I loaded Easyterm and within moments had what appears to be a bbs screen.
?
I loaded bpq based on some recommendations from others but as my original (probably too long) message said -- after an hour of reading setup guide and getting no logic from it, I closed it without having increased my knowledge at all. As said I'm a Mac guy and have 30 years experience with installing software and having a working application with no fuss except for minor config stuff. I cannot tell that my install of bpq accomplished anything other than wasting an hour and a half. I'm not criticizing -- I realize I'm the idiot here.
?
I have heard all the "but Macs ain't really that good" arguments for 30 yrs. My windows experience is very limited and after having wrestled with bpq I can remember why that is so. Not criticizing, I'm sure it's great, but I have zero interest in being a windows guru. I want to use the tool, not mess with the tool.?
?
I appreciate the guidance from you guys so far. I'm afraid this is not a "community build" project. This is not a "learn linux and give everybody a raspberry pi" project.
?
This needs to be "I set it up, connect to radio, show a few people how to login at their place and move on" project. I'm not dealing with computer geeks here. I'm dealing with housewives, little old ladies, etc
?
No doubt bpq will do what I need and all I would hope for, but if I cant get the damn thing to function at all without what appears to be hours of effort then that is not a path I am willing to take.?
?
Which created my question of whether or not we could do 1989 level BBS in 2024. I should have said with 1989 effort also, which was very little.
?
The focus is on simple.
?
I looked at kantronics item recommended. Probably would work but maybe too simple given the reservations stated by KI0BK above.
?
?
1.? For those recommending Easyterm -- will it actually be a working BBS that people can log in to and use for simple messaging and bulletins? It appears so but would like actual experience saying so.?
?
Also need to know what the user needs to be running. Not clear on that. Easyterm I guess?
?
?
2.? For those recommending bpq -- is there a sensible idiot's guide to installing and making it work? One that doesn't assume you already know how to do? it? If so, I'd like to know a link to it, please. I'm willing to try again maybe but I want to read it first. I mean idiot level, like:
? ?Step 1 - do X
? ?Step 2 - do Y
??
Or is there some installer app that just sets the thing up and all one has to do is fill in config data? I saw no evidence of that, just a folder full of apps. To be fair, at least it loaded. Several others I tried would not load on my machine.
?
?
Also. I live in the rural South. We don't have taxicabs here. I know we're backwards, but we drive our own vehicles.
?
?
?
I greatly appreciate all the responses. Please see those numbered questions above and share insights.?
?
Thank you for y'all's trouble. Also thanks for letting me poach onto the bpq's audience - was hoping somebody could point me to how to make bpq actually work so if that's possible I'm all ears for that also.
?
?
DC
?
