Bulletin Board System for Libraries

DESIDOC Bulletin of IAformation Technology, Vol. 15, No. 4, July 1995, pp, 23-31 0 1995, DESIDOC

CK Ramaiah DESIDOC, Metcalfe House, Delhi- 1 10 054

Abstract

Electronic bulletin board systems are vital tools for computer-mediated communication among computer users. These are similar to the bulletin boards that are displayed in a library. However, these are operated electronically on computer networks. This article gives an overview about electronic BBSs, the infrastructure required to set up BBS, and their applications in general. An attempt has also been made to design an Indian Bulletin Board System for tibraries, a conceptual BBS on which different types of information could be organised and a number of services could be provided to the users.

1. INTRODUCTION 2. WHAT IS A BBS?

Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) started in The BBS is a miniature form of an online the late 70s, as a means of communication system for a cost-effective distribution of for virtual community existing in information in electronic format. BBS Cyberspace where participants usually supports interactive communication under pseudonames may send and receive between users on a wide variety of public and private messages to each other subjects ranging from hobbies to politics. on any topic, transfer software, play online On some BBSs, it is possible for the users to games, etc. Ward Christensen and Randy communicate both interactively and to Suess of USA had discussed on 18 January leave messages for other users. Some 1978, about designing of the first bulletin boards are considered more of a electronic BBS in the world and talk-net than a platform to exchange implemented the system on 16 February research information. Most BBSs make 1978. This System was a message only available a discussion topic list with brief system for the PC users and the topics descriptions under each topic heading. included were C, Assembler, Al, Easy to use menus guide the new user programming techniques and through the bulletin boards. Some bulletin communications. This BBS was designed boards provide file transfer services. on an 8080 processor with 24 KB RAM, a Rutgers Bulletin Board Service (Quartz, floppy disc drive and a modem interface. USA) and University of North Carolina DESIDOC Bulletin of Jnfor Technol, 1995,15(4) 23 (Samba, USA), Bulletin Board for Librarians BUBL aims to provide a network of (BUBL, UK), National lnformation on library resources of information on JANET Software and Services (NISS, UK) are some and other networks such as Internet to the of the important butietin boards available users. on the networks. 2.2 NISS, UK 2.1 BUBL, UK The National lnformation on Software Bulletin Board for Librarians (BUBL), is and Services, based at the universities of one of the registered BBS on Joint Bath and Southampton, provides a gateway Academic Network (JANET), UK, designed to several services. These include an online to be accessed and used in interactive bulletin board (NISSBB), and a catalogue of mode. BUBL was designed using Userbul software and databases on JANET. Its software, produced by Leicester University, primary function is information England. This interface allows the users dissemination and online services for the to move easily between files within the UK higher education community. In NISS bulletin board. Since the datasets are bulletin board, information is structured in a arranged hierarchically, users need not hierarchy of sections and selected via 'climb' or 'descend' through menus in menus. NISSBB has a public access order to reach files or henus they desire, collection, i.e. a collection of datasets with for example the main menu can be recalled powerful search facilities. The 'POST' at any time, by typing 'M' and pressing command on the NISSBB can be used Return key (Fig. 1). to mail all the information given under the I I sections on the bulletin board to local Section M Page 1 of 7 ***Main Menu*** computers. For example, if a person wants the address list of university libraries in UK, A All about BUBL J Glossary he can use the 'POST' command to get the B Reference Section K Practical Exercises relevant information downloaded to hislher C New Titles in LlS L British Library R&D News mail box. D Directories N Latest changes in BUBL 2.3 Subject-based BBSs E Current Contents 0 Concise (Pan-European Info Services) 2.3.1 Chemistry F Mailing lists S Electronic Journals & Texts American Chemical Society (ACS), G NlSS V Library Systems & Organic Chemistry Division and Chemical Software Abstracts Service and STN International H User's Board Z CTILIS have jointly designed and implemented a Options : new BBS for chemists. It allows online HELP, HINTS, SEARCH, MAIL, POST, meetings and to communicate with each QIJIT, M(Main Menu) or (RETURN) (Next other without physically travelling to a single location. Page) Chem REFS (Chemical Research and Please select seetion name, page number Education Finding Sources) is another or option electronic bulletin board (available to the ACS members) containing information on Figure 1. Main Menu of BUBL, UK grants and contracts in the chemical services and engineering. The bulletin DESILWC Bulletin of lnfor Technol, 1W5.15(4) board also carries a new section with standards. It has a variety of programming . weekly coverage of science policy issues, tools for Pascal, Basic, Turbo Basic, Boosters the federal (US) budget, and change in and T- Enhance. grant and contract procedures or guidelines. Except for the telephone 2.4 BBS in lndia charges, there are no other costs involved ,Some of the Bulletin Board Services in using this system. available in India are listed in Table 1. 2.3.2 Engineering 3. GENERAL APPLICATIONS OF The CIME-ISE is a free electronic bulletin BBS board service of ASMEfs Publications Directorate. It is an online 24-hours service Electronic mail and can be accessed with 300-, 1200- or Software exchange 2400- baud rate modems. CIME-ISE currently offers several programs that Electronic computer conferencing includes FAT- video (Fortran Accessory Tools) which operates with IBM Electronic publishing monochrome, CGA and EGA video Current contents

Table 1. Some Bulletin Board Services available in lndia

Name of the BBS City Sysop/Cosysop Dial Number Time Available Live Wire Ahmedabad Roopal MehtaIRishabh 41 11 16 24 hrs CiX Bangalore Atul Chitnis 3341 137 24 hrs Live Wire Bombay SuchiVAnish Nanda 5787812 24 hrs 5777770 Liie Wire Calcutta Shamit Khemka 241356 24 hrs 2488763 Status Royal Chandigarh AK Agarwal 697648 2000 to 0800 Genius Net Chandigarh R Prabhakar 547144 24 hrs Cyberden Delhi Satyen Jhaveri 600001 2000 to 0800 Delhi Online Delhi D Khurana 5581 166 2000 to 0800 ECTC Net Delhi Kishore/Jyoti 6845520 24 Hrs Headnet Delhi Bhargava JayanVMenakashi 2222135 2000 to 0800 Jhamb Nebulanet Delhi Sameer Madan 5739404 2000 to 0800 Netropolis Delhi Ashish Gulhati 4601978 24 hrs Network 33 Delhi Ankur Ruhagi 603497 1800 to 0600 PCQ Onlihe Delhi PK Roy 6221 734 24 hrs Poison Den Delhi Ashwani Agarwal 2910518 24 hrs Quantum Lnk Delhi Aditya/Sayan Ghosh 6885548 1800 to 0600 Solutions Delhi Nitin Chandra/Deepak Datta 6855362 24 hrs 6865881 24 hrs Status BBS Delhi Alok/Anjali Sinha 64751 11 24 hrs Twilight Zone Delhi Manu Kaushish 6830299 200 to 0800 Wondernet Delhi Aman Anand 5741230 1800 to 0600 Jabberwocky Pune Gautamnikram Godse 678749 ' 24 hrs Live Wire Madras Loyala Josep 4838826 24 hrs

DESIDOC Bulletin otlnfor Technol, 1 W5,15(4) 25 Mailing lists voice grade telephone line would be able to access/use these services. Special interest groups/newsgroups 4.3 Hardware Required to Setup a Conducting research, surveys, etc. BBS Networking 4.3.1 Computer and Peripherals Computer-based chatting (simulation) For setting up a multimode BBS of 10 Electronic document & article delivery lines, the PC should have multiple COM ports and faster speed to handle multiple connections. For setting up a full-fledged, Access'to network resources national level professional BBS, a dedicated Archive. 33 MHz clock speed mainframe is required. An average system configuration 4. INFRASTRUCTURE required for setting up a BBS would be : REQUIREMENTS FOR BBS Computer : Server with 486 DX2/33 MHz Establishing an electronic BBS, requires or 40 MHz or higher if possible, 20 to 24 a PC, a modem, a telephone line and the MB RAM and 500 MB HDD. BBS software. There are several software Operating System : DOS/Windows packages that allow us to setup and run a /Novel/Unix BBS. These software run on variety of BBS software : Wildcat 4.01 (more computers from a simple PC (286) to softwares are listed in Table 3). Pentium (multi-processor), minis and Telephone : A dedicated telephone line/ mainframes. lines depending on the requirement. 4.1 Manpower Modem : ZyXEL 1496E or equal having One system operator (SYSOP) is required baud speed. required to maintain the system who will Modem Speed :1.2 kbps to 28.8 kbps. receive information from the contributors, 4.3.2 Modem edit it and add to the BBS. Thus, he is called as BBS moderator or operator. Depending Modem is one of the important upon the increase in the amount of components of the BBS. All BBS software information, more manpower may be do not support all kinds of modems, required to operate, update and maintain however, a few like Hayes and US Robotics the system. The person(s) may/may not be modems support all types of BBS software. a computer professional; any one having It is better to select a modem of industry some experience on computers and also standard (i.e., Hayes, AT Commands, MNP some knowledge in BBS would be able to Protocol, etc.) and international standards perform this job. (CCITT V.32, V.22, etc.). Since users yill be using modems of different makes, it is 4.2 Hardware Required to Access/ better to select a modem that supports Use BB Services maximum protocols. Anyone having an IBM AT or compatible A 1,200 bps modem is sufficient for the with 512 KB RAM, having high density low-end BBS, however, 2,400 bps modem floppy drive, 15 MB hard drive, RS 232 is a better choice. Some popular modems serial port with modem and cable, and with their baud rates are given in Table 2.

DESIDOC BuUetin of lnfor Technol, 1995.1 5(4) Table 2. Popular modems in use H Who are the users? hlanuiacturer Modem Name Baud Rate H What features are to be added? DC Hayes Micro modem Ilc 300 Smart modem 1200 H Any important facilities such as online Smart modem 2400 surveys, electronic conferencing, chatting, Navigation J-CAT 300 etc. to be provided? Apple Cat I1 1200 2400 Professional 2400 Recal Vedic's 1200 PA 1200 4.4.2 Software Features 1200 PC 2400 The Maxell modem 2400 An intensive literature survey should be 1200 VP conducted to know the features of the 2400 TRS-80 DC 2212 1200 software usually published in the form of US Robotics The Courier 2400 2400 ratings. The features include: H Extent of software customisation. A number of BBS software packages are available. These include a few that H Extent of programming. are available free of cost, and others which H Back-up protection. may be purchased through commercial H Range of hardware program. vendors. Due to limited market, BBS software are usually available directly from Features such as chat, conferencing, down the software or communication companies. loading, posting, etc. The packages cost from less than fifty US H No. of ports it can support. dollars to several thousands of dollars. There are a few public domain BBS software available free of cost and 4.4.3 Software Qualify may provide programming skills to novices The following features should be looked and hobbyists. into while checking the quality of a BBS software. 4.4 Selection Procedure for BBS H User friendliness and reliability of the Software software. Availability of editing features with- There is no perfect BBS software which nesting system. matches the needs of all the users. Each software has some strengths and W Documentation (both online and hard weaknesses and therefore comparisons COPY). among the software are difficult. There are H User support. three main characteristics that decide the selection of a BBS software, viz. user needs, H Updating of the software. software features, and software quality. 4.4.1 User Needs 4.4.4 PC Board-An Ideal BBS Software PC Board is an easy to use, standard The needs for designing a BBS must be and inexpensive BBS software that is being defined clearly. The clearer the user needs, widely used by hundreds of users around the easier the task of selecting a BBS the world. It can support from two users to software. The needs include the following: 65,535 users. PC Board includes other H What is the purpose of the BBS? modules (normally very expensive if we buy DESIDOC Bulletin of lnfor Technol, 1 W5.15(4) them separately) such as an Internet/UUCP 5. A PROPOSED BBS FOR Gateway, a Fido Mailer QWK Mail Support, LIBRARIES Credit Accounting, Sysop utilities, dBase file Access, Multi-channel CHAT, The BBS should be attractive (in terms of Local/Network and Dial in/remote, logins, its ingredients to attract callers), and support for both intelligent and user-friendly, advertising, informative and non-intelligent multi-port hardware with should provide up-to-date information. An port speeds upto 1,15,200 bps. Moreover, important barometer oi BBS success is the ' I these also provide PCB Mail (a Mail number of calls it generates. An attempt is Manager for IMS Windows) free, with the being made to design a model BBS namely result that Windows e-mail application is Indian Bulletin Board System for Librarians fully integrated with PC Board. The price (IBBSYL). Various features of the proposed varies depending upon the number of system are explained in the following nodes needed by the user. sections. IBBSL can be designed and implemented by any national agency like Some of the important PC-based BBS INSDOC or DESIDOC. General topics to software packages are listed in Table 3. be covered in the BBS can include advice columns, articles on subjects of interest, book reviews, electronic mail and Table 3. PC-based BBS software packages conferencing, inter-library loan, job listings, library information (such as programs, BBS software Baud rate (bbs) addresses, board members, etc.), local BBS members list, mailing lists and new books, PC Board NA online newsletters and surveys, information RBBS (Remote BBS) 300-1200 Searchlight NA and advice on computers/ TBBS NA telecommunications, news, word- WILDCAT 4.1 NA processing, information exchange, Access 300-1200 advertisements, conferencing, sponsors and ABBS (Apple BBS) 300 grants, bulletins (display of text files), public BBS-PC 1 200-2400 message areas (online conferences), file Conference Tree 300-1200 transfer (upload and downloading), etc. Dial-Your Match 300-1200 5.1 Basic Features Diversi-DIAL 300 The Dungeon 300 IBBSYL would provide online Fido 300-2400 information services to the ERNET users I FoRem PC 300-9600 (particularly librarians in India). The Great BBS PC 300-2400 proposed BBS would have the following Idea-Tree Message System 399-2400 sections in the main menu: Let's Talk 300-2400 PC-Date 300-1200 A - All about IBBSYL Usenet 300-1200 B - Reference Services Metropolis Online NA C - Current Contents Excel-PC Board NA D - Directories Celebration Station NA E - Electronic Journals Sound of Music NA F - New Titles in LIS Canadian Remote System NA G - Mailing Lists Metroline BBS NA H - LIS Research in India

28 DESIDOC Bulletln of lnfor Technol, 1995.15(4) I - Services of DESIDOC/lNSDOC on each option. For example, B3 sub-menu J - TIC'S News can have the following sub-menus : K - Library Systems and Software A Short Guide To Ernet L - Special Interest Groups 83 - B3A - What is ERNET 5.1.1 All About IBBSYL B3B - Access to ERNET This menu would cover all the B3B1 - Pre-requisites to Access background information about the IBBSYL B3B2 - Addressing Conventions project, LIS-link, system management, how B3B3 - Login and Logout to contribute your articles, contacting B3C - Electronic Mail people, discussion on IBBSYL (such as B3C1 - User lnterface for E-mail additions, deletions, improvwents, B3C11 - Mail suggestions etc.), editors of various B3C12 - Elm sections of IBBSYL and library services. This B3C2 - X.400 Message Handling System will be an introductory and informative B3C3 - Mailing lists section for the users of BBS. The sub-menu B3D - File Transfer would be as given below: B3D1 - Using FTP B3D2 - Anonymous FTP IBBSYL Basics B3D3 - FTP by Mail Servers LIS-Link B3E - Remote Login IBBSYL-Management B3E1 - Telnet Contribution to IBBSYL B3E2- RLogin IBBSYL Contents B3F - Netnews Bulletin Board Discussion on IBBSYL B3F1 - Reading News Section Editors B3F2 - Posting an Article Library Services B3G - X.500 Based Directory Service B3G1 - User lnterface DE 5.1.2 Reference Services B3G2 - List of Countries Reachable This menu would mainly cover the B3H - Archive various rNrence sources available on B31- Databases ERNET and Internet. It will be particularly 8311 - National Databases useful to Library & Information Science 8312 - International Databases professionals for providing quick and better B3J - Documents services to their users. B3K- Gopher B3L - WAlS B1 Guide for Libraries on ERNET - B3M - Freenets. B2 - How to Use the ERNET-PSS Gateway 5.2 Value-Aided Services 83 - Short Guide to ERNET B4 - Guide to Internet Resources 5.2.1 Current Contents B5 - Library Res~urceson the Internet This menu would provide information B6 - Union Catalogue of Indian from the contents page(s) of latest journals. Periodicals Simply by selecting a menu option, the B7 - Union Catalogue of Periodicals in contents of that particular journal will be the DRDO Libraries. displayed. For example by typing 'CLl', Each menu would have sub-menus to and pressing 'Enter' key, the system will facilitate the user to get more information display Library High Tech journal's latest DESlDQC Bulletln of lnfor Technol, 1995.15(4) issue contents page. This service can be 5.2.7 DESIDOC/INSDOC Services further extended by giving an abstract of It would give information about national that article also. documentation centres like DESIDOC or 5.2.2 Diredories INSDOC and their services to scientific community. The services provided by Various directories available on IBBSYL Defence Science Library, Reprography would be covered under this menu. These Division, Printing Division and Database include OPACs, information services and Design Division and the service charges mail addresses on ERNET, different types of for the outside users would be listed. Later, library directories, etc. This will help the publications brought out by these agencies remote library users and would be a can also be made available in electronic * better method of resources sharing. form on this system.

5.2.3 Electronic journa/s/Projects 5.2.8 TICs News This section would give the list of This menu will give the latest services provided by the Technical information about electronic publishing, lnformation Centres (TICs) of the major electronic journals and the research institutions situated in various parts of the projects undertaken by various institutions. country. The meetings organised by various One can read a few full-text electronic libraries/TICs and their outcome may also journals through this BBS. Even, DESIDOC be provided in this section. Bulletin of lnformation Technology can also be made available in electronic form on 5.2.9 Library Systems & Software IBBSYL and all the ERNET users will be able It will be an advice information section to access the same at their offices. for the librarians about the latest hardware, software, databases and 5.2.4 New Titles in LIS CD-ROMs available in Indian and foreign This menu would provide information markets. about the latest books, monographs, 5.2.10 Special Interest Groups reports, etc. published in the field of LIS. Abstracts or reviews of these publications Special interest groups (SIGs) can have would also be included on this BBS. interaction with each other through teleconferencing. The system may have as 5.2.5 Mailing Lists many SlGs as are required. For example, the Public-Access Computer System Forum The standard LIS mailing lists from India, (PACS-L) is a computer conference that UK, USA for LIS conferences, seminars and deals with all computer systems that meetings would be available in this section. libraries make available to their patrons.

5.2.6 LIS Research in India SlGs are formed to discuss on various topics of patron's interest through This section would provide information computer (online) conferencing. Utilising on LIS research in library schools, scientific the BBS, the users can discuss various institutions and research groups. It would topics such as CD-ROM databases, expert also provide information about research systems, hypertext progr5ms, multimedia, funding bodies, how to apply for a research network-based information resources, project and get the research grants. OPACs, etc. Messages sent to PACS-L are 30 DESlDOC Bulletin of lnfor Technol, 1995.15(4) reviewed t$y the conference moderators, 2. Dewey, Patrick, R. Essential guide to who distribute it to participants. For bulletin board systems. Meckler : example, the University of Houston Westport, 1987. Library brovides PACS-L as a public 3. Kittle, Paul W. Putting the medical library service. , It does not verify the accessory of online: Electronic bulletin boards and the subpitted message nor, does it endorses beyond. Online, May 1985, 25. the opi ions expressed by message author. 4. Mayers, Larry. How to create your own Author i' of the PACS-L messages are solely computer bulletin board. Blue Righ respodsible for the content of their Summit: USA, 1983 rnessdges. 5. Roatech, Mary A. Phoenix public library- Special needs centre. Library Hi Tech, 1983, 11(1 ), 43-56. number of bulletin board services are 6. BBSs in India. PC Quest. April 1995. ava lable on national/international networks 114-1 8. th oughout the world facilitating 7. Esposito, Biu. Online service on the in ormation exchange through e-mail, cheap. Byte. February 1995, 13 1-34. c mputer conferencing, etc. to a group of p ople working in a particular subject area 8. Delfino, Erik. The basis on setting up an r geographical region. Initially BBSs were electronic bulletin board system. Online, 1993, 17(2), 90-92. tarted in the universities/research jnstitutions. However, private agencies are 9. Delfino, Erik. Getting an Electronic i:also operating such services now-a-days. bulletin board system up and running. BBS software vendors claim that majority of Online, 17(3), 1993, 106-11. their customers (about 80%) are from 10. Wood, L and Blankenhdn, D. State of the business or government and only about BBS nation: Behold lowly bulletin board, 20% are hobby or entertainment users. now encompassing the globe. Byte, While a number of BBS software packages January 1990, 298-304. are available for UNIX, the vast majority are 11. Wood, Lamont. Business profits from written for MS-DOS to make the service as bulletin boards. Datamation, 1993,39(9), cheapest as possible. Shareware and 45-48. Freeware are available on many larger BBSs 12. Jackson, Greg. Bulletin boards give for downloading, systematic support. Mechanical Engineering. September 1989, 24. 7. FURTHER READING 13. Setting up a BBS. PC Quest. July 1994, 1. Balas, Janet L. Bulletin board systems : A 38-39. nostalgic look back. Computers in 14. Balas, Janet L. Learning about the Internet Libraries, 1993, 13(5), 24-26. online. Computers in libraries. 13(9), 1993, 26-27.

DESIDOC Bulletin of lnfor Technol, 1995,15(4)