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As you read this, the brand new 180-line INTERNATIONAL ONLINE SERVICES,
INC (IOS) is online and now accessible in Dallas. This mammoth system
elevates DFW to "major player" status in the online world and shows
promise of becoming very quickly an online resource center without
parallel.  According to Will Bunker, who heads up the solidly capital-
ized operation, "We will be striving to be a connectivity platform
that will allow any entity or commercial enterprise to be accessed
online from anywhere in the United States."

Simply stated, IOS is an online home for multi-bulletin board systems
from all over America.  Access IOS, then access your choice of resource
centers.  Each center is an online BBS with its own resources and
materials, operated solely by its own sysop.  Basically, it's a Bigtime
BBS that provides instant online access to multi-BBS systems.  Those
systems vary from non-profit to commercial operations.

Rather than try to explain the entire operation, which is growing day-by-
day, check it out.  The local access numbers are:

                                Dallas: 922-8167
                                Ft.Worth: 275-7028


Len Hult's COLLECTOR'S EDITION is doing it again!  Free access to DFW's
number 1 file board for the 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND!  Len did this last year
and hundreds of folks got a chance to see why CE is so popular.  You
have the opportunity again this year.  From 5pm Friday, July 1 until
5 pm Monday, July 4th, EVERYBODY IS A MEMBER.  All callers will be bumped
to a Level 24, which will entitle you to 90 mins/3mb downloads.  Better
start calling early.  It will be tough to connect.
The numbers: 351-9871 / 351-6548 /351-9859.  All high speed lines.


My first time to call FILEBASE EXCHANGE and it was a pleasant experience.
Sysops Bryan Cromwell and Romy Lira have a very good system.  41 file
areas in the main file directory plus 2 CD/ROMs(Mega and Mega Windows/OS2.
A dozen games or so, including: The Pit, Steel and Ice, Barren R. Elite,
Tradewars, Legend of the Red Dragon.  Instant Access and downloads, and
liberal time.  The number: 214-317-3023.


It's called DATE-A-MATE and bills itself as "DFW's Premier VGA Dating BBS."
What you do is post an ad with YOUR picture online.  System claims to
have 1 gig of free files but I couldn't verify that with the access I
received on logon.   There is a fee for service.  Number to call for
access: Metro 817-321-3123.


This is one of the two best organized "Computer Equipment" resource boards in
town:  DATANET RESOURCES, operated by Doug Haugh, Tony Bockheim, Johan
Schmitz, Cindy Haugh, Dan Haugh.  Board specializes in "sales, maintenance,
and integration of computer hardware and software."  Carries products
from more than 200 manufacturers.  The way they have it set up saves a
caller time:  Go to Bulletin area and if you need a MotherBoard, simply
select the Bulletin for Motherboards.  All are listed.  Bulletins are
computer component listings.  Easy to use.  Modest file area, and a CD/ROM
(Shareware Heaven) is available for instant download.  Instant ACCESS.
The Number: 214-394-8738.


And the other well-organized system is THE HARDWARE BBS, operated by
Computer Generation.  A free board that offers over 18,000 computer
related products online.  A D-Base program enables you to search for
what you need.  System products are available for quick search on the
Bulletin Menu also.  Very modest File Area.  Free Access. Sysop is
Chris Hibbs at 214-918-9806.


If you ever need an external protocol, there is only one BBS in Dallas to
call: DIGITAL X-CONNECT @ 214-517-8443 and 214-517-8315.  Andy Walding's
WC system has every protocol you've ever heard of or dreamed of.  He
also carries a decent file inventory, a dozen or so great games, and 127
messages conferences from RIME, PlanoNet, and JobNet. This one should be
in your dialer.


Garry Grosse's CHRYSALIS has added an unusual CD/ROM to his mega-
collection of online CDs: EUROPEAN SOUND & VISION, a CD/ROM from
Austria that contains many MOD, GIF, JPEG, FLI, ANSI, POV, and
other files.  Garry also advises that he anticipates adding FULL
Internet access sometime around the end of summer.  Access CHRYSALIS
at: 690-9296 (high speed) or 690-9295.


This impressed me!   A month or two ago, in my Texas Computing Magazine
column, I touted the TEXAS STATE GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY BBS (TSGS).  Then,
it disappeared.  First, the number changed, then it disappeared.  Folks
called me to find out what happened but I had no idea.  Then, I received
a note from Sysop Ken Branch in the mail.  He provided me, and all the folks
who originally called, a detailed explanation of what happened.  Must have
cost him a fortune in postage--and the fact he took the time and expense
to bring all of us up-to-date impressed me.  At any rate, he is again on
line at Metro 817-268-1059.  Genealogists will want to call this one.


Found this one by accident and not real sure about it yet.  We'll go back
and check again.  However, in the meantime you might want to check out
INFO-SQUEEZE at 214-226-8260.  Sysop is T.A. Wright and BBS is dedicated
to Network and PC Support.  Geared to entrepreneurs and small business
operators.  Files, immediate access to CD/ROM.  Plans to add UseNet
soon.  I was a little confused on this one because I'm not sure if it's
a free or subscription BBS.  Let me know what you find out.


Here's a good one:  BEGINNER'S VARIETY BBS, sysoped by Bill Simmons.
Don't let "Beginners" fool you.  Lots of stuff available for you old
pros.  Board has a nice selection of online games and a growing-daily
file area.  Friendly sysop, willing to take the time to help the novice
or anyone having a PC or BBS problem.  Put it in your dialer:
214-494-6993.


This one looks great so far!  Haven't had time to fully explore it but
from what I've seen, BIDFORUM BBS is a keeper.  8 CD/ROMs with over
34,000 files online, More than 200 message areas, Online Shopping,
Games, and board seems friendly.  Sysop is Keith Mitchell.  I'll
be checking this one again.  In the meantime, you check it also:
Metro 817-469-6524.



                              PHONE NUMBER CHANGES:
                              

Bill Hummel's TECHNICAL SUPPORT LINE BBS has moved and now has a new
number:  214-663-4012.  World's Largest FREE BBS now has 10 lines.

PROXIMATE CAUSE BBS has a new number: 214-503-0483.

SMOKE SIGNAL BBS:  Now accessible at Metro 214-562-6012.

SUZIE'S ROOM BBS now has two metro numbers:
817-654-4318 and 817-654-9256.  Sysop: Garth Rudy.


I get quite a few calls each month from new sysops who want to join FIDO,
RIME, or PlanoNet.  I'm probably the last person someone should call because
I really don't know anything about networks.  However, you might want to
file away somewhere the number of SMOKED ARMADILLOS BBS.  Everything
you need to know about FIDO is always available on Iain Brown's fine
system at 214-669-9645.  The file you want for more info is POLICY*.*
in the FIDO file area. For RIME information, call Len Hult's COLLECTOR'S
EDITION at: 214-351-9859.  For PlanoNet info, call John Stewart's
LUNATIC FRINGE: 214-235-5288.


For all of you who have considered setting up a BBS and you're not sure
you have quite enough computer expertise--or don't want to go through
all the time-comsuming effort to get online--there is now an alternative.
Brian Speed's SOFTLINK BBS is now online to serve businesses, sysops and
the general public.  He offers discount sales of BBS software, hardware,
and complete systems--plus provides support and ongoing assistance.
Also available, corporate and individual "private" mailboxes.  For more
infomation, dial SOFTLINK BBS: 214-396-0108.  Brian also operates the
2-node WAGON TRAILS BBS (214-727-2610).


                                NEW DFW BBS'es

BLUE EVENT HORIZON BBS:  214-373-6732.  Sysop: Stan Gunn.  Online now
        with 6 CD/ROMs, games, and Internet E-mail soon.  This one
        looks good.

C-LINK ONLINE SERVICES: 214-641-5633 & 214-641-0318.  Sysop: Joey
        Greenhaw.  Very nice system and changing for the better on
        every call.  Games, files, free instant d/l, and Fido.

CYBERGRID: 214-315-2203 & 214-315-3456.  Sysop: Patrick Christian.
        30+ doors, 3 CD/ROMs.

CYBERWORLD: 214-220-2040.  Sysop: Cheryl Berish.  RIP option, with a
        nice selection of RIP games. System plans to expand to 3 nodes
        soon.

PEGASUS ONLINE MALL: 817-624-9711.  Sysop: Rick Andis.
        Not able to review.

QUESTSTAR :  Metro 817-265-0751.  Sysops: Robert Ralston & David Moses.
        Just getting it together but Robert is a pretty conscientious
        sysop.  Has kept me post daily on his progress.  Only two games
        at the moment ( Usurper & Legend of the Red Dragon) but he'll
        be adding more.  Interesting message area; file area still under
        construction.  You might want to watch this 2-node Wildcat BBS.

RAM TECHNOLOGIES BBS: Metro 817-640-2915.  Sysop: Mark Geis.  Multi-Node
        system now online with 4gb, 10 CD/ROMs, and games.  This is the
        RAM TECH PC BBS.  They sell computers - and BBS is an extension
        of their business. Slick board.

TEXSTAR COMPUTER SYSTEMS: 214-298-0273 & 214-298-0406.
        Sysop: Randy Eubank.  Good files, online chat, games.
        Coming soon: Monitor and Laser repair and upgrades.
        This system also carries OUTDOOR SPORTSMANS NET with echoes
        dedicated to hunting, fishing, hiking, etc.  Looks very good.

WILD ONE: 214-341-1041.  Sysop: Robert Wilson.
        Modest file area but has a CD/ROM online along with 24 games.
        14.4 modem.  Clean, zippy Spitfire system.

ZIPLOCK BBS: 214-442-2736.  Sysop: Terry Tarrants.
        System went online April 1st and is still reaching out for
        new users.  28 interesting File areas and games, including
        Bonsai Chess.  Nice looking board.


                                THE ECHO'S
                                BBS PROFILE

                        A.I. Bulletin Board System:
              (Is that Amiga / IBM or Artificial Intelligence?)

                         Line 1: (214) 272-9476 (14.4)
                         Line 2: (214) 276-7697 (14.40)

Sysop: Thomas Brooks. A 38-year old Senior Computer Analyst for 
   Northern Telecom, Inc. A founding member and past-President of the
   Dallas-based Society for Computer Owners and Pet Enthusiasts. (SCOPE)
   Currently Chief Heckler for the North Dallas group of the Metroplex
   Commodore Computer Club. Thomas is married, has a daughter, a son,
   2 dogs, 2 cats, a tank of fish, a mortgage and a large phone bill.

System: An Amiga 3000 with 10 meg of RAM and over 2 gigabytes of disk
   space. Addition support includes 44 meg Syquest drive and DC6150
   QIC tape drive. Networked to a 286 clone with 280 meg of disk space 
   and a 2120 QIC tape drive.

Software: C-Net 2.63

Networks: None (Yet. I'm planning on adding FidoNet and maybe CLink and
   UseNet.)

Upload/Download bases: Amiga, IBM, Mac, Commodore 64/128. A seperate 
   base for Audio-Video items which can often be played on multiple machine
   types. Includes pictures, animations, sounds and speech. A seperate area
   for text files as well.

31 message bases including bases for each machine type supported, two joke
   bases, a women only base (extremely active), a teen only base, several 
   political bases, a radio-controlled car/plane base, a sysop only base, a 
   religious base, an ANSI art base, a for sale base, and bases for 
   human-moderated on-line games. 

Additional features: Inter-user chat. Over 30 on-line games. The most 
   popular are Global War, Empire, and Wheel of Fortune. Moving up fast are 
   on-line adventure games including the Colossal Cave and Zorks I thru III.
   Tons of text files of various types. 

History: A.I. came up with a single phone line and 200 meg of disk space on
   the 31st of July 1993. The second phone line was added in November and
   a 1.8 gigabyte drive was added in February. As of May 31st, 1994, A.I. has
   received over 7400 calls from over 500 people. We currently have 320 
   active user accounts.

Peculiarities: 
   1) People lead busy lives. Once validated, A.I. accounts have at least 1 
      year of inactivity before expiration. This allows people to leave the
      state on business and still have a BBS home to come back to.
   2) People who cannot afford the latest and greatest technology should not
      be penalized. 300 baud modems are welcome here. Commodore 64 and 
      128 users are welcome.
   3) Validation on the system REQUIRES a valid phone number. This in an
      integral part of system security. A.I. is not EVER going to be a "Flame"
      board or a hangout for people to practice their cursing (although there
      is a seperate "War" base for those who cannot resist.) Higher access is
      based on user request after the user has read the rules of the system.
      The security system makes it possible to delete those who cannot 
      follow the rules.

