Am 09.05.21 schrieb Avon@21:1/101 in FSX_NET:

Hallo Avon,

Here's the summary of what we've put forward thus far.

[...]

Thank you very much for your work to ensure this network is alive and kicking!

Best regards,
Anna

--- OpenXP 5.0.49
* Origin: Imzadi Box Point (21:3/127.1)

*** Quoting Avon from a message to All ***

Security / Privacy ==================
Binkp secure encryption for all hubs.
Better privacy.
SSH officially supported.
SSH for specific echos.

There would probably need to be more discussion around this. I'm all for adding privacy/encryption to things, but it's only as strong as its weakest link. I'm not sure echomail was ever designed with privacy in mind.

System A could be well secured with binkp encryption & SSH access; the
message is written on the BBS over SSH & transfered to its hub with encrypted binkp, so far so good. System B then picks that message up from the same (or another hub) over an unencrypted channel (bink, ftp, frontdoor, etc) while System C simply has all if its message bases accessible on a web http/https interface (intentionally or otherwise) that is then indexed by Google.

Sure there could be a policy put in place that FSX_SECURE is only to be made available over SSH connections, e.g: s20OS on Mystic, which would mean my Telegard system couldn't carry it it all, but then how can you enforce that it's only distributed over secure bink connections?

Again, I'm all for privacy/encryption but I'm not sure the purpose of it on
an echomail network, other than keeping our credentials secure when connecting to our uplinks.


Jay

... I once boxed a pirate, he had a strong right hook

--- Telegard v3.09.g2-sp4/mL
* Origin: Northern Realms | 289-424-5180 | bbs.nrbbs.net (21:3/110)

Re: Re: fsxNet Feedback
By: Warpslide to Avon on Sun May 09 2021 06:02 am

Security / Privacy ==================
Binkp secure encryption for all hubs.
Better privacy.
SSH officially supported.
SSH for specific echos.

There would probably need to be more discussion around this. I'm all for adding privacy/encryption to things, but it's only as strong as its weakest link. I'm not sure echomail was ever designed with privacy in mind.

BBSs were pretty secure back in the day. There was no http, ftp, gopher or any internet involved. There was simply a BBS login.. :)

Even back then there was really no privacy, even in netmail. These mails even if not in the message base exist in files at least until they leave the system.

Mystic's ability to encrypt netmail between (when supported) nodes is the closest thing I have seen to complete privacy in netmail.

We can provide echo areas and netmail, but not privacy. Not today.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... I'm working on my 2nd $million... Gave up on the 1st.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106.1)

*** Quoting Al from a message to Warpslide ***

BBSs were pretty secure back in the day. There was no http, ftp,
gopher or any internet involved. There was simply a BBS login.. :)

That's a good point. A lot of the technology we're working with here was designed in an age of point-to-point dialup connections.

We can provide echo areas and netmail, but not privacy. Not today.

And lets assume for a moment we have such an echo available, and it's configured correctly on every system. What do we talk about there? I'm not sure what I type on my keyboard varies that much based on if the channel is encrypted, except perhaps if I'm entering a credit card number.


Jay

... What do you call and alligator in a vest? An investigator

--- Telegard v3.09.g2-sp4/mL
* Origin: Northern Realms | 289-424-5180 | bbs.nrbbs.net (21:3/110)

BY: Warpslide(21:3/110)


|11W|09> |10Al> BBSs were pretty secure back in the day. There was no http, ftp,|07
|11W|09> |10Al> gopher or any internet involved. There was simply a BBS login.. :)|07
|11W|09> |07
|11W|09> |10That's a good point. A lot of the technology we're working with here|07
|11W|09> |10was |07
|11W|09> |10designed in an age of point-to-point dialup connections.|07

We also need to keep in mind the variety of BBS platforms that are out there. Not all systems are capable of the same things, such as certain echos over ssh.

Any changes/requirements need to be platform-agnostic.

I don't see security as a real issue here. There's very little to be found in the user list of a BBS that would compromise anything. I don't require anything that would be considered PII. I ask for Real Name, city/state, and birthdate, but they aren't required. If a user doesn't want to give their real name, I just ask that it at least be real-sounding.

-Craig

/-------------------------------------------------------------\
| The Trading Post [SOUTH] BBS - Telnet: ttps.dyndns.org:2323 |
| WWIVNet - Fidonet - StarNet - FSXNet - SFNet |
| HobbyNet - PiNet | \-------------------------------------------------------------/


--- WWIV 5.7.1.0001
* Origin: ** The Trading Post [SOUTH] BBS -=- Columbia, SC ** (21:1/207)

Re: Re: fsxNet Feedback
By: Warpslide to Avon on Sun May 09 2021 06:02 am

*** Quoting Avon from a message to All ***

Security / Privacy ==================
Binkp secure encryption for all hubs.
Better privacy.
SSH officially supported.
SSH for specific echos.

There would probably need to be more discussion around this. I'm all for adding privacy/encryption to things, but it's only as
strong as its weakest link. I'm not sure echomail was ever designed with privacy in mind.

Sure there could be a policy put in place that FSX_SECURE is only to be made available over SSH connections, e.g: s20OS on Mystic,
which would mean my Telegard system couldn't carry it it all, but then how can you enforce that it's only distributed over secure
bink connections?

There is actually (I think) a very easy way to secure "the network", and I believe that will work for any BBS (new and old) that is using an IP transport. Which is something like ZeroTier. I have it on my BBS, and an othernet has it active between the hubs (my hub being binkd/hpt, and the other hubs being mystic.)

But security/privacy comes with an extra level of maintenance - which is, as you say, only as secure/private as the weakest link. So while I think we can offer it, its all in, if you want to have the comfort of it being it.

(The other benefit of something like ZeroTier, is it, by implementation knocks out all the script kiddies polling and hammering your ports - but then you add an extra level configuration required if you want a wandering visitor to visit your BBS.)

...ëîåï

... Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors and miss --- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)

Al wrote to Avon <=-

Re: Re: fsxNet Feedback
By: Avon to All on Sun May 09 2021 01:51 pm

Is there a need for separate BBS echos? Could they be merged
to one? (+1 agree).

-1

I don't think individual areas for different software is a bad thing
and folks can connect or not as they choose.

-1, i.e. I agree with Al on this one.


... DalekDOS v(overflow): (I)Obey (V)ision impaired (E)xterminate
--- MultiMail
* Origin: Possum Lodge South * possumso.fsxnet.nz:7636/SSH:2122 (21:4/134)

Hi all.

Just a quick request to solicit for any feedback you may wish to share
about fsxNet.

If you have any thoughts on how things are going at present, stuff you would like to see more/less of, ideas for echos/file areas etc to add/remove etc. Stuff that could be done differently or things reinstated etc.

You get the idea. Any feedback good, bad or otherwise appreciated.

Can you ** please ** post any replies here in FSX_NET and not elsehwere. I
just want to keep all the fsxNet stuff in the echo set up for discussions
about it.

[snip]

FSX_NET - Discussions about fsxNet. Chat about current network operations, plans for the future and how to best implement them.

[snip]

Thanks in advance.

Best, Paul.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

Avon wrote to All <=-

Just a quick request to solicit for any feedback you may wish to
share about fsxNet.

If you have any thoughts on how things are going at present,
stuff you would like to see more/less of, ideas for echos/file
areas etc to add/remove etc. Stuff that could be done differently
or things reinstated etc.

I think things are going well at present. It seems that the "no
politics" ideas have finally sunk in and that is better than it was in
the past.

The network continues to grow and that must be a Good Thing.

The one comment I might make is in regards to echo areas... We have a
"BBS Support/Dev" echo. Do we *really* need additional seperate echos
for Mystic, Magicka, Enigma? They get perhaps one post per day.
Couldn't all of them be supported in the one echo? Along those same
lines, would there be any interest in a new echo generally aimed at
"hobbies"? Something like Hobbies/Projects Discussion ?

No big issues in any case, thanks to you and the others who run it and
keep things going smoothly!



... Backup? I've never had troub**&{[} 3$$ERROR
=== MultiMail/Linux v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: Palantir * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL * (21:2/138)

Avon wrote (2021-05-04):

You get the idea. Any feedback good, bad or otherwise appreciated.

1) Long names for the echomail areas:

FSX.BULLYING_BOARD_SYSTEMS - everything BBS
FSX.CRYONICS - how to survive death
FSX.DATHEADS - Digital Audio Tapes
FSX.ENGLISH - for native speakers only. No Denglisch plies! FSX.GENETIC_ENHANCEMENT - DIY biohacker stuff
FSX.HAMBURGERS - and beyond
FSX.MAGAZINE - your weekly FSXNet magazine
FSX.MYSELF - new to the network? introduce yourself
FSX.NET - meta
FSX.ROBOTS - small and big
FSX.STASIS - how to survive the apocalypse
FSX.TESTTOSSTERONE - testing testing one two three


2) Better message threading (in FSX_GENERAL).

No idea how to achieve this.


3) Binkp session encryption for all hubs


4) Better privacy

---
* Origin: . (21:3/102)

Twas Wednesday, May 5th when Avon said...

If you have any thoughts on how things are going at present, stuff you would like to see more/less of, ideas for echos/file areas etc to add/remove etc. Stuff that could be done differently or things reinstated etc.

I'd love to see SSH officially supported (or maybe it is and I've missed it), and maybe even required for particular echos -- something to think about.

Other than that, if it aint broke don't fix it (and I don't think it's broke)


--
|08 â–  |12NuSkooler |06// |12Xibalba |08- |07"|06The place of fear|07"
|08 â–  |03xibalba|08.|03l33t|08.|03codes |08(|0344510|08/|03telnet|08, |0344511|08/|03ssh|08)
|08 â–  |03ENiGMA 1/2 WHQ |08| |03Phenom |08| |0367 |08| |03iMPURE |08| |03ACiDic
--- ENiGMA 1/2 v0.0.12-beta (linux; x64; 14.15.4)
* Origin: Xibalba -+- xibalba.l33t.codes:44510 (21:1/121)

Avon wrote to All <=-

If you have any thoughts on how things are going at present, stuff you would like to see more/less of, ideas for echos/file areas etc to add/remove etc. Stuff that could be done differently or things
reinstated etc.

You get the idea. Any feedback good, bad or otherwise appreciated.

Well, I don't have anything very constructive but still enjoy reading the
echos here. :)


... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
--- MultiMail
* Origin: Possum Lodge South * possumso.fsxnet.nz:7636/SSH:2122 (21:4/134)

On 04 May 2021, 08:12p, Avon said the following...

If you have any thoughts on how things are going at present, stuff you would like to see more/less of, ideas for echos/file areas etc to add/remove etc. Stuff that could be done differently or things
reinstated etc.

I think we all need:

more beer
more hours in the day
higher pay

Oh, wait... Wrong list...

fsxNet. Here we go. This is what we need:

more beer ;)


---

Black Panther(RCS)
aka Dan Richter
Castle Rock BBS
telnet://bbs.castlerockbbs.com
http://www.castlerockbbs.com
http://github.com/DRPanther
The sparrows are flying again...

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/04/20 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Castle Rock BBS - bbs.castlerockbbs.com - (21:1/186)

Am 04.05.21 schrieb Oli@21:3/102 in FSX_NET:

Hallo Oli,

FSX.HAMBURGERS - and beyond

But do we have so many users from Hamburg here? ;-)

2) Better message threading (in FSX_GENERAL).
No idea how to achieve this.

This is the job of the message editor used by the users.
But yes, this is a problem that cuts some threads into smaller sub-threads with no connection between the messages.

Regards,
Anna

--- OpenXP 5.0.49
* Origin: Imzadi Box Point (21:3/127.1)

acn wrote (2021-05-05):

2) Better message threading (in FSX_GENERAL).
No idea how to achieve this.

This is the job of the message editor used by the users.

That's the problem, there is no easy way to fix it. Or is there?

But yes, this is a problem that cuts some threads into smaller sub-threads with no connection between the messages.

For me this is the biggest usability problem in fsxNet. It works fine in othernets (like Fidonet), so it's not an FTN problem in general.

---
* Origin: . (21:3/102)

Am 04.05.21 schrieb Avon@21:1/101 in FSX_NET:

Hallo Avon,

Just a quick request to solicit for any feedback you may wish to share
about fsxNet.

I'm here since ~December 2020 and I found a very nice network that
welcomes new people with open arms.
And although it shares the technology with FidoNet, it isn't as narrow-
minded and strict to the "rules".
fsxNet really stands to the "fun, simple, experimental" - and I like it a lot!
Also, it's great that it's one of the more active networks :)

If you have any thoughts on how things are going at present, stuff you
would like to see more/less of, ideas for echos/file areas etc to
add/remove etc. Stuff that could be done differently or things reinstated etc.

The only thing I'm thinking about:
- Consolidate the several BBS software support echos into FSX_BBS
- maybe create a RetroComputing echo? :)

And for the InterBBS games, a documentation for Synchronet would be nice
:) (or did I just not see it?)

Regards,
Anna

--- OpenXP 5.0.49
* Origin: Imzadi Box Point (21:3/127.1)

Am 05.05.21 schrieb Oli@21:3/102 in FSX_NET:

Hallo Oli,

This is the job of the message editor used by the users.

That's the problem, there is no easy way to fix it. Or is there?

I don't know, as I did not look that deep into this subject.
Someone could look at a significant number of messages with broken "reply
to" kludges and tell which message readers break them to address the
problem.

For me this is the biggest usability problem in fsxNet. It works fine in othernets (like Fidonet), so it's not an FTN problem in general.

That's right. I mostly see this problem, besides here, in messages areas
with messages gated from Usenet.

Regards,
Anna

--- OpenXP 5.0.49
* Origin: Imzadi Box Point (21:3/127.1)

Re: fsxNet Feedback
By: Avon to All on Tue May 04 2021 08:12 pm

Just a quick request to solicit for any feedback you may wish to share about fsxNet.

As far as I know fsxNet is a great net, and has been since I first joined.

We could use more areas, just what areas I am not sure. I wouldn't want to see a long list of areas that are not used but a healthy list of areas where people can talk about... things. :)

I have been thinking of starting a new FDN for gaming related files. I am something of a gamer. I like games like Doom, Quake, Unreal, Duke3D and others.

If that fits fsxNet and the users are interested in that we could do that.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... AAcckk!! II''mm iinn hhaallff dduupplleexx
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106.1)

On 05 May 2021 at 02:58a, Al pondered and said...

We could use more areas, just what areas I am not sure. I wouldn't want
to see a long list of areas that are not used but a healthy list of
areas where people can talk about... things. :)

I have been thinking of starting a new FDN for gaming related files. I am something of a gamer. I like games like Doom, Quake, Unreal, Duke3D and others.

If that fits fsxNet and the users are interested in that we could do
that.

I'm trying very hard not to reply very much at the moment so folks can just
say what they think without me adding to threads... but the idea of a game
echo and some file bases appeals.. I was think also for other echos perhaps something that covers Marvel/DC comics/movies etc... and something about
Space stuff so SpaceX,Nasa etc... anyway I'll be quiet again.

Thanks to everyone so far who's posting thoughts here. Appreciated. :)

Best, Paul

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

acn wrote (2021-05-05):

The only thing I'm thinking about:
- Consolidate the several BBS software support echos into FSX_BBS

Why? What is the disadvantage of low-traffic echos? It's not that echomail areas are a limited resource.

At least keep FSX_MYS seperate or 90% of the messages in FSX_BBS would be about Mystic.

- maybe create a RetroComputing echo? :)

+1

---
* Origin: . (21:3/102)

Why? What is the disadvantage of low-traffic echos? It's not that
echomail areas are a limited resource.

I am open to either way, personally I like having the separate echo for
magicka / talisman because it's easier to find messages I need to reply
to. If I see there's new messages in talisman echo they get my attention
first.

It also allows others to filter out what might otherwise be noise to
them, I'm sure there are plenty of mystic users who couldn't care less
about talisman posts, and vice versa. It's not a bad thing, just not
everyone wants to spend their time on everything.

Though if it were to get lumped back together, I'd still answer messages,
just might be a bit easier for me to miss things.

At least keep FSX_MYS seperate or 90% of the messages in FSX_BBS would
be about Mystic.

Yep. That's how it was before FSX_MYS was branched off.

Andrew

--
|03Andrew Pamment |08(|11apam|08)
|13Happy|10Land |14v2.0|08!|07


--- Talisman v0.20-dev (Linux/x86_64)
* Origin: HappyLand v2.0 - telnet://happylandbbs.com:11892/ (21:1/182)

I have been thinking of starting a new FDN for gaming related files. I
am something of a gamer. I like games like Doom, Quake, Unreal, Duke3D
and others.

I second this, I think it would be a great idea to have a couple of
non-bbs related file areas, and a gaming one would be great. Especially
if it encouraged people to make new games / mods for games etc.

I suppose the IMGE and TEXT aren't specifically BBS related, with IMGE
getting wallpapers etc. One thing I'd love to see is some sort of "new"
demo scene. like those old school BBS ads with the floaty text? Imagine
what you could do nowdays with SDL etc.

Just outlets for peoples creativity really.

Andrew

--
|03Andrew Pamment |08(|11apam|08)
|13Happy|10Land |14v2.0|08!|07


--- Talisman v0.20-dev (Linux/x86_64)
* Origin: HappyLand v2.0 - telnet://happylandbbs.com:11892/ (21:1/182)

Am 05.05.21 schrieb Oli@21:3/102 in FSX_NET:

Hallo Oli,

The only thing I'm thinking about:
- Consolidate the several BBS software support echos into FSX_BBS

Why? What is the disadvantage of low-traffic echos? It's not that echomail areas are a limited resource.

That's true, indeed. It was just a thought :)

At least keep FSX_MYS seperate or 90% of the messages in FSX_BBS would be about Mystic.

Okay, that might also be true, yes.
Then I take back my suggestion :)

Regards,
Anna

--- OpenXP 5.0.49
* Origin: Imzadi Box Point (21:3/127.1)

On 05 May 2021, Avon said the following...

a game echo and some file bases appeals.. I was think also for other
echos perhaps something that covers Marvel/DC comics/movies etc... and something about Space stuff so SpaceX,Nasa etc... anyway I'll be quiet again.

i have noticed that fsxNet seems to be largely technical and lacking of a 'entertainment' sort of echo. the general echo seems to be a stand in for just about everything.

that said i haven't noticed a time where i was like "all of these movie messages.. i wish they were going somewhere else so i didn't have to sift through them"

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/04/20 (Windows/32)
* Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi (21:1/616)

On 05 May 2021, apam said the following...

It also allows others to filter out what might otherwise be noise to
them, I'm sure there are plenty of mystic users who couldn't care less about talisman posts, and vice versa. It's not a bad thing, just not everyone wants to spend their time on everything.

i like to keep up to date, as with anything. so i read those. but i carefully read the mystic ones with the intent to potentially be helpful. if there's much of a difference there.. hah

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/04/20 (Windows/32)
* Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi (21:1/616)

fusion wrote (2021-05-05):

i have noticed that fsxNet seems to be largely technical and lacking of a 'entertainment' sort of echo. the general echo seems to be a stand in for just about everything.

that said i haven't noticed a time where i was like "all of these movie messages.. i wish they were going somewhere else so i didn't have to sift through them"

+1

---
* Origin: . (21:3/102)

*** Quoting fusion from a message to Avon ***

i have noticed that fsxNet seems to be largely technical and lacking
of a 'entertainment' sort of echo. the general echo seems to be a
stand in for just about everything.

that said i haven't noticed a time where i was like "all of these
movie messages.. i wish they were going somewhere else so i didn't
have to sift through them"

If people would update the subjects on their messages, that could make things somewhat easier. I'm guilty of it myself.

I don't know about making it a "rule" per say, more of a courtesy I suppose.


Jay

... Friends may come and friends may go, but enemies accumulate

--- Telegard v3.09.g2-sp4/mL
* Origin: Northern Realms | 289-424-5180 | bbs.nrbbs.net (21:3/110)

Black Panther wrote to Avon <=-

more hours in the day

I think this one would apply to FSX and BBSing also. :)



... Computer Hacker wanted. Must have own axe.
--- MultiMail
* Origin: Possum Lodge South * possumso.fsxnet.nz:7636/SSH:2122 (21:4/134)

Re: fsxNet Feedback
By: Oli to Avon on Tue May 04 2021 03:21 pm

1) Long names for the echomail areas:

+1 for this. Artificially truncating every area name to a 3 character tag-suffix (i.e. FSX_xxx) is a recipe for confusion. FidoNet area tags of up to 35 characters in length are supported, so might as well use more of them.
--
digital man

This Is Spinal Tap quote #26:
David St. Hubbins: They were still booing him when we came on stage.
Norco, CA WX: 83.1øF, 35.0% humidity, 6 mph E wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (21:1/183)

Al wrote to Avon <=-

We could use more areas, just what areas I am not sure. I wouldn't want
to see a long list of areas that are not used but a healthy list of
areas where people can talk about... things. :)

Agreed. If I miss a couple of days I can have a couple of hundred messages waiting in FSX_GEN. It'd be nice to split them up into other echoes, but I don't have an idea as to how to do that, either.

There are worse problems for a network to have.



... Change ambiguities to specifics
--- MultiMail/DOS v0.52
* Origin: realitycheckBBS.org -- information is power. (21:4/122)

Re: fsxNet Feedback
By: Al to Avon on Wed May 05 2021 02:58 am

I have been thinking of starting a new FDN for gaming related files. I am something of a gamer. I like games like Doom, Quake, Unreal, Duke3D and others.

Isnt that gamenet?

...ëîåï

... He who dies with the most TAGLINES wins!
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)

Re: fsxNet Feedback
By: deon to Al on Thu May 06 2021 02:21 pm

Isnt that gamenet?

I don't actually know what is going on in gamenet these days. I still get applications for gamenet from time to time but I have no access to the server anymore so I ask those applicants to send their app to Marissa.

I still poll the gamenet hub for netmail if that ever happens but I haven't got a netmail for a long time and I'm not sure how that is all setup now.

But no, what I was speaking of is something we may do here, we'll have to see how all this feed back and stuff shakes out.

Ttyl :-),
Al
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106.1)

Hello Al.

05 May 21 22:08, you wrote to deon:

@BBSID: TRMB
Re: fsxNet Feedback
By: deon to Al on Thu May 06 2021 02:21 pm

Isnt that gamenet?

I don't actually know what is going on in gamenet these days. I still
get applications for gamenet from time to time but I have no access to
the server anymore so I ask those applicants to send their app to
Marissa.

I still poll the gamenet hub for netmail if that ever happens but I
haven't got a netmail for a long time and I'm not sure how that is all setup now.

But no, what I was speaking of is something we may do here, we'll have
to see how all this feed back and stuff shakes out.

Ttyl :-),
Al

i tried to apply at Marissa, but no response :(

Daniel

--- GoldED/2 3.0.1
* Origin: Roon's BBS - Budapest, HUNGARY (21:4/148)

Re: fsxNet Feedback
By: Daniel Path to Al on Thu May 06 2021 09:40 am

i tried to apply at Marissa, but no response :(

I wish I could say more but without access to the server I could only guess.

Marissa had questions about QWK/FTN networking that I answered and helped her with the initial setup.

The idea of gamenet was a good workable idea, I think. I hope she will continue with it, and keep an eye on things that need looking at from time to time.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... Baroque: When you are out of Monet.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106.1)

On 09 May 2021 at 01:51p, Avon pondered and said...

Here's the summary of what we've put forward thus far. I've tried to

[snip]

If there's anything missing from this brain dump of feedback etc. also
let me know.

After a few more days to ensure this is correct my next steps will be to respond to it all and try to put some order around what we can work on addressing first, second etc.

Final call for anything else you want to add. I plan to circle back to this thread in the coming day or so.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

Re: Re: fsxNet Feedback
By: Avon to All on Thu May 13 2021 09:00 pm

Final call for anything else you want to add. I plan to circle back to this thread in the coming day or so.

A file area for themes perhaps.

It's out of my own skill set but that could be useful.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... Help stamp out, eliminate and abolish redundancy!
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106.1)

On 13 May 2021 at 04:43p, Al pondered and said...

A file area for themes perhaps.
It's out of my own skill set but that could be useful.

Do you mean BBS themes, menus and ANSIs etc.?

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

Re: Re: fsxNet Feedback
By: Avon to Al on Fri May 14 2021 11:47 am

Do you mean BBS themes, menus and ANSIs etc.?

Yes, mystic has a new themes setup that folks can use to build their own themes.

Synchronet also can do that although it works in it's own way.

I was thinking of a file area where these sort of files could be shared when authors want to do that.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106.1)

On 13 May 2021 at 04:54p, Al pondered and said...

Yes, mystic has a new themes setup that folks can use to build their own themes.
Synchronet also can do that although it works in it's own way.
I was thinking of a file area where these sort of files could be shared when authors want to do that.

Gotcha, thanks :)

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

On 13 May 2021 at 09:00p, Avon pondered and said...

Final call for anything else you want to add. I plan to circle back to this thread in the coming day or so.

OK here's the final version of the feedback received to date. For things that have been posted since I published the first summary of feedback I have prefaced them with a # so you can see they are new.

In the coming day or so I'll work on a response to the themes and ideas
raised and post my comments here. We can progress stuff from there. In some cases I think we can kick on and do some things quite quickly. Other ideas raised I think will need more discussion (not a bad thing) before we progress them.

Anywhoo... here's the final summary as it stands on 14/5/21 here in NZ.

[snip]

General Feedback
================

fsxNet has grown, not a bad thing but at times feels less close knit
(+1 agree - think it's not a bad thing)

Things are going well.

Enjoying reading echomail and nothing else to add.

More beer.

Nice network, welcoming to people, not narrow minded nor overly strict with rules etc.

Like it a lot.

One of the more active networks.

A great net, has been since joined it.

If it aint broke, don't fix it. It aint broke.

# Thank you very much for your work to ensure this network is alive and kicking!

# Thanks Avon!



Echomail
========

# Is there a need for separate BBS echos? Could they be merged to one?
(+1 agree, -2 disagree)

# Individual echos for different software is not a bad thing. It's good to
have separate places to discuss development etc. for specific software

Could use more echomail areas, not a huge number but more than we have at present where we can talk about other things (+1 nice to see gen echo split
up into a few more).

Could we have other echos to cover non-technical hobbies / projects?
Add a retro computing echo? (+1 agree).

Gaming related echos? (+1 agree).

Long names for echomail tags (+1 agree - 35 avail chars, let's use them).

Low echomail echos are OK, quite like the separation of BBS info, good idea
to keep them or at least the Mystic echo.

fsxNet seems largely technical and lacking an entertainment
sort of echo (+1 agree).

Better message threading for posts would be good. Is there a problem in
fsxNet FTN?

Discussions in fsxNet
=====================

The 'no politics / religion' request in fsxNet housekeeping is working well.

Discussions on politics and religion have led to some clashes in the past.

Perhaps more moderation required / designated moderators (HUB admins?) to
hand out reminders about re bad behaviour.

I wish people would update the subjects on their messages, would make
following stuff easier, I'm guilty of doing this too.

Security / Privacy
==================

Binkp secure encryption for all hubs.

Better privacy.

SSH officially supported.

SSH for specific echos.

# More discussion needed around these points. It's only as strong as weakest link and echomail may not have been designed with privacy in mind. How best
to enforce an echomail area only available via SSH?

# We can offer echos and netmail but not privacy

# What would we talk about in a 'secure' echomail area?

# Not all systems could handle echomail over SSH, changes/requirements should be platform-agnostic. Don't think security in FTN echomail is an issue.

# We could choose to 'secure' the network using something like ZeroTier

# Perhaps use gpg/pgp. Echomail content doesn't matter - what matters is an echo controlled by it's members.

Documentation
=============

Docs for InterBBS games. especially Synchronet BBS setup would be great.

File Bases / Distribution
=========================

FDN for gaming related files (+1 agree).

# File area for BBS themes (menus, ANSI, ascii etc.)

[snip]

Best, Paul

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

On 05 May 2021 at 05:00p, poindexter FORTRAN pondered and said...

messages waiting in FSX_GEN. It'd be nice to split them up into other echoes, but I don't have an idea as to how to do that, either.
There are worse problems for a network to have.

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to this thread. If you
have not yet, do feel free to do so.

It's Sat morning here and I have a full day coming up. What I am planning to
do next is to try and spend some time tonight to write up all the feedback
and then post a summary of it here to ensure I have captured the main themes etc. correctly.

Once that's done (and I have checked in again that I have it summarized correctly with the group) I'll look to respond to all the feedback and then start to progress suggested items I'd like to advance.

Thanks again for this feedback. It's very helpful.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

On 08 May 2021 at 09:23a, Avon pondered and said...

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to this thread. If you have not yet, do feel free to do so.

It's Sat morning here and I have a full day coming up. What I am
planning to do next is to try and spend some time tonight to write up
all the feedback and then post a summary of it here to ensure I have captured the main themes etc. correctly.

I'm a day late - Saturday turned out to be busy... and today is not much
better :)

Here's the summary of what we've put forward thus far. I've tried to capture things underneath certain themes/headings and where there have been similar
"I agree" comments by others I have added a +1 to some statements.

Have a read through and if anyone spots something I have misinterpreted or misunderstood please let me know.

If there's anything missing from this brain dump of feedback etc. also let me know.

After a few more days to ensure this is correct my next steps will be to respond to it all and try to put some order around what we can work on addressing first, second etc.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond to the request for feedback. It's really appreciated.

Best, Paul


[snip]

General Feedback
================

fsxNet has grown, not a bad thing but at times feels less close knit
(+1 agree - think it's not a bad thing)

Things are going well.

Enjoying reading echomail and nothing else to add.

More beer.

Nice network, welcoming to people, not narrow minded nor overly strict with rules etc.

Like it a lot.

One of the more active networks.

A great net, has been since joined it.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It ain't broke.

Echomail
========

Is there a need for separate BBS echos? Could they be merged
to one? (+1 agree).

Could use more echomail areas, not a huge number but more than we have at present where we can talk about other things (+1 nice to see gen echo split
up into a few more).

Could we have other echos to cover non-technical hobbies / projects?
Add a retro computing echo? (+1 agree).

Gaming related echos? (+1 agree).

Long names for echomail tags (+1 agree - 35 avail chars, let's use them).

Low echomail echos are OK, quite like the separation of BBS info, good idea
to keep them or at least the Mystic echo.

fsxNet seems largely technical and lacking an entertainment
sort of echo (+1 agree).

Better message threading for posts would be good. Is there a problem in
fsxNet FTN?

Discussions in fsxNet
=====================

The 'no politics / religion' request in fsxNet housekeeping is working well.

Discussions on politics and religion have led to some clashes in the past.

Perhaps more moderation required / designated moderators (HUB admins?) to
hand out reminders about re bad behaviour.

I wish people would update the subjects on their messages, would make
following stuff easier, I'm guilty of doing this too.

Security / Privacy
==================

Binkp secure encryption for all hubs.

Better privacy.

SSH officially supported.

SSH for specific echos.

Documentation
=============

Docs for InterBBS games. especially Synchronet BBS setup would be great.

File Bases / Distribution
=========================

FDN for gaming related files (+1 agree).

[snip]

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

Re: Re: fsxNet Feedback
By: Avon to All on Sun May 09 2021 01:51 pm

Is there a need for separate BBS echos? Could they be merged
to one? (+1 agree).

-1

I don't think individual areas for different software is a bad thing and folks can connect or not as they choose.

It's good for those developing anything to have a place to discus their goings on and things they'd like to work on/progress away from other discussions.

I like the FSX_BBS area for things that relate to all BBS software and tools used to do that but I still think and area for each software is a good thing when authors/users can use it.

Ttyl :-),
Al

... DO {nothing} WHILE (HearFromMe==0)
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Linux
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106.1)

Avon around Sunday, May 9th...

Thanks again for this feedback. It's very helpful.

Thanks Avon!


--
|08 â–  |12NuSkooler |06// |12Xibalba |08- |07"|06The place of fear|07"
|08 â–  |03xibalba|08.|03l33t|08.|03codes |08(|0344510|08/|03telnet|08, |0344511|08/|03ssh|08)
|08 â–  |03ENiGMA 1/2 WHQ |08| |03Phenom |08| |0367 |08| |03iMPURE |08| |03ACiDic
--- ENiGMA 1/2 v0.0.12-beta (linux; x64; 14.15.4)
* Origin: Xibalba -+- xibalba.l33t.codes:44510 (21:1/121)