                 Computer Etiquette, By Mel North
                 ________________________________
     I freely concede that the bulk of material herein is the work
     of Mr. North.  I have edited some of his passages in order to
     update the material to the current time and location of Austin,
     Texas in December l989.  I was "inspired" in this undertaking
     by my friend, Paul Fenech.  I wish to thank Kelly Butler and
     Coke Dilworth for their proofing and ideas.  Any parts you may
     find objectionable are undoubtedly of their contribution.
                                                           Bat Lang


The following are a few points of general BBS etiquette. If you wish to
maintain your welcome on whatever system you happen to call, it will be
to your advantage to observe these few rules.

     (SYSOPS - feel free to download this & display it on your BBS)

   ABBREVIATIONS:  Comm Pgm = Communication Program; Msg = Message
                   CR stands for Carriage Return, or <Enter>.

1.  HANGING UP SUDDENLY - Don't habitually hang up on a system.  Every
Sysop is aware that accidental disconnections happen once in a while but
we do tend to get annoyed with people who hang up every single time they
call because they are either too lazy to terminate properly or they
labor under the mistaken assumption that the 10 seconds they save online
is going to significantly alter their phone bill.  "Call  Waiting" is
not an acceptable excuse any more.  If you have it and intend to use the
line to call BBS systems, you should either have it disconnected or find
some other way to circumvent it.  This can easily be done within the
setup of any decent Comm Pgm.  Somewhere in the Modem Options is the
definition of your Dialing Command.  If it is "ATDT" change it to
"ATDT*70,".  If it is "ATDP" change it to "ATDP1170,".  This will
disable call waiting whenever you dial a BBS through your Comm Pgm.

2.  IMMATURE MESSAGES - Don't do dumb things like leave yourself a
message that says "Just testing to see if this thing works".  Where do
you think all those other messages came from if it didn't work?  Also,
don't leave whiney messages that say "Please leave me a message".  If
ever there was a person to ignore, it's the one who begs someone to
leave them a message.  If you want to get messages, start by reading the
ones that are already online and getting involved in the conversations
that exist.

3.  OVERWORKING CHAT MODE - Don't use the local equivalent of a chat
command unless you really have some clear cut notion of what you want to
say and why. Almost any Sysop is more than happy to answer questions or
offer help concerning his system.  Unfortunately, because about 85% of
the people who call want to chat and about 99% of those people have
absolutely nothing to say besides "How old are you?" or something
equally irrelevant, fewer Sysops even bother answering their pagers
every day.

4.  SIGN-OFF MSGs/COMMENTS - Consider what happens when you leave a
message for the Sysop during the sign off procedure on some boards, or a
C)omment to the Sysop from the Main menu in RBBS boards.  If you pose a
question to be answered by the Sysop, the rest of the users are denied
ever seeing the question. They only get to see the answer, just half of
the picture, thus they are also denied the full benefit to be derived of
any learning experience in this instance.  For this reason, all
questions which are to be answered should be entered in the main message
area.  This allows the Sysop to help many people having the same problem
as efficiently as possible.  Save the C)omment or sign-off message for
exchanges which involve only you and the Sysop, and matters which are
outside the purview of the other users.

5.  USING HANDLES - Before you log on with your favorite pseudonym, make
sure that handles are allowed.  Most Sysops don't want people using
handles on the system.  There is not enough room for them, they get
silly games of oneupsmanship started, it is much nicer to deal with a
person on a personal basis, and last but not least, everyone should be
willing to take full responsibility for their actions or comments
instead of slinging mud from behind a phony name.  Also when signing on,
why not sign on just like you would introduce yourself in your own
society?  How many of you usually introduce yourselves as Joe W Smutz
the 3rd or 4th?

6.  PROPER REGISTRATION - Take the time to log on properly.  There is no
such place as RIV, HB, ANA or any of a thousand other abbreviations
people use instead of their proper city.  You may think that everyone
knows what RIV is supposed to mean, but every BBS has people calling
from all around the country and I assure you that someone from Podunk,
Iowa has no idea what you're talking about.

7.  KNOCKING THE HARD/SOFTWARE - Don't go out of your way to make rude
observations like "Gee, this system is slow".  Every BBS is a tradeoff
of features.  You can generally assume that if someone is running a
particular brand of software, that he is either happy with it or he'll
decide to find another system he likes better.  It does nobody any good
when you make comments about something that you perceive to be a flaw
when it is running the way the Sysop wants it to.  Constructive
criticism is somewhat more welcome.  If you have an alternative method
that seems to make good sense then run it up the flagpole.

8.  AVOID USING PRIVATE - When leaving messages, stop and ask yourself
whether it is necessary to make it private.  Unless there is some
particular reason that everyone shouldn't know what you're saying, don't
make it private.  We don't call them PUBLIC bulletin boards for nothing,
folks.  It's very irritating to other callers when there are huge blank
spots in the messages that they can't read and it stifles interaction
between callers.

9.  OBSERVE TIME LIMITS - If your favorite BBS has a time limit, observe
it.  If it doesn't, set a limit for yourself and abide by it instead.
Don't tie  up a system any longer than you need to.  Maximize the use of
a log file or capture file to capture all the messages while on-line so
they can be read later while off-line.  Also make use of off-line
message preparation to be uploaded during your next session on-line.

10.  ABSORB THE BULLETINS - Have the common courtesy to pay attention to
what passes in front of your face.  When a BBS displays your name and
asks "Is this you?", don't say yes when you can see perfectly well that
it is misspelled. Also, don't start asking questions about simple
operations of a system until you have thoroughly read all of the
instructions that are available to you.  I assure you that it isn't any
fun to answer a question for the thousandth time when the answer is
prominently displayed in the system bulletins or instructions.  Use some
common sense when you ask your questions.  The person who said "There's
no such thing as a stupid question" obviously never operated a BBS.

11.  WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE - (English, what's yours?)  Don't be personally
abusive.  It doesn't matter whether you like a Sysop or think he's a
jerk.  The fact remains that he has a large investment in making his
computer available, usually out of the goodness of his heart.  If you
don't like a Sysop or his system, just remember that you can change the
channel any time you want.  Besides, whether you are aware of it or not,
if you make yourself enough of an annoyance to any Sysop, he may take
the time to trace you down and you just might find a large crimp in your
lifestyle of modemus addictus.

12.  WHO OWN'S THIS PLACE? - Keep firmly in mind that you are a guest on
any BBS you happen to call.  Don't think that logging on is one of your
basic human rights. Every person that has ever put a computer system
online for the use of other people has spent a lot of time and money to
do so.  While he does not expect nonstop pats on the back, it seems
reasonable that he should at least be able to expect fair treatment from
his callers.  This includes following any of the rules for system use he
has laid out without grumbling about it.  Every Sysop has his own idea
of how he wants his system to be run.  It is really none of your
business why he wants to run it the way he does.  Your business is to
either abide by what he says, or call some other BBS where you feel that
you can obey the rules.


   NOTE:  In the advise which follows, certain of the words have been
   altered to resemble their appearance in the RBBS software; i.e., the
   same as on your screen.   EXAMPLE: if you are leaving a message:
     "Make message p[U]blic, p(R)ivate, (P)assword protected, (H)elp?"
   will appear.  This "says" if you hit CR, you will select public; if
   you enter R (or r) and CR, you will select private; if you need help,
   enter H (or h) and CR; etc.  The [] option is always CR selected.

Dear Sysop:

I am a new user of Bulletin Board Systems.  Why, when I first log on, do
you ask for name, address and phone number of the users?

Signed, Confused Communicator

Dear CC:

I can only speak for this board, but this information is used only in
case of severe operator confusion or system abuse.  If you are having
considerable trouble using the board the Sysop can call you (or  write
you a letter) and help you out.  If the Sysop of a board sees that some-
one is knowingly uploading commercial files, or is leaving messages that
are offensive to other users he/she has the information available to
take appropriate action.  It is possible that a Sysop may also compile
demographic statistics from this data.  This information is not made
available to other users, and is not used for mailing lists or dating
services.


Dear Sysop:

Though I love to read all the messages on this BBS, I am hesitant to
leave replies, because I am intimidated by all the choices of security
levels.  What are the consequences of the different options?  For
example: what is the difference between (P)assword and p(R)ivate?  When
do I use which option?

Signed, Scared to Leave Messages

Dear Scared:

The most common message security selection is p[U]blic.  This means that
all users can read the message posted.  You should use this option when
you are asking questions about the BBS, or computers & software, or
leaving answers to those questions, so that everyone can read them.  A
single question and answer can solve many people's problems (though some
problems may require professional counseling).  <GRIN>

When leaving private messages, DON'T use the (P)assword option.  USE the
p(R)ivate option instead.  Otherwise ..., it forces people to know a
particular password to be able to read that message.  While this may
provide you the privacy you desire, it also leaves other users feeling
left out, (ALL readers are provided with TWO opportunities to guess the
password).  The p(R)ivate option will display that message ONLY TO THE
ADDRESSEE.  (so, the other readers don't even know it is there!!!) Note,
the SYSOP can read ALL messages, so don't make them TOO private!


Dear SYSOP:

I am constantly running out of time when I call the BBS.  I read all the
messages, and then have to go back through them to remember which ones I
want to reply to.  Then I make my replies, and then look for files
(there are so many of them....) to see which one I need.  Then there's
the time spent downloading.  I sometimes check through the recent
caller's list, reread the messages, and so on.  Then, before you know
it, my 45 minutes are up!  How do other people manage to stay within the
time limit???

Signed, Trying to Beat the Clock

Dear Clock Beater:

You are experiencing a problem frequently encountered by new users, and
one that is sometimes irritating to the more experienced users.  When
using the BBS, you should do everything possible to keep your access
time down to 15 minutes or less.  You CAN get all your BBSing done in
that amount of time, if you are organized before you log on.  Here are
some helpful hints:

1)  Use capture files.  In QMODEM, after logging on to the BBS, press
CTRL-HOME.  In PROCOMM + the same feature is accessed with ALT-F1.  The
system will ask you for the filename to store your information.  Type in
a name like BBSCAPT.NOT (for Bulletin Board Capture Notes).  Then "read"
the messages by typing r;*, which will list all the messages posted
since the last time you were on the system.  Just after the first
message you will see the prompt: More [Y],N,NS,#(s) to read?  Type NS
(for Non-Stop, on some boards this will be a C for Continuous) and all
of the messages will list quickly and will be saved to a file.  When you
are finished with your call, you can read and reread them at your
leisure using a Share Ware program called LIST.COM, or by loading the
file into your favorite text editing program.

2)  Prepare replies off-line.  You will find your messages will say
exactly what you want to say, if you take the time to prepare and edit
them on your word processor or text editing program.  If you use
WORDSTAR, prepare your messages in the non-document mode.  If you use
other word processing programs, look in your manual under TEXT FILES or
ASCII FILES to see how to make standard text files - these will be
compatible with the BBS.  If you don't, the messages will contain funny
control characters that at best make you look like a bad typist, and at
worst, will do funny things when they display (like showing a happy face
in the middle of a serious reply...) Remember to keep your replies under
30 lines, your line length under 72 characters, and do not leave blank
lines between paragraphs.  (Also remember to take vitamins every day and
brush your teeth after every meal.)

Consult the documentation from your communications program about how to
upload a text file for a message - it usually is very easy to do.  Worst
case, print the file and have it ready when you log back on, and you
will be able to spend your BBS time typing instead of thinking.  3) When
looking for a particular program in the F)iles section, use the S)earch
option.  Type in a string of characters that will likely appear either
in the TITLE or DESCRIPTION of the file you desire.  For example, if you
are looking for a file to display the Texas flag at your DOS prompt, you
might use FLAG as your search string.  Not only will this make your work
easier, it will help to keep your call within the time limit.  Secondly,
choose the most likely file areas to search - if you wanted the file for
the Texas flag prompt, you might look in the GRAPHICS and the NEWFILE
areas for starters.  If this doesn't work, or if you just want to see
what kind of files are available, you can list all the files (remember
your Capture is recording all the information for you) and browse
through them once you are off the board.

4)  If you are planning on uploading or downloading a large file, or
several files, do so when it isn't BBS "prime time".  Prime time is
usually after dinner weekdays (till about midnight) and weekend
afternoons and evenings.  Try to download first thing in the morning
(you can do your sit ups while you wait) or while your husband is
cooking dinner right after work.  If you find yourself up at 4:00 a.m.,
you can count yourself among the hard-core BBSers and download files
then.  Even if you aren't especially efficient, nobody will care.  Just
remember that in "prime time" others are waiting to use the board....


DEAR SYSOP:

What in the world is an ARC file?  Does it have to do with Noah?  Is it
an ARCade game?  Is it from people with bent minds?  What's the scoop?

Signed, Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Dear Inquiring:

A file with the extension or last name of ARC (or ZIP) is one that
contains a file or files that have been compressed to be much smaller by
an archiving program by the name of PKARC.EXE (or PKZIP.EXE).  Why, you
ask, would a person do such a thing to an innocent file?  Well, ARCing
serves several purposes.  First, this compression saves disk space (so
there is room for more files).  It reduces the transfer time for
uploading and downloading (because the files are smaller).  Also,
several files can be transferred together so that instructions for using
programs, or files needed to run a particular program can be packaged as
a single file.

At one time, the dominant program was ARC, but now this has been
supplanted by ZIP.  ARC, however, is frequently used as a generic term
to refer to any and all of the archival systems.  We will try to confine
the rest of our discussion of ARCed files to ZIPed files, since this is
now the one most often encountered.  To be able to use a ZIP'd file, you
must first download a utility program that will bring the file(s) back
to a usable state.  It's usually kept in the UTILITY file area, and has
ZIP or ARCHIVE in its description.  Because this utility file is updated
regularly, there are other letters in its name.  At this writing the
best, fastest version of this utility is named PKZ102.EXE.  This is
really PKZIP in disguise, and is much more efficient than the previous
ARC programs.  Once you have downloaded this utility, you will need to
locate it on a disk by itself, or in an empty directory on your hard
disk (HD), for the "unzipping".  You need to ensure that there is enough
room to contain the original ZIP'd file PLUS all the files therein,
which may be as much as 2.5 times larger when "unzipped".  As a rule of
thumb, therefore, provide 3.5 times the size of the "zipped" file to
ensure you do not get any nasty DOS messages due to running out of
available space. This limits the size of file one can safely unzip on a
360k floppy (FD) to about 100k.  The alternatives are quite obvious: if
you intend to remain with 360k as your largest FD, you are a definite
candidate for an HD.

Having accomplished the above and changed to the appropriate directory
(HD) or drive (FD), you can start the unzipping by typing the first name
of the file: PKZ110 <Enter>, meaning: type "PKZ110" and then hit the
Carriage Return (CR), which is nearly always marked "Enter".  When the
unzipping is complete, you will have all the files which were inside
PKZ110.EXE, plus the original still intact.  You may now erase the
original, or (recommended) store it elsewhere either on HD or FD, for
future use--like insurance, you hope you'll never need it, but if you
do--.

Among the files you will nearly always find one or more ASCII text files
which will explain the workings of the program.  These are easily found
by their names: README. or README.1ST or MANUAL.TXT or extensions like
.DOC, .TXT, .MAN or .ASC.  If you ever unarc a file which has neither
instructions, nor any acknowledged source, you have probably encountered
a pirated copy of a commercial program, and should "talk" to the Sysop
of the BBS which has the suspicious file.  They need to know this in
order to remain within the law.  Who knows, they might even give you a
bonus equal to the time wasted on the bogus file.


Dear Sysop:

I am VERY interested in browsing through the lists of files that you
have on your BBS.  But I get exasperated scrolling up & down through the
list while my on-line time is expiring!  I would like to know if there
is a way to get a file listing to look at while I am not on-line.  I
adore public domain software - the bargain is irresistible.  But the
shopping is a pain.  Signed, Frustrated Filehunter

Dear Frustrated,

Do not dismay - the answer lies in downloading files that contain the
directory listings.  Downloading a directory file is the same as
downloading any other file.  The names of the directory files are the
names of the individual directories with the last name DIR.  For
example, to get the listing of the files in the NEW directory, you would
download the file named NEW.DIR, for the DATA directory DATA.DIR, and so
on.  Some BBSs have a single file which contains a consolidated listing
of ALL the files available for download.  This is most often found at
the head of the listing in the 1st file area (or New Upload area). Since
RBBS has mostly a single huge files area, they don't usually have an
area matching this description.  The appropriate file having what you
are looking for on these boards, can be found with the S)earch option
and the world FILES.  On the Hub this file is called HUBBF.ZIP; on the
Den of Iniquity DENNF.ZIP, on the 'Dillo DILLF.ZIP, etc.

As a last resort, presuming you have listened so far and have opened a
Capture File (or Log file), you can--at the files menu--ask for N)ew
files and at the next prompt, enter a date in the specified format
--example: 01-01-88 or 010188--and select A)ll at the following prompt.
File listings will soon be streaming past on the screen (and captured in
your log).  About the time of the second screenful, there will be a
pause with some choices available.  Depending on the BBS, you could
select NS for Non Stop or C for Continuous and have no further inter-
ruptions till you had all files back to the date 010188.

Other boards will not give you this option at this time, requiring you
to pre select it back at the main prompt in the U)tility section, by
turning off M)ore.  If this is the case, when you get the first stop-
page, asking: More: [Y], n ?  If you hit the CR you'll get two more
screenfuls, and another: More: etc.  Believe me, the first time you get
this prompt, you'll save lots of time (depending on how far back the
requested date) by entering N and CR.  Then navigate back to the Main
menu and turn off "More", go back to the files area and start anew with
N)ew , the 010188, and A)ll and you'll have no more interruptions.  As
an added bonus, with "More" turned off you will not have an extraneous:
More [Y], n ?  to clutter up your files listing, saving you from having
to edit it out later.  After you have the files listing you wanted, you
can edit it with your favorite text editor, or a word processor, til you
get it the way you want.

If using a word processor, be sure you understand how to save the result
in a pure ASCII format. Not all WPs can do that.  Some leave their "foot
prints" on everything they touch.  I recommend a text editor, a separate
editor which understands only ASCII.  Use it for editing all ASCII
files, writing off-line messages for later upload, etc.  You can even
use it to edit a subset of your files listing as a reference for future
download sessions.  The king of text editors is arguably the latest
version of Qedit (QEDIT208.ZIP as this is written).  Myself, I favor a
smaller text editor.  One which will integrate right into many Comm
programs (such as Telix or ProComm Plus).  Good examples are CSE.ZIP and
SLED.ZIP.  What they give up to Qedit in features, they make up for in
ease of use and not taking up so much memory.  Try one, you'll like it!


Dear Sysop:

I have been a computer user for some time, but this BBS stuff is greek
to me!  I have located a file I want to download.  I know that it is in
the UTIL directory and its name is PKZ110.EXE (the new PKZIP program
everyone raves about....).  When I tell the BBS I want to download
\UTIL\PKZ110.EXE it tells me the file doesn't exist!!  I know it exists,
because I've checked its name about a hundred times.  What am I doing
wrong?  My wife says it's bad karma, and I should try to download it on
the YOGA4U BBS here in town.  But I want to use your BBS - I'm already
registered....

Signed, Hoping for Help

Dear Hoping:

Your knowledge of DOS has told you intuitively to use a "subdirectory"
name when identifying a file.  That is well and good in DOS.  But in
RBBS, no two files can have the same name, so directory names are not
necessary.  In fact they confuse the system.  When asked for the
filename to download, simply type PKZ110.EXE, without the directory
name, and all will be fine.  Tell your wife your karma is just fine, but
you could use a back rub to ease all that stress.  Good Luck!


Dear Sysop:

My good buddy Bubba told me there was a file on your BBS that will make
bugs jump out & eat all the text on my wife's computer screen.  I would
love to see her face when I press that key and have bugs eat all the
numbers on our budgeting spreadsheet - that is after she has put in an
hour or two working on them.  Hehehehe.  Anyway, I have looked and can't
find that little guy anywhere on your BBS... What is it's name????

Signed, A Good Old Boy, South of the River

Dear Good(?) Old Boy:

The name of the file is BUGRES.COM.  As soon as you've gotten your
jollies, be sure to press the space bar and show her that her data is
still intact.  Then take the poor lady out for a nice steak dinner. Now,
to make you self-sufficient in the future, use the S)earch command in
the file section.  If you know the general subject matter or likely name
of a file, just type in a few characters you might expect to be part of
the file name or description.  In your particular instance, type BUG
<ENTER> and tell it to search ALL the directories.  A file like that
might be in UTIL or GAME or MISC.  It's hard to tell.  A listing of all
files matching your description will appear.  It may contain names of
files for DEBUGGING software, or some such, but it's a lot easier than
looking through all the directories in search of one particular file.


Dear Sysop:

I've read this far, and I definitely would like to know how to prepare a
message off-line for later upload, just as recommended above.  The
trouble is, I can't seem to get it right.  I agree it would be nice, if
only I knew how.  Can you help me?  I'm using ProComm Plus and just
incorporated that new text editor SLED under the Alt-A key in ProComm.

Signed, Willin' von Unable

Dear Willin':

I'm glad you mentioned your software.  Since that is the same 'rig' I'm
using right now, it ought to be quite easy to put you on the road to
success.  Other readers with different rigs should be able to inter-
polate for their setups.  From within ProComm+ Terminal Mode, select
Alt-A (editor) function.  When you first call it up, it will prompt you
for a file name and I find HUBx.MSG (where x=1,2..etc) works nicely.
Let's call this one HUB2.MSG.  When you compose the message, confine
your longest line to 72 char, or else the format will get messed up
during the upload.  The easiest way to do this is to position the cursor
in col 72 and hit Alt-W, which will enable word wrap at that point.  Now
when you get it in its final form, save it with F4.  Since it was
created within the active dir and saved there, ProComm will have no
problem finding it.

ONLINE: after the TO, SUBJ, etc. when the RBBS has you at the "1." (line
one of your message) check to see if there is a stray letter (often I
have an "e" waiting for me) there; if so backspace over it so you have a
full 72 char within which to work.  Then, just hit the Page up key and
check the protocol box.  It will be set up for your default protocol
--mine is Ymodem on the Hub, but someday.......select #4 for ASCII and
hit <Enter>; you will be prompted for a filename.  Just type in HUB2.MSG
& CR, and sit back and savor the experience.

When the last line has been uploaded, the alarm will sound.  Hit CR
twice to let the Hub know that's all.  The msg editor prompt will
appear; just select 'S' to save your msg, and you will be advised of
your msg #936.  That's all there is to it.  If you want to see how it
will appear to others; when you get back to the Main prompt, type: r;936
CR.  Your new msg will appear with your name, addressee, subject, and
complete text, just as others will see it.  Hopefully it will look just
like your upload.  The next time you call up HUB2.MSG in SLED, just wipe
the old text with <Ctrl-Bkspace> and begin anew.  There are many other
ways, but this one works well for me, as it should for you.  Enjoy!

The Sysop
