Just started following this echo, as I may have an interest in setting
up a point for reading mail. I have a few questions, and apologize if they've been asked before, which I'm sure they have...
1. What pros/cons are there to using a Point, versus reading/writing echomail directly on a BBS, or with an Offline Reader. I operate a BBS,
and have used offline mail readers for years. Just wondering how/if a
point would be "better" in some way. What can it do for me that I can't currently do with my OLR (MultiMail)?
2. I'm interested (only) in software for Linux. A glance through the existing messages here would seem to indicate that 'OpenXP' is the point software of choice. Pretty much true? Any alternatives to that?
Alan Ianson wrote to Dan Clough <=-
Just started following this echo, as I may have an interest in setting
up a point for reading mail. I have a few questions, and apologize if they've been asked before, which I'm sure they have...
1. What pros/cons are there to using a Point, versus reading/writing echomail directly on a BBS, or with an Offline Reader. I operate a BBS,
and have used offline mail readers for years. Just wondering how/if a
point would be "better" in some way. What can it do for me that I can't currently do with my OLR (MultiMail)?
I don't think there are any pros or cons.
When running a point you poll your boss for new mail, much like
you do with an OLR but the interface is different.
2. I'm interested (only) in software for Linux. A glance through the existing messages here would seem to indicate that 'OpenXP' is the point software of choice. Pretty much true? Any alternatives to that?
I use Aftershock on my phone. It's handy when I am away from home
for netmail and a few echo's I want to stay in touch with. It
comes in handy when I may not have a computer or OLR easily
available.
HotDoged is another option for a phone or a tablet.
OpenXP is a good choice for a point setup on a computer with a
TUI or WinPoint for a windows setup.
1. What pros/cons are there to using a Point, versus
reading/writing echomail directly on a BBS, or with an
Offline Reader. I operate a BBS, and have used offline
mail readers for years. Just wondering how/if a point
would be "better" in some way. What can it do for me that
I can't currently do with my OLR (MultiMail)?
2. I'm interested (only) in software for Linux.
A glance through the existing messages here would seem to
indicate that 'OpenXP' is the point software of choice.
Pretty much true? Any alternatives to that?
August Abolins wrote to Dan Clough <=-
1. What pros/cons are there to using a Point, versus
reading/writing echomail directly on a BBS, or with an
Offline Reader. I operate a BBS, and have used offline
mail readers for years. Just wondering how/if a point
would be "better" in some way. What can it do for me that
I can't currently do with my OLR (MultiMail)?
Even running OpenXP as a point with your bbs locally would open
up the wonderful reading/editing/searching/database
functionality.
See http://openxp.kolico.ca/sample-screenshots/ ..for
screenshots.
2. I'm interested (only) in software for Linux.
A linux installation is supported.
A glance through the existing messages here would seem to
indicate that 'OpenXP' is the point software of choice.
Pretty much true? Any alternatives to that?
At first I was convinced that I would stick with a Win-GUI
based point program. But when I was introduced to OpenXP, it
became a wonderful journey of discovery of its feature-rich
operation.
Hello all,
Just started following this echo, as I may have an interest in setting up a point for reading mail. I have a few questions, and apologize if they've been asked before, which I'm sure they have...
1. What pros/cons are there to using a Point, versus reading/writing echomail directly on a BBS, or with an Offline Reader. I operate a BBS, and have used offline mail readers for years. Just wondering how/if a point would be "better" in some way. What can it do for me that I can't currently do with my OLR (MultiMail)?
2. I'm interested (only) in software for Linux. A glance through the existing messages here would seem to indicate that 'OpenXP' is the point software of choice. Pretty much true? Any alternatives to that?
Thanks for taking some time to provide me some info/advice, and I look forward to participating here.
... System halted - Press all keys at once to continue.
=== MultiMail/Linux v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Linux
* Origin: Palantir * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL * (1:135/115)
Alan Beck wrote to Dan Clough <=-
1. What pros/cons are there to using a Point, versus reading/writing echomail directly on a BBS, or with an Offline Reader. I operate a BBS, and have used offline mail readers for years. Just wondering how/if a point would be "better" in some way. What can it do for me that I can't currently do with my OLR (MultiMail)?
Being a point is great, you just poll your bossnode and the mail
comes in, easy peasy.
2. I'm interested (only) in software for Linux. A glance through the existing messages here would seem to indicate that 'OpenXP' is the point software of choice. Pretty much true? Any alternatives to that?
Explore WinPoint, I use it and love it. You have to wrestle with
font size but after that it is OK.
At first glance it looks like a real email program with a full
screen.
In winpoint you can focus the message window and navigate using
the arrow keys. I like that very much.
you need a Bossnode to start with, unless you are one.
You can reconfigure Winpoint as often as you like, untill you get
it.
you won't need to qwk again.
Alan Beck wrote to Dan Clough <=-
1. What pros/cons are there to using a Point, versus reading/writing
echomail directly on a BBS, or with an Offline Reader. I operate a BBS,
and have used offline mail readers for years. Just wondering how/if a
point would be "better" in some way. What can it do for me that I can't
currently do with my OLR (MultiMail)?
Being a point is great, you just poll your bossnode and the mail comes
in, easy peasy.
Yes, I understand that. But it's also easy to grab a QWK packet from
(my) BBS and read/reply that way. So... point has no advantage there.
2. I'm interested (only) in software for Linux. A glance through the
existing messages here would seem to indicate that 'OpenXP' is the point
software of choice. Pretty much true? Any alternatives to that?
Explore WinPoint, I use it and love it. You have to wrestle with font
size but after that it is OK.
At first glance it looks like a real email program with a full screen.
In winpoint you can focus the message window and navigate using the
arrow keys. I like that very much.
you need a Bossnode to start with, unless you are one.
You can reconfigure Winpoint as often as you like, untill you get it.
Ummmm.... did you miss the part above where I said I was only interested in Linux software?
you won't need to qwk again.
I like using QWK, and the whole point of my questions is to find out if operating as a Point would be any better. So far I've not seen any indication of that.
Thanks for your reply...
... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
=== MultiMail/Linux v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Linux
* Origin: Palantir * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL * (1:135/115)
Alan Beck wrote to Dan Clough <=-
1. What pros/cons are there to using a Point, versus reading/writing
echomail directly on a BBS, or with an Offline Reader. I operate a BBS,
and have used offline mail readers for years. Just wondering how/if a
point would be "better" in some way. What can it do for me that I can't
currently do with my OLR (MultiMail)?
Being a point is great, you just poll your bossnode and the mail comes
in, easy peasy.
Yes, I understand that. But it's also easy to grab a QWK packet from
(my) BBS and read/reply that way. So... point has no advantage there.
2. I'm interested (only) in software for Linux. A glance through the
existing messages here would seem to indicate that 'OpenXP' is the point
software of choice. Pretty much true? Any alternatives to that?
Explore WinPoint, I use it and love it. You have to wrestle with font
size but after that it is OK.
Ummmm.... did you miss the part above where I said I was only interested in Linux software?
you won't need to qwk again.
I like using QWK, and the whole point of my questions is to find out if operating as a Point would be any better. So far I've not seen any indication of that.
I find your point comelling.
What software do you use as a terminal to get the mail.
I am very interested in that.
Being a point is great, you just poll your bossnode and the mail
comes in, easy peasy.
Yes, I understand that. But it's also easy to grab a QWK packet from
(my) BBS and read/reply that way. So... point has no advantage there.
I like using QWK, and the whole point of my questions is
to find out if operating as a Point would be any better.
So far I've not seen any indication of that.
August Abolins wrote to Dan Clough <=-
Being a point is great, you just poll your bossnode and the mail
comes in, easy peasy.
Yes, I understand that. But it's also easy to grab a QWK packet from
(my) BBS and read/reply that way. So... point has no advantage there.
Pointing can be faster. With OXP, the command to poll are
three keystrokes: N A <CR>
I like using QWK, and the whole point of my questions is
to find out if operating as a Point would be any better.
So far I've not seen any indication of that.
You just gotta give OXP a try to see what's different and/or
better.
For me, it's the database-like storage of messages following a
poll. Unlike QWK were you have to keep track of each
particular file and/or read/reply to all the messages in a
single QWK at a time, the database result allows archiving
messages all in one place and makes it easy to find any
particular message.
OXP allows marking individual messages for "later reply" or
tagging them to HOLD so they don't get deleted on a purge.
Pointing can be faster. With OXP, the command to poll
are three keystrokes: N A <CR>
Well, that's not a huge concern of mine. Doesn't take me
much more than that to login to the BBS and grab a QWK
packet.
So, I did give it a look a couple days ago. I didn't get
very far. [...] Really strange stuff there. Could I learn
it with some time/study/reading? Sure. But there isn't
anything that makes that worth my while, at this point.
For me, it's the database-like storage of messages
following a poll. Unlike QWK were you have to keep track
of each [...]
Yes, understood, but if you run a BBS, you already have
all that. I can see this being a decent option for a non-
Sysop though.
That doesn't fit how I'm used to doing things. It may
suit others very well, I'm sure, but for me.... can't
find any reason to switch to this from BBS/QWK. A big
part of that is the learning curve on how to use it; I
just don't have the time or desire for that, at least
right now.
Thanks for the response to my question(s), though, it's
appreciated.
@BBSID: PALANTIR
Hello all,
Just started following this echo, as I may have an interest in setting
up a point for reading mail. I have a few questions, and apologize
if they've been asked before, which I'm sure they have...
1. What pros/cons are there to using a Point, versus reading/writing echomail directly on a BBS, or with an Offline Reader. I operate a
BBS, and have used offline mail readers for years. Just wondering
how/if a point would be "better" in some way. What can it do for me
that I can't currently do with my OLR (MultiMail)?
2. I'm interested (only) in software for Linux. A glance through the
existing messages here would seem to indicate that 'OpenXP' is the
point software of choice. Pretty much true? Any alternatives to
that?
Thanks for taking some time to provide me some info/advice, and I look
forward to participating here.
Ulrich Schroeter wrote to Dan Clough <=-
Just started following this echo, as I may have an interest in setting
up a point for reading mail. I have a few questions, and apologize
if they've been asked before, which I'm sure they have...
1. What pros/cons are there to using a Point, versus reading/writing echomail directly on a BBS, or with an Offline Reader. I operate a
BBS, and have used offline mail readers for years. Just wondering
how/if a point would be "better" in some way. What can it do for me
that I can't currently do with my OLR (MultiMail)?
2. I'm interested (only) in software for Linux. A glance through the
existing messages here would seem to indicate that 'OpenXP' is the
point software of choice. Pretty much true? Any alternatives to
that?
Thanks for taking some time to provide me some info/advice, and I look
forward to participating here.
currently you've probably only received responses from the Zone 1 perspective view. But there are also others ...
First is the historical view ...
back in the 80's and 90's as Fidonet starts increasing, this was
the before-internet-time ... all Zone 1 had the so called
local-area-calls with zero addtl. fees using local phone calls.
You could start a phone call at first of the month and could be
online 24/7 until the last day of the month without any addtl.
fee except the base fee you've paid for your telephone provider.
In Zone 2 it was totaly different. Beside the base fee you had to
pay monthly, you've paid for every call time based. So every
online minute counted up to a total amount fee you had to pay to
your phone provider. To get an idea, I've compared back in the
late 80's ... 1 coke did cost 1 USD In Germany the one coke did
cost 1 DM. In relation to the phone bill, you had to pay every 5
minute approx 1 DM. To be one hour online, you had to pay addtl.
6 DM.
Thats why BBS'sing becomes popular in the US but not in Europe.
In Zone 2 you cannot calculate your online costs. Therefor, the
Fidonet developed mechanisms to call a bossnode with minimum
time, if the transfer speed becomes better, the less time was
required to be online, that counts to your phone bill. Therefor
Offline solutions spread in Zone 2 where in Zone 1 BBS'sing was
your friend.
As said, Offline solutions have been developed. One option was
the QWK technique but this didn't only become popular be the
users that are still most time online at BBS'ses. The Point
solution becomes more popular in Zone 2 because each user still
uses the technique, that connects different BBS'ses with mailers
to exchange mails and files in the background.
Point programs in the beginning uses exactly the same mailer,
tossers, tickers, editors that Node system uses beside their
running BBS
Each BBS user works under the hood of a BBS sysop - mostly the
Fidonet Node sysop. Fidonet technical they have no voice. Fidonet technical you have to apply for a nodenumber to get fidonet
member and have becoming a voice. With a nodenumber, you can be
uniquely identified by your fidonet aka. As QWK reader you're
still running under your bossnodes main nodenumber. Starting with
point you receive your unique Fidonet Point-AKA and becomes
addressable in the fidonet.
The are differences in the Point systems.
Ones that are standalone systems (OpenXP, WinPoint) with their
own dedicated messagebase structures.
You cannot combine these message base with any known BBS systems
message base or other fidonet compatible editors or tossers and
tickers. They are standalone as is. Good for people who dont want
continue to discover the world of Fidonet. Its only good to
select some discussion channels, some fileechos and receive the
traffic for them.
The 2nd type of Point systems, are Point systems, that allow you
to move forward with your journey to get a Fidonet Node member,
add a BBS system to your running system, to play around with
different tossers, tickers, netmail trackers. Playing around with
a BBS system in the Background connected to your local
messagebase that interchanges traffic with your bossnode. Once
you've received the learning curve to apply for a Fidonet
Nodenumber, you only switch the Pointnumber with your applied
Nodenumber and continue running your system as before. With the
mailer system you can also add othernets to your configuration to
have a multilevel networking environment. With such a system
you're probably able to switch from one OS system to another.
Running BinkD mailer you can run your system on Windows, on
Linux, on OS2 maybe others. One of such combination of mailer,
tosser, editor as point starter kit is the BinkD, HPT, GoldEd
package. For Linux Philip Giebel deployed the Fidian package.
For Windows long time there was the Fidopoint-Paket-Deluxe
available for Windows, but failed the switch from Windows 32bit
to Windows 64bit The heart of this package is the universal
Tosser with the ability to support different types of FTN
compatible message bases. Therefor this solution is the
open-forward system with the best effort if you want to continue
with your fidonet journey
Sorry to hear that. It's been a while (4 years now?) since I
first launched OPX. My first version was many interations
prior to the current version. I don't recall anything "less
intuitive" about it. However, I *did* have the advantantage of
a USER's GUIDE that a fellow OXP User/Tester wrote. That guide
might still be helpful to a certain degree. I'd recommend you
take a look at it. See https://openxp.uk/doc/
Just started following this echo, as I may have an interest in setting
up a point for reading mail. I have a few questions, and apologize if they've been asked before, which I'm sure they have...
1. What pros/cons are there to using a Point, versus reading/writing echomail directly on a BBS, or with an Offline Reader. I operate a BBS, and have used offline mail readers for years. Just wondering how/if a point would be "better" in some way. What can it do for me that I can't currently do with my OLR (MultiMail)?
2. I'm interested (only) in software for Linux. A glance through the existing messages here would seem to indicate that 'OpenXP' is the point software of choice. Pretty much true? Any alternatives to that?
Thanks for taking some time to provide me some info/advice, and I look forward to participating here.
Personally, I do not like OpenXP interface.
Flavio Bessa wrote to Dan Clough <=-
On 31 May 2023, Dan Clough said the following...
Just started following this echo, as I may have an interest in setting
up a point for reading mail. I have a few questions, and apologize if they've been asked before, which I'm sure they have...
Sure, I will give you my five cents on it.
1. What pros/cons are there to using a Point, versus reading/writing echomail directly on a BBS, or with an Offline Reader. I operate a BBS, and have used offline mail readers for years. Just wondering how/if a point would be "better" in some way. What can it do for me that I can't currently do with my OLR (MultiMail)?
Essentially? Nothing, I would say. The only difference
between having a point and using online reading/offline mail
client is that the connection with the BBS is almost
instantaneous - You poll the BBS, get the mail, answer, send your
outbound mail, and that is it. You don't need to log in to a
system to do so.
2. I'm interested (only) in software for Linux. A glance through the existing messages here would seem to indicate that 'OpenXP' is the point software of choice. Pretty much true? Any alternatives to that?
Yes, look for FidoOverIP packages, or you can try some
combination of binkp+crashmail+Golded, which are the most known alternatives. Personally, I do not like OpenXP interface.
Thanks for taking some time to provide me some info/advice, and I look forward to participating here.
Hope my five cents have been useful.
| Sysop: | Tetrazocine |
|---|---|
| Location: | Melbourne, VIC, Australia |
| Users: | 4 |
| Nodes: | 8 (0 / 8) |
| Uptime: | 59:13:24 |
| Calls: | 65 |
| Files: | 21,500 |
| Messages: | 73,559 |