The Future of C-Net BBS
From
Rug Rat@80:774/40 to
All on Sat Sep 13 13:44:06 2025
I have been a C-Net SysOp since late 1994 (C-Net 3.05c).
I have enjoyed the package emensly! 3.05 was ROCK solid, the program hardly had issues, and when it did the built in utilities handled it!
C-Net Amiga 4 > has been nothing short of a cluster fuck! From purchasing the upgrade from Ken, not realizing it was a bug infested BETA version, I ended up going back to C-Net 3 before taking my BBS down.
I was lucky enough to get a C-Net 5 license, when I was running BBSs in emulation, my Base directories got hosed to the point that I would litteraly have to redo the BBS from scratch. Not willing to do that, I took it down and focused solely on my IMAGE BBS!
I finally made the effort and now have a stable BBS running, though any time I add, change, or move a directory, I have to make sure to run REPAIR_SUB, Count, and POINTERS, or the directories will be corrupted. Other Sysops have similary issue with the Subboards4 file, and corrupt directories, and like my original issue years ago get so hosed they basically have to start their BBS from scratch!
The New User process is not only outdated, but puts a huge liability on the SysOps for the collection and storage of PII (Personal Identifiable Information). Not to mention as a user drives people nuts and turns people away!
The only questions the application needs to ask really, is a Handle, Real Name, Birthday (Because of access), though this is still cringe worthy from a security standpoint. City / State, contact email, and an internal email IF the SysOp is running SMTP. Oh, and Computer Type! (though this should be handled differently!). C-Net Amiga, should go back to the old way of just asking for the computer type, then preloading defaults per profiles that make the most sense for that computer type.
Beforea ny thought is put in to providing new features, can we please get these fixed?!!
Licensing! Please please, I know of a couple people who would love to run C-Net BBSs, I know of other SysOps in the same boat.. However they are not being validated on Future World, and have not been able to get ahold of K-Guide to get license files. I understand this is not your main job, I understand we all have lives! However, for the love of everything that is sacred.. You are giving the licenses away for FREE! Just create a Public key file and release a package!
Just my 2 cents!
Rug Rat (Brent Hendricks)
Blog and Forums - www.catracing.org
IMAGE BBS! 3.0 - bbs.catracing.org 6400
C-Net Amiga BBS - bbs.catracing.org 6840
--- CNet/5
* Origin: The Rat's Den BBS (80:774/40)
From
Jeffk@80:774/40 to
Rug Rat on Mon Sep 15 21:33:54 2025
Hey there,
Let me just put my 2 cents in on this. This CNet version 5 just isn't worth running imo. I've tried probably 25 times to get my BBS to run properly without locking up on login, adding a 12th subboard and it renamed the subboard name to AmigaJeffk instead of Amiga Software. I'm so frustrated with this software that I'm contemplating looking for something else. I've ask many many questions on this subboard, and other subboards, including Future World II, but only a couple people suggested (you, Bucko, Anachronist) a few things but you and Bucko have been the biggest help so thank you.
It does appear though that the only way we can fix these bugs, (I'm sure K-Guide could figure out my problem) is with the CNet Developers Kit that was mentioned quite some time ago.
If ANYONE else has an idea of why my system is doing this, please let me know. Just for background again, I'm running a real Amiga, 3.2.2.1, and I started with a new subboards4 file. I added a directory for my Fidonet, then added a number of subboards for Fido after each running count, repair_sub, and pointers (which is ridiculous btw). I got all of those created then went to create an AmigaNet directory to hold those FTN subboards. I got 11 of them created and went to create a 12th, being For Sale or Trade (whatever its called), and the GO was TRADE for that one. I went back to scan those AmigaNet subboards, and it said TRADEjeffk. What the hell???
--- CNet/5
* Origin: The Rat's Den BBS (80:774/40)
From
Rug Rat@80:774/40 to
Jeffk on Tue Sep 16 08:14:53 2025
On Mon 15-Sep-2025 9:33p, Jeffk said to Rug Rat:
It does appear though that the only way we can fix these bugs, (I'm sure K-Guide could figure out my problem) is with the CNet Developers Kit that was mentioned quite some time ago.
Jeff. I would perform a backup of the BBS. KiLl the corrupted library, then reboot. Run a repair_sub, and the recreate it. Run the repair_sub again then reboot. Once you have a clean listing, backup again. So you have a known good starting place when adding directories gets whacked out again.
Yeah, the Library structures have been an issue since CNET4 was first introduced. Wish Ken would have just stuck with the CNet 3 format, but I digress.
Rug Rat (Brent Hendricks)
Blog and Forums - www.catracing.org
IMAGE BBS! 3.0 - bbs.catracing.org 6400
C-Net Amiga BBS - bbs.catracing.org 6840
--- CNet/5
* Origin: The Rat's Den BBS (80:774/40)