How to set up a BBS?

[bongomeno]

I am thinking about using my Atari 400 as a small and simple BBS server.

I would also like to access other servers with it.

 

My current hook up consists of the 400, a 810 drive with DOS 2, and a cassette recorder.

 

What would be the best modem for me to buy for this purpose? What software can I use with 16k RAM?

Also, are there any other servers that I can access directly from my Atari.

 

I have pretty much no experience with BBS servers other than playing muds with telnet in Windows... lol

How would I set all this up?

 

Im gonna need all the help I can get. In the end I hope to have a nice little server where people can access my Atari and get BASIC programs and other stuff, kind of like a small website. I also want to be able to access any other Atari servers out there including ones that YOU may be running!

 

Im only 15 but I am a huge retro computer fan, mainly Atari. Im sorry if I sound noobish. I just want to keep the magic of REAL computers alive.

btw I also just got a Atari 1040 ST. If I cannot set up a server on my 400, maby I can use my ST!

 

Thanks !

[+bf2k+]

dupe sorry

Edited September 28, 2009 by bf2k+

[+bf2k+]

...

Edited September 28, 2009 by bf2k+

[+bf2k+]

I am thinking about using my Atari 400 as a small and simple BBS server.

 

...What software can I use with 16k RAM?

 

 

None that I know of unless you write your own. Most of the existing software requires 48k minimum and at least 1 disk drive. Some of the newer and better BBS software will require even more hardware.

 

If you want to run a Atari 8-bit BBS on your PC, try the 'BBS on a Stick' at my website below.

[bongomeno]

The main thing I need to know right now is what the best modem for me to buy would be. The XM301? The SX212? An acoustic modem?

I mainly want it for my 400, but I also have a 1040 ST if my idea fails on the 400.

[+bf2k+]

The main thing I need to know right now is what the best modem for me to buy would be. The XM301? The SX212? An acoustic modem?

I mainly want it for my 400, but I also have a 1040 ST if my idea fails on the 400.

 

Since most likely, you won't get a BBS running on the 400 without additional memory and disk drives, the SX212 and XM301 are not very good choices since they only work on the Atari 8-bit SIO chain. Therefore you won't be able to use either of them with an ST.

[Synthpopalooza]

The main thing I need to know right now is what the best modem for me to buy would be. The XM301? The SX212? An acoustic modem?

I mainly want it for my 400, but I also have a 1040 ST if my idea fails on the 400.

 

Since most likely, you won't get a BBS running on the 400 without additional memory and disk drives, the SX212 and XM301 are not very good choices since they only work on the Atari 8-bit SIO chain. Therefore you won't be able to use either of them with an ST.

 

Actually the SX212 will work with an ST (I used one back in the day when calling BBS's) as that modem has a dual SIO and RS232 port, making it compatible with indeed any computer system that uses a serial port.

[+bf2k+]

Actually the SX212 will work with an ST (I used one back in the day when calling BBS's) as that modem has a dual SIO and RS232 port, making it compatible with indeed any computer system that uses a serial port.

 

I did not realize that... I've never used any Atari modems for anything myself. I started with MPP's back in the early 80's and quickly upgraded to an 850 and whatever was the latest hi-speed thing... Hayes, Avatex, PPI & USRobotics!

 

I only recently bought an XM301 for the purpose of gutting it and putting an SIO2SD in it.

[bongomeno]

I just got both modems new and boxed and a 1027 printer as well, as a last resort I will upgrade my memory from 16k to 48k...

Will it at least be possible to access other BBS servers if not use mine as a server with my 16k ram?

Does anyone know what software I can use (if any). I want to run everything from the Atari.

If there is any homebrew software I can use or BASIC programs, I would be happy with that.

[+bf2k+]

I just got both modems new and boxed and a 1027 printer as well, as a last resort I will upgrade my memory from 16k to 48k...

Will it at least be possible to access other BBS servers if not use mine as a server with my 16k ram?

Does anyone know what software I can use (if any). I want to run everything from the Atari.

If there is any homebrew software I can use or BASIC programs, I would be happy with that.

 

There are plenty of Atari terminals that will use the modems to connect to Atari Dial-up BBSes (if you can find any Atari dial-up BBSes anymore). However most of those require more than 16k - I don't know of any that run in less than that but you could try writing your own. I really don't know much about the 400 to say if it can boot DOS and load a terminal program but with all of the existing terminals that I know of, you need to boot DOS and load them from disk.

[bongomeno]

hmmm. how would I have to go about writing my own terminal? i would think that it would be VERY hard and require a deep understanding of the hardware and assembly language.

[+bf2k+]

hmmm. how would I have to go about writing my own terminal? i would think that it would be VERY hard and require a deep understanding of the hardware and assembly language.

 

You could write it in basic although it would be hard keeping under your 16k limit. I wrote one back in the 80's but it disappeared when I got rid of all my A8 stuff back around 1987 - I have looked for it. And I don't know if it would have run in 16k or not... I didn't have a 16k machine back then.

 

You could always get an old copy of Amodem (Basic) and trim some of the features out of it (like dialing directory etc) and try to get it to run in 16k.

 

I would just put more memory in, or buy an old 800xl off ebay so you can use Bobterm or Express.

[bongomeno]

My parents are not going to be happy about this, but I am bidding on ANOTHER computer.. and like 11 other things... lol

I am bidding on a 600xl in box. If I am lucky,ill get it for less tan 20 bucks!

 

So now that I have a more powerful computer, a XM301 modem, a SX212 modem, a 850 interface, a 1027 printer, a 1050 drive, a XC12 cassette recorder, and several other Atari computers (including a 1040 ST)... what would be the best way for me to hook up a nice server?

 

Can I just hook up my modem to my house phone line?

 

What are the limits of a BBS? Can I access a BBS across the country or only local? can people access my BBS from newer computers with regular internet browsers or similar? What software do I use to create my BBS page? I have a few good word processors...

How long should I let the server run? Will it overheat? how can I get people to visit my BBS?

 

Im sure there is alot more that I should know to get this started. any help I can get on this will be very useful...

Also Im sorry if I sound like a COMPLETE IDIOTIC NOOB LOSER.

 

thanks for all your help.

[Goochman]

I hate to break this to you but the 600xl will buy you a nicer keyboard than the 400 but not more RAM unless its been upgraded.

 

For a BBS you really should get a 130XE or 800XL. More memory the better for these things.

[+bf2k+]

My parents are not going to be happy about this, but I am bidding on ANOTHER computer.. and like 11 other things... lol

I am bidding on a 600xl in box. If I am lucky,ill get it for less tan 20 bucks!

 

Still 16k as Goochman pointed out.

 

So now that I have a more powerful computer, a XM301 modem, a SX212 modem, a 850 interface, a 1027 printer, a 1050 drive, a XC12 cassette recorder, and several other Atari computers (including a 1040 ST)... what would be the best way for me to hook up a nice server?

 

Get a BBS program and run it on a 800xl or 130xe using the Sx212 and as many drives as you can spare. Or conversely, setup Atari800win emulator on a cheap PC and hook it to the internet.

 

Can I just hook up my modem to my house phone line?

 

 

Yes but I don't recommend it. If you do, you could get calls all hours of the night if anyone calls at all. When I hooked up my first BBS, I advertised it would be online only from 11pm to 7am Friday and Saturday ONLY. Within 2 weeks I had to get a second phone line because BBS users do NOT pay attention to hours of operation - they call whenever they want to. I am guilty of this myself.

 

Of course these days, you may not get any calls at all. BBS usage is not what it used to be. I know I do not call any dial-up BBSes at all myself - local or long distance. And my internet BBS (link below) is free to anyone that wants to call and I still only get about 10 calls per week at most! A far cry from the 25-50 calls per day I got back in the mid-80's.

 

What are the limits of a BBS?

Can I access a BBS across the country or only local?

 

Dialup BBSes are accessible from LD or Local phone lines. LD users will have to pay long distance charges to call your BBS (unless you put it on a 800 number).

 

can people access my BBS from newer computers with regular internet browsers or similar?

 

They can use any computer but they need a terminal program... not a browser.

 

What software do I use to create my BBS page? I have a few good word processors...

 

For an Atari 8-bit computer BBS, you will need an ATASCII editor (like Panther or Edit.com) and if you want to allow ASCII users you will need to create screens for them or convert your ATASCII screens to ASCII. ATASCII graphics characters won't convert correctly but the ATASCII non-graphic text files will convert easily.

 

How long should I let the server run? Will it overheat?

 

Back in the day, I ran my BBS 24/7. But today, my Atari 8-bit hardware is very precious to me, so I run my internet BBS on a cheap PC running Atari800Win emulator. The emulator is running BBS:Express PRO so to the caller, it appears he is connected to an Atari 8-bit computer.

 

how can I get people to visit my BBS?

 

If you figure that one out, let us ALL know .

[bongomeno]

Thank you for all of the info!

 

It turns out someone outbid me on the 600 so now im bidding on a NEW 130XE!

Im also trying to get Telelink 1 and 2. I will also try to get other software. My plan is to use my house phone for this. If it does not work out for me, what would be my best option? I want to stay within the limits of what you could do in the 80s.

[+bf2k+]

Thank you for all of the info!

 

It turns out someone outbid me on the 600 so now im bidding on a NEW 130XE!

Im also trying to get Telelink 1 and 2. I will also try to get other software. My plan is to use my house phone for this. If it does not work out for me, what would be my best option? I want to stay within the limits of what you could do in the 80s.

 

Another phone line.

 

If I were you, you want to know what I'd do? Before I spent ANY more money, I'd download a copy of 'BBS on a Stick' (Carina or Express versions) and install it on a PC connected to the internet. This would allow you to learn the ins and outs of setting up and running a BBS, learning the software side of the BBS program, learning to develop your screens and operate your program. It would really give you a tremendous head start on your final goal and you would not be spending any money (assuming you already have a PC and internet connection).

 

That's my suggestion...

[Synthpopalooza]

Thank you for all of the info!

 

It turns out someone outbid me on the 600 so now im bidding on a NEW 130XE!

Im also trying to get Telelink 1 and 2. I will also try to get other software. My plan is to use my house phone for this. If it does not work out for me, what would be my best option? I want to stay within the limits of what you could do in the 80s.

 

Another phone line.

 

If I were you, you want to know what I'd do? Before I spent ANY more money, I'd download a copy of 'BBS on a Stick' (Carina or Express versions) and install it on a PC connected to the internet. This would allow you to learn the ins and outs of setting up and running a BBS, learning the software side of the BBS program, learning to develop your screens and operate your program. It would really give you a tremendous head start on your final goal and you would not be spending any money (assuming you already have a PC and internet connection).

 

That's my suggestion...

 

 

This has been a very interesting thread. I would, as he says, try the BBS on a stick and use that to learn how to run things.

 

Speaking of which, b2fk ... any luck yet with rigging up ATARDIS for internet connectivity?

[+bf2k+]

 

Speaking of which, b2fk ... any luck yet with rigging up ATARDIS for internet connectivity?

 

I have not. I have been so busy with work that I have not had a chance to do anything. I booted my 8-bit up yesterday for the 1st time in a month!

[technosnorunt58]

Sounds Cool!

Edited October 10, 2009 by technosnorunt58