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-=-=-=-=-=-=-
- *********************************************************************
USING THE FILE
FROM
BBSLOG.ARC
- *********************************************************************
If you are a computer enthusiast and frequent user of BBS's, as I am,
then I believe you will find the files in BBSLOG.ARC and information in
this text helpful to you. I have found it difficult to always remember
the various things I have done or want to do when logged on to my
favorite BBS's. When I place a message on a system, I want to remember
to go back there later and look for the reply. When I see some
interesting files on a system that I want to download, I want to be
able to get back to them at a later time. When I finally do get there,
I don't want to waste a lot of precious time looking for them,
especially if the BBS is long distance.
Therefore, I have devised a simple system to help me be a better user
of my favorite systems, save some money on the phone bill, remember
when and where I have posted messages so I can retrieve the replies and
know when and where I have downloaded and uploaded files.
As I said my system is simple, but effective, common sense approach. I
am certain others are probably doing this also and likely are doing it
better. If you can see some ways to improve upon the suggestions made
here, please let me know. I am always looking for new ways to make the
most of the things I enjoy.
In the following, I will attempt to outline for you how you can
implement this system.
- **** EXPLAINING THE FILES IN BBSLOG.ARC ******
The files contained in BBSLOG.ARC are all text files. They are forms I
use in my "log". Here is an explanation of the files.
BBSLOG1 This is a "BBS CALL LOG" form that can be printed on any
dot-matrix or letter quality printer. It was written on
a simple word processor and is intended for the user who
has a basic computer setup with a straight-ahead
printer.
BBSLOG2 This is the same "BBS CALL LOG" form as outlined above,
but was written on "WordPerfect" and thus it is a
"prettier" form. (Single and double line boxes are used)
To get this "prettier" form, you must print it on a
printer that will allow for graphics. WARNING: If you
load this file in a word processor or editor that does
not support any graphics and then save the file after
looking at it, you will lose the WordPerfect boxes and
lines. Believe me, they are identical forms.
BBSDOWN1 This form is called the "DOWNLOAD LOG". It was written
on a simple word processor and can be printed on any
dot-matrix or letter quality printer.
BBSDOWN2 This form is the same "DOWNLOAD LOG" form as mentioned
above. Likewise, it was written on WordPerfect and is a
"prettier", but identical form to BBSDOWN1. Again, it
should be printed on a printer that supports graphics.
The same WARNING applies to this file as expressed about
BBSLOG2. If loaded into and then save from a word
processor or editor that does not support any graphics,
you will lose it. If you do lose it, I guess you could
always unARC the original file again.
- **** USING THE FILES AND LOG SYSTEM *****
A. THINGS NEEDED:
1. Purchase a 8 1/2" by 11" three-ring binder, a pack of
loose leaf index dividers and two pens, one of which should
be a good felt-tip pen.
2. After printing the two forms (BBS CALL LOG & DOWNLOAD LOG),
make at least 25 copies of the "Call Log" and 10 of the
"Download Log".
3. Label an index divider "tab", enclosed with the index
dividers, according to the name of each log sheet and place
it in the divider.
4. Label the remaining index divider tabs, according to the
names of the BBS systems you use the most.
5. Place the "BBS CALL LOG" first in the binder, followed by the
"DOWNLOAD LOG" and then the remaining dividers separated with
10 sheets of blank paper.
B. THINGS TO DO:
1. If you do not already have a copy of the files available to
you from the different systems you call, download one or
"open-log" one as soon as you can.
2. Print out the list of files (I know it is a lot of pages).
Then number the pages and place it in the binder under the
name of the system it represents. If you have a full
compliment of memory, you can load it in your word processor
and edit the list to include the system name and page
numbers. If you don't, then set the paper in your printer to
the "top of form" (so that it won't print on the "seams") and
print the file through DOS. For MS-DOS users, entering the
following DOS commands should work.
Floppy disk user: TYPE A:FILENAME > PRN then press
ENTER/RETURN
Hard disk user: TYPE C:\PATHNAME\FILENAME > PRN then
press ENTER/RETURN
3. If the list of files you printed is broken down into
categories or directories and includes a tables of contents
as a first page, be sure the beginning page number of each
section is marked appropriately. If this isn't included in
the file, put one together. This will be needed for quickly
locating filenames.
4. Create an information sheet for each of the systems you call
that includes the following items:
- SYSTEM NAME
- SYSTEM PHONE NUMBER (even if you have an auto-dialer)
- SYSTEM MAILING ADDRESS
- SYSTEM VOICE PHONE NUMBER
- SYSOP'S NAME
- YOUR LOGON NAME
- YOUR USER ID (if any)
- YOUR PASSWORD (you should be careful to guard this)
- SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL DATE AND AMOUNT OF THE "USER-FEE"
- ANY INFORMATION UNIQUE TO THE SYSTEM
Place this sheet as the first page in each appropriate
section representing the BBS.
- **** WORKING THE SYSTEM *****
A. DEVELOP A ROUTINE
1. Using this system or any system will require the establishing
of a pattern of how you will use your computer and the
systems you call.
2. It obviously is important to make a diligent effort in
getting started, but the real problem will be in "sticking to
it!"
3. Each time you want to abandon this log system, stop and
remember all those messy notes and the things forgotten
because you didn't write it down in an orderly manner so you
could follow up!
4. If something isn't working, find another way to get the job
done that will work for you. But don't give up and quit.
B. SIMPLE STEPS TO FOLLOW BEFORE YOU DIAL
Keeping in mind that you are probably "computing" just for the fun of
it, the following should help you to get the most out of on-line time.
1. Before you call your favorite BBS, know what it is that you
want to do. Are you going to read or leave a message(s)?
Then know what you are looking for or want to say. Make note
of the person and subject in the BBS CALL LOG.
2. Are you going to upload a file(s)? Then be prepared and know
what you are looking for ahead of time. Make note of the
filenames and directory locations in the BBS CALL LOG. Think
about what you are going to do.
3. Before dialing a system to download a file(s), scan the
printed list of files from that system and write in the
information about the file or files you want in the "DOWNLOAD
LOG".
4. After you have retrieved the file, mark in the date you
retrieved the file as an indicator that you have downloaded
it.
5. If you know how many bytes your system can handle when
downloading, you can also make note of the approximate time
needed to download a particular file. This will help you
squeeze the most out of your time on-line. At 1200 baud,
using YModem protocol, you can transfer data at about 6743
bytes per minute "I think?" --a 94K file would take about 14
minutes (rounded to the next highest minute). The formula is
94000 divided by 6743 = 13.94 minutes or 14 rounded.
6. From time to time, review the DOWNLOAD LOG to see if you have
retrieved all the files you had intended. It is unlikely
that you will download files in the sequence in which you
recorded them in the log. Sometimes your time remaining on-
line will force you to download a smaller file further down
the list. Over a period of time the list gets full and
messy. It needs to be reviewed and files not yet downloaded
transferred to a clean log or deleted if determined as
unwanted now. Save the old log sheets, if possible, in case
you have a question about an old file you download.
B. SIMPLE STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN YOU HAVE DIALED
1. If you know that you are going to keep calling a system till
you can get on-line, write in the name of BBS in the "BBS
CALL LOG." If you are going to be calling several systems
till you get on-line with one, then when you do connect with
the system you desire to call, quickly write down the name of
the BBS. In either case, also enter in the time you LOGGED
ON.
2. If you are "inspired" to leave someone a message, write down
the information in the CALL LOG. If you expect a reply, mark
the log when you will call back for the reply.
3. If you reply to any message you happen to see on the board,
mark a note of it in the space provided in the LOG. If you
run out of space, move down to the "NOTES:" section and
continue.
4. If you are going to capture data displayed on the screen to a
file, then write down the name of the file you sent it to in
the "DOWNLOAD FILES" section of the CALL LOG. Be sure to at
least circle the "Y" indicating that you did download
something.
5. To record additional information, use the "NOTES:" section of
the CALL LOG or one of the blank sheets of paper in the
section named after the BBS that you are currently using. Do
not remove the blank sheet from the binder. Learn to leave
it in place so you can refer to it later, if need be.
C. SIMPLE STEPS TO FOLLOW AFTER YOU HAVE DISCONNECTED
1. When you have completed your call on the BBS, mark down the
time you logged off. Review the form to make sure you have
accurately recorded all your activity while on-line and any
information you want to remember or use to follow up on any
messages.
2. If you are a floppy disk user, be sure to use the felt-tip
pen to correctly mark the floppy disk that you stored all the
downloaded files on.
3. If a page of the CALL LOG contains information about a
message to be followed up on, bend the corner of the page
over as a reminder that there is something important on that
page.
4. If possible, take time to process any files you downloaded.
I believe it is a good practice to print out any E-mail and
place in your binder for quick referral.
D. SIMPLE STEPS TO FOLLOW BEFORE YOU DIAL AGAIN
1. If it's the same day, next call, know what you want to do
before you do it.
2. If it's another day, review the CALL LOG and the DOWNLOAD
LOG, so you will know what you want to do.
E. SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP YOU KEEP A CLEAN LOG
1. It will eventually be necessary to buy another three-ring
binder. I am a "pack rat" and like to keep things--"just in
case I need them" (I never do!)
2. When the "log" gets too full, simply move some of the
DOWNLOAD LOG sheets and CALL LOG sheets to the new binder.
3. If you are keeping E-mail, this also could be kept in a
storage binder.
4. If in doubt what to do with something, "trash it". You
probably wouldn't be able to find it later anyway!
- *********************************************************************
As stated before, this is a simple, common sense system. If you are
doing something like this or have any suggestions, please let me know.
I am always looking for a better way to help me make the most of the
things I enjoy doing---and I love to play with my computer.
I can be contacted by leaving a message on this system or by mail to
the following address:
Bob Luzier
P.O. Box 36725
Strongsville, Ohio 44136