Editor's note: This new service could become an important tool for communication among watershed management folks- if we use it. Electronic mail and bulletins are, in my view, second only to face-to-face for communication efficiency and timeliness. I have talked with the Sysop (SYStem OPerator) and she would be happy to set up a West Coast or Watershed Management Council SIG (Special Interest Group) on the Board if there's interest. Any telcom aficionados out there who want to spearhead this? The EPA's own announcement of the Board follows (downloaded to my Mac in about 15 seconds):
The Nonpoint Source (NPS) Information Exchange Bulletin Board System (BBS) will provide state and local agencies, private organizations, businesses, and concerned individuals with timely, relevant NPS information, a forum for open discussion, and the ability to exchange computer text and program files.
You can use the NPS BBS to:
To access the NPS BBS, you will need:
THE NPS BBS PHONE NUMBER IS: 301/589-0205
The telecommunication parameters are:
No parity, 8 bits, 1 stop-bit (N-8-1).
For assistance in accessing the NPS BBS refer to your com program and modem user's manuals, or write to the EPA Office of Water, NPS Information Exchange, (WH-553), 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460 for a copy of the complete user's manual and a Telecommunications Fact Sheet. When you first access the BBS, you will be asked to register and create a password. You must remember this password and use it every time you access the BBS.
THE NPS BBS WILL SUCCEED AS A VITAL TOOL FOR THE EXCHANGE OF NPS INFORMATION IF YOU USE IT!
Please--upload your reports, articles, and non-copyrighted software (no games). Engage in the public debate and discussion via the message system. Let the system operator know about what improvements you would like to see. Tell your co-workers about the system. SEE YOU ONLINE!
The NPS BBS has a variety of features
Once you are registered on the system, you will have access to all the BBS
following features:
HELP is available on the BBS at all times by selecting "Help"
from the options menu.
NEWS FLASHES A screen or two of information that scrolls by when you first sign on or enter a conference. Read these for: Announcements upcoming conferences and workshops; Promotion of new BBS services and files; Timely tidbits from the states and regions; Notes on new federal regulations and actions.
BULLETINS Visit the bulletin area to read, print, or transfer to a disk, text files, such as: Descriptions of the NPS BBS and new user information; Short articles on NPS-related topics; Conference/workshop schedules; Names and phone numbers of experts; Chapters from the NPS BBS user's manual.
FILES An area where text and program files are available for downloading (transferring to your computer). Visit this area to acquire larger text files, and free software.
MESSAGES Use the message feature to post public announcements and inquires, to send private messages and files, or to ask questions of the BBS system operator (sysop).
SIG'S Special Interest Group areas dedicated to a specific topic that have all the features of the main BBS. These areas will be developed as necessary as the NPS BBS grows and matures.
DOORS Doors serve as a gateway from the NPS BBS software to some other piece of software without leaving the BBS. As the NPS BBS develops, Doors will be added to allow full-text searches of long documents for specific references, key-word searches of databases, and other customized database and other software applications.
Editor's P.S. If you've done PC telcom before you probably are online already. If not, cast away your fear of the unknown, fire up a modem, and get online! Drop a note to me on the Board (Michael Furniss) to try the mail system. List the Users to see what company you're keeping. Explore and participate-it's fun!
