C-Net 64 DS2

By

Jim Selleck

Introduction:

You may want to read the introduction to C-Net 64 before proceeding.

It's been a long time since I've seen a DS2 BBS, but I do recall being a frequenter of a few of them, and being very impressed. Aside from my very favorable impression of C-Net in general, as mentioned above in the C-Net 64 page, DS2 has long since gotten away from C-Net's few faults-- its lack of full color/graphics support is gone, and its uptight formal feel has been softened. I just wish I had some screen grabs.

Like the old C-Net 64, while DS2 looks good in the "Facts" area, I can assure you that it's better. So many small conveniences and added goodies that can't be mentioned in a list of features constructed for BBSs in general are indeed all there.

I also have a DS2 features page for your perusing.

The Facts:

The information below I got mainly from the DS2 features page mentioned above, and the missing details were gotten from the old C-Net information. I'm sure any missing or incorrect details will be sent to me when they're noticed!

Hardware Information

Computer    :   Commodore 64 or 128 in 64 mode
Video       :   40 columns
Drives      :   All CBM, full CMD support
Modems      :   1650, 1660, 1670, Hes, Hayes & RS232 (300-9600, etc..
Input       :   Keyboard
Output      :   Screen or printer optionally
RAM use     :   RamDOS compatible
Special     :

General

Pgm Struct  :   Main program with numerous small overlays
Menu Struct :   Word entry system from highly modular menus
Translation :   ASCII, PETSCII, ANSI
Access      :   Numerous levels, highly definable, SubOps
Handle/ID   :   Handles allowed, users listed by ID codes
User info   :   Name, last call, phone, access, misc parms, etc.
User Logs   :   Name, date, uploads/downloads, posts
Calls/Time  :   Call, time, idle limits differ by access levels
Network     :   Proprietary system called DS2 Network, and CommNet
Customizing :   Highly
  Programs  :   Uncompiled BASIC, easy to modify
  Displays  :   Menus and displays are SEQ files, modifiable
  Commands  :   Mostly hard coded, changable only through code
Areas       :   Highly modular system
  E-mail    :   Separate menu
  Messages  :   Separate menu
  Transfers :   Separate menu
  Network   :   Separate menu?, and integrated functions
  Programs  :   Separate menu
  Text      :   Separate menu
  User Cmds :   From main menu
  SysOp     :   Separate menu, and integrated functions
  Voting    :   Separate menu, selection system
  News      :   Separate menu
  Help      :   From main menu
Other       :

SysOp Utilities and Support

Offline     :   Full configurators and setup editors
Online      :   User access editor, chat
Remote      :   Full drive support, file editors, user editor, copier
On-L Display:   Complete user info window with sysop menu
W.F.C. Utils:   Same as On-L Display, activity chart, etc.
Chatting    :   From any prompt
User        :   Handle/access editor available
Msg Bases   :   Offline configurator for bases, integrated maint
Transfers   :   Offline configurator for bases, integrated maint
Programs    :   Online program adder, remover
Network     :   Either an offline or online configuration program
Drives      :   Complete drive support
Terminal    :   Transfer terminal program, nice features

News

Structure   :   C-Net text files, listed by order entered
Header      :   Subject, access
Weeding     :   By SysOp
Display     :   At logon, or on demand

Messages

Structure   :   Structured post/reply system
Bases       :   Named bases, listed by number
Limits      :   Separate post/reply limits
            :   Enforced during auto-maintenance
Reading     :   New and global new messages, or individual
Headers     :   Subject, poster, date
Format      :   Text, or color/graphics
Writing     :   As new posts, or as replies to posts
Anonymous   :   Allowed with access
Network     :   Assumed support
Other       :   Message scanning implemented, 80 column translation

Message Editor

Structure   :   Line editor
Commands    :   A period in first column followed by a command letter
Editing     :   Search/replace, rewriting, insert, delete, justify, etc.
Formatting  :   Word wrap, MCI codes for special functions
Graphics    :   Full color/graphics support

Transfers

Bases       :   Named bases, listed by number
Storage     :   Directory files for each bases
Limits      :   Enforced automatically
Credits     :   Credit ratio system implemented
Protocols   :   Punter (multi), Xmodem (CHK,CRC),
Headers     :   Name, blocks, uploader, date, "about" files
Selection   :   By number
Listing     :   Directories, local and global new listings
Network     :   Not supported (I presume)
Other       :

Text Libraries

Structure   :   2 levels of libraries with C-Net SEQ files
Storage     :   As C-Net style SEQ files
Network     :   Not supported (I presume)
Other       :

E-Mail

Structure   :   Separate menu off the main menu
Sending     :   From message reading, or by ID
Receiving   :   At logon, or on demand
Network     :   Supported (I presume)
Other       :   Counter implemented

Program Libraries

Structure   :   2 levels of library structure, from separate menu
Programs    :   BASIC overlays, explicit interaction with BBS
Network     :   Not supported (I presume)
Other       :   Tons of programs are available


If you find anything in here you have questions or comments about, free to leave me email at bo@zimmers.net.

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