METAL/ Futurevision

[Dark_Dude@darkcastle.ecore.fnet.org (Dark_Dude)]

Hi,

I didn't get the original message on this BBS, but read it with Lynx on unix.
I'm replying here, because lynx didn't allow me to.

To refresh memories, I answered to a message about a METAL/FutureVision BBS
package that is available through me. The reply I got, but missed, read that
he (Bill?) wasn't interested in a pre-configured system.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First, I'd like to say that who-ever receives a copy of my BBS, will get it
without any stuff that is related to my userbase, messagebase, or filebase.
Any Dark Castle BBS-personal files will be deleted.

What you get, is a fine-tuned system. The FutureVision package that is
available on internet is a BETA release. Only the betatesters will receive
support, and those 'outside the group will be silently ignored', as can be
read on the ftp.fammed.ohio-state.edu METAL/FV ftp site.

Some history: over 2 years ago, this beta version was released. Subsequently
some updates, and fixes appeared. Then the -at that time- author quit, and
gave the sourcecodes to someone else, who hasn't been updating ever since.

In the mean time, many FV sysops left, and gave up their BBS's. However, a few
got left, like me, David Miller, Tony Diaz, and Magnus Ericson from Sweden.
Most of us, and alot other who've already left the scene, encountered bugs,
and reported them, or fixed them. Over a hundred bugs have been fixed. In the
mean time, I discovered other bugs, and fixed them too. I also received
bugfixes from others.

In other words: if someone downloads the beta version from internet, he/
she'll have to re-fix all those bugs, while they have already been fixed.

For the sake of convergion, I posted a message that anyone could get a
fine-tuned copy from me. Otherwise we'll have a great number of different
versions out there. Plans are to get together, and fix all things that still
need to be fixed, and release one 4.2 version, available to the public.

However, anyone is free to download a copy. But I tell you: it's not easy to
get it all working. I had already had a METAL/FV BBS for over a year when the
update was released, but it took me (in total) over 500 hours to get what I
have now. [Side note: that includes everything I programmed myself, as
external doors, etcetera]

If anyone wants information, updates or fixes, please contact someone who's
still running a METAL/FV BBS. You may always email me, but I'm sure there are
more sysops around who are more experienced than I am. I'm just a dude from
Holland, and I do not have any rights towards METAL/FV. I'm just willing to
help anyone with any problem. Please contact me at dboomsma@sci.kun.nl or
finger me there for more information.

       --Doede
       publisher of Dark Castle Magazine - "for your Apple II only!"

--
"It's not who is right, but who is left".