REVIEW OF BLUEMAX BBSLISTER



    Hello all, I have recently had the privilege of setting up and
    running Dale Freeman's BBS LISTER.  I want to tell you right
    now, it is something refreshingly different in the stale field
    of BBS Listers. I have used SEVERAL different BBS Listers in the
    past, and all have been pretty much the same thing.  They allow
    the sysop to enter, input the phone numbers, give the baud
    rates, and enter a few words about the description of their
    board.  You, the sysop, have previously gone in and set up the
    bulletin where this information will be stored until a user
    happens to go in and view your BBS Lister bulletin. Ladies and
    gentlemen, this is a very different BBS Lister, in fact, it is
    so unique that it now maintains a very prestigious spot on my
    MAIN MENU.

    What is it about this door that makes it unique enough to occupy
    that critical area off of my MAIN?  Several things,  I think a
    programming user of mine stated it best when he said, "WOW!!
    That looks like a DOORWAY program!"  It really does to folks,
    the colors are very nice, and the wide variety of commands are
    built right into the menu, and are very intuitive to your users.
    "SO?" I see you shaking your head, "What's the big deal?"  Well
    folks, read on and you'll see what really sets this program
    apart from the others.

    Dale Freeman's BBS Lister has a feature that I have not seen
    before on ANY other BBS Lister program.  The visiting Sysop can
    upload his logon screen, or any ANSI that he sees fit to better
    show the flavor of his board!  No longer do Sysops have to leave
    a "too short" description of their BBS on a barely adequate BBS
    Lister, and hope that some user happens across it buried deeply
    in your bulletins menu.  It is a very new and well done idea.

    Pretty cool huh?  Well, installation was not quite so cool.  The
    earlier versions of BBS LISTER were a little buggy, (but what
    isn't when its new right?).  The setup was a fairly straight
    forward, but the docs were a little scanty, and a very simple
    installation process was needlessly complicated. One thing that
    I want to make sure I mention is this, PUT GSZ.EXE IN THE SAME
    DIRECTORY AS THE BBSLIST.EXE PROGRAM!!  This caused me more than
    a little frustration as I tried time and again to get ANSI's to
    upload.  One call from Dale and I was back on track though.

NOTE: Version 2.0 has its own install program now! Also you no longer
      have to have GSZ in the directory only in your path.
                                        (Dale Freeman author)

      Which brings me to my last point.  Dale Freeman called my BBS and
    voice numbers several times to assist me with problems that cropped
    up from time to time.  He is a HUGE asset when it comes to technical
    support. His easy going manner, and knowledge make him a pleasure to
    deal with, and makes the seemingly steep $25.00 registration fee a
    worthwhile investment.  IF you think that the price is too steep for
    a program designed to advertise OTHER BBS's, I suggest that you
    download a copy and try it out. You can call for a 90 day key, that
    allows you to use it as a registered program rather than CRIPPLEWARE.  
    Give it a try, and I think you'll be very impressed. I know I was.



                                    Paul Cook
            TriBBS Reg #679
            CPU Express!
            (813) 936-8170