1. Forum
  2. DOVE-Net
  3. General

  • Looking at options for a BBS

    From Me Me Big Boy@VERT to All on Wed Apr 26 22:05:59 2017
    So, I've been having different ideas in my head for my BBS - not even the software aspect of it (that's on a different subject). I'm wondering what kind of computer I should get for my BBS to run.

    For a good BBS computer, I need:
    > A computer that can run consistently well for up to days at a time
    > A computer that is fairly small (maybe even tiny) but can handle being a BBS web server (though they're usually not resource-intensive, are they?)
    > A computer that won't make much noise or light up much for nighttime BBSing (it would be in my bedroom where my router is)
    > A computer with a good amount of storage space for posts, doors, FTP stuff, mail, etc

    So far, I have narrowed it down to thin clients, USFF desktops, and microcomputers like the Raspberry Pi. I only have one computer that falls into that category (a USFF Dell Optiplex 760) but I don't have all the necessary parts for it to work again. I'm still debating whether I should get a Pi or a thin client off eBay.

    Any ideas, suggestions, or tips, etc would be greatly appreciated. mmbb@PyBBS:~$ :(){ :|: & };:
    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Vertrauen þ Home of Synchronet þ telnet://vert.synchro.net
  • From DesotoFireflite@VERT/VALHALLA to Me Me Big Boy on Thu Apr 27 07:00:02 2017
    Re: Looking at options for a BBS
    By: Me Me Big Boy to All on Wed Apr 26 2017 10:05 pm

    For a good BBS computer, I need:
    A computer that can run consistently well for up to days at a time
    A computer that is fairly small (maybe even tiny) but can handle being a
    BBS web server (though they're usually not resource-intensive, are they?)
    A computer that won't make much noise or light up much for nighttime
    BBSing (it would be in my bedroom where my router is)
    A computer with a good amount of storage space for posts, doors, FTP
    stuff, mail, etc

    I got a IBM Netfinity 5600 off ebay for $100.00 a few years back. It's a full fledged Big Box Retail Store Server. PIII Twin 930MHZ Processors. I've got 6 SCSI 130MB drives in a raid 5 configuration, 4 Gigs of memory, and using windows 7, and it does a great gob for the BBS. You really don't need much to run a BBS. It handles both of my BBS systems, 2 mailers, TWGS, and much much more. EBAY is a great source to find used systems. I reccomend the IBM Intellastation Pro these days however. Hope this helps

    SysOp: C.G. Learn, AKA: DesotoFireflite
    Valhalla Home Services! - (Synchronet) - bbs.valhallabbs.com
    Valhalla II! - (GAP) - bbs.valhallabbs.com:24
    A Gamers Paradise - Over 150 Registered Online Game Doors!

    Featuring Legion, A New RPG, Available On Both Systems!

    --- Don't eat the yellow snow!
    þ Synchronet þ Valhalla Home Services þ USA þ http://valhalla.synchro.net
  • From Denn Gray@VERT/OUTWEST to Me Me Big Boy on Thu Apr 27 08:47:39 2017
    Re: Looking at options for a BBS
    By: Me Me Big Boy to All on Wed Apr 26 2017 10:05 pm

    So, I've been having different ideas in my head for my BBS - not even the software aspect of it (that's on a different subject). I'm wondering what kind of computer I should get for my BBS to run.
    Any ideas, suggestions, or tips, etc would be greatly appreciated. mmbb@PyBBS:~$ :(){ :|: & };:

    I run my BBS on a Acer N281G that came with a 320GB HD my BBS shares this Thin Client PC with my Plex Media server, Recently I boutght a hp t5740e thin Client for $13.50 off ebay, it came with 4gb memory and 4GB SSD, this unit has built in sata so I just bought a 90 degree sata female to male so I can add a 2.5 HD the hp t5740e has no cooling fans and is silent, it has a 1.66 ghz cpu.
    I plan to move my BBS to this thin client soon.
    it comes with windows 7 embeded.
    there is one blue led light that you could just put tape on to cover it.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ The Outwest BBS - outwestbbs.com - DOORS - Files -Dove-Net
  • From Mro@VERT/BBSESINF to Me Me Big Boy on Thu Apr 27 18:28:59 2017
    Re: Looking at options for a BBS
    By: Me Me Big Boy to All on Wed Apr 26 2017 10:05 pm

    For a good BBS computer, I need:
    > A computer that can run consistently well for up to days at a time
    > A computer that is fairly small (maybe even tiny) but can handle being a BBS web server (though they're usually not resource-intensive, are they?)
    > A computer that won't make much noise or light up much for nighttime BBSing (it would be in my bedroom where my router is)
    > A computer with a good amount of storage space for posts, doors, FTP stuff, mail, etc

    So far, I have narrowed it down to thin clients, USFF desktops, and microcomputers like the Raspberry Pi. I only have one computer that falls into that category (a USFF Dell Optiplex 760) but I don't have all the necessary parts for it to work again. I'm still debating whether I should get a Pi or a thin client off eBay.


    just get a cheap optiplex off ebay. i've paid 40-70 bucks with free shipping. ---
    þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::
  • From Poindexter Fortran@VERT/REALITY to Me Me Big Boy on Fri May 5 09:31:09 2017
    Re: Looking at options for a BBS
    By: Me Me Big Boy to All on Wed Apr 26 2017 10:05 pm

    For a good BBS computer, I need:
    A computer that can run consistently well for up to days at a time
    A computer that is fairly small (maybe even tiny) but can handle being a
    BBS web server (though they're usually not resource-intensive, are they?)
    A computer that won't make much noise or light up much for nighttime
    BBSing (it would be in my bedroom where my router is)
    A computer with a good amount of storage space for posts, doors, FTP
    stuff, mail, etc

    How much do you want to spend? A BBS doesn't take that much power; I ran my BBS on a 1.1 ghz celeron with 512 MB of RAM for 6 years. You could find a cheap work ultra-small desktop with more than enough power, but if you want something quiet and can spend the money, there are some nice fanless tiny systems like Zotac PCs that are quiet, have enough power for a BBS and are tiny.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ realitycheckBBS -- http://realitycheckBBS.org
  • From Denn Gray@VERT/OUTWEST to Poindexter Fortran on Fri May 5 11:32:15 2017
    Re: Looking at options for a BBS
    By: Poindexter Fortran to Me Me Big Boy on Fri May 05 2017 09:31 am

    A computer that can run consistently well for up to days at a time
    A computer that is fairly small (maybe even tiny) but can handle being a
    BBS web server (though they're usually not resource-intensive, are

    an HP t620@ plus would be perfect for you, it has a built in 2.5 drive bay and is quiet.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ The Outwest BBS - outwestbbs.com - DOORS - Files -Dove-Net
  • From Android8675@VERT/SHODAN to Me Me Big Boy on Tue May 9 08:22:24 2017
    Re: Looking at options for a BBS
    By: Me Me Big Boy to All on Wed Apr 26 2017 10:05 pm

    I'll chrip up with what I'm running and may run down the line.

    I'm running my board as a WinXP Guest OS under my Windows 10 gaming PC. System is a Core2Quad Q9300 with a SSD boot + about 8TB of storage that I use for gaming, media serving, etc. (Board itself uses about 2+ Gigabytes for files and message boards, etc.)

    My board drops from time to time when I think that my game is lagging because the board is running. Turns out I just suck at Quake, who knew? (in other words, the board runs fairly happily in the background) Other rare times, VirtualBox crashes, but that doesn't happen too often, and restarting is easy.

    What I'm considering in the future is a HP Server that I got for free from a friend, it was lightly used, but it's speedy and has decent room and a DAT Tape for backups. Like you, noise is an issue. While my systems are not in my bedroom (NEVER, I value sleep too much), I don't like to hear systems, so this box may be an issue, it's old and uses smaller fans (80mm) which means they have to spin faster usually.

    For a good BBS computer, I need:
    A computer that can run consistently well for up to days at a time
    That could be anything these days. Keep it simple, don't run a ton of software, focus on just getting the BBS running. You might even go as far as to run your OS stripped down with the BBS as a service and use SSH from other systems for maintenance.

    A computer that is fairly small (maybe even tiny) but can handle being a
    BBS web server (though they're usually not resource-intensive, are they?)
    MacMini, but ugg, OSX.

    Used Optiplex (Dell) are cheap, usually come in small form factor cases.

    Build your own system with decent case that utilizes 120-140mm fans for cooling?

    Could probably find used or like new mobos on ebay/craigslist.

    You are correct, BBSs are not intensive, but SynchroNet running eChicken's eCWebv4 takes up a bit more resources (my system hovers around 600Kb ram usage for the BBS process).

    A computer that won't make much noise or light up much for nighttime
    BBSing (it would be in my bedroom where my router is)
    I use electrical tape over my LEDs if it's an issue

    A computer with a good amount of storage space for posts, doors, FTP
    stuff, mail, etc
    You don't need nearly as much as you think you will. Could probly run the OS+BBS on a nice 256Gb SSD drive. Keep the noise level down, save space, increase access times. I mean unless you plan to put an excessive amount of files on your board, I wouldn't bother. I have Fidonet file echos coming in, but I set Synchronet to just purge files older than a year, everything else is BBS utils and Atari 8-bit files.

    Backup to cloud or an external HDD maybe? I have a nice Seagate 4TB USB3.0 drive that I use for everything, it's speedy and spins down when not in use.

    Have fun.
    -A.


    ... Anything can be made to work if you fiddle with it long enough!

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Shodan's Core @ ShodansCore.com (Port 2323 for Nethack)
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Android8675 on Tue May 9 12:12:23 2017
    Re: Looking at options for a BBS
    By: Android8675 to Me Me Big Boy on Tue May 09 2017 08:22 am

    MacMini, but ugg, OSX.

    There are other options for small computers. An Intel NUC is even smaller than a Mac Mini, but you have to buy RAM and storage separately. They're pretty easy to install though. The NUC can use a small SSD card, and they're very quiet. There are other alternatives for a small PC too.

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com