BBS Accounts

What is bbs account

A BBS account is a personal computer connected to a bulletin board system. A service on the BBS called a “reader” is used to read messages from the system by other people on it. A person usually logs into an account before reading or posting messages. Accounts are free to set up and use, but a user must usually pay a monthly BBS fee to be allowed onto the system. These fees help keep the BBS running by paying for the phone line or Internet connection as well as other related expenses.

Buy bbs account

You can buy a bbs account on the internet. Type “buy bbs account” into google and you should be able to find a seller that will sell it to you.

How to use bbs account ( set up )

When you buy a bbs account it will come in the form of a file or series of files. You must upload these files onto your computer and then transfer them to the BBS with special software called a “transfer utility”. Once on the BBS you can log into your account and start to use it.

How to transfer bbs account

There are ways to upload your data in the form of files using a modem connected directly to the computer making the BBS account or transferring through an internet connection. There are many different programs that can do this but some are better than others. One example of a file transfer program is ADMT. ADMT is a windows based program that can move files from one BBS to another. It has been around for years and many people have used it with great results.

How much does a bbs account cost?

The price of a bbs account varies from seller to seller, but as a rule of thumb you should be able to buy a bbs account for about $40.

Types of accounts

An account is typically classified as one of five types: User, Operator, System, Netmail, or Residence. A user account is the most basic and provides access to the BBS. An Operator account has more functionality than a User account and can do such things as send messages to other system users. A System account is the master account that controls which messages are sent to all users in the system. The Netmail type of account allows for messages to be received in email format instead of bulletin board messages and usually includes a special software package and modem called a “gateway.” An individual Residence type of account is an individual’s personal computer connected directly to the BBS without any reader service on it.

Account levels

There are a total of five account levels from the most basic level to the highest. These are User, Operator, System, Residence, and Admin. The level is determined by certain criteria that users must meet in order to gain higher access rights on the BBS itself. In this case, it’s limited access of capabilities allowed on the BBS system itself.

User – A User account is the most basic type of account on a BBS. Users can connect to their accounts using another computer and chat, post messages, download files, etc… To set up a user-level account you must be interested in what that particular board offers and why should you get connected to it. You register as a user and then your interest is enough for the sysop (System operator) to trust you with a User level account.

Operator – An Operator has basically the same capabilities as a User, but their access rights are usually higher giving them specific control of functions like sending news or mail to other users, looking at and removing messages, deleting other users’ accounts, etc. The operator level is determined by meeting specific criteria set by the sysop. If you want to become an operator on a board then you must be knowledgeable enough about how that particular board works. You also need to be interested in what it has to offer its visitors and members alike.

System – A System-level account is the highest level of access that you can have on a BBS. This level allows for making changes to an entire system’s message base, preferences, policies, boards, etc. As well as being able to download new files and upload census information. A System Operator cannot make any changes to the accounts of other users if they are working off-line. In order to become a System Operator, you pretty much have to be the sysop yourself or know him very well.

Residence – A Residence type account is an individual’s personal computer that is directly linked up to the BBS server but without any reader service running on it. This provides for offline user access to the messages that were received by the BBS. In order to obtain a Residence type account, you must have access to an online computer and be willing to pay the monthly fees for each month.

Admin – A Admin level account is reserved only for the top system officials, usually called “Control” or “Sysop.” System Admins can access and edit all user accounts, add or delete boards, or even add new firmware to the BBS if it has been designed with this capability. In order to have an Admin level account, you must be a system official yourself.

Features of a Bulletin Board System

It was stated earlier in the article that the BBS world is a very diverse place with many options and capabilities to learn about. Here are a few of those interesting features that can be found on many BBS systems today:

– Online games such as “Star Trek” or “Shoot Em Up” for users to play.

– Electronic mail – two or more users can send messages back and forth on the system.

– Conferences – many users can talk together in specific areas of interest on the BBS.

– Downloading files and uploading them to other systems. (Some BBS’s also offer FidoNet and shareware registrations)

– Discussion boards where people with common interests can discuss these things online.

– Searchable message bases where messages are stored all in one place. These messages can be full discussions between users or even simple messages from the sysop or system operator to their visitors.

– System to system messages where other sysops can send messages directly to each other.

– Online games – “Wheel of Fortune” may be available for visitors to try out.

– Many BBSes will provide messages based on different subjects, like “Computer Help” or “Music”.

– Different chat areas where users can talk with each other online. (Netmail also exists)

How does it work? It- A bit technical… But you gotta know

All the features mentioned previously will work because of a program that resides on your local computer called a “Terminal Program”. This is the program that you use to communicate with other users as well as those residing on the BBS. On some systems, you may have certain capabilities depending on how much money you pay each month to the sysop for your account. You may also receive priority over other users by having a higher access level. The more money paid out will usually mean an increase in online capabilities and options as well as priority over other accounts.

The term “Terminal” is used because the program that you use to communicate with other systems works much like a typewriter or terminal you would use at your job. A simple one line of text is sent to the BBS system, and then it is displayed on the other user’s monitor. The receiving system will send back a simple response such as “Hello UserID”. So in order to chat with someone online, you type what you want to say and hit return, then the other person will see it. It’s all very simple and easy to use.

In order for this “chat” method to work you need a telephone line, modem, terminal program, and the BBS system’s phone number. You can get your computer to talk back and forth with another computer by typing in the command CTRL-ALT-DEL on most systems. You will then see the Windows “Close Program” box, just hit cancel and it will bring up your Address Book. From there you can select an entry for “Dial”. This is where the BBS number goes into. Once that’s done just click Connect to call the BBS’s modem, then after about 5 seconds of screeching and screaming you’ll hear the modem handshake, and the “Online” message will appear. At that point, your screen should then be filled with all kinds of data and stuff scrolling by in a dizzying fashion. If anything is said in the BBS chat areas or sent to you in the mail it will appear on your screen just like it does for other users.

The only other command you should know about is the logoff command which will disconnect you from the system. You can do this by hitting CTRL-ALT-LOGOFF on your keyboard, or by selecting “Exit” from the online menu options. If this doesn’t work then typing CTRL-ALT-DEL will usually do the trick.

It sounds complicated, but it really isn’t… It is just a matter of learning what all these commands are and how they work together. If you have any questions at all I’m more than willing to answer them if I can so feel free to e-mail me your questions.

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