------------------------------------------------- I So, you want to be a Sysop, huh? I ------------------------------------------------- Written by Bo Zimmerman and Ken Thompson INTRODUCTION As easy as it may seem, being a System Operator (SysOp), is a tough, thankless job. If you are reading this, then you're in luck! What you're about to do (whether you know it or not), is turn the operation of your computer system to the rest of the free world! Though it sounds a bit ominous, let me tell you that the information, friendships, partnerships and rewards from doing this are great! You probably have thought about the cost of doing this; you've just spent a large percentage on this; the software. It has been created with you in mind, but, please keep US, the users, in mind when you set your system up! Getting many people calling your system on a daily basis requires that you put alot of thought into what you're doing FIRST, before beginning any kind of set-up. TYPES OF BBS There are three major types of systems; the Zelch software is capable of being all three. First type is transfer- oriented. Files, files, and more files. To tell you the truth, not a very exciting system, and usually are the ones that get caught doing stuff they shouldn't be! Second type, is the type the Zelch BBS was designed for, conversations. Usually much more popular than the transfer-based systems; these are the ones people complain about busy signals!! The third type of system, is private, usually some combination of the previous two types. This is a system that you allow certain people on, for whatever reasons you have. The flexability of the Zelch software gives you the capability of keeping some sections public, others private. Great for computer users groups, to keep the general public in one area, paid members in another. COSTS OF BBS OPERATIONS This is an approximation of monthly operations of a small (two-drive) BBS. This is assuming that there are no difficulties, and that the system is operational 24 hours daily. Electricity consumption (based on $0.07/kWh): approx. $6.50 phone line (monthly fees): approx. $15.00 In addition, there are the one-time fees, such as the cost of a BBSprogram, the cost of a dedicated phone line (highly reccomended!), and other things that can be factored into the cost of owning a system. With this in mind, you are looking at an average outlay, on a monthly basis, of $20-$25 per month. Now, considering this is the cost of a decent dinner for two, this is not a bad outlay! Unfortunately, this does not include the cost of your time in keeping a system in operation. For a full-time system, you are looking at 30 minutes to an hour, depending upon your involvement with your system, just in the mundane things like validating (verifying) users, programs uploaded, messages left, and so forth. HOW TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL! Now, if you're STILL undaunted in becoming a SysOp, the only thing I can say is to try it on a part-time basis, using your current phone line. I would reccomend something like 9:00pm to 7:00am for about two or three weeks, and note the number of calls you get. Dependent upon your area, if you compare notes with other established Commodore SysOp's in your area, and find that you are getting close to the same numbers of callers they do, you're well on your way to having a successful system. If there are other systems that you call on a regular basis, try to plan your system around things and topics that aren't available on other systems. The idea here is to be different, to have a reason for others to call YOUR system! Leaving short, direct advertisements on other boards is the primary means of getting your system known to other BBS'ers. Long-winded, and bragging ad's for systems will normally be passed over for those that have just enough information for me to decide that this is a BBSthat I should call. Most others users AND sysop's I know feel the same way. Be sure to leave your BBS ad's in the proper place, and don't leave one every day; put one good one up and leave it! CONCLUSIONS This should give you enough information to make some informed decisions on the type of system you want your BBS to be. Feel free to contact any sysop in your area for additional information; most would be glad to answer your questions on this aspect of our telecommunications hobby.