• FSX_BOT

    From Apam@21:1/182 to All on Tue Oct 20 12:31:38 2020
    RE: FSX_BOT
    BY: All

    Hi

    I'm wondering if it would be benificial to split up the bot area? I know a lot of people don't read it, but it seems to be a soup of BBS ads, Weather Reports, new file listings and anything else made by bots. Which I know is what is intended, but as it gets more and more traffic, it's harder to find what you want to look at.

    I was thinking perhaps keeping FSX_BOT as a catch all, but splitting off some more topical bot posts into their own area, eg, bbs adds, file updates etc.

    Personally, I like looking at BBS ads, especially ones that don't come up very often - just because I like seeing what people are doing, new ads for old bbses are cool too, the effort people put in etc.

    Others might like weather reports, who knows.

    Just an idea, at present it feels like more of an area for people to experiment with bots, rather than something to be read.

    Andrew


    --- WWIV 5.5.0.development
    * Origin: The Barbed Hook - telnet://barbedhook.ddns.net:2323/ (21:1/182)
  • From Apam@21:1/182 to Nuskooler on Tue Oct 20 13:48:22 2020
    RE: RE: FSX_BOT
    BY: NuSkooler(21:1/121)


    I wouldn't mind this either. Also, I'd lovet for a rule of once per week
    at most, or even once bi-weekly for BBS ads. I have mine set for one
    week and it seems too much. Some I see every single day.

    Perhaps if it was an echo for only ads once a week would be plenty, but with all the files arrived here, linux vulberabilites and weather here, there and everywhere else I can understand people posting once a day.

    Personally I also post once a week.

    Andrew

    --- WWIV 5.5.0.development
    * Origin: The Barbed Hook - telnet://barbedhook.ddns.net:2323/ (21:1/182)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to All on Wed Oct 21 12:26:42 2020
    On 20 Oct 2020 at 12:31p, Apam pondered and said...

    I'm wondering if it would be benificial to split up the bot area? I know
    a lot of people don't read it, but it seems to be a soup of BBS ads, Weather Reports, new file listings and anything else made by bots. Which
    I know is what is intended, but as it gets more and more traffic, it's harder to find what you want to look at.

    Good thread and thought starter.

    I also agree with the sentiments expressed too.

    The tension I have (as always) is not wanting to create any more echos than
    is really necessary.

    I was (some time ago) thinking about trying to find a way to split out the fsxNet HUB stats + reports from everything that flows through FSX_BOT for the same reasons you mention.. find-ability, read-ability etc.

    I think a FSX_ADS echo makes sense and agree we could request only one post
    per week to keep daily same same posts to a min.

    The trick then is what else to split off and what to keep together?

    Just thinking off the top of my head here...

    So we have

    * new files hatched / received reports
    * echomail area stats + network traffic stats (between zones, nodes etc.
    * gated info like the weather reports or virus alerts etc.

    Would an area for each of these three be the way forward also?

    I confess I kinda still want to have something for echomail stats + network traffic that is just fsxNet HUB data only... so perhaps we need another for that?

    With a possible BBS ads echo FSX_ADS we could also end up with a further four additional echos... so now we're up to five new, and then there's good old FSX_BOT as well..

    See my dilemma? :)

    Let me now you're thoughts... happy to collectively crowd source this and implement it there after... but lets try to keep the number of new echos to a min if poss and be really clear about what goes in each for the benefit of
    all who come along :)

    Oh and I was wondering about a FSX_TST for all test posts and pointing the
    test bot to that area instead? This was mooted some time back... that would remove most testing from GEN echo.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to All on Sun Oct 25 21:22:32 2020
    On 21 Oct 2020 at 01:01p, Avon pondered and said...

    Yep seems fine to me, I'll wait for other to chime in with their thoughts also. It's important to me to offer clear descriptions / guidance in the FSXNET.TXT doc and on the website etc. as to what each echo contains. So will post something up later here to confirm my thinking is correct in that regard.

    Hi team. Your feedback welcome :) Anything need tweaking? Too much, too
    little?

    [snip]

    == Echoareas ================================================================

    Message Echos:

    FSX_TST - Test messages and other experimentation is welcome here! Messages
    using the subject of 'Test' *should* receive an automated response
    from a roBOT. Humans can also appear magically with reports too.
    Your mileage may vary. Offer is not available at Vanda Station.

    FSX_GEN - A general discussion echoarea covering many topics.

    FSX_MYS - Mystic BBS discussions, support and development.

    FSX_MAG - Magicka BBS discussions, support and development.

    FSX_BBS - BBS software, development and support. The echoarea is also
    host to fsxNet Wiki (wiki.fsxnet.nz) discussions and support.

    FSX_ENG - ENiGMA 1/2 BBS discussions, support and development.

    FSX_HAM - Amateur Radio discussions. Covers all aspects of HAM radio
    including DX, HF, VHF/UHF, various digital modes etc.

    FSX_CRY - Cryptographic discussion and experimentation.
    Public key sharing, encoded messages, testing etc.
    is welcome here.

    FSX_NET - Discussions about fsxNet. Chat about current network operations,
    plans for the future and how to best implement them.

    FSX_ESP - Espanol General Chat. This echoarea offers a place for Spanish
    language conversations. Like FSX_GEN it is a general discussion
    echoarea covering many topics. Test messages and other
    experimentation is welcome.

    Este echoarea ofrece un lugar para conversaciones en espanol.
    Al igual que FSX_GEN, es una discusi¢n general que abarca muchos
    temas. Mensajes de prueba y otros experimentos son bienvenidos.

    FSX_ADS - BBS and NETwork Ads. Run a BBS you want to tell the world about?
    Use a roBOT or manually post your BBS ASCII / ANSI ads here.
    Please don't post the same thing more than once a week (7 days).
    Let's keep it 'minty fresh' - too much of the same thing usually
    ends in a diet :)

    FSX_STA - Echomail + Network Stats. The echoarea for roBOT posts about
    echomail area stats, BBS mailer traffic and gateway activity.
    FTN network stats / reports are also posted here. Some people
    read them cover to cover while others like horoscopes better :)

    FSX_FIL - File Announcements. I like files, you like files, we all like files!
    This echoarea contains roBOT posts covering files received by fsxNet
    member BBS or files hatched from fsxNet HUBS to the wider community.

    FSX_BOT - We welcome non-human roBOT output here. Gated or original content
    (e.g. weather, telemetry, entertainment etc.) lives here. BBS ads
    (FSX_ADS) and file announcements (FSX_FIL) live elsewhere.

    FSX_DAT - InterBBS Data. An echomail area used by software such as InterBBS
    Oneliners, Last Caller Mods etc to send inter-BBS data between nodes
    in fsxNet. In most cases the data is not readable or of interest to
    human eyes. Sysops may wish to hide this echo from BBS users.

    [snip]

    The NA file looks like:

    [snip]

    FSX_TST fsxNet Test Arena
    FSX_GEN General Chat + More..
    FSX_MYS Mystic BBS Support/Dev
    FSX_MAG Magicka BBS Support/Dev
    FSX_BBS BBS Support/Dev
    FSX_ENG ENiGMA 1/2 BBS Support/Dev
    FSX_HAM Amateur Radio
    FSX_CRY Cryptographics
    FSX_NET fsxNet Network Ops/Planning
    FSX_ESP Espanol General Chat
    FSX_ADS BBS and NETwork Ads
    FSX_STA Echomail + Network Stats
    FSX_FIL File Announcements
    FSX_BOT Automated roBOT Posts
    FSX_DAT InterBBS Data

    [snip]

    Best, Paul

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to Apam on Mon Oct 26 10:26:54 2020
    On 25 Oct 2020 at 07:00p, Apam pondered and said...

    Looks good to me.

    Thanks that's one vote for going ahead :)

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to Al on Mon Oct 26 10:27:08 2020
    On 25 Oct 2020 at 04:24a, Al pondered and said...

    That looks just about right to me. If you guys get that all setup I'll
    get connected and move my bot stuff around.

    Two votes, stand by caller.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to Zip on Mon Oct 26 10:27:58 2020
    On 25 Oct 2020 at 01:51p, Zip pondered and said...

    Looks good! Please let us know when the new areas are ready to be connected! =)

    Let's call it four ticks in the yes box now.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to Black Panther on Mon Oct 26 10:34:30 2020
    On 25 Oct 2020 at 12:39p, Black Panther pondered and said...

    Looks good. Let me know when they are 'live', and I'll change by bots.

    Will do :)

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to Apam on Mon Oct 26 20:32:30 2020
    On 26 Oct 2020 at 02:34p, Apam pondered and said...

    I leaning towards yes.. thoughts?


    Maybe, not all software supports auto adding of Areas though.

    It's just these are echos that (will) contain the same data posted to the BOT echo now and I'm 99% sure most systems take a feed of the BOT echo... so I worry they may miss file announcements etc and BBS ads over time as folks migrate.

    I could put on my marketing hat and run a bit of an advertising blitz I guess across GEN and in the BOT echo for a while just to let it be known re the changes... I guess..

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to deon on Mon Oct 26 20:44:36 2020
    On 26 Oct 2020 at 03:56p, deon pondered and said...

    Well, I actually thought it best that folks subscribe to what they want
    (I know all systems dont get the previous "BOT" echo).

    When I set up a node I sub them to all echos, so in NET 1 most do. But I take your point about opt in. That said (as an aside) I think we should be subbing new nodes coming into fsxNet to all available message echos and file areas
    when they join, they can opt out of any if they wish to thereafter with areafix. So long as we let them know when they join that they are linked to everything by default I think that would be OK.

    I'm also thinking it would be goot to "unsub" everybody from the old
    bot, and have them re-sub as a "active" action - hopefully also making them to move their "BBS ads" to the right echo.

    I don't disagree but I think I'd like to post some messages in FSX_BOT for a couple of weeks to alert folks to the changes and encourage manually shifting themselves over etc. We also need to offer a HUB assisted option to manually link nodes to new echos should they want it. I've seen some email dialogue today where Dan has been asked to do just that for a node needing help.

    After a couple of weeks we could delink all nodes from BOT then folks who
    post the weather data, earthquake reports etc. could resub and carry on.

    My devils advocate voice does wonder aloud though if were making it unnecessarily complicated by dropping subbed nodes and asking/expecting them
    to resub again to the same echo?

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)
  • From NuSkooler@21:1/121 to Avon on Mon Oct 26 10:26:40 2020
    On Sunday, October 25th Avon muttered...
    Let's call it 372 votes for now... I was never that good with math :)

    My 10 yo daughter seems to be better at math than me, so works for me!


    --
    NuSkooler
    Xibalba BBS @ xibalba.l33t.codes / 44510(telnet) 44511(ssh)
    ENiGMA 1/2 BBS WHQ | Phenom | 67 | iMPURE | ACiDic
    --- ENiGMA 1/2 v0.0.12-beta (linux; x64; 12.13.1)
    * Origin: Xibalba -+- xibalba.l33t.codes:44510 (21:1/121)
  • From Avon@21:1/101 to Black Panther on Tue Oct 27 09:10:46 2020
    On 26 Oct 2020 at 10:30a, Black Panther pondered and said...

    My devils advocate voice does wonder aloud though if were making it unnecessarily complicated by dropping subbed nodes and asking/expecti themto resub again to the same echo?

    I'm thinking this may be overkill. We shouldn't have to remove anyone
    from that echo. If we do have systems that are still posting
    announcements into the incorrect echo, we can try to contact them individually to get it corrected, but I don't think delinking everyone
    is necessary.

    I agree. I'd rather approach and provide info/guidance.

    One area that I felt was not clear from my written posts so far was inter-bbs game scores and other BBS posting game scores/stats.

    I kinda think that FSX_STA is the best place for them for now without adding
    a further echo just for those things. I think we can argue fairly
    successfully that they are stats also.

    After the last 12 hours I've picked up a few more posts from 1/10 and 1/100 that I will need to tweak.

    I also also started to set the author to 21:1/100 or 21:1/10 so it's easier
    to tell which system is posting the content. I'd encourage you and Deon to do the same so we're all consistent in how we publish stuff.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)