Med TechNet: a lab-oriented BBS.Med TechNet: A lab-oriented BBS (1) (Bulletin Board System) A computer system used as an information source and forum for a particular interest group. They were widely used in the U.S.Last month, this department described computerized bulletin board systems (BBS) in general and introduced one in particular, Med TechNet, available from the department of medical technology at the State University of New York (body) State University of New York - (SUNY) The public university system of New York State, USA, with campuses throughout the state. at Buffalo.(1) This month we will discuss what Med TechNet offers and how to reach and use it. Med TechNet charges no fee. The entire cost of use is your phone bill for calling in through your modem. For the past four years, we have provided the system as a community service; local users pay nothing at all. To keep the line open, we restrict access to one hour at a time and 1.5 hours per day. Most calls take only 10 to 15 minutes. Because the vast majority of current Med TechNet users have IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) or IBM-compatible systems, our downloadable program files largely use PC/MS-DOS format. * Calling Med TechNet. For best results, set your communications software (communications, software) communications software - Application programs, operating system components, and probably firmware, forming part of a communication system. These different software components might be classified according to the functions within the Open Systems for eight data bits, one stop bit, and no parity Not using a parity bit to check for errors. For example, an 8-N-1 setting in a communications program, which was widely used before the Web, means each character transmitted contains (8) eight bits, (N) "no" ninth parity bit and (1) one additional stop bit to mark the end. See non-parity memory. . Instruct your modem to dial 1-716-897-0504. When Med TechNet answers, you'll hear the two modems squeal as they lock onto each other's signal. A message appears confirming that a connection has been made. After about five seconds, press <ESC>. Med TechNet will display a welcome and ask for your name. New callers are greeted with instructions on how to use the system. Eventually the main menu will appear. Navigation through Med TechNet is completely menu driven. After a few calls, most users become familiar enough with the steps and codes to have menu selections abbreviated or turned off, thus speeding the process. Med TechNet's message areas focus on new diagnostic procedures, instrumentation, and equipment-related problems. Users are encouraged to post messages with questions of their own and to respond to queries posted by others. The file areas offer numerous powerful utilities for PC users. Many programs are of special interest to clinical laboratory personnel. One package, for example, was written specifically for the line of microplate readers manufactured by Bio-tek Instruments, Inc. (Winooski, Vt.). This package, MPREAD4.ZIP in File Area #10, features statistical analysis and plotting of microplate data. We are currently porting many in-house programs from the DEC Rainbow PC environment to the IBM PC A PC made by IBM. IBM created the PC industry in 1981 when it introduced its first model with 16KB of RAM. However, it was way off in its estimates, projecting that 250,000 units would be sold in the first five years. In fact, about three million IBM PCs were sold in that period. . As these programs are completed, probably by early 1990, they will be released to the public domain and posted. Now turn the page for a whirlwind whirlwind, revolving mass of air resulting from local atmospheric instability, such as that caused by intense heating of the ground by the sun on a hot summer day. tour through Med TechNet. If it appeals to you, give us a call. (1) Hliwa, W.R. Tapping into an electronic bulletin board. MLO MLO Mycoplasma-like organism(s) 21(10): 69-72,October 1989. The author is clinical assistant professor in the department of medical technology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, N.Y. |
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