C-Net, along with All American and Color 64, round out the old "BIG 3" of the BBS programs from the early Commodore BBS hey-day. C-Net, however, deserves considerable special mention as being, in my opinion, one of the finer programs on the market through it all.
At the center of C-Net's superiority is not its style, or its familiarity, or how pleasing it was to work with-- as it was definitely none of these. C-Net is _powerfull_. Mr. Pletzer stayed well ahead of the pack to the end providing unheard of SysOp support, flexibility, programmability, stability, and just a whole slew of options. It was never a program to run on a single 1541 drive, and with good reason, it does too much.
C-Net, although not stylish, is certainly unique. It is built apon a highly modular framework, modular in code as well as menu structure. The modules are small overlays whose constant loading when the user navigates the system is hardly noticed. This was an obvious pull away from the popular style of its peers, having most options on a single main menu with very few special functions at menus of their own. C-Net did not sacrifice quick access by the user through this, however, as all the often needed options are available from all menus.
Another little trick C-Net pioneered are its "MCI" codes, or special character codes which may be entered into any message (if access is allowed) which then, when interpreted by C-Net's message reader, are interpreted to display current user information, change colors, or perform special functions. This allowed messages, if properly done, to double as primitive script files.
And the waiting for call screen.
The information below applies to C-Net 11.1, which is the last version I had access to. The mention of network support comes at best from rumor and recalled observations, the details are unknown (and thus wanted!)
Computer : Commodore 64 or 128 in 64 mode Video : 40 columns Drives : All CBM, limited CMD (parts, but no subdirs) Modems : 1650, Hesmodem, 1670, Hayes compats (300-1200) Input : Keyboard Output : Screen or printer optionally RAM use : N/A Special :
Pgm Struct : Main program with numerous small overlays Menu Struct : Word entry system from highly modular menus Translation : ASCII, PETSCII, ANSI Access : 9 levels, highly definable, SubOps Handle/ID : Handles allowed, users listed by ID codes User info : Name, last call, phone, access, misc parms, etc. User Logs : Name, date, uploads/downloads, posts Calls/Time : Call, time, idle limits differ by access levels Network : Proprietary system, unsure of title or style Customizing : Highly Programs : Uncompiled BASIC, easy to modify Displays : Menus and displays are SEQ files, modifiable Commands : Mostly hard coded, changable only through code Areas : Highly modular system E-mail : Separate menu Messages : Separate menu Transfers : Separate menu Network : Separate menu?, and integrated functions Programs : Separate menu Text : Separate menu User Cmds : From main menu SysOp : Separate menu, and integrated functions Voting : N/A News : Separate menu Help : From main menu Other :
Offline : Full configurator, no editors Online : User editor, chat Remote : Full drive support, file editors, user editor On-L Display: Complete user info window with sysop menu W.F.C. Utils: Same as On-L Display Chatting : From any prompt User : Handle/access editor available Msg Bases : Offline configurator for bases, integrated maint Transfers : Offline configurator for bases, integrated maint Programs : Online program adder, remover Network : No clue, havn't seen it-- know it exists Drives : Complete drive support Terminal : Transfer terminal program, nice features
Structure : C-Net text files, listed by order entered Header : Subject, access Weeding : By SysOp Display : At logon, or on demand
Structure : Structured post/reply system
Bases : Named bases, listed by number
Limits : Separate post/reply limits
: Enforced during auto-maintenance
Reading : New and global new messages, or individual
Headers : Subject, poster, date
Format : Text, or color text
Writing : As new posts, or as replies to posts
Anonymous : Allowed with access
Network : Assumed support
Other :
Structure : Line editor Commands : A period in first column followed by a command letter Editing : Search/replace, rewriting, insert, delete, justify, etc. Formatting : Word wrap, MCI codes for special functions Graphics : Color only as of 11.1
Bases : Named bases, listed by number Storage : Directory files for each bases Limits : Enforced by SysOp only Credits : Credit ratio system implemented Protocols : Punter (multi), Xmodem Headers : Name, blocks, uploader, date, "about" file Selection : By number Listing : Directories, local and global new listings Network : Not supported (I presume) Other :
Structure : 2 levels of libraries with C-Net SEQ files Storage : As C-Net style SEQ files Network : Not supported (I presume) Other :
Structure : Separate menu off the main menu Sending : From message reading, or by ID Receiving : At logon, or on demand Network : Supported (I presume) Other :
Structure : 2 levels of library structure, from separate menu Programs : BASIC overlays, explicit interaction with BBS Network : Not supported (I presume) Other : TONS of programs are available
If you find anything in here you have questions or comments about,
free to leave me email right here.
To return to my home page, click here.