ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º º ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ º ɼ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ º º Û ÜÜÜ Û Û ÜÜÜ Û Û ÜÜÜÜÛ Û ÜÜÜÜÛ Û ÜÜÜ Û º ɼ Û ÜÜÜÜÛ Û ÜÜÜ Û ÛÜÜÜÜ Û Û ÛÜÜÜÜ Û ÛÜÛ Û º º ÛÜÛ ÛÜÛ ÛÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ º º º º ÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ º Éͼ Û ÜÜ ÛÜ Û ÜÜ ÛÜ Û ÜÜÜÜÛ º º Û ÜÜÜ Û Û ÜÜÜ Û ÛÜÜÜÜ Û º ɼ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ º º º ÉÍͼ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜ ÜÜÜ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÉÍÍͼ º Û Ü Ü Û Û ÜÜÜ Û Û ÜÜÜÜÛ Û ÜÜÜ Û ÛÜÜÜ ÜÛ ÛÜ ÜÛ Û ßÛÛ Û Û ÜÜÜÜÛ º ɼ Û Û Û Û Û ÜÜÜ Û Û ÛÜÜ Û Û ÜÜÜ Û ÜÛßÜÛÛÜ ÜÛ ÛÜ Û ÛÜß Û Û ÜÜÜÛÜ º ɼ ÛÜÛßÛÜÛ ÛÜÛ ÛÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÛ ÛÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÛ ÛÜÛßÛÜÛ ÛÜÜÜÜÜÛ º ÌÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÊÍÍÍ» º January 1996 Volume 4 Number 1 º ÇÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄĶ º Board of Trade BBS New Port Richey, Florida (813) 862-4772 º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ In This Issue ------------- þ Three Years of the Pasco BBS Magazine þ Pasco BBS Tour - Not just an article, but an event! þ Jazz Jackrabbit Review - written by Paul Pollack þ The latest news, humor and much more! + + + + + Editor's Welcome ---------------- Thank you for taking the time to check out this Special Third Anniversary Issue of the Pasco BBS Magazine! Three years, wow! Who would have thunk it! I guess I could have regurgitated some old articles for this anniversary issue and called it "The Best of the Pasco BBS Magazine." That common practice would have been an easy way to start the fourth year of publication. I could have rambled on about all that has been accomplished, about how great the magazine is, but I have to admit that I've been there, done that. Look at the first anniversary issue for the proof. Geez, I did go on. There is a short article thanking those who have helped out over the first three years, but this month's highlight is not just an article, but an event! The first ever Pasco BBS Tour! I hope you enjoy the most detailed look at our local on- line community ever published. I hope that those who do not live in Pasco County enjoy it as well. Along with all our regular features, this month has a great review of Epic MegaGames' Jazz Jackrabbit written by Paul Pollack. Thanks to everyone who has helped make it possible for the Pasco BBS Magazine to celebrate a third anniversary! Hopefully, we will celebrate many more. + + + + + ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ PASCO BBS MAGAZINE ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ Tampa Bay's Oldest Free On-line Magazine! ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ Member of the Association of Online Professionals ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ Member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ EDITOR: Richard Ziegler ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ HOME BBS: Board of Trade BBS (813) 862-4772 ³ ÃÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ´ ³ World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.sanctum.com/pasco ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ + + + + + Three Years of the Pasco BBS Magazine ------------------------------------- The Pasco BBS Magazine was first published on the day after Christmas 1992. Three years later, it is still around. I am sure that few would have thought that this magazine would be around three years later. After all, the number of free on-line magazines that have been published every month for over three years is a very short list indeed. As is the case with most free on-line magazines, which are almost always the creation of a single individual, it could come to an end at anytime. Three years ago I did not know how long the Pasco BBS Magazine would last. Today, I still have no idea. This is now Tampa Bay's longest running free on-line magazine, perhaps the current goal could be to expand that distinction. In a way, I would prefer to look ahead, rather than look back, but an anniversary is always time for reflection. In the first anniversary issue I went on for quite some time talking about how the magazine had beaten the odds. The Editor's Welcome opened with: "Over a year of doing the Pasco BBS Magazine! Geez, sometimes it seems like ten years." It still does seem like the magazine has been around longer than forever. There was an article called "One Year of the Pasco BBS Magazine," where I wrote: "The magazine seemed to be out of control." There was another article on "The Future of the Pasco BBS Magazine," where I did my typical begging for articles. I also commented in that article that ""I am the Dr. Frankenstein to this monster." A third article discussed the "Revised Distribution Method." By the second anniversary issue, an article titled "Two Years of the Pasco BBS Magazine" ran only several paragraphs. At the time, I said proof that the magazine had arrived was that I was not making as big a deal out the second anniversary, compared to the first anniversary. Perhaps, showing a lack of originality, or just carrying on a tradition, I titled this article "Three Years of the Pasco BBS Magazine." Instead of regurgitating a bunch of old articles, which is a typical practice for anniversary issues, I suggest you look back at the first and second anniversary issue for more on the history of the Pasco BBS Magazine. I would prefer to forge ahead and close this article with a paragraph of thanks. I do want to thank everyone who has contributed to the continued success of the magazine. The loyal readers, those who have written articles and those who have supported the magazine in various ways. I thank you all very much. I do want to take the risk of mentioning a few folks by name. I say risk because I hope I do not forget to mention someone. To Dan Linton of Software Creations BBS: Thanks for the early support, you deserve every bit of the success you now enjoy! To Clint Bradford of the California based Attention to Details BBS: Thanks! The help you gave over the first year amazes me to this day! To popular Shareware author Nels Anderson: Thanks for guaranteeing the birth of the Pasco BBS Magazine by agreeing to be interviewed for the first issue, and thanks for the subsequent help as well! To popular BBS utility author, and West Pasco County resident, Brent Yandell: Thanks for the continued help and support! Two people that I want to thank more than any others are Rob Marlowe and Paul Pollack. Rob is the Sysop of Pasco County's oldest BBS, the Inner Sanctum, and has provided help and guidance over the years. He has written articles and set up a home page on the World Wide Web for the Pasco BBS Magazine. Paul has written so much stuff, that it really has made my life easier. Paul has also done a great job dressing up the magazine's home page on Rob's board. Thanks guys! Thank you one and all! Editor's Note: Software Creations BBS can be reached at (508) 365-2359, and messages to Nels Anderson may be left on this board as well. Attention to Details BBS can be reached at (909) 681-6221. Brent Yandell can be contacted on his support BBS at (813) 842-8099. The Inner Sanctum BBS may be reached at (813) 848-6055. Paul Pollack may be reached on the Board of Trade BBS, (813) 862-4772, or visit his home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.sanctum.com/surfers/paulp.index.html. + + + + + ÕÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑѸ ÆØØØØØØØØØØØ Board of Trade BBS ØØØØØØØØØص ÆØØØØØØØØØ New Port Richey, Florida ØØØØØØØص ÆØØØØØØØ (813) 862-4772 (28.8 Rotary) ØØØØØص ÆØØØØØ FidoNet: 1:3619/10 ØØØص ÆØØØ Øص ÆØ Pasco County's Information Source ص ³ Home of Pasco County's Most Popular Publications ³ ³ Home of the Pasco BBS Magazine, the 813 BBS Directory, ³ ³ GamePlay Magazine, DA BUCS and BBS Basics ³ ³ ³ ³ Call here FIRST for the BEST in Shareware ³ ³ Home of Shadoware, DragonHawk Productions, Maximus Productions ³ ÆØ and an Official Distribution Site for Everybody Else!! ص ÆØØØ ØØص ÆØØØØØ Official Support BBS for Pasco ComPats Computer Club ØØØØص ÆØØØØØØØ ØØØØØØص ÆØØØØØØØØØ Member: Association of Online Professionals ØØØØØØØص ÆØØØØØØØØØØØ Member: Electronic Frontier Foundation ØØØØØØØØØص ÔÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏϾ + + + + + Pasco BBS Tour -------------- Introduction: The premise of the Pasco BBS Tour was simple. Attempt to log into every bulletin board in West Pasco County (Florida) and present the most detailed account of our local on-line community ever published. While the idea sounded simple, and it was realized that it would be time consuming, it ended up being much more work than could be imagined. However, we hope you will find the end result was worth the effort. The local hobby BBS has always been the true strength of the on-line world and Pasco County is blessed with a varied and vibrant BBS community. The Pasco BBS Magazine is very proud to present the first ever Pasco BBS Tour! Ground Rules: When the idea of the Pasco BBS Tour was conceived, there was no consideration given to any ground rules. It was thought that we would just log into every system, then publish some information and comments about each board. But, a couple of things did come into play. Part of the concept was to review boards from the perspective of the first time caller, who is typically just calling to see what a BBS has to offer and may never make a second call. So, no second calls were made to gather additional information. Another factor was how some boards make things complicated for the novice user. Examples would be boards that required callers to download some special software, or had some sort of call back verification software that new users had to deal with. No efforts were made to download any additional programs, or jump through any other hoops, in the quest for information about the board. It also has to be disclosed that the Pasco BBS Tour was conducted using a fictitious name and fabricated user information. This made it possible to log-on to boards as a first time user and insured that no preferential, or for that matter detrimental, treatment would be given out of name recognition. Disclaimer and Offer of Rebuttal: In the course of the Pasco BBS Tour, every attempt was made to insure that the boards received equal treatment. Any personal feelings about the Sysop, or the board, good or bad, were not taken into account. In order to make the Pasco BBS Tour worthwhile, it had to present the good, the bad and the ugly. It had to be without prejudice and cover all systems. But, it is realized that some Sysops will be upset with what has been written about their boards. I have no problem with that, and offer no apologies, as the Pasco BBS Tour is just one person's opinion. For the record: The Pasco BBS Tour was conducted and written by the editor of this magazine, Richard Ziegler, who takes full responsibility for what has been written. Any system operator, who feels that their bulletin board has been the subject of an unfair portrayal, is encouraged to send in a rebuttal for publication in a future issue. Acknowledgments: The one person who needs to be thanked is Clark Gilbo, editor and founder of the 813 BBS Directory, who has put together a BBS list for over four years. Clark's directory was used as a starting point for the Pasco BBS Tour. Final Words: The systems called during the Pasco BBS Tour were up and running during late November and early December of 1995. Considering the up and down nature of bulletin boards, some boards listed could have gone off-line by the time of publication, and others could have come on-line. If a board could not be logged into, and typically dozens of calls were made in the attempt, it was not included in the Pasco BBS Tour. And now, without further ado, the Pasco BBS Magazine proudly presents the ... ÛßßÛ ÛßßÛ Ûßßß ÛßßÛ ÛßßÛ ÛßÛ ÛßÛ Ûßßß ßßÛßß ÛßßÛ Û Û ÛßÛ Ûßßß ÛßßÛ ßßßÛ Û Û Û ÛßßÛ ÛßßÛ ßßßÛ Û Û Û Û Û ÛßßÛ ß ß ß ßßßß ßßßß ßßßß ßßßß ßßßß ßßßß ß ßßßß ßßßß ß ß BBS Name: The Attic BBS Telephone Number: (813) 845-7181 Sysop: Blue BBS Software: Maximus Year Founded: 1995 The most unique offering of this BBS may be "The Wanted List" door available from the main menu. It allows callers to request a file and asks other callers if they would like to upload the file for the requestor. The Attic BBS has over thirty different doors, but only five bulletins. The board features some FidoNet echos and has sixteen message areas. The Maximus Software package is a bit unique, with sub-areas for different options, which could lead to some confusion for the uninitiated. The log-in procedures are relatively simple, including tips on how to select a password and a single screen of system rules. They only post two rules, leave meaningful messages and "try not to be a 'file sponge.'" However, the board does take the caller through "Autopost" and a "User Report" before the main menu. The Attic BBS has a second phone number at (813) 845-8061, and grants the first time caller 45 minutes. BBS Name: The Bachelor Club BBS Telephone Number: (813) 841-0904 Sysop: Steve Thielemann BBS Software: AdeptXBBS Year Founded: 1995 This board runs on a software package written for OS/2 and promotes "The Power of OS/2!" A couple of questions on setting up different mail options makes the new user questionnaire longer than average, but there are little distractions before reaching the main menu. The Bachelor Club BBS has three bulletins, a few dozen message areas (including FidoNet), over 100 files areas and about a dozen doors. BBS Name: Basically Computers BBS Telephone Number: (813) 938-1201 Sysop: George Divens BBS Software: Wildcat! Year Founded: 1992 One of the more interesting options on the Basically Computers BBS is a very detailed statistics screen that tells everything imaginable about the usage of the BBS. The board has 199 files areas (including those on the CD-ROM), five local message areas and no door programs. First time callers are greeted with a precise welcome screen, but the standard Wildcat! log-in questionnaire is longer than most software packages. The system gives the caller the option of viewing the newsletter, takes them through the bulletin menu (which has only two bulletins), before reaching the main menu. New users do get a 30 day membership, with 30 minutes per day, but are expected to mail in a "Registration Form" for continued access. BBS Name: The Big Pit BBS Telephone Number: (813) 863-1572 Sysop: Ernie Stefan BBS Software: PCBoard Year Founded: 1992 The Big Pit BBS claims to be "Tampa Bay's Fastest Growing Bulletin Board Service." The strength of this system is the use of the PCBoard PPE files and it even has a menu option to select different PPEs. The use of a PPE to display rotating main menu screens is also a nice touch, however, the system does have a lot of stuff to go through before reaching the main menu. New users are greeted with several informational screens, a PPE set up with what could best be described as junk screens, the extended PCBoard new user questionnaire, autopost and the quote of the day, more ads and other screens, and then new user must update more information before finally reaching the main menu. New users do get an hour to check out the couple dozen doors, 22 bulletins and seven file areas. The BBS does offer adult access and a second phone number is available at (813) 862-9353. BBS Name: Board of Trade BBS Telephone Number: (813) 862-4772 Sysop: Richard Ziegler BBS Software: PCBoard Year Founded: 1992 This system calls itself "Pasco County's Information Source" and is the "Home of the Pasco BBS Magazine," among other publications. The Board of Trade BBS also has the motto "Call here FIRST for the BEST in Shareware." A single screen of information for the new user is followed by a standard questionnaire. A statistics screen and the system news is also displayed prior to the main menu. The board has 48 file areas, 25 bulletins, 11 message areas, five doors, one questionnaire and is a member of FidoNet. First time callers have 20 minutes to look around. BBS Name: Buzzard's Bay BBS Telephone Number: (813) 868-5334 Sysop: Steivn Zimmerman BBS Software: Excalibur Year Founded: 1995 This system's use of the Excalibur BBS package requires a special terminal program for access. If you are not calling with this software, the BBS will ask if you wish to download the necessary program, if you choose not to, you will have to log-off. Whether or not this is the friendliest approach for the novice user could be the subject of some conjecture, but we did not take the time to download the software for this BBS Tour. While a complete review is not really possible, the Buzzard's Bay BBS does promote itself as a file board. BBS Name: The Cellar BBS Telephone Number: (813) 849-2196 Sysop: Richard LaBreche BBS Software: Maximus Year Founded: 1995 First time callers are welcomed with the warning that this system uses "caller ID to verify new users. This enables me to dispense with callbacks and other annoying stuff like that." Caller ID is a much more favorable option to some of the more antiquated concepts, like voice verification, but few boards have the courage to admit that they use it. This board does have a short new user log-on questionnaire and only a couple of rules posted before reaching the main menu. The Maximus software package uses sub-areas, but there are four primary message areas and five file areas. The Cellar BBS does not feature any bulletins, or doors, and first time callers have 30 minutes to look around. We wonder if there is some water in the cellar, as the Sysop also goes by the handle of Hýo. BBS Name: Circuit Board BBS Telephone Number: (813) 849-1209 Sysop: Rob Walters BBS Software: Excalibur Year Founded: 1995 This is the latest rendition of the Circuit Board BBS, a system which was up some time ago, went down for a while and is now back on-line. The board uses the Excalibur BBS package which, as noted earlier, requires a special terminal program for access. This BBS was not reviewed for that reason, but is believed to be a general interest board. BBS Name: Classified's BBS Telephone Number: (813) 856-0744 Sysop: Victor Dacey BBS Software: Wildcat! Year Founded: 1994 The Classified's BBS specializes in ads and money making ideas, perhaps some would call them schemes. This system has the standard Wildcat! new user questionnaire, which is longer than most BBS software packages. There are several advertising screens, and the option of viewing the newsletter and the bulletin menu, prior to the main menu. The board has six message areas, 30 file areas, a dozen doors and about ten bulletins. New users are given 30 minutes a day for 30 days. BBS Name: Dr. Duck BBS Telephone Number: (813) 849-3562 Sysop: Marty Ducko BBS Software: Wildcat! Year Founded: 1992 After the typical Wildcat! new user questionnaire, first time callers are told that "use is now in restricted mode, download REGISTER.ZIP." After going through the "who called today" screen, an advertising screen, the option of viewing the newsletter (which is a actually a BBS list), the option of going through the bulletin menu (which features mostly high scores for door games), the first time caller finds out just how restricted that use is. With their ten minutes, the new user has access to one file area with a half dozen "Free Downloads," access to a general message conference and can see that the system has seven doors. BBS Name: Dragon Sphere BBS Telephone Number: (813) 938-3238 Sysop: Mike Ralston BBS Software: TriBBS Year Founded: 1995 This board has a gaming theme and features the extensive use of graphics. After a fairly standard new user questionnaire, first time callers are taken through a rather confusing "Logon Verification System," which has little explanation of what to do. After going through the system news, and a bulletin menu with no bulletins, first time callers may find themselves at a main menu where no commands seem to work. First time callers have 30 minutes, but may find that only the questionnaire command (with two choices) works. BBS Name: Ed's BBS Telephone Number: (813) 937-7403 Sysop: Ed Brown BBS Software: PCBoard Year Founded: 1989 While the first time caller is granted an hour, they have virtually no access on this board. You cannot really see what is available and are greeted with "Menu Selection is not available" more than anything else. However, we were able to find out that Ed's BBS has adult areas, along with FidoNet and Huggynet echos. There is also a northern Pinellas County number available at (813) 786-1747. BBS Name: The Family Affair BBS Telephone Number: (813) 849-3949 Sysop: Night Forest/Moon Glow BBS Software: TriBBS Year Founded: 1995 This BBS has a relatively short new user questionnaire, then displays some statistics and the system news prior to the main menu. Callers are told that "This is just a small, family operated bulletin board. It is our hobby and we hope that we can share it with you!" The system has over 60 (mostly FidoNet) message areas, 33 door programs, 21 file areas, eight bulletins and adult access. First time callers have 45 minutes to look around. BBS Name: Gator's Place BBS Telephone Number: (813) 376-0087 Sysop: Gator BBS Software: Virtual Year Founded: 1992 The initial welcome screen claims that this is "The Place for FUN and Adventure!" The system does have a short new user questionnaire, but has the "You must now leave feedback to the system operator" requirement. New users are asked to leave a message to "tell us a little bit about yourself, including your hobbies and other interests. If you do not fill this letter out, You WILL NOT be given file access on this board." The first time caller receives 45 minutes of access. The BBS features a couple dozen door programs, CD-ROMs, but no bulletins. Gator's Place BBS message areas include VirtualNET, LocoNET and ConsumerNet. BBS Name: Gemini Dreams BBS Telephone Number: (813) 942-9602 Sysop: Jennifer Therrien BBS Software: Renegade Year Founded: 1994 This board has a relatively standard log-on script, but for some reason it asks for occupation. There are no new user screens, but you must "send a new user application letter" (a message) to the system operator. Callers are taken through a "last few callers" screen and the system news prior to reaching the main menu. Gemini Dreams BBS has 91 file areas (including CD- ROM), 72 message areas (featuring AmberNet, FidoNet and RGSNet), but no bulletins. There are three, mostly music related, voting booth options and the King of the BBS Trivia door. First time callers are granted 45 minutes of access. BBS Name: Ground Zero BBS Telephone Number: (813) 849-4034 Sysops: Dave Anderson, Sean Fleeman BBS Software: C-Net Year Founded: 1985 This system, along with the Studio PC BBS, are partners in Citicom Online Communication Services. Upon logging-in you are told that "You've connected to Tampa Bay's oldest CNet Amiga BBS." The board does display an excessive number of rules for the new user and a long new user questionnaire. The questionnaire goes to the extent of asking occupation, sexual preference and tells you how to set the correct time zone. There is a very nice "Calendar of Events" and some instructional screens prior to reaching the main menu. There are hundreds of message areas, including FidoNet, AmyNet, MufoNet, AmigaNet and Internet. There are six bulletins, 12 main file areas with sub-areas and 15 doors. A Pinellas County number is available at (813) 934-9765 and voice support can be reached at (813) 842-5783. First time callers have 15 minutes on the board. BBS Name: Gumbyland BBS Telephone Number: (813) 846-1000 Sysop: Gumby BBS Software: Major BBS Year Founded: 1991 This system was the first to provide Internet service in Pasco County and does some of its business under the name of Internet Network Corporation. When calling the BBS, and filling out a somewhat longer than normal new user questionnaire, first time callers may have trouble getting to the main menu. After finding that the menu can be displayed through the help function, they will see "Sorry, you don't have access" more than anything else. About the only thing a new user can see is rate information for the system. The Gumbyland BBS does offer voice support at (813) 842-4444. BBS Name: Information Services BBS Telephone Number: (813) 938-4178 Sysop: Paul Kruschwitz BBS Software: PowerAccess Founded: 1995 This system asks callers if they want to download "PowerAccess for Windows," but if the caller opts not to do so, the board will work using a standard communications program. This board does have more than an average amount of instructional screens for the first time caller, as it explains different types of graphics modes and other configuration options. After a typical new user log-on questionnaire, there is another questionnaire for new users, but the first time caller does get 90 minutes on the board for two weeks. The BBS features 31 forums, a couple dozen file areas (including CD-ROMs), three questionnaires and no game doors. They advertise "Adult Entertainment" and offer voice support in the evening and on weekends at (813) 938-6826. We would have thought that a BBS that takes the name Information Services would have more than three bulletins. BBS Name: Inner Sanctum BBS Telephone Number: (813) 848-6055 Sysop: Rob Marlowe BBS Software: TBBS Year Founded: 1985 The Inner Sanctum BBS is Pasco County's oldest bulletin board and was the first to celebrate a tenth anniversary. After filling out a rather standard new user questionnaire, the first time caller is granted "Guest Status" for a 30 day trail membership, which allows 20 minutes a day. The system does not display a lot of rules, and only the system news, prior to reaching the main menu. There are 16 primary files areas (including CD-ROMs), several dozen game doors, 16 bulletins, a dozen local message areas (and hundreds of network areas) and two voting booth options. An interesting feature is "Business Central," where business information can be found. The Inner Sanctum BBS, a popular chat board, also features Internet and has a voice support number at (813) 845-0893. BBS Name: Lunatic's Lore BBS Telephone Number: (813) 942-0143 Sysop: Lunatic Rick BBS Software: PCBoard Year Founded: 1995 This is a fairly new system, so do not be surprised if you see "Under Construction" in some areas. The new user screen may be the shortest in Pasco County, which is followed by a standard PCBoard new user questionnaire. After filling out the questionnaire, you are notified that you are an "Official Lunatic." There is a screen that states "CyberSpace the Final Frontier! To carelessly go where no one normal has gone before," followed by the quote of the day and the system news (which is as much jokes as it is news), before reaching the main menu. The board features one message area called the "Loony Bin," four bulletins, eight file areas, ten doors and two questionnaires. There is a PCBoard PPE program that rotates the main menu screen, but excessive typing at the bottom ruins the effect. First time callers have 60 minutes to look around. BBS Name: MacHighway BBS Telephone Number: (813) 372-6900 Sysop: Bettie Donavan BBS Software: NovaServer Year Founded: 1995 This system is dedicated to the Macintosh computer user, but may be called by any standard communications program. It is one of the few hobby boards that allows "Guest Accounts," which means someone can log-in and look around without giving their name. The system has a standard new user log-on questionnaire, then forces the first time caller through a short three question survey. The MacHighway BBS features a local message area, Internet mail, five bulletins and no doors programs. There are two file areas, "Macintosh Files" and "PC Files." BBS Name: Mystique BBS Telephone Number: (813) 856-9681 Sysop: Larry Pytlak BBS Software: PowerAccess Year Founded: 1995 The PowerAccess software package gives callers the option of downloading a special Windows terminal program, or using their favorite communications software. The Mystique BBS has a standard new user log-on script, takes the first time caller through another questionnaire after that, and is one of the few remaining systems that verifies each new user by voice. The board claims they "will provide you with MYSTIC Entertainment! Programs include your Daily Horoscope, Astrology and a variety of related topics." However, none of this is really apparent to the first time caller using their 20 minutes of access. The board has seven CD-ROMs, 15 message areas, two bulletins, two questionnaires and Internet. Voice support is available at (813) 856-4841 and a second line can be reached at (813) 856-6165. BBS Name: NaVain BBS Telephone Number: (813) 372-0924 Sysop: Night Owl BBS Software: C-Net Year Founded: 1995 The welcome screen for the NaVain BBS proclaims "Welcome to The Freedom of Speech BBS." The system has a rather long new user questionnaire, which has several questions on the caller's terminal setup. The questionnaire also asks for your occupation and inquires about "other interests." After going through the system news callers reach the main menu. The board has 14 message areas, several doors, seven file areas and two voting booth options. First time callers have 30 minutes and a second line is available at (813) 372-7532. BBS Name: The One Stop BBS Telephone Number: (813) 857-1066 Sysop: Ken BBS Software: Major BBS Year Founded: 1995 After going through a fairly standard new user questionnaire, even if it is a little bit longer than some, users will reach the main menu. The menu is very colorful, but does display painfully slow at lower baud rates. New users are granted 60 minutes of access, but cannot access any of the BBS commands. About all the first time caller can do is get some basic command information and find out that the board has adult areas. BBS Name: Outer Limits BBS Telephone Number: (813) 942-0722 Sysop: Paul Filippone BBS Software: TriBBS Year Founded: 1994 On the plus side, this system has a short log-on questionnaire for new users and no new user screens. On the negative side, callers have to go through the "Graffiti Wall," a couple of screens of statistics, some other junk screens and the bulletin menu before reaching the main menu. This board gives the first time caller 20 minutes, until they take a new user questionnaire, then they are granted two hours of access. The Outer Limits BBS has 80 file areas (including the CD-ROM), two message areas, two bulletins, two questionnaires and three door games. The Sysop goes by the handle of Renegade. BBS Name: The Personals BBS Telephone Number: (813) 857-9181 Sysop: Rene Zagorianos BBS Software: Oreacomm Year Founded: 1995 This system advertises itself as "an all new adult bulletin board where romance comes alive with excitement for all lifestyles. A confidential fun way to meet someone special in the comfort of your home - safely, discretely, anonymously." First time users are taken through a disclaimer screen, which tries to insure that callers are over 21 years of age and aware of the material which may be found on the system. That screen also states that "this is a commercial enterprise." The "hang-up" option was selected at this point. BBS Name: Piranha BBS Telephone Number: (813) 856-0892 Sysop: Captian Hood BBS Software: PCBoard Year Founded: 1995 The Piranha BBS caters to people who are ANSI artists and the Sysop attempts to verify that every caller is involved in the art world. The system probably presents more graphic screens than any other BBS in Pasco County. The new user questionnaire is pretty standard, but does feature a slick graphic displaying the percentage of the questionnaire completed. Callers are taken through a last callers screen and "one-liners" prior to reaching the main menu. The board has 27 file areas and first time callers are given 50 minutes. BBS Name: Planet Alderaan BBS Telephone Number: (813) 934-7881 Sysop: Dale Hutchinson BBS Software: PCBoard Year Founded: 1992 The Planet Alderaan BBS has used some PCBoard PPE programs, and some nice graphics, to dress up this board with a space theme. First time callers have a fairly standard questionnaire to complete, along with two screens of rules. Callers are taken through the system news (which is very nicely done in full color), a last callers screen and statistics screen prior to reaching the main menu. The board features over 200 message areas with FidoNet, HuggyNet, SWNETII (Swingers Net II) and USNetMail. There are also dozens of bulletins, about 40 doors, 14 main file areas, CD-ROMs, adult areas and Internet. A second line is available at (813) 942-6070. BBS Name: Purple Rose of Cario BBS Telephone Number: (813) 842-1835 Sysop: Rob Flor BBS Software: Wildcat! Year Founded: 1995 As is typical of Wildcat! systems, this board's new caller questionnaire may be a bit longer than average. Callers are taken through a "Today's callers" screen, the high scores for selected door games and another advertising screen prior to reaching the main menu. The Purple Rose of Cario BBS features 54 message areas (including the Tavernlink network), 21 file areas, about a dozen bulletins and dozens of doors. The board also features one questionnaire asking "How are we doing?" BBS Name: Red Dwarf BBS Telephone Number: (813) 844-3087 Sysop: Dave Lister BBS Software: TriBBS Year Founded: 1991 The Red Dwarf BBS appears to be the former Luddite BBS, which was started in 1991 by Tony Evans. While this board may have a new name, and a different name for the Sysop, it does retain the Luddite's telephone number. This system greets first time callers with a standard log-on questionnaire and a few more rules than the average system. One rule is the somewhat antiquated "Remember you are a guest here so please act accordingly." After going through a screen that display the days remaining in the Clinton Administration, and a statistics screen, new users reach the main menu with 45 minutes to check things out. The board features 18 bulletins, a few dozen doors, 17 file areas (they also have a CD-ROM) and 23 message areas (including some FidoNet echos). There are also two questionnaires, one is called "Mandatory Questionnaire" and the other is used to upgrade the security level of new users. BBS Name: Schematic BBS Telephone Number: (813) 372-9524 Sysop: Joseph McQuade BBS Software: PCBoard Year Founded: 1995 This is a new board and the system news advises "Please be patient, this bulletin board is currently under construction." There is a short new user screen and the standard PCBoard questionnaire before reaching the main menu. The Schematic BBS uses a PCBoard PPE program to rotate different main menu screens, but excessive writing at the bottom of the menu ruins the effect. There are eight file directories, three message areas, two questionnaires, two bulletins, but no doors were operational at the time of log-in. First time callers have 60 minutes on the board. BBS Name: The Screaming Cow BBS Telephone Number: (813) 842-3311 Sysop: Doctor John BBS Software: Searchlight Year Founded: 1995 Keeping with the unusual name of the board, The Screaming Cow BBS displays "MOOving along in '95' towards UTTER perfection" on its welcome screen. The system has a short questionnaire and one screen of rules for new users. However, there is some advertising before reaching the main menu. The board has four bulletins, a couple dozen file areas, four message areas and adult areas. New users are given 15 minutes per call, or 30 minutes a day, to check out the system. BBS Name: Scorpion's Den BBS Telephone Number: (813) 845-5734 Sysop: Scorpio BBS Software: Wildcat! Year Founded: 1995 After a standard Wildcat! new user questionnaire, callers go through several informational screens, and the option of viewing the system news and bulletin menu, prior to the main menu. Scorpion's Den BBS is a member of FidoNet, but has only two message areas. There are 64 file areas, 49 doors and three bulletins. First time callers are given 60 minutes of access and a second line is available at (813) 849-7631. BBS Name: The Silicon Lab BBS Telephone Number: (813) 869-3700 Sysop: Herb Mellinger BBS Software: GAP Year Founded: 1986 This system has been up under different names over the years. When logging in you will be quickly notified that this is "A Closed BBS for Seniors and GAP Sysops" and that the board is "structured for and dedicated to Seniors and Retirees." This system is not one of the friendliest you'll come across, just sample a couple of extractions from the numerous screens of rules. "WARNING!!! After a bogus name call I need only pick up the line and enter *57 to start the trace on the call. Since I keep a file of all logins and their times, prosecution of these calls are a snap." Or, "We consider access to this BBS as an extension of our home. We do NOT tell others how to run their home and do not accept others telling us how to run ours." No attempt was made to gather further information. BBS Name: The Special Place BBS Telephone Number: (813) 372-7525 Sysop: Bob Dipalma BBS Software: Remote Access Year Founded: 1991 Before giving any log-on information, this BBS advises that "We Cater to Gays and Lesbians but everyone is welcomed. If this offends you, please hang up now." The Special Place BBS has a new user questionnaire that is more personal that most, asking such questions as "Do you have a lover or spouse and for how long?" and "Describe yourself and looks." The two node system has some FidoNet echos and first time callers are given 20 minutes to look around. BBS Name: The Storm's Fury BBS Telephone Number: (813) 843-8905 Sysop: Matt Holden BBS Software: Virtual Year Founded: 1993 The Storm's Fury BBS advertises "The Most Doors on Any BBS in Pasco County," and has 166 doors on the system. New users have a short log-on questionnaire to complete, and a screen of rules for first time callers, before going through autopost prior to reaching the main menu. First time callers have 30 minutes to look around. The board has 21 primary file areas, but also offers CD-ROMs. The BBS states that it is an "Official Distribution Site for seventy-eight software companies." The welcome screen has quite a few message networks listed, FidoNet, VirtualNET, CrystalNET, CellNET, AuthorLink, AllNighter, KargoNET, SpectraNET and DianondNET, however, a good percentage of these are local networks with little activity. The Storm's Fury BBS has five bulletins, a second line available at (813) 849-2272 and a Sysop who uses the handle of Thunder. BBS Name: Studio PC BBS Telephone Number: (813) 849-4034 Sysop: Ralph Lobianco BBS Software: PCBoard Year Founded: 1986 The Studio PC BBS, along with the Ground Zero BBS, make up Citicom Online Communication Services. This system was once known as Studio 64, when it was based on a Commodore computer. First time callers are presented with a couple of screens of rules and a standard PCBoard new user questionnaire. There is a "Quote of the Call" screen, a statistics screen and the system news prior to reaching the main menu. The board has over 700 message areas (including FidoNet, Clink, Mufonet, K12 Information Freeway and Internet), over 700 file areas, 25 bulletins, over a dozen doors, three questionnaires and over a dozen different voting booth options. First time callers receive a 30 day membership with 45 minutes a day to check out the board. There is a Pinellas County number at (813) 934-9765 and voice support can be reached at (813) 842- 5783. BBS Name: Treasure Isle BBS Telephone Number: (813) 847-5317 Sysop: Gopher BBS Software: Virtual Year Founded: 1993 The Treasure Isle BBS has a typical new user questionnaire, then takes callers through a statistics screen, a "Today in History" screen and auto-post prior to reaching the main menu. The message areas feature VirtualNet, LocoNet, ConsumerNet, HOGnet and FidoNet. There are a couple of file areas, 16 game doors and three bulletins. A Voting Booth option has six choices including "What Do You Think Of Pasco County?" First time callers have 20 minutes to check out the system. BBS Name: Traveling Man BBS Telephone Number: (813) 856-0577 Sysop: David Zimmer BBS Software: TriBBS Year Founded: 1993 The Traveling Man BBS has a short new user questionnaire, which asks only pertinent questions. However, callers are taken through several advertising screens, the system news and the bulletin menu prior to reaching the main menu. The board has 77 message areas featuring TriBBSNET and WME. There are 13 files areas, including a CD-ROM, and a File Request Door. First time callers are given 30 minutes. BBS Name: Twilight Zone BBS Telephone Number: (813) 842-5240 Sysop: William Begley BBS Software: TriBBS Year Founded: 1993 When you log into the Twilight Zone BBS you have 20 different language files to choose from. First time callers are greeted with a couple of screens of rules, but are told ""This BBS is my hobby and yours to enjoy." A friendly touch is the listing of 'Mom' as Co-Sysop. The BBS has a standard new user questionnaire, but does take the caller through the high scores for door games, an advertising screen, the system news, the last ten callers screen and the bulletin menu prior to the main menu. There are 123 message areas, featuring FidoNet, COM-X and CLink. The Twilight Zone BBS has 13 bulletins, one questionnaire for visiting Sysops, 54 doors and over 70 file areas including a CD-ROM. First time callers have 30 minutes on the system. BBS Name: Underdog's BBS Telephone Number: (813) 856-3895 Sysop: Sharon Combs BBS Software: TriBBS Year Founded: 1995 This system has a standard new user questionnaire and not much else prior to reaching the main menu. There are three bulletins, two message areas (General Chat and Pets), 14 game doors and one file area called "Downloads." The first time caller is given 60 minutes to look around. BBS Name: Zombie Zone BBS Telephone Number: (813) 376-6136 Sysop: Zombie Mambo BBS Software: Synchronet Year Founded: 1995 This board has a longer than usual new user questionnaire, along with the requirement of sending a message to the Sysop. There are several screens to go through, using quite a bit of graphics, so it does take some time to get to the main menu. Unfortunately, this system has needless obscenities displayed in the new user screen, among other places. Zombie Zone BBS features ten bulletins, five message areas, 13 file areas, a couple dozen doors and adult access. New users are given 30 minutes on the system. BBS Name: The Zoo BBS Telephone Number: (813) 841-9316 Sysop: Goldfinger BBS Software: T.A.G. Year Founded: 1995 This system has a slightly longer new user log-on questionnaire than average, which is followed by another short questionnaire. Callers are taken through a last callers screen, advertising screens, a disclaimer, some rules, a statistics screen and auto-message prior to reaching the main menu. The Zoo BBS uses a call back verifier, or other forms of validation, so the first time caller has little to see in their 15 minute allotment. The new user may frequently see "Sorry You do NOT have access to this area. Use the Call-Back Verifier or wait to be validated." The system does have 12 bulletins (which are mostly high scores for game doors), a CD-ROM and is a member of FidoNet. Epilogue: Next month's issue of the Pasco BBS Magazine will feature a follow up report to the Pasco BBS Tour. We will take a look at how the Pasco County BBS community has evolved over the past several years. A comparison on how things have changed, since the first issue of this publication in January 1993, should produce some interesting findings. Look for a future issue to cover east Pasco County systems. + + + + + ÕÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ͸ ³ ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ ÜÜÜ ³ ³ The Most Comprehensive Listing ßßßßßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ³ ³ of Computer Bulletin Board ßßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛßß ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ³ ³ Systems in Pasco, Pinellas ßßßß ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ³ ³ and Hillsborough Counties ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ³ ³ ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ³ ³ ÚÄÒÄ¿Ò Â ÖÄÄÄ "Ö¿  ÖÄÄÄ Ò Â" ³ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÝ ³\ÛÛÛÛÛÛÝ ³ ³ º ÇÄÄ´ ÇÄÄ ºÀ¿³ ÇÄÄ Ó·Ú¿ÚÙ ³ÞÛÛßßÛÛÛݳ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ³ ³ Ð Ð Á ÓÄÄÄ Ð ÀÙ ÓÄÄÄ ÓÙÀÙ ³ ß ÜÜÛÝ ³ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ³ ³ ÖÄÄ¿ · ÄÄ· ÖÄ· ÖÄ· ÖÄÄ ³ ßÛÛß ³/ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÝ ³ ³ ÇÄÄ´ º Ķ ºÄз ºÄз ÓÄ· ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ ÛÛÛßßÛÛÛÛݳ ³ ÓÄÄÙ Ó ÄĽ ½ÄĽ ½ÄĽ ÄĽ ßÛÛÛÛÜ ÜÛÛÛÛÛ³ ³ ÒÄÄ¿ Ò ÖÄÄ¿ ÖÄÄÄ ÖÄÄ¿ ÚÄÒÄ¿ ÖÄÄ¿ ÖÄÄ¿ Ò Â ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ³ ³ º ³ º ÇÄÂÙ ÇÄÄ º º º ³ ÇÄÂÙ ÓÄÒÄÙ ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛݳ ³ ÐÄÄÙ Ð Ð Á ÓÄÄÄ ÓÄÄÙ Ð ÓÄÄÙ Ð Á Ð ßÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ ³ ³ ßÛÛÛß ³ ³ ÜÜþ ³ ³ CLARK D. GILBO, Editor & Founder ÜÜßßßß ³ ³ ³ ³ GILBEAU PUBLISHING CO. P.O.BOX 3397, HOLIDAY, FL. (813) 938-6975 voice** ³ ³ THE 813 BBS DIRECTORY HOME BOARD IS BOARD OF TRADE BBS, DATA # IS 862-4772³ ÔÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ; + + + + + Jazz Jackrabbit Review ---------------------- Written by Paul Pollack, editor GamePlay Magazine, New Port Richey, FL In this review I'll take a look at Epic's hot new game, Jazz Jackrabbit. So read on and hear what's so special about this game. As I finished writing this review, I realized that reviewing shareware games is sort of unusual in the fact that shareware games are supposed to be try before you buy. So you could make a case that shareware games let the user "review" the game himself before buying the full version. What the purpose of this review is, is to give you my thoughts on the game before (or after) you download it. Let's get started. Game: Jazz Jackrabbit Developer/Publisher: Epic MegaGames Overall rating: B Rating scale (like a report-card): A+ -- Mega-awesome A -- Awesome B+ -- Great B -- Really good C+ -- Good C -- Average D+ -- OK D -- Fair F+ -- Better than nothing... F -- Stinks! Categories: Graphics: How good are the graphics compared to your computer's maximum capacity available for the graphics? Sound: Are the bleeps and bloops good, or are they really just bleeps and bloops? Music: Will you be humming the theme song later, or will you be trying to get it out of your head? Technical Problems: Did I spend more time getting the game to work right than I did playing it? Plot: Does the plot remind you of Willy Beamish, or King's Quest VI? Fun-factor: Is the game fun enough to even have a Replay factor? Replay factor: Does winning the first time through make you want to replay it, or store it? Control\manipulation: Can you do what you want to do without hassles or too much tediousness? Concept: Is the main idea of what kind of game your dealing with sound good to you? Combined realism: All together, how realistic was it. Did it manage to pull you into its virtual world? Overall: Put all these factors together, and what do you get? Worth registering/buying: After playing, did I want to send the programmer money, or did I think he should have to send me money? Individual Ratings: Graphics.................... A+ Sound....................... B+ Music....................... A Technical Problems.......... A Plot........................ C+ Fun-factor.................. B+ Replay value................ B Control/Manipulation........ A Concept..................... C+ Combined realism............ N/A Worth registering/buying.... B Explanation: Graphics (A+): The graphics were very nicely done, but it was hard to rate them since there's really not many other games for the PC in this genre other than Zool. If I was comparing it to Zool, I'd say that Jazz was far superior with three different levels of graphic detail, and more animation. On the highest level, the sun that was perpetually in the upper-right hand corner got to me, and I turned down the detail level to take out the sun. Let me just put it to you this way. If you can stand Sonic, you can stand Jazz. Sound (B+): The sound was another area where Jazz Jackrabbit did pretty well. All the sounds in the game sounded exactly as they should, and different levels of sound quality let you fine-tune the sound for your computer. On a 486-33 the sound should be fine, but for true "Ultra-quality" you need a Pentium. I also noticed that none of the sounds were "borrowed" from other Epic games and were completely original (as far as I can tell). Music (A): The music for the game was great and fit the game well. It never became overly repetitive or annoying, and just seemed to go well with the game. Technical Problems (A): There were no glaring technical problems in Jazz Jackrabbit. I didn't get any "Out of hunk" or "Not enough memory" messages while running the game. In fact, the only technical fault is the sound. To get ultra-quality you need at least a Pentium machine, and on a 486-25 some people think that the sound is "tinny." If you have anything above a high-end 386, you should be able to run Jazz at a nice and satisfying frame rate, although you may have to sacrifice sound quality. The sound's not really bad, even on the lowest level though, and doesn't really detract from the overall value of the program. In fact, I really couldn't tell much of a difference in sound quality from "high-quality" to "medium-quality." Plot (C+): OK. Here's the plot. You are a young jackrabbit known appropriately as Jazz Jackrabbit. You are out to save princess Earlong. Sound familiar? It's the same old save the princess from the evil person/animal (in this case, turtle). It's not really a bad plot, though, and since it isn't a graphic adventure the plot isn't the main focus of the game. Fun-factor (B+): The game was pretty fun to play while it lasted (7 levels) and never really got too repetitive. There were a variety of weapons to choose from, and the graphics changed depending on what world you were in. The gameplay was fresh and exciting each new level, and there were some secrets thrown in every level (more on that in Replay Value). Replay value (B): I've always liked Sonic games, and Jazz Jackrabbit is, for all intensive purposes, a Sonic clone. To tell you the truth: After beating Jazz Jackrabbit, I really didn't have the urge to play it all over again. Many people do play it all over again, if only for all the secrets Epic has put into the game (the bird you can get to help you each level, the racetrack, the extra lives, the secret levels, etc.). It depends on what you like. If you really like Sonic-type action you may replay this a lot. If you're only a casual fan, you may not after beating it. Control/manipulation (A): The game's controls were easy to learn and to use, and even novices should have no problem getting into the game. Another option is the joystick support, which worked fine on my standard analog joystick. If you really want the control to shine, check out the game on a Gravis PC Gamepad! Concept (C+): Face it, folks. Jazz Jackrabbit is basically a Sonic the Hedgehog clone. A good looking clone, but still a clone. Many of the graphics, such as him standing unbalanced when he reached the end of a cliff, were borrowed directly from Sonic. Even the racetrack reminded me of something from Sonic II. Face it, it's not that original and when combined with the only mediocre plot, is only slightly above average. It really doesn't hurt the game that much, though, since the rest of the game is so good! Combined realism (N/A): OK. You control a drawn Jazz Jackrabbit, a jackrabbit trying to save princess Earlong, who, not coincidentally, is also a jackrabbit. Both characters are made not to look realistic at all, but rather to give a cartoonish feel. Thus, you really can't assign a realism value when there really wasn't meant to be any. Worth Registering/Buying (B): Whether you buy the game or not hinges on one simple question? Do you like Sonic the Hedgehog? Even if the answer is yes, Jazz Jackrabbit still might not be right for you. If you own a Sega, there are tons of games out there like this, with just as well-done graphics and sound. To register for episodes 1, 2, and 3 of Jazz, it'll cost $25 dollars. For episodes 4, 5, and 6, it'll be another $25 dollars. All together, getting the full Jazz Jackrabbit costs more than registering Doom, or buying TIE Fighter! Whether it's worth it for a simple arcade/action game is up to you. Overall (B): Jazz Jackrabbit, while not the perfect game, is certainly worth a try. Whether you have none or a million Sonic clones, there's no denying Jazz's great graphics, sound, animation and control. This is one of the better PC arcade/action games out there, and to those who've never played a Sonic clone, I recommend it wholeheartedly. Whether you like Sonic the Hedgehog or not, Jazz Jackrabbit is definitely worth a download, and some of your time. Editor's Note: Thanks again to Paul Pollack for another great article. There will be more from Paul and GamePlay in next month's Pasco BBS Magazine. Paul is an avid gamer and frequent BBSer who, if you would like to contact him, can be reached at Gator's Place BBS (813) 376-0087, or Dr. Duck's BBS (813) 849- 3562. Paul is also the moderator of the GamePlay Conference on the Board of Trade BBS (813) 862-4772. You may also wish to visit his home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.sanctum.com/surfers/paulp.index.html. + + + + + ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿ ³ ÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÛÛ ÛÛ Û ³ ³ Ü Ü ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û Û ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û ÛÛ ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û Ü Ü ³ ³ ÜßÜ ÜßÜßÜ ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û Û ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û ÛÛ ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û ÜßÜßÜ ÜßÜ ³ ³ ÜßÜßÜßÜßÜßÜßÜß ÛÛ ÛÛÜÛ ÛÛ Û Û ÛÛÜ ÛÛÜÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÜÛ ÛÛÛÛ ßÜßÜßÜßÜßÜßÜßÜ ³ ³ ßÜßÜßÜß ßÜßÜß ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û Û ÛÛ ÛÛ ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û ÞÛÝ ßÜßÜß ßÜßÜßÜß ³ ³ ßÜß ßÜß ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û Û ÛÛ Û ÛÛ ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û ÞÛÝ ßÜß ßÜß ³ ³ ÛÛÜÜÛ ÛÛ Û ÛÛ Û Û ÛÛÜÛ ÛÛ ÛÛÜÛ ÛÛ Û ÞÛÝ ³ ³ ³ ³ =======FOR THE SERIOUS ONLINE GAMER======= ³ ³ ³ ³ The hottest gaming magazine ever just got even better! With more reviews ³ ³ of shareware and commercial games/demos, more game hints, Windows 3.1 ³ ³ compatibility, an updated list of the best shareware games, demos and ³ ³ more! This is one magazine you simply can't afford to miss! Now with a ³ ³ terrific all-new 256-color menu system, an awesome new RPG narrative, a ³ ³ complete One Must Fall 2097 strategy guide, and a terrific strategy ³ ³ guide to Privateer. You haven't known gaming until you've read GamePlay! ³ ³ ³ ³ ==========DragonHawk Productions========== ³ ³ ³ ³ Home BBS: Board of Trade BBS, New Port Richey, FL (813) 862-4772 ³ ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ + + + + + EFF Quote of the Month ---------------------- "Don't hate the media. Become the media." - Jello Biafra (formerly of the band Dead Kennedys. Successfully fought an attempt to prosecute him, the group, and various record distributors over the inclusion of an allegedly obscene miniposter by Austrian master surrealist painter, H. R. Giger, in one of their albums.) Editor's Note: The Electronic Frontier Foundation Quote of the Month is a collection of the wittiest and stupidest, most sublime and most inane comments ever said about cryptography, civil liberties, networking, government, privacy, and more. For more information on the Electronic Frontier Foundation, contact the EFF via the Internet, phone, fax, or US Mail. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, 1001 G Street NW, Suite 950 E, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 347-5400 (voice), (202) 393-5509 (fax), (202) 638-6119 (BBS), Internet: ask@eff.org. + + + + + ²²²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²²²²²²± ²²± ²²± ²²²²± THE NEWS ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²²± ²²± ²²± ²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± DIRECTORY ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²²²±²²± ²²±²± ²²± ²²± ²²²± ²²± ²²± ²²±²²²²± ²²²²± ²²±²±²²± ²²²± A brief look ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²²± ²²±²± ²²²²²²²± ²²²± at some of ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²²± ²± ²²²±²²²± ²²± ²²± the news of ²²²²± ²²± ²± ²²± ²²± ²²²²²²²± ²²± ²²± ²²²²± the month Published reports are now estimating that there are approximately 70,000 bulletin boards in the United States. With the November 28th announcement of a new 561 area code, Florida will have double the number of area codes it had about a year ago. Beginning in April, Palm Beach, Martin, Saint Lucie and Indian River counties will make up the new 561 area code. These counties are currently part of the 407 area, which is expected to split again in 1997. This will make eight area codes in the state, up from four just over a year ago. The demand for additional phone numbers, brought about by the public's desire for electronic gadgets, has created this wave of area code splits. The Tampa Bay area's 813 area code, which spilt earlier this year, is now expected to fulfill demand until the year 2012. Microsoft Corp. announced that sales of Windows 95, released August 24, have topped ten million units. + + + + + ÉÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍ» º º º ßÛß ÛßßÛ ÛßßÛ Ûßßß ÛßÛ Ûßßß ÛßßÛ ÛßßÛ ÛßßÛ ßßÛßß Û Û ÛßÛßÛ º º Û Û Û Û Û Ûß ÛßßÛ ßßßÛ ÛßßÛ Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û Û º º ßßß ß ß ß ß ßßßß ß ß ßßßß ß ß ß ß ßßßß ß ßßßß ß ß º º º º ÛßÛ ÛßÛ Ûßßß º º ÛßßÛ ÛßßÛ ßßßÛ º º ßßßß ßßßß ßßßß º º º º Since 1985 - Pasco County's Oldest BBS º º º º Sysops - Rob & Carolyn Marlowe º º º º Popular Chat Board, On-Line Games, CD-ROMS, Internet, FidoNet º º º º Ten Lines - (813) 848-6055 Voice - (813) 845-0893 º º º º telenet: sanctum.com º º º º READ THE PASCO BBS MAGAZINE AT: http://www.sanctum.com/pasco º º º ÈÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍÍͼ + + + + + ROTFL! ------ Computer humor courtesy of Sandy Illes MS-DOS 99.3 Welcome to your new, simplified MS-DOS manual! Thank you for choosing MS-DOS 99.3! You have wisely purchased an operating system that has made Bill Gates rich and will continue to make him even richer. He'd thank you personally but he's sailing in the Bahamas on his new yacht, surrounded by beautiful money-hungry women, and doesn't have time to write anything in this introduction. Note that the warranty on the enclosed disks becomes null and void if they are placed within five (5) feet of a computer while the packaging is removed. Whatever you do, DO NOT INSERT THESE DISKS INTO YOUR COMPUTER! If you have elected to ignore our standard warranty disclaimer, these steps should be followed. (Please note that MS-DOS is no longer under warranty once the package seal has been broken, and all steps are followed at your own risk.) Step 1: Open the disk packages and remove the disks. Step 2: Insert them into your computer one at a time while the computer is switched on. Step 3: Type [install] while praying really, really hard that this upgrade will not affect any of the important programs you already have installed on your current MS-DOS system. Step 4: If the installation is unsuccessful, do not - we repeat DO NOT - call the MS Support Line. You have already voided the warranty by removing the disks from the packaging and we really don't care if you have lost many megs of valuable and irreplaceable information. Perhaps our next upgrade will work better... who knows? Editor's Note: Thank you to ROTFL Digest!, and its editor Sandy Illes for allowing the above to be reprinted from a prior issue of the on-line humor magazine. For more information on ROTFL Digest! contact Access Media Systems at (905) 847-7362 (Voice/FAX), or call the CAP/Canada BBS at (416) 287-0935. Email: sandy.illes@canrem.com, or Sandy Illes 1:250/710. + + + + + PBM Flashback - January 1994 ---------------------------- The first anniversary issue of the Pasco BBS Magazine had a very special interview with British Shareware author Graham Cluley. He is the author of the adventure games Humbug and Jacaranda Jim, and the arcade-style games Blox and Wilf. If you enjoy British humor, you may want to go back to that interview two years ago, as it was quite delightful. Here is some of what Graham Cluley said about the British Shareware industry in the January 1994 issue. "British Shareware has never been as organized as USA Shareware. From discussions I've had with UK authors I seem to be about the only chap who has had any real success in selling their software. I think that is largely down to a knowledge of how to market the games best. If you can't present the games properly and put them in front of the end-user, they'll never register them. Also, you must have a good reason to register the games. Otherwise, people's natural reaction will be that they won't bother." Editor's Note: PBM Flashback will appear on a regular basis in future issues. Most issues will have this brief look back at some of the features which have appeared over the history of the Pasco BBS Magazine. + + + + + °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° ² ² ² Board of Trade BBS New Port Richey, Florida ² ² ² ² (813) 862-4772 12/24/48/96/144/28800 baud ² ² ² ² Home of the Pasco BBS Magazine ² ² ² ² Home of the 813 BBS Directory ² ² ² ² Home of DragonHawk Productions ² ² ² ² Home of Shadoware ² ² ² ² Home of Maximus Productions ² ² ² ² Official Distribution Site: ² ² Alive Software, Apogee Software, Epic MegaGames, Gamer's Edge, ² ² Id Software, Impulse Software, MVP Software, Safari Software, ² ² Software Creations, Soleau Software and Union Logic Software ² ² ² °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° + + + + + Next Month ---------- The February issue of the Pasco BBS Magazine will have more on the Pasco County BBS community. We will take a look at how things have changed over the last few years. A quick comparison could provide some interesting findings. It could even be possible that Pasco BBS Tour will generate some rebuttals from local Sysops. While it will be hard to top the Pasco BBS Tour, it will be another informative issue. The February issue of the Pasco BBS Magazine will be available on, or before, January 22. Do not miss an exciting issue of Tampa Bay's oldest free on-line magazine! + + + + + Important Information --------------------- The Pasco BBS Magazine is distributed free of charge, as long as it is unaltered and complete. When uploading make sure the original archive is intact with all files included. The Pasco BBS Magazine is the sole property of the Board of Trade BBS and Richard Ziegler. It is legally copyrighted material and all rights are reserved. No part of this magazine may be used without permission. No compensation of any kind may be received for the viewing, distribution, or for any other use of the magazine files. By submitting something, you are agreeing to allow publication of the material in the magazine. Articles reprinted with permission remain the property of the cited source. Guest contributions may not necessarily reflect the views of the Pasco BBS Magazine. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions, however, this is normally only done to correct spelling or grammatical errors. The editor makes all determinations on what and when articles will run. Every effort is made to insure that all information contained within the Pasco BBS Magazine is accurate, but inadvertently mistakes can appear. The Pasco BBS Magazine, Board of Trade BBS or Richard Ziegler cannot be held liable for information contained within this document. It is intended that this magazine exists for the personal enjoyment of the readers. Rather than place a trademark symbol at every occurrence of a trademarked name, it is stated that trademarks are only being used in an editorial fashion with no intention of any infringement of the trademark itself. More information can be found in the other files distributed with the magazine's archive. Comments, questions, suggestions and submissions can be left on the Board of Trade BBS (813) 862-4772, or mailed to Board of Trade BBS, P.O. Box 1853, New Port Richey, FL 34656. + + + + + (C)Copyright 1995 Richard Ziegler - All Rights Reserved + + + + +