It has come to my attention that there is a need for software 
catering to the elite BBS's. I decided to write one so 1) Nobody 
gets on except with invitation and 2) It can speed up things by 
having menus on-site.

   Tentatively, the first board using this software, "Centrum", 
will go up sometime early 1986. It will be totally private, 
access through the sysop sending mail to the invitee on another 
system.

   The software will differ from the norm in many ways. First of 
all, on MS-DOS systems, it will be as simple as putting a disk 
with the Centrum.com program on it in the drive and typing 
Centrum. It will read a config file (extender #, code) and dial. 
If it gets a busy signal or No connect, it will prompt the user 
whether or not to keep redialing.

   Logging on: The software finally gets through; and sends a 
string of characters representing the baud being used. Them it 
transmits serial number of program and version number.  The board 
will then prompt for log on....checking user, password against 
internal refrence by serial number (protection from illicit 
copies).  If not correct, goodbye. Assuming they get it right, 
the board will look at version number. If the version being used 
is not the same as the one the board is running, the board will 
automatically download new menus, program, or both. If just menus 
are revised, the user may continue. If the program is revised, 
the old version will hang up, and delete itself, replacing with 
the new version.  The user will have 5 minutes during which all 
other users may not log onto the board...they may call back, or 
if not, the board opens up again.
 
    While on: Rather than transmitting menus again and again, the 
board will send a code telling program to print appropriate menu. 
There will be a simple XOR data encryption the whole time one is 
on the board...you may change the code to use for your particular 
program.  If the user uploads or downloads, there will be a 
Centrum protocall used. Almost all messages of reasonable length 
will be sent in short form by the board.

    User levels:  There are 3 levels: 1 (85% of the people), 2 
(for co-sysops, about 10%) and 3 (for sysops, 5%). the 
differences are as follows: level 1 can do almost everything, but 
level 2&3 can modify the board (Adding news, deleting users, some 
others). Level 3 can add new sub-boards, change user 
namesppasswordsiinfo.  There will be a few (VERY few) remote 
Sysops.

    UploadsDDownloads:  This section will use special Centrum 
protocal.  Each program is assigned points of value, from 1 to 
10. Users who upload the best programs, therefore, can download 
the best. Uploading will add to your points, downloading 
subtract. For users of level 2, you can go as low as -10 points 
on credit, level 3 can get as much as they want.
   
    Logging off:  The board keeps track of serial numbers, times 
on, uploads, downloads, posts, and user level.  ee



X-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-X

 Another file downloaded from:                               NIRVANAnet(tm)

 & the Temple of the Screaming Electron   Jeff Hunter          510-935-5845
 Salted Slug Systems                      Strange              408-454-9368
 Burn This Flag                           Zardoz               408-363-9766
 realitycheck                             Poindexter Fortran   415-567-7043
 Lies Unlimited                           Mick Freen           415-583-4102
 Tomorrow's 0rder of Magnitude            Finger_Man           408-961-9315
 My Dog Bit Jesus                         Suzanne D'Fault      510-658-8078

   Specializing in conversations, obscure information, high explosives,
       arcane knowledge, political extremism, diversive sexuality,
       insane speculation, and wild rumours. ALL-TEXT BBS SYSTEMS.

  Full access for first-time callers.  We don't want to know who you are,
   where you live, or what your phone number is. We are not Big Brother.

                          "Raw Data for Raw Nerves"

X-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-X
.