***** Starting A BDPANet Node ***** Starting a new BDPANet Node is a good Experience. If you recieve this via fax or the mail this file is available as NewNodes.txt on any BDPANet Node. You'll need a few things to establish a node. A good attitude. PC skills. Support from your friends. Determination. *************************** * Step One Join BDPANet * *************************** Membership Join BDPA, via your chapter or at large a membership form is included with this file. Learn how to use BDPANet. Log onto your nearest node The Nodes are listed below. Leave a comment to the Sysop. Let them know you are a member and request an upgrade. Download the compression shareware and the offline mail reader. Pkz204g.exe, Olx??? and attach.zip the file name varies by node or Qmprodem.zip (contains qmodem and olx and attach shareware) Ask the Sysop which files to get. Learn PKzip first warning! don't print the docs. Read them with an editor. They are large. Learn the Offline mail reader next. Then the comm package if you need a good one. Then attachments. Ask your Sysop for a Prescan. Find out Who and What's on BDPANet. The conferences are listed Below Send a note to the Lead BDPANet Sysop - Jerry Kirkpatrick. Send a note to the New Node Coordinator - Phillip Murphy 810-236-0989. *************************************************************************** *************************************** * Step Two Prepare Your Node Budget * *************************************** It is key that you get the software exspense approved by your Chapter as soon as possible so you can learn the software. By setting it up on your home machine. When estimating use the Numbers below and adjust for local conditions. The Recommended Hardware Configuration comes from Jerry Kirkpatrick of BDPABAC. PC One = A Standard Clone. 486sx/25 CPU, 4mb Ram, 200mb HD, 14" Color Monitor, Dos. $700 OR PC Two = A Corporate Donation 386sx CPU, 1 to 4mb Ram, 100mb HD, Mono or Color VGA Monitor. No Charge. OR PC Three = A Corporate or Member Donation 286 CPU, 1mb Ram, 60MB HD, Mono or Color VGA Monitor. Wildcat 4.0 Requires at least an AT Compatible. The more ram the faster the system 4mb more ram add $175. AND Modem One = Supra Sysop Deal $170 28.8K External OR Modem Two = US Robotics Sportster $110 14.4K Internal AND Surge Suppressor = Tripplite Isotel $50 4 outlet and 1 fax modem line. (720Joules, 27K amps spike) AND Telephone Intall = $100 AND Telephone Local = $22/month AND Telephone Long Distance = $20/month reimbursible by NBDPA (14.4K modem) AND Wildcat 4 = $80 AND Wildcat Auto update plan = $50/year *************************************************************************** These are the Basics There is shareware that you will need but don't worry about that just yet. There are also some key low cost options that are highly recommended. WC Pro and a Tape Backup. WCPro = $63 WCPro Upgrade = $50/yr approx $4.25/month its not a subsciption the update is purchase when required about once per year. Tape Back up = Colorado Jumbo 250 internal $160 QIC 80, 250mb compressed. Tapes = $22/each *************************************************************************** Options... Qmodem Pro = $62 CD Rom Drive = $150 CD = $30 (Cica Windows) (Updates Yearly or Quarterly @ $30 or $80) Tower Case = $100 Fido = Leave a note for Michael Holman Sr., or Nathaniel Saunders. UUCP = Leave a note for Jerry Kirkpatrick, Nathaniel Saunders, Ed Whitfield, or George Jones. Below is a BDPANet New Nodes Budget Form and a List of some of the BBS Experience of the current BDPANet Sysops in case you want to explore other options. *************************************************************************** Add 10% to the budget for Shipping or taxes if bought locally. This will give you a good estimate. **Get Quotes and use the actual prices at the time you ask the chapter for the funding. Prices are dropping all the time. Get $85 approved for the Software and get it in hand 1st. Then look for the rest of the Funding. Budget Examples 1st Option PC One + Modem One + Surge + Telephone Install + WC4 + WCUpdate + WCPro + Tape BU + 3 tapes = 700+170+50+100+80+50+50+160+66 = $1426 X 1.10 shipping or taxes = $1570 Telephone Local + WCpro Upgrade Reserve = $22+4.25 = $26.25/month. Call this option $1600 and $30/month. Long Distance is Reimburseable. 2nd Option PC One + Modem Two + Surge + Telephone Install + WC4 = 700+110+50+100+80 = $1040 X 1.1 = $1145 Telephone Local = $22/month Call this option $1200 and $25/month Third Option PC Two or Three + Modem Two + Surge + Telephone Install + WC4 = 0+110+ 50+100+80 = $340 X 1.1 = $375 Telephone Local = $22/month. Call this option $400 and $25/month. Sources... If you want a current source for this equipment send a note to the New Node Coordinator. *************************************************************************** *********************************** * Step Three Learn the Software * *********************************** Obtain $85 from your chapter and purchase Wildcat. Send the New Node Coordinator a message with your registration number and address and request the Standart BDPANet Node Setup. Now is the Time to Brush up you Dos and Bat file skills. Read the Wildcat Manual. You'll recieve a set of Floppies. Install the Standard Set up. Call the New Node Coordinator for help. Customize the Setup. ******************************* * Step Four Fund the System * ******************************* Obtain Funding for the remainder of the system and purchase your components. ************************ * Step Five Connect! * ************************ New nodes are connected to BDPANet on the Second Saturday of the Month. Which is BDPANet Upgrade Day. Send a note to the New Node Coordinator with the BDPANet Upgrade Day you would like to bring your node Online. You'll be placed with a Regional Hub to call and exchange mail. Much Good Luck. BDPANet Yes! Murphy *********************** BDPANet ****************************************** BDPANet Bulletin will go here. ******************** BDPANet Conferences ********************************** BDPAConf.txt will go here. ******************** BDPA Membership Form ********************************* ATform.txt will go here. ********************* BDPA New Node Budget Form ************************** NodeBudg.txt will go here. ******************** BDPA Sysop Experiences ****************************** Netexp.txt will go here. ************************ End *********************************************