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Draft:C-Net 12.0

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C-Net 12.0
Original author(s)Perspective Software
Developer(s)Don Gladden and Ray Kelm
Initial release1987
Written inBASIC
PlatformC64
PredecessorC-Net 11.1a
SuccessorC-Net 12.1
SizeSingle 5.25 floppy
Available inEnglish
TypeBBS Software
License$64.95, $35 for Upgrade from v10 or v11

C-Net 12.0 (C-Net 64) was a full featured, single-line, bulletin board system (BBS) software system released in 1987 for the Commodore 64 microcomputer by Perspective Software.[1] It was based on C-Net 10.0 written by Ken Pletzer and was coded by Don Gladden and Ray Kelm.[1] [2] [3] It originally sold for $64.95 or a upgrade from V10 or V11 for $35.00.[4]

C-Net 12.0 was one of the most powerful and flexible BBS program available for Commodore computers.[5] It was written mostly in BASIC, so it is very easy to modify.[1] The editor, I/O routines and other speed-intensive modules are written in machine language for speed.

One unique feature of C-Net is "P-Files",[1] or program modules. These enable C-Net to run unrestricted by the memory limitations of Commodore computers. Basically, C-Net keeps a "main program" in memory that contains the basic C-Net functions and routines like the main menu and the commands available from all levels. Then, it loads in a "P-File" for whatever subsystem you are using.[6] An official P-File disk was available from Perspective for $18.95.[4]

Hundreds of P-File games were also created. Some popular ones were Murder Motel (by Sean Wagle[7]), Empire, Dragon World, Battle (by Big D[8]) and Orion. C-Net 12.0 also had a flexible security model and fully customizable sub boards, upload/download areas and e-mail.[1] It also used MCI (Message Command Interpreter) commands to handle graphics.[1] PETSCII art was also a popular creative outlet on BBSs of this era.

C-Net 12.0 was not based on C-Net 11.0/11.1a but was based primarily on C-Net 10.0 written by Ken Pletzer. [2] Version 11.x, which was written by Jim Selleck, was succeeded by C-Net 11.6.[3] Which was eventually rebranded as C-Net DS2. After Several versions of DS2, it was acquired by Storm’s Edge Technologies in 2012.[9]

When purchased, the buyer would receive a single 5.25 Floppy disk, instruction manual and a dongle to prevent piracy. This dongle would plug in to joystick port 2. [10]

CNet 12.0 Disk and Manual
Example login screen of a BBS running C-Net 12.0

The C-Net family of BBSs were supported nationwide by a dedicated group of sysops known as the C-Net Sysop Support Center (CSSC).[11][12] This group was headed up by Fred Dart (aka The Chief), John Moore (aka Little John), Gear Jammer and others around the country.[2] The CSSC released some of the more popular p-files such as Wallwriter and Voting Booth.[13] Another very popular modification released by the CSSC was Multi uploads and downloads w/ direct disk access.[14] While there was not official headquarters for the CSSC, Port Commodore BBS, run by Fred Dart, was one of the main places to find these fixes. [11][12] Using the CSSC network, they would share fixes and modifications that sysops could make to their own code. Sysops across the country created their own P-Files that could be incorporated into other BBSs if the sysops chose too.[11][12] Because of this, C-Net 12.0 BBSs could look very different from each other.

During the summer of 1988, version 12.1 (also written by Don Gladden) was set to be released as a $7.98 upgrade.[15] During this time Don Gladden left Perspective Software and took 12.1 with him. After a few changes, it was rebranded as Image BBS 1.0.[2][15] The CSSC was replaced with NISSA (The New Image Sysop Support Association). C-Net 12.1 would eventually be released by Perspective Software.

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f C-Net 12.0 Release Notes by Perspective Software.
  2. ^ a b c d "History of Image BBS by Fred Dart".
  3. ^ a b "CNET 64 Petscii Forum".
  4. ^ a b C-Net Price Sheet by Perspective Software.
  5. ^ "CNet history by Zimmers".
  6. ^ "C-Net 12.0 P-File Modifiers Guide".
  7. ^ Murder Motel Release Notes (filename murderdocs).
  8. ^ Battle 12.0 internal code comments ((filename p.bmaint).
  9. ^ "CNet DS II History".
  10. ^ "C-Net 12.0 User Manual".
  11. ^ a b c C-Net 12.0 Mod Pack 1 (CSSC) Release Notes - November 1987.
  12. ^ a b c C-Net 12.0 Mod Pack 2 (CSSC) Release Notes - February 1988.
  13. ^ Internal code comments from John Moore within p.wallwriter4.2 and p.vote code.
  14. ^ MultisV4.0 Dox II (document included in Multi Download/Upload mod.
  15. ^ a b "History of The Wrong Number BBS by Al Derosa" (PDF).

External links edit

Category:Commodore 64 software

Category:Bulletin board system software

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