Image BBS

By

New Image Software

Introduction:

I do recall having seen this program as a user on occasion, but have never actually laid hands on it. This means two things. First, special thanks to Jack Followay for almost single handedly putting this page together. Second, special thanks to Larry Anderson and Diane Hare for the pictures below. Third, since I can't speak first hand, I'm going to let the image folks speak for themselves.

Booting up screen.


A look at the waiting for call screen.


Browsing the message bases.

The Facts:

The information below applies to Image 64 v1.2A (the latest version currently available for purchase).

Hardware Information

Computer    :   Commodore 64 or 128 in 64 mode
Video       :   40 columns
Drives      :   Supports nearly all known drives
Modems      :   Adaptable to most modems 300-14.4k
Input       :   Keyboard
Output      :   Screen or printer optionally
RAM use     :   Used as Drive (ramdos)
Special     :   Swiftlink, SuperCPU, and TurboMaster mods available.


General

Pgm Struct  :   Main program with numerous small overlays
Menu Struct :   Word entry system
Translation :   ASCII, PETASCII, IBM Graphics, ANSI Color
Access      :   9 levels, highly definable, SIGOps (Hosts), 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/responses
Calls/Time  :   Call, time, idle limits differ by access levels
Network     :   Image Network; Some CommNet support (DS/2, C-Net, Etc)
Customizing :   Highly
  Programs  :   Uncompiled (extended) BASIC, easy to modify
  Displays  :   Menus and displays are SEQ files, modifiable
  Commands  :   Some hard coded (sub-systems); modifiable Extended
            :   Command Set (ECS) for main/global commands
Areas       :   Highly modular systems
  E-mail    :   From main menu or by separate menu
  Messages  :   Separate menu
  Transfers :   Separate menu
  Network   :   Integrated throughout system
  Programs  :   Separate menu
  Text      :   Separate menu
  User Cmds :   Main menu commands are available from all areas
  SysOp     :   Integrated functions; Most available from all areas
  Voting    :   Separate menu
  News      :   Separate menu
  Help      :   Always available
Other       :

SysOp Utilities and Support

Offline     :   Full system config., user editor, sys data/stats editor
Online      :   User flags, chat, system flags
Remote      :   Full drive support, file editors, user editor
On-L Display:   User/system info window
W.F.C. Utils:   Most online utilities (Customizable)
Chatting    :   From any prompt
User        :   Handle/access/info editor; user weed, search, Reserve
Msg Bases   :   Online config. for bases, integrated and auto-maint
Transfers   :   Online config. for bases, integrated and auto-maint
Programs    :   Online configuration
Network     :   Setup/config., netsub config., netfile xfers, weed utils.
Drives      :   Complete drive support
Terminal    :   Transfers/ASCII-ANSI-PETASCII/phonebook autodialer

News

Structure   :   SEQ files organized by an index
Header      :   Subject, access, posting date, reminder (repeat) flag
Weeding     :   By SysOp
Display     :   At logon, or on demand

Messages

Structure   :   Structured post/reply system
Bases       :   Named bases, listed by number, or into named SIG groups
Limits      :   999 SIGs, 30 bases/SIG, 60 post/base; 512 replies/post;
            :   date-based autoweed during automaint or by  Sub/SIG/SysOp
Reading     :   New and global new messages, or individual
Headers     :   Subject, poster, date posted, number of replies, date
            :   of last reply, anonymous, frozen status
Format      :   Text, or color text
Writing     :   As new posts, or as replies to posts
Anonymous   :   Base may configured to allow or not
Network     :   30 netsubs (by default) may be defined and linked to
            :   multiple bases (for overflow protection)
Other       :   SEQ (space saver) or TurboREL system available

Message Editor

Structure   :   Line editor
Commands    :   A period in first column followed by a command letter
Editing     :   Search/replace,rewrite,insert,delete,copy,move,justify..
Formatting  :   Word wrap, MCI codes for special functions
Graphics    :   C/G

Transfers

Bases       :   Named bases, listed by number, optionally named SIGs
Storage     :   Directory files for each base/direct drive xfers (UX)
Limits      :   999 SIGs, 30 bases per SIG, 60 files per UD base;
            :   UX only limited by available drive space
Credits     :   Credit ratio system implemented
Protocols   :   Punter (multi), Xmodem (CRC/1k)
Headers     :   Name, blocks, uploader, date uploaded, times
            :   downloaded, date, computer type, short desc.
Selection   :   By number
Listing     :   Directories, local/global new (UD); Drive directory (UX)
Network     :   Not implemented at user level; SysOp file xfers available
Other       :   SEQ or TurboREL directory format available

Text Libraries

Structure   :   Many configurable levels of libraries with SEQ files
Storage     :   As Image formatted or standard SEQ files
Network     :   N/A
Other       :   Similar RLE graphic and animated movie file areas

E-Mail

Structure   :   Sub-system as well as global commands for sending
Sending     :   By HANDLE, ID, or reply; from sub-system, global
            :   quickmail, private reply to message base post.
Receiving   :   At logon, or on demand
Network     :   NetMail, mail forwarding,
Other       :

Program Libraries

Structure   :   Many configurable lvls of library structure (sub-system)
Programs    :   BASIC overlays, explicit interaction with BBS
Network     :   Many networked progs available (matchmaker, games, etc.)
Other       :   There is a plethora of available "plus-files"
            :   (games and utilities) available

If you find anything in here you have questions or comments about, feel free to leave me email right here. The information was gathered by Jack Followay and verified by Fred Dart of New Image Software (801-423-2209 Order/Support Voice Line).

To return to the BBS page, click here.