Thanks for your interest in P&BNet(tm) the Pen and Brush Network for Writers and Artists 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � P&BNet is a QWK-and-Postlink echo SPECIFICALLY for boards which � � cater to creative people, writers, journalists and artists. Our � � conferences are tailored especially for that purpose. P&BNet � � is NOT an echo for general interest boards. � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 P&BNet espouses diversity in creativity. If your users are mostly mature individuals who enjoy creativity and creative stimulus, who do not need rules for conduct but conduct themselves with wit and style, who enjoy a wide range of interests but would rather not try to categorize each one... you've found the right network for your BBS. We don't call ourselves an "elite group" but somehow, that description fits. First and foremost, we are writers and artists. Some of us have publications on the shelves at the local bookstores; others have artwork in various museums and galleries. Above all, we share the same muse - that dream we fall into when we create. Many of us are professional publishers, too, and writers will find a tremendous research, reference and electronic publishing resource with P&BNet. We also are a friendly lot with many interests, including landscape arts (gardening ), cooking, birdwatching, and some of the sciences such as astronomy. In order to keep our network focused, we primarily offer conferences for networking between writers and artists; but to not constrain ourselves to ONLY those topics. To allow some free-flowing ideas exchange, we don't hamper creativity within the bounds of a "conference." We use the conferences for focus, but we don't want to stop a fascinating thread that has gone askew of the subject matter. You see? There is a balance... and we do our best to enjoy it. If you can use a mail door, you can join P&BNet. There are many "mail tossers" that extract messages from your BBS, put them into a QWK packet, and import them to your network HUB. Then they will accept a QWK packet from your HUB and import them as a REPLY packet into your BBS. Some examples of these "mail tossers" are RNET, QNET and MNET. Better than a mail tosser is a mailstore software, and we are using Postlink. This software is briefly described in our packet (in another file). It allows you to send and receive files from any bbs on the network, route private messages to specific bbs's, and even network individually between other bbs's by claiming private and local channels between yourselves. It is technologically advanced enough to support objects routing, yet it is still continually being improved and additionally developed. If you can afford the $50 fee, it's well worth the money. If you are already set up with Postlink for another network, you're in great shape to access P&BNet from one of our Postlink-capable regional hubs. If you are a FIDONET participant, you can use our FIDO HUBS for P&BNet mail and file transfers. The Conference areas currently originated by P&BNet are described in two accompanying files: CONFS.LST - a simple description file CHANNELS.RPT - conferences and their Postlink channel numbers. IMPORTANT: All participating systems MUST carry the "NETADMIN" conference. This conference is for the SysOps only. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � VERY IMPORTANT: � We only have 3 "rules" by which I *insist* you abide: 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� [1] DO NOT join P&BNet if you don't have a decent writers, artists or other "creatives" oriented user base at your BBS. [2] Do your part to keep your local conference participation ON THE TOPIC and AWAY FROM PETTY BICKERING. We rely on the local SysOp to keep the network amicable. [3] Do your part to remind users to CHANGE THE "SUBJECT:" HEADER when they veer away from the original topic of a thread. We do have a few Conference Hosts. These volunteers are leaders in their respective fields and therefore are subject matter experts. It's their job to help people, focus attention on the subject matter, and enlighten everyone with news as it occurs. We do not want to turn our CH's into some sort of police force and therefore ask the local SysOp to help out by using common sense and good communication skills to prevent, neutralize or "moderate" any bad vibes that may occur between users. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � VERY VERY IMPORTANT: � NO P&BNet SYSTEM may cross-echo network 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 messages with other echomail networks without prior express permission of P&BNet(tm) and it's National SySop, Lucia Chambers. Failure to abide by this request will most certainly result in legal action initiated by P&BNet(tm). Network Concepts ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ NODE A bulletin board system that calls another bulletin board system (a hub) in order to transfer mail. A node doesn't receive its mail directly from any other BBS (that is, no one calls it to transfer mail.) HUB A bulletin board system which may or may not call another hub system in order to transfer mail, but is called by one or more nodes to transfer mail. REGIONAL HUB A hub which calls another hub in order to transfer mail. It's called a regional hub because when designing a network, a hub is usually placed in each of the major regions serviced in order to minimize long distance phone charges. For example : P&BNetHub / \ \ / \ \ / \ \ RUBYS BBS1 BBS2 / \ / \ BBS3 BBS4 P&BNetHub is the NATIONAL HUB because it does not call anyone for mail. BBS1 and BBS2 are NODES, directly linked to P&BNetHub. BBS3 and BBS4 are nodes connected to RUBYS. RUBYS is a node of P&BNetHub and also a REGIONAL HUB since it calls P&BNetHub to transfer mail. Each hub that is a regional hub has a HUB ID. This ID is used by the regional hub to identify itself when it calls the hub "above" it to transfer mail. The network shown above would consist of four nodes, one regional hub and one national hub (P&BNetHub). A list of boards currently participating in the P&BNet echo are contained in the accompanying textfile: NODES.LST If you're still interested, please answer these next few questions with a TEXT EDITOR -- then upload the completed form back to Pen and Brush BBS at (703) 644-5196 as LASTNAME.ZIP (where "LASTNAME" is up to 8 letters of your LAST name). 1. ________________________________________________________ Your name 2. Your BBS software (include version number): 3. NODE: 1 BAUD: PHONE NUMBER: NODE: 2 BAUD: PHONE NUMBER: Please continue the list for as many nodes as you have 4. Sysop's REAL name for message headers: 5. SysOp's Street Address: 6. If you already have Postlink software please enter your POSTLINK REGISTERED NODE NAME: POSTLINK REGISTERED NODE NUMBER: 7. The name of your board: 8. Location of your board: 9. Your voice # (include area code): 10. Being a network hub means that you'll have to carry all of the P&BNet conferences, plus make yourself available to help and support the nodes that will call you. Are you interested in becoming a network hub? Once we have received this application information we will call you to verify the information, and discuss with you the option of becoming a HUB or a NODE; and if a node, which HUB you should call and at what time of the day. We'll "get acquainted" and introduce you to our growing circle of friendly SysOps who are more than happy to set you up, and, who value your input. If you are a PC-Board SysOp and *not* using Postlink: P&BNetHub distributes electronic publications through the use of the QMAIL mail door. If you can possibly afford another mail door, please consider using this fine Sparkware product. QMAIL is not only netmail capable, it features automated "subscriptions" to electronic magazines, which is something we as a group, enthusiastically support. If you would like to purchase and use the Postlink software please contact Lucia Chambers for more information.