
Q&A


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Q: When was Digital Dynamics started?

A: Digital Dynamics was founded in November of 1988 as a computer programming
consultation firm specializing in multiuser applications in a IBM PC network
environment. Digital Dynamics immediately spawned a BBS to support its
customers and as an information system for the general public. This BBS became
a very popular system in southern california with the focus on technical
discussions, online games, and file transfers. The BBS software in use at that
time did not have many of the features that the users and the sysops wanted,
including the most important feature - multiple nodes. There were other
packages available that supported multiple nodes, but they lacked in file
transfer features and customization options. And every package tested proved
noticeably slower than the existing software.


Q: What prompted you to create Digital Dynamics and write Synchronet?

A: In December of 1990, I decided it was time to start the development of our
own BBS software. Since Digital Dynamics was not a commercial software company
and no client had requested the package, it was assumed to be used in-house
only.

In July of 1991, Digital Dynamics started running Synchronet, their latest
creation. Requests from other sysops to purchase the software were so numerous
and sudden, that it was soon decided to start a commercial development project
of Synchronet. In November of 1991, version 1a of Synchronet was available for
purchase. As more and more sysops and users were getting familiar with
Synchronet, the comments and suggestions began to pour in. Most of the
suggestions were implemented almost immediately and available as free revision
upgrades and many were slated for future version upgrades.


Q: Where did the name "Synchronet" come from?

A: Initially, the ability to run multiple "synchronous" nodes on a LAN (local
area network). It now also applies to the ability to run multiple "synchronous"
message networks.


Q: How many people does Digital Dynamics employ?

A: Five.


Q: How many units of Synchronet have been sold to date?

A: Approximately 2000 copies.


Q: What do you see in the future for Digital Dynamics?

A: Synchronet will be the best multi-platform (DOS, OS/2, Win-32) BBS software
available. Technical features that are innovative rather than reactionary.
Distributed data base add-ons for Synchronet (SBL being a test-bed for this
technology) starting with an extremely comprehensive match making system.


Q: Why do you think Synchronet doesn't get the media attention a lot of
   Synchronet SysOps believe it should?

A: Synchronet is comparitively a young product (in age) and has a smaller
installed base than a number of BBS programs. Also, other development companies
probably spend more resources getting the attention of publications (press
releases, pre-written "interviews" and the like).



Q: Are there any plans to make port Synchronet to other operating systems
   such as Unix, or Apple's System7?

A: No, not those operating systems. The current plan is 32-bit OS/2 and Windows
(NT/Windows 95) and possibly a 32-bit DOS version.


Q: What do you feel are Synchronet's strongest features?

A: Ease of installation and setup, inter-node communication, door support
(no batch files!), message and file area organization, ARS security, QWKnet
extensions, CD-ROM/Juke-Box support, message base storage format (SMB),
and our responsive and accurate technical support team.

Q: It's weakest?

A: Being that SMB is not quite six-months old, we're just now beginning to see
third party support. Digital Dynamics spent considerable time and energy in
developing THE most comprehensive message base specification and royalty-free
function library in existance. As other developers discover the SMB
specification and library (available for download from Vertrauen as
SMB_111.ZIP), we will see a significant increase in echomail programs, editors,
off-line readers, and the like supporting the SMB format (which like the JAM
and Hudson formats, is not necessarily specific to Synchronet BBS systems).


