few places you can go for support. This sub is a great place for help! But sometimes, I need a bit more interactive/real-time help in BBS setup and coding/scripting. Help in a way that's more difficult/time-consuming over FTNs.

While FTN echos are not 'real time' I'd argue in todays Internet connected BBS world you're very likely to post and get a reply within minutes rather than days. Those who are not about can read and contribute at a time and time zone that suits them. I understand that may not be enough for some and indeed some prefer to voice chat etc.

For me echomail is a core part of the BBSing experience, and a written record within the BBS community of the exchange of thoughts, ideas and information taking place at a given date/time on assorted topics.

Yep those conversations can take place anywhere really - in email, via Zoom etc. etc... but to engage in written form with others using the original medium that BBS offer for such things, is (for me at least) part of the experience of using and enjoying the medium today, and as it was, way back in the 90s.

Just how well that works here or on Discord or anywhere is a function of where people choose to hangout and share their ideas and conversation.

On that count my hope is that by having all of these other choices for people to participate in we're not cannibalizing some at the expense of others and inadvertently making it harder for folks to find what information they are looking actually for.

To conclude, I do wish you well. But like you, I'd like to share my reasoning as to why I think echomail discussions (on all sorts of topics and certainly subjects to do with BBS help and other related themes) are still well worth having in what is a hyper-connected world offering so many other channels of connectivity.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/09/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

I wish you well but lament that the information and knowledge
discussed may be lost to FTN echos like this (and on othernets). With
a growing array of non BBS platforms to host BBS discussions it's an unfortunate byproduct of such things.

I hear you Avon, and I respect your position. I've struggled with it
as well. And while some convo may indeed be "lost" to the historical
echomail record when using other channels, I do think this is ultimately
an augementation to BBSing as it's about helping sysops tackle thorny
problems in newer ways, using screenshots, video snippets, formatted code snippets, etc. Like your YouTube channel for Mystic (granted, that's a
one-way conversation), it's about teaching sysops to fish, which is why
I've tried to narrow the scope to technical problem-solving. Not a
replica of echomail type conversation. And 99% of that
problem-solving will always naturally happen here in these 'nets for sure.
I think very few people in the BBS community use platforms like discord,
but those who do (like me) -- use it a lot.

But I do hear ya, and please understand my intent is to expand the reach
of BBSing, and of this network, not erode it.

Cheers,



|04a|12LPHA
|03Alpha Complex |15- |11alphacomplex.us:2323

--- Talisman v0.27-dev (Linux/armv7l)
* Origin: BBS: alphacomplex.us:2323 / Sysop Help Desk: https://discord.gg/BmEj4KY7Qj (21:4/158)

On 25 Oct 2021 at 07:41a, aLPHA pondered and said...

But I do hear ya, and please understand my intent is to expand the reach of BBSing, and of this network, not erode it.

It's all good my man, we're all after the same thing which it help and support others. I just wanted to share my thoughts without trying to come across as Debby Downer on your efforts. I hope it goes well for you and if there are things that can be learned and shared perhaps the fsxNet wiki could be a place to hang some things up on? Lordy know it needs some love.. and time :)

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/09/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

As a Sysop, you have a few places you can go for support. This sub is a great place for help! But sometimes, I need a bit more interactive/real-time help in BBS setup and coding/scripting. Help in a way that's more difficult/time-consuming over FTNs.

BBS SYSOP HELP DESK
https://discord.gg/BmEj4KY7Qj

Great - I've joined, and will start using this for my Mystic ?s. I'll also try to check it once a day to help field any newbie questions, or otherwise, that I'm able to help with.

I think these avenues augment - its great to post screen captures and makes helping others easier IMO...

At any rate, kudos - thanks for doing as much. aLPHA certainly has added a lot to our community in the recent months; from Alpha Complex (Have you seen that apply process?!) to ARCaD1A to the Help Desk. Thanks for all you add round here.



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/08/29 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

While FTN echos are not 'real time' I'd argue in todays Internet
connected BBS world you're very likely to post and get a reply within minutes rather than days. Those who are not about can read and
contribute at a time and time zone that suits them. I understand that
may not be enough for some and indeed some prefer to voice chat etc.

I always post on fsxNet first, but sometimes technology [photos, file transfer, ability for 1-on-1 quick chatter, etc] helps when a persisting problem is a bit above the 'add a !PO to your ANSI'...

That being said, I think the BEST and most informative help IS on the FTNs... we're just a bunch of the rank and files over there. :P



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/08/29 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (21:2/150)

On 24 Oct 2021, aLPHA said the following...

I've been using (among other things) the various discord communities that BBS sysops have setup. There are also communities (like Meatlotion)
using other platforms. The great thing is, they are often extensions of each BBS community and they augment--rather than detract--from BBSing.

Anyway -- I've setup a dedicated community JUST for BBS SysOp help.
BBS SYSOP HELP DESK
https://discord.gg/BmEj4KY7Qj

Looks like I was too late to the party - Discord informs me that the Invite
has Expired ;(

Cheers,
Al


hyjinx // Alistair Ross
Author of 'Back to the BBS' Documentary: https://bit.ly/3tRINeL (YouTube) alsgeeklab.com

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Al's Geek Lab -=- bbs.alsgeeklab.com:2323 (21:1/126)