InfiNet - The International Freedom of Information Network. Setup Tips and Operation Guidelines. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Setting Up - Once your application has been accepted: 1. Obtain your node number, and the node number of your assigned net host. 2. Make up a list of which echoes you will be carrying on your system. (You may always add more later). Keep in mind the four REQUIRED echoes: INF- GEN, INF-SUGG, INF-SYS and INF-TEST. Aside from those four, the rest of the InfiNet bases are completely optional. 3. Setup the echoes on your system, both in your bbs software and in your mail tosser's area manager. 4. Send a listing of which bases you intend to carry to your host (via netmail or e-mail), along with your node number. Tell him you are setup. NOTE: Some hubs require use of AreaFix, an automated processing system which allows you to add or remove setup bases without the host-sysop's intervention. It is generally suggested that you use this method anyway, as it greatly speeds up all phases of the host system's activity. Read the enclosed text file "AREAFIX.TXT" for information on using AreaFix. 5. Post ONE test message in INF-TEST. (This is the ONLY place on InfiNet that you should post a test message! DO NOT post one in every base you are setting up!) Scan for outbound messages, then force-poll your host, verifying that your front end sent the message. If your host already has you setup, you may also receive your first packet of mail. 6. If all is working well, next time your system polls your host, you should receive a reply saying that someone received your test message. If not, call your host and ask for assistance. 7. All done! Welcome to InfiNet! Sit back and watch the messages pour in. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hints, Tips, and General Information: ú InfiNet is absolutely free. The only cost of membership is any long- distance charges which may be incurred through polling for messages. ú If you wish to bring a new system into InfiNet, give the sysop this entire archive, as distributed (typically, "INFINET.ZIP"). Have him fill out the enclosed application ("INFINET.APP"), and then return it to Infinite Darkness, InfiNet World Host, at 69:100/100, or 1:369/23. ú InfiNet is fully ANSi compatible. If you have a switch within your software to enable/disable ansi within each base, set it to On/Enable. InfiNet also allows the use of Forum-standard pipe color codes (indicated by a | (pipe), followed by two digits from 00-15). It is recommended that you use a software which is also compatible with this popular standard. If you run a *.MSG-type mail processor, you may request a utility which converts all occurences of these pipe codes into pure ansi. This converter may be File Requested at no charge from 69:100/100 or 1:369/23 - simply request magicname "PIPE" (without quotes). ú Use of handles on InfiNet is highly encouraged. Handles are NOT solely the domain of the computer underground; a good handle is an extension of your personality - it shows the world who you are, what you enjoy, and what you are like. It is strongly suggested that all sysops enable usage of handles on their system (at least for THIS network, as most other networks disallow use of handles), and allow their users to post on InfiNet with their selected handles. On SOME networks and online computer services, handles MAY be used as "walls" to hide behind, in order to facilitate the execution of a crime. On InfiNet, handles are simply another route of free expression, and are a very simple way of having fun. Don't hassle it. Of course, you ARE free to use all real- names on your bbs - it is simply a recommendation. We at InfiNet will NEVER force our required ideas upon other sysops simply because we think it "right" or "correct". Feh. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------