CNet Amiga BBS software on Amiga 500?

[neofree]

Hello, I want to run CNet Amiga BBS or maybe a different BBS program on an Amiga 500.  It doesn't have a CPU upgrade but it does have a hard drive and CD-ROM.  What version of CNet will work on this?  And is there anywhere I can get it since it's no longer supported by the author/owner?  And what other BBS programs may work for me?

Thanks,

Neofree

[melott]

I didn't run 'C-Net' but I did run "Excelsior"
Professional BBS on my A500.
I ran OS 3.1, w/ 8 megs ram, 4 CD roms, and 2
hard drives. It ran well and stable. My A500 ran
for about 4 years 24-7 and never had any real
problems. I've been considering putting it
( Excelsior) up for bid on EBay. If you are interested
contact me and maybe we can work something out.

[Ilwrath]

Haha! Cool! I ran a CNET BBS from the Amiga 500.  As far as I know, there are no processor requirements for any version of CNET.  (though the 3.x series may require a 020+).  There were versions, maybe starting as early as the 2.x series that required OS2.04+, though.  I don't think any ever required 3.1, though.  

You didn't say what ROM you were running in the A500.  I'll assume the stock 1.3.  I am positive you can run CNETs through the 1.9x family on that.  Seems like I used to run a 1.92 or 1.98, or something.  My memory is pretty hazy.  (We're talking almost 15 years ago!)  Looking through the BBS disks here, I have a backup of my friend's old CNET 2.63, and a backup on  version 3.05c also, but by that time it was running on an A1200, so that's difficult to say what the requirements were.

If you can't find anyone associated with the CNET anymore (does Ray Akey still come here?), alternatives include

The great Excelsior! BBS (my 2nd favorite to the old-school CNETs), which I believe is now available as a freeware download.  (Though I can't find a link ANYWHERE!  Incredible!)  I'll check the dox on my 4000 later and let you know, if no one else has found it...

The DLG BBS wasn't too bad, IIRC.  I have a demo copy here, but never ran or personally knew anyone who did, though I seem to remember calling a few.

Those were the "Big 3" around here, besides the stupid PC TAG and Wildcat! systems.

[dammy]

CNet and CnetPro will work on 68000.  Dunno how much RAM you have so CNet 2 maybe your best bet.  Todd was given all the Cnet stuff, so go take a look at any Amiga warez irc channel, you will probably find Todd on there.

Dammy, former CNet/CNetPro on a A500 (ECS upgraded, 68000 28MHz, total of 7.5 megs of RAM).

[T_Bone]

> Hello, I want to run CNet Amiga BBS or maybe a different BBS program

CNet OWNS!

[melott]

If I remember right Excelsior ran on OS 2.xx
or better and 2 megs of ram. It is very
configurable with an Arexx port. But it might
be alittle tough to set up without the manual.
I just mentioned what my system was to give
an idea what can be done with it.
Oh, I did run a TAG board on a 286 also.
Tag wasn't a bad BBS.

[MobbyG]

I'm currently running CNet 5.07 on my BBS, and have run from 3.05 up to...

I ran 3.05 on an Amiga 500 with no problems at all. Naturally you'll want as much RAM as you can cram into the thing. Also, if you want your BBS to be reasonably smooth running, I suggest running a stock Amiga OS. Nothing that will take more memory then needed.

Also, the bigger the HD the better. If you can max your HD size out go ahead, if you're serious about running a BBS.

Right now there are at least 4 of us, all running CNet.  If you're interested, feel free to PM me and I'll give you as much info and help as I can.

BTW: Anyone wanting to run CNet, I believe you can still get licenses from the current owner.

[Cyberus]

How much day to day cost do you reckon is involved in running a BBS - and also for the hardware/replacing and maintaining? Even if its just the electrcity, that can't be cheap..

[dammy]

by Cyberus on 2003/11/2 19:20:13

How much day to day cost do you reckon is involved in running a BBS - and also for the hardware/replacing and maintaining? Even if its just the electrcity, that can't be cheap..

Biggest expense is the phone line.  Power?  Maybe $8 @ month, dunno how much your second phone line is, probably about $12 @ month for a grand total of maybe $20 @ month. Hardware replacement, A500 are pretty cheap and can last for years.  Drives last as long as they do in a PC, so YMMV.

Dammy

[Debaser]

Yeah the power cost is probably more minimal that 8 bucks esp. if you make sure to keep that monitor turned off. The phone line is the real kicker... When you call your local telco folks ask for the  lowest end service you can get.

I gotta ask ya (original poster)... What kind of intrest do you think you'll attract locally? I mean..wow.. I cant remember the last time I called a BBS. But I gotta tell ya the idea really sounds cool from an old school stand point. :-)

Maybe enough of us out there will rebuild a network of boards throughout. Didn't Cnet have fidonet support. Then again there is Telenet and Im sure there are still BBSs around that use this.

0Debaser

[Ilwrath]

Power, at least in the US, is VERY minimal.  Picture the increase that leaving a 50-75 watt light bulb on 24/7 would be.  Hardly noticible.  In fact, unplug your nightlight, and you'll probably break even.  I'd be surprised if it actually cost more than $1-$2 a month.

Phone line, if you choose to go that way, is the cost.  And even it isn't so bad... $20/mo or so.  But who is really left as a local call?  The last holdout in my old 313 area code shut down last year.  And it was up from back in the early 80's until now.  Dial-up interest just isn't there.  So just run it telnet, and you should be ok.  I've thought about doing that, myself.  The real cost is in the computer, itself.  The 500's used to be all but indestructable... But age is catching up with them, and I don't really want to put a classic through that much abuse.  Plus, there aren't good network cards for the 500.  With the retro replay for the C64, I'm tempted to pull out my CNET 12.0 C64 and hack away to make IT a telnet-able BBS!  haha!!!  (I always liked my C64 BBS better than my Amiga one.)

[that_punk_guy]

I never experienced the joy of BBS. It was all before my time...  :-(

[T_Bone]

Heck I didn't know there WAS a Cnet for the c64. Back then I think I ran EBBS on a c128 up in Rochester NY. Ed Parry's EBBS, compiled with a basic compiler I can't remember the name of.

The BBS was the Elusive Cloud if anyone remembers (doubt it  :-P )

[Ilwrath]

Heck I didn't know there WAS a Cnet for the c64. Back then I think I ran EBBS on a c128 up in Rochester NY.

Sure there was....   There was also a CNET 128 that ran in 80 column CG on a C128.  It would degrade to a 40 column wrapped C64 display for C64 callers, too!  It was cool as heck, for it's time!  

The CNET 12.0 for C64 was the last real CNet, at which point development forked due to an argument of some kind.  It resulted in the 12 source being  forked to the New Image BBS 1.0, and the original CNET designers wrote the CNET DS][, which was an incredible BBS, but just too late.  (~'89 or '90 release).  

[Lo]

Doesn't CNet support telnet?  Then only one connection is needed for multiple users?