C-Net 64

By

Perspective Software

and

RMS Software

Introduction:

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.

C-Net was originally the work of Jim Selleck and Ken Pletzer, who also wrote the 128 version.

And the waiting for call screen.

The Facts:

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!)

Hardware Information

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     :

General

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       :

SysOp Utilities and Support

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

News

Structure   :   C-Net text files, listed by order entered
Header      :   Subject, access
Weeding     :   By SysOp
Display     :   At logon, or on demand

Messages

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       :

Message Editor

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

Transfers

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       :

Text Libraries

Structure   :   2 levels of libraries with C-Net SEQ files
Storage     :   As C-Net style SEQ files
Network     :   Not supported (I presume)
Other       :

E-Mail

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       :

Program Libraries

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.