• Facebook Synchronet BBS group

    From Digital Man@1:103/705 to All on Thu Feb 5 22:08:53 2026
    This is kind of a rant, sorry.

    Every few weeks or maybe it's months, someone posts a support question in the Synchronet BBS group or (worse) direct messages me on Facebook asking me Synchronet support questions.

    I always answer when I see these messages. I always try to guide them in the right direction (e.g. give them a link to the appropriate wiki or documentation pages), but I also *always* tell them that Facebook is not where we prefer to support Synchronet sysops and give them a link to the "how to get support" wiki page which includes that anti-Facebook logo I made a long time ago and tells them *where* to get support (including Reddit!). I'll like a broken record on Facebook about this. About half the time, they'll say "oh sorry, I'll follow-up there" and the other half the time they'll just continue to ask me tech support questions and then get upset when I stop answering or getting more direct with in responses, requesting that move the discussion to the appropriate support channels. And almost *never* do they then post the same support questions in the official support conferences here (on DOVE-Net, FidoNet, or USENET). And seemingly often, I'll see these same people post complaints later saying I never supported them. Huh? I also get direct e-mails requests for support, but less often.

    If you find it so hard to *use* a BBS (e.g. to ask a support question about BBS software you're trying to use) - they why do you want to run a BBS? I just don't get it.

    Similarly, I totally don't get sites like this
    --
    digital man (rob)

    Synchronet "Real Fact" #14:
    SBBSecho was originally written by Allen Christiansen (King Drafus) in 1994 Norco, CA WX: 63.6ųF, 50.0% humidity, 4 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
    --- SBBSecho 3.36-Linux
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Digital Man@1:103/705 to All on Thu Feb 5 22:12:06 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Digital Man to All on Thu Feb 05 2026 10:08 pm

    Similarly, I totally don't get sites like this

    Sorry, hit wrong key.

    I don't get sites like this:
    https://synchronetbbs.org/

    Or Discord channels dedicated to "supporting" Synchronet. Why? We already have #synchronet on irc.synchro.net

    Don't you want want all the people that actually have answers and the people that need those answers in the same place? Why spread the discussions around so much?
    --
    digital man (rob)

    This Is Spinal Tap quote #41:
    Ian Faith: It says "Memphis show cancelled due to lack of advertising funds." Norco, CA WX: 63.6ųF, 50.0% humidity, 4 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
    --- SBBSecho 3.36-Linux
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From fusion@1:103/705 to Digital Man on Fri Feb 6 05:20:00 2026
    On 05 Feb 2026, Digital Man said the following...

    I don't get sites like this:
    https://synchronetbbs.org/

    they're selling hosting

    Or Discord channels dedicated to "supporting" Synchronet. Why? We
    already have #synchronet on irc.synchro.net

    probably because they already have other Discord servers they're on, so it made sense for someone to just create one in the same space. some people just collect them for everything they're interested in (including youtube channels)

    [facebook stuff from other message]

    probably should just go private and use that for family heh

    i wish i had a good answer. maybe they just feel entitled to YOUR answer and don't want somebody else's. or they think they're going to wait less. who knows.

    maybe it'd be wise to forward all the links (and this page itself)

    https://www.synchro.net/docs/index.htm

    to wiki equivalents, because links from there show up in DuckDuckGo a lot and probably are linked from who knows where else (including others under docs like the tcp faq and support.html with no anti-facebook logo hehe)

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
    # Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Codefenix@1:103/705 to Digital Man on Fri Feb 6 10:37:32 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Digital Man to All on Thu Feb 05 2026 10:08 pm

    This is kind of a rant, sorry.

    Every few weeks or maybe it's months, someone posts a support question in the Synchronet BBS group or (worse) direct messages me on Facebook asking me Synchronet support questions.

    It's a fair rant! Don't be sorry!

    I was one of those people that started asking questions on the Facebook group, back in 2020 when I was getting started in the hobby. Once I discovered the resources like the wiki and the online Javascript reference, I never did so again.

    (I'm also not even on FB anymore, so there's that :P)

    I think there are a few reasons why people (ab)use Facebook for seeking support.

    1) Newcomers to the hobby don't know the jargon, and therefore don't know the questions to ask and topics to seek in the wiki. The wiki is invaluable for experienced sysops, however if I put my feet into the shoes of the uninitiated, I have to admit it seems pretty daunting.

    2) The (flawed) notion that their question posted on FB will be more visible and get answered more quickly.

    3) FB is right there in their pocket, unlike DOVE-Net which isn't necessarily as readily accessible, at least not initially for newcomers.

    I get your rant completely, but I also get the inclination for some to ask questions on a platform they're already familiar with. At least they're asking questions and trying to understand.

    Now.. for those that say you're not supporting them, they're just wrong. You've never been anything but generous with your time answering questions and supporting this software.

    |08ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄæ
    |15 Ü|07 Ü |08Ü |11codefenix |08³
    |15 Ū|07ŪŪŪ|08Ū |09ConstructiveChaos BBS |08³
    |15 Ž|07ÜŪÜ|08Ż |01conchaos.synchro.net |08³ |08ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄŁ
    |07
    ---
    ž Synchronet ž -=[ ConstructiveChaos BBS | conchaos.synchro.net ]=-
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Codefenix@1:103/705 to Digital Man on Fri Feb 6 10:41:15 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Digital Man to All on Thu Feb 05 2026 10:12 pm

    I don't get sites like this:
    https://synchronetbbs.org/

    Yeah, this is a whole other topic. And I have strong opinions about this site and its offerings which I've mostly kept to myself. Suffice to say, I think it's one of the leading causes of stock Synchronet boards that plop on top of the Telnet BBS Guide site only to die a few days later.

    |08ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄæ
    |15 Ü|07 Ü |08Ü |11codefenix |08³
    |15 Ū|07ŪŪŪ|08Ū |09ConstructiveChaos BBS |08³
    |15 Ž|07ÜŪÜ|08Ż |01conchaos.synchro.net |08³ |08ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄŁ
    |07
    ---
    ž Synchronet ž -=[ ConstructiveChaos BBS | conchaos.synchro.net ]=-
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Denn@1:103/705 to Digital Man on Fri Feb 6 08:25:56 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Digital Man to All on Thu Feb 05 2026 10:12 pm

    Similarly, I totally don't get sites like this

    Sorry, hit wrong key.

    I don't get sites like this:
    https://synchronetbbs.org/

    Looks like a project someone wanted to start just for something to do:)
    Looking at the website, it looks like this may have been made by:
    Marisa Giancarla.


    Denn

    ... Youth and skill are never a match for age and cunning.

    ---
    ž Synchronet ž the Outwest BBS - outwest.synchro.net - Home of BBSBASE 6.0
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Gamgee@1:103/705 to Digital Man on Fri Feb 6 09:55:08 2026
    Digital Man wrote to All <=-

    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Digital Man to All on Thu Feb 05 2026 10:08 pm

    Similarly, I totally don't get sites like this

    Sorry, hit wrong key.

    I don't get sites like this:
    https://synchronetbbs.org/

    Neither do I. Seems like they're trying to make money by selling
    pre-fab SBBS's for "sysops" that don't know how to run one themselves.
    I think that's "Marisa's" site.

    Or Discord channels dedicated to "supporting" Synchronet. Why? We
    already have #synchronet on irc.synchro.net

    I think many newer folks don't know about (or how to use) IRC. It's
    pretty "old skool", ya know. :-)

    Don't you want want all the people that actually have answers and the people that need those answers in the same place? Why spread the discussions around so much?

    Many (most?) folks today need a clickable/colorful/gui/fancy interface
    to do anything. BBS/text/IRC isn't that.

    Don't get me wrong, I agree with you and support your reasons.


    ... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
    --- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
    ž Synchronet ž Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Nightfox@1:103/705 to Digital Man on Fri Feb 6 08:47:44 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Digital Man to All on Thu Feb 05 2026 10:08 pm

    Every few weeks or maybe it's months, someone posts a support question in the Synchronet BBS group or (worse) direct messages me on Facebook asking me Synchronet support questions.

    I wonder what the intent or purpose of the Facegook group is? There doesn't appear to be a group description; just a list of rules for the group.

    If it's mainly a support group, I wonder if a Facebook group could be configured to not allow posts and have a sticky post at the top to re-direct people to go to another site or place for support questions - though I think it's more of a general Synchronet group, not mainly for support.

    Maybe one of the rules for that group should be to go to the wiki, Dove-Net, or the other official areas for support rather than posting support questions in the Facebook group or sending you direct messages. Then if anyone does post support questions in that group, they could be kindly (and sternly?) reminded about the rule and the official avenues of support. Repeat offenders could have support questions removed, after being reminded of the official support avenues.

    Nightfox

    ---
    ž Synchronet ž Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Nightfox@1:103/705 to Digital Man on Fri Feb 6 08:50:30 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Digital Man to All on Thu Feb 05 2026 10:12 pm

    I don't get sites like this:
    https://synchronetbbs.org/

    Or Discord channels dedicated to "supporting" Synchronet. Why? We already have #synchronet on irc.synchro.net

    I didn't know that site existed..

    That site has a rotating set of screenshots, one of which is on my BBS showing my user list mod, and it's captioned "What a list of users looks like in Synchronet". That caption is incorrect, since that's not the stock user list; I actually made that mod to look like what I saw on another BBS years ago. Also, it looks like that screenshot was taken in 2009, so it seems that site has bene around for a long time.

    Nightfox

    ---
    ž Synchronet ž Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Nightfox@1:103/705 to Codefenix on Fri Feb 6 08:52:40 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Codefenix to Digital Man on Fri Feb 06 2026 10:37 am

    3) FB is right there in their pocket, unlike DOVE-Net which isn't necessarily as readily accessible, at least not initially for newcomers.

    Uisng a smartphone, you could use the web interface on a Synchronet BBS to post a question on Dove-Net.

    Nightfox

    ---
    ž Synchronet ž Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Nightfox@1:103/705 to Denn on Fri Feb 6 08:53:58 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Denn to Digital Man on Fri Feb 06 2026 08:25 am

    https://synchronetbbs.org/

    Looks like a project someone wanted to start just for something to do:) Looking at the website, it looks like this may have been made by: Marisa Giancarla.

    I was looking for a piece of software in my Linux distro's package manager recently and happened to see her name in one of the packages.. I forget which package that was now.

    Nightfox

    ---
    ž Synchronet ž Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Nightfox@1:103/705 to Gamgee on Fri Feb 6 08:54:36 2026
    Re: Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Gamgee to Digital Man on Fri Feb 06 2026 09:55 am

    Or Discord channels dedicated to "supporting" Synchronet. Why? We already
    have #synchronet on irc.synchro.net

    I think many newer folks don't know about (or how to use) IRC. It's pretty "old skool", ya know. :-)

    BBSing is also pretty old-school; maybe even moreso than IRC, I think. :)

    Nightfox

    ---
    ž Synchronet ž Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Mike Powell@1:103/705 to DIGITAL MAN on Fri Feb 6 10:04:55 2026
    If you find it so hard to *use* a BBS (e.g. to ask a support question about BBS
    software you're trying to use) - they why do you want to run a BBS? I just >don't get it.

    I do not get it, either. If it is your facebook group, maybe it is time to take it down or limit who can originate posts on it (so you can keep it for annoucements, etc.)?

    That said, I find myself thinking smiliar questions when I post about a possible bug in the bbs software support echo just to be told that the
    correct place to talk about/report them is a website.

    I do it, but I don't really get that, either.


    * SLMR 2.1a * 2 + 2 = 5 for extremely small values of 5.
    ---
    ž Synchronet ž CAPCITY2 * Capitol City Online
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Codefenix@1:103/705 to Nightfox on Fri Feb 6 13:17:03 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Nightfox to Codefenix on Fri Feb 06 2026 08:52 am

    Uisng a smartphone, you could use the web interface on a Synchronet BBS to post a question on Dove-Net.

    Granted, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the average newcomer to Synchronet seeking help on FB on how to set up their stuff doesn't know how to do that. :)
    ---
    ž Synchronet ž -=[ ConstructiveChaos BBS | conchaos.synchro.net ]=-
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Nightfox@1:103/705 to Codefenix on Fri Feb 6 13:19:10 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Codefenix to Nightfox on Fri Feb 06 2026 01:17 pm

    Uisng a smartphone, you could use the web interface on a Synchronet BBS
    to post a question on Dove-Net.

    Granted, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the average newcomer to Synchronet seeking help on FB on how to set up their stuff doesn't know how to do that. :)

    I think a lot of people are still familiar with web browsers and web sites.. There are web forums people use that don't have their own dedicated app, so people would naturally have to use the web browser for that. For Synchronet, it would just a matter of loading the web browser and going to a Dove-Net BBS (Vertrauen would be a good choice).

    And if someone is aware of what Synchronet is and are interested in running it, I imagine they're technical enough to be fine with using a web browser to load a BBS's web site.

    Nightfox

    ---
    ž Synchronet ž Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Digital Man@1:103/705 to Codefenix on Fri Feb 6 15:13:37 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Codefenix to Digital Man on Fri Feb 06 2026 10:37 am

    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Digital Man to All on Thu Feb 05 2026 10:08 pm

    This is kind of a rant, sorry.

    Every few weeks or maybe it's months, someone posts a support question in the Synchronet BBS group or (worse) direct messages me on Facebook asking me Synchronet support questions.

    It's a fair rant! Don't be sorry!

    I was one of those people that started asking questions on the Facebook group, back in 2020 when I was getting started in the hobby. Once I discovered the resources like the wiki and the online Javascript reference, I never did so again.

    (I'm also not even on FB anymore, so there's that :P)

    I think there are a few reasons why people (ab)use Facebook for seeking support.

    1) Newcomers to the hobby don't know the jargon, and therefore don't know the questions to ask and topics to seek in the wiki. The wiki is invaluable for experienced sysops, however if I put my feet into the shoes of the uninitiated, I have to admit it seems pretty daunting.

    2) The (flawed) notion that their question posted on FB will be more visible and get answered more quickly.

    3) FB is right there in their pocket, unlike DOVE-Net which isn't necessarily as readily accessible, at least not initially for newcomers.

    I get your rant completely, but I also get the inclination for some to ask questions on a platform they're already familiar with. At least they're asking questions and trying to understand.

    While I was writing that rant, I was thinking (sort of answering myself) that a lot of want-to-be sysops aren't really interested in *using* BBSes for messaging. Maybe they're only interested in hosting door games or ANSI art or whatever and don't care to figure out how to sign-on to another BBS and post a question there and check back for an answer. And that's what bothers me: they want to run a BBS, but can't be bothered to *use* one for its primary intended purpose. USENET (alt.bbs.synchronet) is gated to the SYNCHRONET (discussion) as well, but they can't seem to be bothered to post there either.

    Now.. for those that say you're not supporting them, they're just wrong. You've never been anything but generous with your time answering questions and supporting this software.

    Thanks. I definitely try to limit the support I give on non-official platforms/channels so as to not encourage their continued use for that (without being a jerk).

    Messaging was the original purpose of BBSes and BBS software and if we (including myself) don't use them for that purpose, then they'll never get better or more capable at that.

    I see support questions as a gift, an opportunity to make the software better (fix a bug or make it more intuititve or whatever), so I get frustrated when I *want* to support the sysop (asking Qs on FB or Reddit) but also want to encourage them to use the official support conference/channels. And then when I do, they just disappear, their valuable questions/feedback along with them. :-(
    --
    digital man (rob)

    Breaking Bad quote #46:
    If I ever get anal polyps, at least I know what to name them. - Saul Goodman Norco, CA WX: 68.1ųF, 61.0% humidity, 9 mph WSW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs --- SBBSecho 3.36-Linux
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Digital Man@1:103/705 to Denn on Fri Feb 6 15:15:34 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Denn to Digital Man on Fri Feb 06 2026 08:25 am

    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Digital Man to All on Thu Feb 05 2026 10:12 pm

    Similarly, I totally don't get sites like this

    Sorry, hit wrong key.

    I don't get sites like this:
    https://synchronetbbs.org/

    Looks like a project someone wanted to start just for something to do:)
    Looking at the website, it looks like this may have been made by:
    Marisa Giancarla.

    Yeah, it's Marisa's. And she occasionally will pop in here to ask a question, but mostly is disconnected from those "in the know" about the software she appears to have such an affinity for. I find it weird.
    --
    digital man (rob)

    Breaking Bad quote #31:
    Feels like one of those cones put on dogs so they don't lick their own balls. Norco, CA WX: 68.1ųF, 61.0% humidity, 9 mph WSW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs --- SBBSecho 3.36-Linux
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Digital Man@1:103/705 to Nightfox on Fri Feb 6 15:20:24 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Nightfox to Digital Man on Fri Feb 06 2026 08:47 am

    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Digital Man to All on Thu Feb 05 2026 10:08 pm

    Every few weeks or maybe it's months, someone posts a support question in the Synchronet BBS group or (worse) direct messages me on Facebook asking me Synchronet support questions.

    I wonder what the intent or purpose of the Facegook group is?

    It's been many years now, but as I recall, an ethusiastic Synchronet sysop thought there should be a place to discuss Synchronet on Facebook, so they created it. I was added as an admin/moderator shortly after. I just post announcements there and try to direct people asking questions where to go to get good answers/discussions.

    Maybe one of the rules for that group should be to go to the wiki, Dove-Net, or the other official areas for support rather than posting support questions in the Facebook group or sending you direct messages. Then if anyone does post support questions in that group, they could be kindly (and sternly?) reminded about the rule and the official avenues of support. Repeat offenders could have support questions removed, after being reminded of the official support avenues.

    Sure. I imagine there are Facebook groups to dicuss Mastadon, Discord and Reddit too and every other "social media" software or platform. But I wouldn't think to go to FB to seek support for them. Seems odd.
    --
    digital man (rob)

    Synchronet/BBS Terminology Definition #43:
    IBM = International Business Machines (Corporation)
    Norco, CA WX: 68.1ųF, 61.0% humidity, 9 mph WSW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs --- SBBSecho 3.36-Linux
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Digital Man@1:103/705 to Mike Powell on Fri Feb 6 15:24:06 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS g
    By: Mike Powell to DIGITAL MAN on Fri Feb 06 2026 10:04 am

    That said, I find myself thinking smiliar questions when I post about a possible bug in the bbs software support echo just to be told that the correct place to talk about/report them is a website.

    I do it, but I don't really get that, either.

    That does seem backwards. Now, if it's an official bug reporting system (like sourceforge or gitlab), I understand that. At one time, we were going to use GNATS for Synchronet bug tracking/discussions and we *did* have Synchronet message base integration for that. Now we use gitlab, but I haven't really done much beyond the "echoing" of gitlab.synchro.net issue posts/disucssions to one of the support subs on DOVE-Net.
    --
    digital man (rob)

    Sling Blade quote #5:
    Karl Childers (to father): You ought not killed my little brother...
    Norco, CA WX: 68.1ųF, 61.0% humidity, 9 mph WSW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs --- SBBSecho 3.36-Linux
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Codefenix@1:103/705 to Nightfox on Sat Feb 7 09:32:33 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Nightfox to Codefenix on Fri Feb 06 2026 01:19 pm

    I think a lot of people are still familiar with web browsers and web sites.. There are web forums people use that don't have their own dedicated app, so people would naturally have to use the web browser for that. For Synchronet, it would just a matter of loading the web browser and going to a Dove-Net BBS (Vertrauen would be a good choice).

    Sure, but you're thinking like someone who already knows the ins and outs of a Synchronet BBS with a webserver. A newbie doesn't have such knowledge going into the hobby, and needs to be directed to those things. It just makes sense that they'd start out by seeking answers in the places they're already used to (FB, Reddit, etc.).

    |08ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄæ
    |15 Ü|07 Ü |08Ü |11codefenix |08³
    |15 Ū|07ŪŪŪ|08Ū |09ConstructiveChaos BBS |08³
    |15 Ž|07ÜŪÜ|08Ż |01conchaos.synchro.net |08³ |08ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄŁ
    |07
    ---
    ž Synchronet ž -=[ ConstructiveChaos BBS | conchaos.synchro.net ]=-
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Mike Powell@1:103/705 to DIGITAL MAN on Sat Feb 7 10:04:01 2026
    That said, I find myself thinking smiliar questions when I post about a possible bug in the bbs software support echo just to be told that the correct place to talk about/report them is a website.

    I do it, but I don't really get that, either.

    That does seem backwards. Now, if it's an official bug reporting system (like sourceforge or gitlab), I understand that. At one time, we were going to use GNATS for Synchronet bug tracking/discussions and we *did* have Synchronet message base integration for that. Now we use gitlab, but I haven't really don
    much beyond the "echoing" of gitlab.synchro.net issue posts/disucssions to one
    of the support subs on DOVE-Net.

    gitlab is nice, and having it echoed in does give us some idea what bugs,
    and upgrades, are being worked on. Mainly when I find it irritating is
    when I cannot remember my userID or password to get logged in first. ;)


    * SLMR 2.1a * We all live in a yellow subroutine.
    ---
    ž Synchronet ž CAPCITY2 * Capitol City Online
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Mike Powell@1:103/705 to GAMGEE on Sat Feb 7 10:04:01 2026
    I don't get sites like this:
    https://synchronetbbs.org/

    Neither do I. Seems like they're trying to make money by selling
    pre-fab SBBS's for "sysops" that don't know how to run one themselves.
    I think that's "Marisa's" site.

    Yeah, but I think there have also been a couple of sysops over the years
    that have used it when they don't have the resources to host it themselves.
    That would be an easy (although, IIRC, less flexible) alternative for them.


    * SLMR 2.1a * Remind me again how lucky I am to work here
    ---
    ž Synchronet ž CAPCITY2 * Capitol City Online
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Mike Powell@1:103/705 to DIGITAL MAN on Sat Feb 7 10:04:01 2026
    Yeah, it's Marisa's. And she occasionally will pop in here to ask a question, but mostly is disconnected from those "in the know" about the software she appears to have such an affinity for. I find it weird.

    She used to be on DOVE a lot but you don't see her much any more. I
    *think* she is the one who is now developing a BBS package to run on Amiga systems.


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    ž Synchronet ž CAPCITY2 * Capitol City Online
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)
  • From Nightfox@1:103/705 to Codefenix on Sat Feb 7 12:39:24 2026
    Re: Facebook Synchronet BBS group
    By: Codefenix to Nightfox on Sat Feb 07 2026 09:32 am

    I think a lot of people are still familiar with web browsers and web
    sites.. There are web forums people use that don't have their own

    Sure, but you're thinking like someone who already knows the ins and outs of a Synchronet BBS with a webserver. A newbie doesn't have such knowledge

    Not really; my line of thought was that even if someone isn't familiar with Synchronet, I think many people are familiar with using a web browser and should be able to have a look at the Synchronet wiki and read the documentation. Also, they could look at, say, Vertrauen's web site and look in the Dove-Net message areas for Synchronet; ecwebv4 is similar to a web forum where you can read through messages.

    When I first started using Synchronet and didn't know anything about it, I started reading through the Synchronet documentation (at the time, the wiki didn't exist, so I read through the older web-based documentation). That was my first thought for learning about Synchronet; I wouldn't have thought to post in a Facebook group to ask questions about Synchronet.

    Nightfox

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