Subj : Install on Linux
To   : Jeff Smith
From : Bradley D. Thornton
Date : Sat Aug 31 2019 06:24 pm

 Re: Install on Linux
 By: Jeff Smith to Bradley D. Thornton on Fri Aug 30 2019 04:05 pm

> Hello Bradley,


Hi Jeff!



> I have been a BBBS 22 node user for quite a few years now. But the reality is  that no BBS/MAILER package does everything in the most preferred
> manner.
> Supported software is always a "Work in Progress" which is the best way in my  opinion.


Yes :) It appears that both you and Alan have live BBBS systems ;)

I can remember nightmares compiling node lists and finicky particulars with D'Bridge back when. I still have my little, 'mini museum' in a sea container sitting in cold storage at a friend's ranch in Apple Valley. Some old C64's and Timex Sinclairs and a bunch of IBM 5150 machines with 64K motherboards
and stuff like that. I've been thinking about driving out there to grab my old 3270 AT because I used to love that keboard so much.

I made a bad call way back in the early nineties, even though I came from a 4.2BSD background I banked on something like RIP being the technology being that which would win out over HTTP, or at least keep BBSes mainstream. Now, like Gopher, they've once again established relevance above and beyond just a nostalgic tinkering amongst hobbiests - some boards have been online the whole time without ever having gone on hiatus or retired.


> > I had assumed I would just install Synchronet but I'm really intrigued about the potential of Mystic - any points to consider on why one might
> > be inclined to instead choose Mystic?

> I also have an installation of Synchronet running on spare Linux PC. I also   have the current version of Mystic setup on a Linux PC. I like Mystic
> for
> several reasons. First is that it is actively supported, secondly is that it's  basic functions are well thought out and easy to configure,  thirdly
> is
> the  documentation either in written, Wiki, or Youtube versions provide detailed  info on setup, running, and support.


I realized, after posting, that it really wasn't a fair question for me to ask. I meant no offense to any dev and apologize if I did. I wouldn't have asked if I didn't believe that both were not only viable, but rather, exceptional platforms to begin with.

I had toyed with the idea of re-launching a BBS service a few times over the years, and to me, the biggest stumbling block was the relatively arcane
Linux based systems like DOC and the lack of originally DOS based systems having been ported to UNIX platforms. Although that period has passed, I might have, as a former instructor for the MCSE program, harbored less regret today had I at least deployed a board under NT. But as a long time FOSS advocate I guess I'm a little prejudiced, or at least jaded, lol.

Thanks again to both of you, and I really got a good chuckle when I saw both of those responses coming from your BBBS systems :)