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Creation of the COPS Mail List

Dale asked me to write a small article about my experiences and involvement in the creation of a new Internet Mailing List. This list has been created to support Dale's Laser Lover's Disk and provide Commodore Users with a forum to share information about PostScript Printing. As a matter of fact, the list is called COPS - Commodore Only PostScript.

As with most new Commodore PostScript developments lately Dale has been the catalyst. One item that Dale mentioned in the letter that accompanied the Laser Lover's Disk was his wish for a mail list or newsgroup to allow users to communicate easily and share tips. As I was working on a review of the Disk I kept in regular contact with Dale and Maurice Randall - the author of PostPrint (again, written at Dale's request). In one of these messages I inquired about the mail list.

When Dale told me the status of the project I decided to contact Gaelyne Gasson, author of The Internet for Commodore Users (TIFCU), about the possibility of her Videocam site hosting the COPS list. Gaelyne, who hosts the TIFCU mail list to support her book, was open to the idea and has been extremely helpful throughout the process (even contributing to our discussions about the name).

Anyhow, since Dale telecommunicates out of necessity, rather than because of his enjoyment of the activity, I offered to administer the COPS list. My involvement in Modem use and BBS'ing goes back to 1984 when my wife bought me a 300 baud modem for Christmas ($225.00!).

Our local User Group ran a BBS and I became an Assistant Sysop with rights to manage the files area and public messages. There were a few years in the early '90's when I didn't do much with my modem - now a 1200 baud unit. The club membership dwindled and the BBS shut down due to lack of use.

In late 1995 I joined our local FreeNet and got onto the Internet. After borrowing a friend's 2400 baud modem I was hooked on the speed. I soon ordered a SwiftLink from CMD and picked up an experienced Boca 14.4 Fax/Modem from a local store. Ever since I have been amazed at the amount of C-64 info there is on the Internet and the number of Commodore users who are online.

I subscribe to a few mail lists and realize the benefits they offer. To be able to get back involved with the administration of a useful communications avenue for Commodore users is something I welcome.

Anyhow, back to COPS. Gaelyne got the list up and running in short order but soon had a major software problem on their server. The process of getting a new operating system installed, plus testing and setting up the mail list software, delayed the debut of the list.

During this time I was modifying and creating some help files and welcome information for people who subscribe to COPS. Some tests, after Gaelyne advised us that the list was operational in Australia, have proven that the list and some of it's various features are working. We should be able to keep archives of the messages and may also have some FTP space for file transfers.

By now you are likely wondering how to access the list. For starters, make sure you have an interest in PostScript printing from your Commodore. Then buy Dale's disk and see how the power of PostScript can change your printouts. Then, send an e-mail message to: cops-request@videocam.net.au

In the SUBJECT of your message enter: subscribe

That is all there is to it. You will receive at least one message of helpful information plus whatever other messages members send to each other. To send messages to the list send e-mail to: cops@videocam.net.au

Hopefully this has provided a little insight into a new source of support and information for Commodore Users. We hope to be able to provide lots of help for people who care to print their very best.

C U online.

Bruce Thomas