        BBS program Reviews
                by Zeus the Allmighty

*** Editor's Note***
        The opinions expressed in this column are not those of the editors
        of this magazine.  They are strictly those of the author!
*********

        
        
        Welcome to my column in this relatively new magazine.  I am a new user to 
to the bbs'n world and only call out when I am at my friends house.  You should
soon be seeing more of me with a little luck!  I have been asked to review 
different bbs software.  So I think I will start out with what the editor of
this magazine uses.

        TriBBS is a rather small size wise but packs a big punch.  Just look at
what it can handle, nets, files and many online games are made for it.  The 
commands are simple and are easy to adjust to and can very well be a nice 
starting bbs for a new sysop.  I think a very big plus is it has multiple lan-
guages that you can pick apon logon, which is a nice feature.  My only com-
plaint is the message and file areas.  The commands are rather complicated in
choosing a new directory or sub and to post.  Over all I give it an 8 out of
10 keyboards.

        Wildcat is a popular bbs program and is a nice upgrade for making a
bbs bigger and better.  Once again, most commands are easy, except the messages
and the files.  It is easier to pick subs than TriBbs, but harder to do things
while scanning either.  The files are easier than the messages though. While
you are scanning the subs, you do not have as many options as you do with other
software.  I also believe it is a little slower than most others.  My rating,
6 out of 10 keyboards.

        Renegade, another popular but slowly fading out, is an easy to run bbs
program.  The only thing is it is kind of hard to set the modem up.  While on the
bbs, there is no multi language, but all the commands are simple.  The prompts
in the newer versions are rather complicated looking but are a sinch to re-
member.  One of the complaints that I have heard is that it is kind of slow
for some, but I had no problem.  I like Renegade but would much prefer another
kind of software.  The files and messages are simple to scan and to get to a
sub you only have to type in the number.....now convienant!  My rating, 8 out
of 10 keyboards.

        My final review is of a familiar favorite that is much preferred by
many users and sysops, WWIV.  With the recent release of the new version, 4.23,
it is allready a hit.  The new features include multi node, multi language,
more drop files, and conferencing, something that Renegade also has.  With the
addition of confrencing, networking is easy.  I only have a few complaints.
It does not allow R.I.P. graphics, and the message base commands could be easier.
For instance, to reply to a message, you have to hit W, while many just need
R.  That is confusing to myself and many others.  Over all, with all the ad-
ditions, it is a bbs program to be reconed with.  My rating is a 9 out of
10 keyboards.

        Ok, that was my first article for this new newsletter.  Coming next time,
Zeus's BBS reviews.  I will review a specific bbs and give the pros and cons
and then rate each in order of the best bbs in the Reading Area.  That's all
for you mortals.  The pleasure has been all yours!
