LET'S PLAY PASSWORD
Enter the world of password-protected BBS's
by SUZI SUBECKTelecommunications circuits are growing busier by the minute, as more
and more Atari home computerists communicate via the telephone lines.
Inexpensive hardware and software, combined with recent newspaper headlines,
have been primarily responsible for this increase in the number of Atari
bulletin board users.
The extensive media coverage of the Minneapolis, Minnesota,-based
414's (the high school students who broke into a number of computer systems
using home computers and modems) has resulted in a great deal of curiosity
about home telecommunications and has boosted the sale of modems.
The development of direct-connect modems, such as the Microbits MPP-1000C
(and its Smart Terminal cartridge), has significantly reduced the cost
of home telecommunications by eliminating the need for the costly Atari
850 interface. The resulting influx of new callers is a welcome addition
to the world of Atari telecommunications, and it has produced at least
one interesting side effect.
Up until a few months ago, more than fifty percent of
all Atari bulletin board systems (BBS's) were run on AMIS software.
AMIS is a user-friendly, public domain bulletin board program designed
for Atari computers. Current surveys indicate, however, that more
complicated, less user-friendly, password-oriented BBS programs are becoming
popular. The large number of new callers is the main reason for this
changeover to password-protected BBS'S.
There are a number of good reasons for a BBS that offers
password protection. Unfortunately, there is one grave disadvantage
to such a system: Most password systems are extremely intimidating to callers
who are not familiar with BBS'S. New callers are confused by password
prompts, such as "System ID" or "Enter your password," and are unsure if
such systems are free of charge, offer public domain software, and are
open to all callers. New callers also are unfamiliar with the process
of obtaining a password and of getting past the original password prompt.
FOREM AND CARNIVAL
The two most popular Atari bulletin board programs that offer password
protection are FOREM and CARNIVAL. Both of these systems allow callers
to log-on without a password by responding with "GUEST" to the initial
BBS prompt. Many BBS options are denied to callers who do not have
valid passwords. Nonetheless, it's generally worth logging onto a
system as a "GUEST" to learn how to obtain a password to the system, whether
or not there's a charge for use of the board and if there are any other
applicable restrictions or considerations.
Most Atari BBS's are free, and obtaining passwords for
them is easy. In fact, most FOREM and CARNIVAL boards use an identical
on-line "password application." This includes the caller's name, city,
state and choice of a system I.D. (On CARNIVAL boards, this password is
limited to a four-character word or a four-digit number.) Write down your
password and keep it near your telephone-it is always the first thing you'll
be asked for when you sign on to the system. Use the same password
on all bulletin boards; this will avoid unnecessary confusion.
Some system operators (or sysops) will call you on your
voice phone to validate your password; others will simply add it to their
system. In either case, the validation process usually takes less
than 24 hours.
ADVANTAGES OF PASSWORD-PROTECTION
There are several advantages to using (or running) a BBS that offers
password protection, because the expanded capabilities of such BBS software
are beneficial to sysops as well as callers.
For instance, both FOREM and CARNIVAL let the sysop place
a maximum time limit on all calls. This allows more callers to access
the system, and gives new callers an opportunity to learn. In addition,
any board benefits from increased input, because it means that there will
be more information for all users to share.
Because each BBS's password file must be updated regularly,
sysops must spend some additional time maintaining password-protected systems.
However, one of the advantages of FOREM and CARNIVAL is that they include
a "remote sysop status" option. This option allows the sysop to engage
the services of a friend or associate as an assistant sysop, who can help
with regular BBS maintenance from a remote location (a location removed
from the BBS itself).
Another advantage of password-protected BBS's is that
they give sysops the ability to refuse access to abusive callers-callers
who post distasteful messages on the board, for instance. Most public
domain systems do not allow X-rated or off-color messages. The instant
log-on/log-off technique used by password-protected boards helps the operator
keep track of what is posted on the system.
LIMITED-ACCESS MESSAGE AREAS
Both FOREM and CARNIVAL support multiple message area sub-systems.
This allows a sysop to include limited-access message areas on the system.
These limited-access areas are designed for private communications, and
are controlled by a special password file.
Multiple message areas allow a BBS to be divided into
special interest areas, such as business and industry, adventure games
or current events. Some boards include an on-line story area in which
callers add text to a progressive group writing project. Dungeons
and Dragons is another popular topic for a special interest area.
It's also possible to run a BBS quiz that lists questions in one area of
the board and posts answers in a private message area.
E-MAIL
The greatest advantage to a password-protected system is the ability
to post and retrieve electronic mail, or "E-Mail." Through the use of passwords,
system users can leave private messages that can only be accessed by the
person to whom they are addressed. After you logon to a board that
offers E-Mail, the BBS asks if you want to "Check mail?" If you answer
yes, a list of the message numbers addressed to you will be listed on the
screen. E-mail makes message retrieval fast, easy and private.
ACCESS TO DATABASES
FOREM and CARNIVAL also makes provisions for the use of multiple databases.
FOREM supports 25 different levels of user security-enough for 25 separate
data bases. CARNIVAL provides nine levels.
At the sysop's discretion, a caller's password may be
assigned to more than one security level. For instance, your password
could give you access to both a specific message base and a specific database.
Multiple databases can be structured in a number of ways; however, most
sysops do not use all of the available security levels because of hardware
or disk space limitations.
The sysop can assign security levels based on need and
use. In addition, sysops can stratify the various levels of the database
by special interest. For example, one level could be reserved for
educational uploads and downloads, one for utilities, and so on.
The flexibility of the FOREM and CARNIVAL BBS software
is a boon to any BBS. FOREM is more structured, but overall both
programs are quite useful, and, once mastered, are just as accessible to
a new caller as AMIS.
BBS UPDATE
The following updates should be added to the list that appeared last
month in "Call Me Modem" (Antic, p. 16, July 1984). Sysops
should send updates regarding their boards and boards in their areas to
Suzi Subeck, c/o Antic, 524 Second St., San Francisco, CA 94107.
In Illinois:
Tabernacle Education and Religion
BBS
24-hour operation-no password
required
(312) 389-2307
Courtyard
24-hour operation-no password
(312) 690-0909
Lochleven
24-hour operation-no password
(312) 892-0417
River Styx
24-hour operation-password
required
(312) 432-5882
Satellite
Evening hours only-password
required
(312) 759-6297
Sherwood Forest
DOWN for good
(312) 945-0377
In Indiana:
Alien 11
Evening hours-no password
(219) 796-7373
In Texas:
School House
Evening hours after 10:00 pm-password required
(817) 281-2406