HOW DO I ACCESS THESE BBS'S VIA THE INTERNET?
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This "guide" is not designed to be a tutorial of "how to use the
Internet", nor is it a guide to "how to get access to the Internet".
There are hundreds of "help" files available on the network, or on your
favorite BBS to help you out.
Telnet is the process of using a computer from a remote location. This
is the equivalent of using a computer from the main console (keyboard)
but you are at a different location and using the Internet as a transport
of data from where you are now to where the computer is. Telnet has
been used for many years - even before the World Wide Web.
To access a Telnettable BBS, you will need a Telnet "client". If you
access the Internet from a Unix or VAX shell account, this client is
built in to the operating system. Accessing telnet systems from the
Unix or VAX command line varies from system to system but here's the
general syntax:
telnet (ex: telnet ardvark.com)
or
telnet (ex: 208.129.192.32)
Some systems integrate "telnet" into a menu prompt, which after execution
will simply ask you to enter the host name or IP address.
Some systems also offer the ability to use RLOGIN for the same purpose as
TELNET. I'd suggest you try TELNET first...
Most systems use telnet "port" 23. If no port is specified in the listings,
more than likely it its port 23 and no special commands are needed.
If there is a number beside the listing, you will need to use that port
number. The syntax for these is:
telnet (ex: yourbbs.com 3004)
If you are accessing BBSes from a PPP account on Windows 3.1x, Win 95/98,
Win NT, OS/2 or Macintosh - you need a Telnet "client" program. These are
either shareware or freeware and are widely available for download. If you
want to know where to get one of these - see the Telnet BBS FAQ
(http://www.thedirectory.org/telnet/faq.htm) for a brief listing of
examples of Telnet clients. For Windows 95/98 users - we highly suggest
using mTelnet. It is included in this ZIP file. It is also available at
the author's website at http://ozone.eesc.com or telnet at ozone.eesc.com
Note: DO NOT use the built-in Telnet program in Windows 3.1 or 95 or
OS/2. These do not properly display ANSI colors and characters.
Windows 98 users can use the Hyperterminal that comes pre-installed,
but we highly suggest you use mTelnet instead, or KoalaTelnet.
Many of these Telnet programs can be "called" from your web browser
(Netscape or Internet Explorer). See the instructions from these
browsers on how this works.
Questions:
Q: What is a "Telnettable" BBS?
A: A "Telnettable" BBS is a BBS that is accessable via the Internet
through the Internet protocol called Telnet. Telnet is a way of
logging on a remote computer and using that computer as if you were
at that computer's keyboard. This is also similar to "dialing" a
dial-up BBS via your modem but are using the Internet instead.
Q: How can I "Telnet" to these Internet accessable BBS's?
A: You will need "Telnet" software to telnet to Internet accessable BBSes
that use Telnet software. Most of this software is available for both
Windows equiped IBM PCs and for Macintosh computers. Most BBSes use a
video standard called ANSI emulation. The following is a brief list of
ANSI compatible telnet software:
CRT (http://www.vandyke.com/products/crt/index.html)
Operating Systems: Windows 3.1, 95/98, NT
A great Telnet client - one of the best.
Shareware.
HyperTerminal Private Edition (http://www.hilgraeve.com/htpe.html)
Operating Systems: Windows 95/98, NT
Updates the built-in HyperTerminal that comes with Windows 95/98.
Freeware.
mTelnet (http://ozone.eesc.com)
Operating Systems: Windows 95/98/NT & OS/2
A great telnet client for Windows 95/98 and OS/2.
Freeware
NetTerm (http://starbase.neosoft.com/~zkrr01/html/netterm.html)
Operating Systems: Windows 3.1, 95/98/NT
A great Telnet client - highly suggested.
Shareware
ZOC (Zap-O-Comm) (http://www.emtec.com)
Operating Systems: Windows 95/98/NT and OS/2
A great Telnet client from Germany - available in both English and
German versions. Versions available for both OS/2 and Windows.
Shareware
Q: Does it cost anything to Telnet to Internet accessable BBSes?
A: The common rule is that most BBSes are free. However, there are
some BBSes who do charge users to access their services. All Telnet
BBS listings are marked on the Full Detail file if they are a pay board,
a free board, or a board that can have you pay if you choose to.
Pay telnet BBSes usually have a free "grace period" of a few days, hours,
or "points" of usage. Then you can make payments - via a check, credit
card, or cash (or whatever they want to use) to the sysop of the BBS.
You will NOT be charged just by telnetting to these systems. The only
way the BBSes "charge" you is if you send in a payment as described above.
Q: Are there any Internet BBSes that are accessable via my web browser?
A: Very few. Most require the use of "Telnet" (see above). However,
you can program your web browser to start your Telnet software
(mTelnet and NetTerm, for example) if you click on a telnet link from
a web page. Your browser software's help files should explain how to
do this.
Q: Can I run a BBS on the web?
A: The general answer to this question is no. Most Internet accessable
BBSes are done via Telnet. There are some HTML based BBS systems that are
now appearing. These are still in the beginning stages and are not yet as
good as a standard BBS system. Another alternative is the Wildcat Win
Server by Santronics Software (http://www.santronics.com) This can be
both a standard BBS and a HTML based BBS all in one system. This is a
professional system and carries with it a professional price tag.
It is not recommended for beginning sysops.
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