Welcome to datavase BBS
datavase BBS is a non-profit and totally FREE online community, developed with YOU in mind.
What's available at datavase BBS?
Message groups (forums) in different topics:
- Local - discussion within and about datavase BBS only.
- DOVE-Net - a message network connecting numerous BBSes, primarily Synchronet BBSes.
- ASTRO-Net - a network focusing on astronomy and astrophysics. Registration is needed to access most of the content.
- Fidonet - a worldwide computer network used for communication between BBSes since 1984.
- SciFanNet - a network focusing on SciFi and Fantasy (Films, books, TV Series, videogames).
- MusicalNet - a network dedicated to music, for musicians.
All the networks above, except Local, are interchanging messages with other BBSes, so the communication could be considered world wide.
File Libraries (FTP), offering tons of shareware and freeware files.
All the files are free for downloading and we offer (after petition) space for sharing files to online communities (e.g. the Atari ST libraries).
How do I access datavase BBS?
Accessing datavase BBS is very easy and best of all... Free!
You may use the following methods:
- Telnet - This is the old fashion way. Just text, but very handful for slow Internet connections or access from mobile devices.
- Dial-up - Currently offline (my phone is used for Fidonet). Again, the old fashion way, but directly through the telephone line.
- Web browser - Who does not know what a web site is?
- FTP client - Use any FTP client to access directly to the File Libraries
- NNTP client - NNTP is an Internet application protocol used for reading and posting Message Groups' articles.
- Gopher client - an alternative to the World Wide Web. Surfing the web in text mode only.
How do I use datavase BBS?
Well, it really depends on what do you want to do, but I can give you some ideas:
- First of all... take a general look to the website at http://bbs.datavase.info.
- Done? Well, then you probably already know that datavase BBS is focusing in Astronomy and Astrophysics. But the BBS is not closed to these two topics only, I am always happy to receive new ideas and suggestions.
- Never connected to a BBS before (I mean a real BBS through Telnet)? Then you have come to right place. Access to telnet://bbs.datavase.info, and have a look. You can access as a Guest and enjoy some of the public features. I recommend you to use SyncTerm (easy and powerful Telnet client), though you can use other clients, you may have a bad experience if the colours are not correctly translated into your screen.
- All right, you had a look into the website and the BBS itself, and you have decided that you like datavase BBS and you like more. Great! Register as a user and enjoy the full access.
- Registering is easy! Look at some tips at http://bbs.datavase.info/newuser.ssjs.
- Yeah! the registration is done through the BBS only :-O Why? Well, I thought it worth to have a little experience of the past. Internet was not there always :-D.
- Already registered? Wonderful. You probably have received your password already. Now just a matter of patience. The SysOp (me) will approve your user and will grant you with level 51 (Approved User). From that moment you will have FULL access.
- Now enjoy it! Participate and encourage others to join us. As stated at the top of this page datavase BBS is "developed with YOU in mind". It means that you (the Users) are the ones that will build this community. I am just here to keep the system working.
Hey!, I got some ideas
(user) We are an online community, and would like to use some of your services for our community, like a private Message Group and a File Library.
(SysOp) Yes, I can do that! I can create a Message Group and a File Library with access only for you guys. Just let me know how much HDD space do you need and the Message Group structure.
(user) Hi, could I publish my website about fishing under your domain?
(SysOp) Of course, I'll create an FTP area for you, so you can upload the files directly.
^^^These are fictional situations, but it could be happen if you need it. Send me your ideas.
What's all this BBS mumbojumbo?
BBS stands for
Bulletin Board System, which basically is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and login to the system using a terminal program (originally using a modem through a phone line).
The first public BBS (
CBBS) went online on February 1978 in Chicago, Illinois, USA, and was developed by
Ward Christensen.
BBSes are text-based and are used basically for exchange of messages, files and for chat. The sense of local community was very high during the early BBS days, before Internet.
For more details, take a look at Wikipedia's explanation at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulletin_board_system
Below you can see some screenshots from my BBS, just to have an idea:
