Lesson 2 Getting on a BBS
A step by step road map of how to get your computer in sync with thousands of other TS users.
1. Get a modem (a 2050 type is used by this writer and so will be the only one I am talking about)
2. Get Mterm II software
3. Get Loader V from Kurt Casby ( see address page 12 )
4. Modify as per instructions Loader V. READ the documentation. Set up on one or two local BBS for which you already know the telecommunication parameters, like 8,N,1 or whatever. Use voice numbers of SYSOPS (the guy who runs the BBS) or contact a modem user for such data. 99% of modem users are always ready to help.
5. a) LOAD in the working copy of Loader V
b) Select item #2 on the MAIN MENU,’the Dialing Menu’.
6. <CONNECT THE PHONE>
7. a) Select the letter of your choice and <ENTER>. Your software is an auto repeat dialer and will keep trying until a connection is made. BREAK will get you back to MAIN MENU.
b) If you have the wrong number or wrong time of day (many BBS do not operate 24 hours a day), any answering phone, causes the modem to buzz a connect signal, the Loader V switches to Mterm II, and you <ENTER> TWO times, a message; “Connection Lost” will greet you. Double check your times and numbers!
c) If you have the right number and the BBS answers, the modem will buzz a connect signal, the Loader V switches to Mterm II, and you <ENTER> TWO times, and now you are in the TERMINAL Mode.
8. a) On TUBBS the BBS identifies itself, then asks if you want color graphics (C/R=No)[C/R is Carriage Return on many other types of computers, use <ENTER> on the good ole 2068.]
b) Log on procedures rarely hurt, on TUBBS and many others you will be asked for your name and city of residence. Use your real name, someday you may forget your ‘handle’ and then you’ll look pretty funny. You will be asked for a PASSWORD. You make it up, do it ahead of time. Usually 10 characters is the maximum, but 5 is fine for me. Write it down, because if you forget, well…
c) After log on, it’s the samething everytime you use the BBS, only next time you’ll be on file, will come the mailbag. If you leave messages (MSG), perhaps next time there will be mail for you. If you have a 2040 printer, you can screen print any time,just CONTROL (#8 and CAPS SHIFT) gets you the menu across the bottom of your screen. P for Printer, and you have the screen printed out.
d) A better method of saving data from the BBS is to CONTROL 8, M for Menu, D for Buffer Menu, E to Erase Buffer, B to open Buffer (if CLOSED), <ENTER> back to terminal mode (2 times). Now all up to 27K of data will be retained in the buffer.
e) Go through the different menus, H will usually bring back a Main Menu. R usually gets into Reading mail. After 15 minutes, or so, G for Goodbye. Dont just pull the wire out or shut off the computer, the BBS may not know you hung up, and this may delay others from using the BBS.
f) You can save the buffer data; CONTROL 8, M for Menu, look for BUFUSD, to see how many bytes are to be saved. E to exit to BASIC. Ready a tape, SAVE “name” CODE 26710, # of bytes. Run it through Unloader, enter to MScript or Tasword for printout. You dont have to do all this for what you saved, but it is good practice for the next lesson.
9. Once you ERASE the Buffer as in step 8d, the BASIC part of your program is also ERASEd. You must reLOAD if you want to use again.
*RBMU=Real Beginner Modem User
Lesson One has not been figured out yet.
Lesson 3 Downloading Text Files from a BBS
A step by step road map of how to get your computer in sync with thousands of other TS users.
BBS --> Mterm --> Save --> Unloader --> Save --> MScript --> Print
File --> Xmodem --> File --> --> Tasword --> or Tasword --> Copy
File File
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Download 2068 Recorder 2068 Recorder 2068 PRINTER
After getting on BBSs with the help of Lesson Two, you are now ready for lesson 3, the above data gives you an idea of the steps you must go through.
-NOTE: Below in the instructions, are ‘ before and after ‘ letters or words to be ENTERed
-DO NOT include ‘ or < or > unless the BBS you are on requires it.
1. a) USE the Menu to locate Files, and File names. Text files sometimes end in .TXT, or .DOC, usually there is a line of data to help you guess what might be in the file, if Xmodem was used, length.
b) On TUBBS it is F)ile Directories – ‘F’-<ENTER> and then you get a listing of the different file Directories. TIMEX is under 6 on TUBBS.
c) Write ot printout titles EXACTLY as shown.
d) ‘D;EXACTNAME.TXT’ <ENTER> – you will be told there is no file under that name because you misspelled it, or you got it! Get ready to receive file, you got 40 seconds to:
2. a) CONTROL 8 (CAPS SHIFT & 8) gets you the MENU at the bottom of the screen, then ‘M’ for MAIN MENU, ‘D’ gets you to the Buffer Menu.
b) ‘E’ erases Buffer.
c) ‘X’ toggles CONversion to NONE.
d) <ENTER> back to MAIN MENU.
e) ‘E’ exits to BASIC.
f) PRINT USR 24415 <ENTER> sit back and don’t touch anything. Little +’s will soon start walking across the screen. Any -‘s, indicate an error, and it will try 10 times to get an error free load.
g) When done, TERMINAL Mode will return, ‘G’ Goodbye, and hangup.
3. a) Now to get the data from the buffer to tape, CONTROL 8, M for menu, and you can see the BUFUSD, copy the number(bytes to be saved).
b) ‘E’ to exit to BASIC.
c) Put on a tape to save to. SAVE “name” CODE 26710, bytes from step 2g, <ENTER>
4. After SAVEing buffer data, LOAD “Unloader” into 2068. LOAD “name” data file from tape, until “done”.
5. SAVE to tape under file name you desire.
6. LOAD MScript or Tasword into 2068, LOAD your converted buffer data file into your word processor.
7. Printout or save as you wish.
*RBMU=Real Beginner Modem User
Lesson One has not been figured out yet.