Electronic Bulletin Boards If you need quick information on microcomputers, highway construction, or even national weather trends, electronic bulletin boards may have the answers. Electronic bulletin boards can offer you low-cost, online access to unique information and resources not normally available through commercial database vendors. And what is more important, the information on electronic bulletin boards is often updated daily, providing you with the newest information not yet available in larger, conventional databases. Another advantage to electronic bulletin boards is their relative easy access. Where accessing conventional online databases may require special knowledge of computer languages, bulletin boards are frequently driven by simple, user-friendly menus. One of the nicer features of these bulletin boards which most online databases lack is that they often allow dialogue to take place between the user and the system operator (sysop), and even between different users. The Air Force's Small Computer Technical Center, for example, allows you to leave a message on the bulletin board outlining, say, a computer software problem you are having, and if the system operator or one of the other users can help, they can leave you a message, sometimes on the same day. While some bulletin boards require a subscription fee, many do not, which means you pay only for any long distance telephone charges. Listed below are a sampling of the principal bulletin boards available. Additional online systems are identified in the preceding section on federal government databases. * Agricultural Library Forum (ALF) National Agricultural Library (NAL) U.S. Department of Agriculture Data: 301-344-8510 10301 Baltimore Blvd. Data: 301-344-8511 Beltsville, MD 20705 Voice: 301-344-1204 ALF provides a convenient, low-cost tool for electronically accessing information about NAL products and services and for exchanging agricultural information and resources. ALF supports three types of communications: NAL bulletins, messaging and conferencing between users, and file transfers. 24 hours/day; 7 days/week. * Automated Data Service U.S. Naval Observatory Time Services Department Department of the Navy 34th & Massachusetts Ave., NW Data: 202-653-1079 Washington, D.C. 20392-5100 Voice: 202-653-1522 ADS is designed to provide a means for the exchange of information among members of the precise time community. The data available on ADS provide measurements of the offsets of various systems of precise time transfer from the U.S. Naval Observatory Master Clock and information about the operational status of these systems. * BXR Information Corner Internal Revenue Service U.S. Department of the Treasury Systems Services Branch Data: 703-756-6109 Washington, D.C. 20224 Voice: 703-756-6280 The main message base for this bulletin board concerns technical computer-related topics such as hardware, software, graphics, word-processing and computer security. There are 11 areas for users to discuss ways to enhance productivity. 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Sysop: Marianne Crockford. * Climate Analysis Center Bulletin Board U.S. Department of Commerce National Weather Service 5200 Auth Road, Room 805 Data: Fee-based, call for details Washington, D.C. 20233 Voice: 301-763-4670 This bulletin board provides weekly and monthly summaries of temperatures, precipitation, and other climatic conditions, primarily for agricultural and energy applications. Sysop: Vernon Patterson. * Detroit-Area Office of the Office of Personnel Management Bulletin Board Service Detroit Area Office Office of Personnel Management 477 Michigan Ave., Room 565 Data: 313-226-4423 Detroit, MI 48226 Voice: 313-226-7520 Federal job information for the 14 states in the Chicago region is available via this board. Listings include some qualifications and pay scale information, job applications, opportunities for college graduates, and other specialized topics. The board is used by libraries, college placement offices and other schools as well as by individuals. 24 hours/day; 7 days/week. Sysop: Dave Nason. * Eximbank Bulletin Board Service Export-Import Bank of the United States 811 Vermont Ave., NW Data: 202-566-4699 Washington, D.C. 20571 Voice: 202-566-4490 The bulletin board offers descriptions of some of the bank's lending programs and the Foreign Credit Insurance Association's policies. It includes application forms, press releases, seminar schedules, a referral list of banks in the EIB programs and a EIB staff directory. * Fannie Mae Information Service Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) 3900 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20016-2899 800-752-6440 (fee-based) The quasi-government agency Fannie Mae utilizes MORNET electronic bulletin boards to broadcast information and provide a message exchange network to meet the needs of the mortgage industry. Topics include pricing, regional office contact lists, news, analysis, legislative reports, debt information and updates to Fannie Mae guides. 7 days/week; 24 hours/day. * FCC Public Access Link (PAL Online) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 1919 M. St., NW Washington, D.C. 20554 202-632-7581 Manufacturers and importers who submit applications for equipment approval by the FCC can track the status of their applications with this bulletin board. Confidentially assigned code numbers limit access of each user to information on its own application. Limited Access. * FEBBS (Federal Highway Administration Remote Bulletin Board System) Federal Highway Administration U.S. Department of Transportation 400 7th St., SW Data: 202-366-3764 Washington, DC 20590 Voice: 202-366-9022 FEBBS provides information on FHWA topics including traffic, highways, construction, paving and other related subjects. 24 hours/day; 7 days/week. Sysop: Carl Shea. * Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Electronic Bulletin Board Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Data: 202-371-9578 Washington, D.C. 20429 Voice: 202-898-8966 The FDIC Bulletin Board was established to provide a means for FDIC personnel to practice transferring files. The Board can be accessed by the general public and does not contain bank information. 24 hours/day; 7 days/week. Sysop: Richard Campbell. * Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Issuance Posting System(CIPS) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Data: 202-357-8997 Washington, D.C. 20426 Voice: 202-357-5570 CIPS provides the full text of the FERC daily issuances, press releases, the Commission agenda, and a daily listing of all filings made to the Commission. 23 hours/day (down 8 AM - 9 AM) Monday - Friday. Sysop: Sid Barinder. * FE TELENEWS Office of Fossil Energy U.S. Department of Energy Data: 202-586-6496 Washington, D.C. 20585 Voice: 202-586-6503 FE TELENEWS is a free online service for coal, oil, gas and petroleum reserves information, including news announcements, congressional testimony, fact sheets, speeches, federal research and development programs facts. A free user guide is available from TELENEWS Staff, FE-10, Room 4G-085 at the above address. 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. * Hay Locator Bulletin Board Rick Westerman Operations Manager AG Communication Network Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service Smith Hall, Room 105 West Lafayette, IN 47907 317-494-8333 This up-to-date, computerized listing of hay and straw for buyers and sellers across the nation can be searched by hay types, location, sellers, and buyers. Available free with 500, 1200, or 2400 baud connection. The system operates on a single user dial-up computer that provides access to the information and some of the programs available in the Indiana FACTS network. Extension newsletters, news stories from Purdue's Agricultural Communications Service and other sources are put on the system daily in preassigned groupings called "topics." Users can search for items of interest and then globally or selectively display items on their terminal screen or to a printing terminal. Subject areas include agricultural, agribusiness and home management. Intended users are any private citizens normally served by the extension. Users pay only for the phone call. * Information Resource Management Electronic Bulletin Board Information Resources Management Office General Accounting Office Data: 202-275-1050 Washington, D.C. Voice: 202-275-5327 This is a newsletter and message center bulletin board directed toward users of various information management programs, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and communications. 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Sysop: Sheryl Gee. * Information Resources Service Center Information Resources Services Office Data: 202-535-7661 (1200 baud) General Services Administration Data: 202-786-9014 (2400 baud) Washington, D.C. 20405 Voice: 202-566-1683 Nationwide users can access information on contracts awarded by General Services Administration --Information Resources Management Service by accessing this bulletin board. 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Sysop: Chuck Massey. * Information Systems Engineering Bulletin Board Systems (ISE BBs) National Institute of Standards and Technology Data: 301-948-2048 A257 Technology Building Data: 301-948-2059 Gaithersburg, MD 20899 Voice: 301-975-3272 The ISE BBS provides access to information on NIST National Computer Systems Laboratory and ISE program activities; summaries of standards reports; publications lists; and a listing of other bulletin board systems. Users can leave messages for each other and questions for the sysop. 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. * National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Bulletin Board System National Aeronautics and Space Administration Information Technology Center Data: 202-453-9008 Washington, D.C. 20546 Voice: 202-453-9009 NASA's wildcat bulletin board system was established to provide an information service for messaging and filing, to be used by both NASA employees and the general public. 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Sysop: Nader Ghabadi, John Walker. * Naval Aviation News Computer Information (NANci) Department of the Navy The Pentagon Data: 202-475-1173 Washington, D.C. 20350 Voice: 202-433-4407 NANci provides a source of aviation news and historical facts for naval buffs. Messaging is available. Access is sometimes limited during working hours. 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Sysop: Commander John A. Norton. * Navy Regional Data Automation Center Remote Bulletin Board System (NARDAC RBBS) Navy Regional Data Automation Center 804-445-1121 Department of the Navy, VA 23511-6497Voice: 804-445-4157, (804) 445-1627 NARDAC RBBS is designed to promote the dissemination and exchange of microcomputer-based public domain software for the Department of the Navy. Included are Navy applications, database management systems, word processing, communications, electronic spreadsheets, barcoding and system utilities. The latest information on the microcomputer contracts and conferences can be accessed. * NOAA FIDO (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Information Technology Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. Department of Commerce Data: 301-770-0069 Washington, D.C. 20230 Voice: 301-443-8225 Designed for non-technical purposes, NOAA FIDO provides for the exchange of information about office automation. NOAA employees and other users interested in PC's usually discuss ways to get the most out of their machines. The public will find NOAA FIDO helpful in that scientists use the board and will often answer questions. 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Sysop: Tom Murphy. * Office Automation Bulletin Board (OMSD Bulletin Board) Bureau of the Census U.S. Department of Commerce Data: 301-763-4576 Washington, D.C. 20233 Voice: 301-763-4950 This system was designed to provide for an exchange of information between Bureau employees and other users of office automation. Members share ideas and experience about word processing, graphics, electronics and other utilities. 24 hours/day; 7 days/week. Sysop: Nevins Frankel. * Office of Program Planning and Evaluation Bulletin Board Office of Program Planning and Evaluation U.S. Department of Commerce Data: 202-377-1423 Washington, D.C. 20230 Voice: 202-377-2949 Designed as an internal communications mechanism for Commerce Department budget and planning officers, bulletins contain information on schedules, staff assignments, and related information. It is also used to transmit documents and spreadsheets to and from Bureaus outside the H.C. Hoover Building. The board is open and users may leave messages requesting help in identifying appropriate contact persons for Commerce Department matters. 24 hours/day; 7 days/week. Sysop: Patricia Spencer. * OPEnet U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education OPEnet Coordinator c/o Dialcom Services 6120 Executive Blvd., Suite 150 Rockville, MD 20852 301-770-4280 The Office of Postsecondary Education network provides information exchange with financial aid services and administrators, institutions, and the U.S. Department of Education. Included are regulations, notices of proposed rulemaking, news bulletins, calendars, workshop and meeting notices, press releases, and messaging. Subscription required. * Personnel Bureau of the Census U.S. Department of Commerce Data: 301-763-4574 Washington, D.C. 20233 Voice: 301-763-7448 This service lists Bureau vacancies and describes the positions giving pay plan and other information. Users may leave a message with their name and phone number. 24 hours/day; 7 days/week. Sysop: Nevins Frankel. * Remote Bulletin Board System U.S. Department of Energy-Germantown Data: 301-353-4892 Washington, D.C. 20545 Voice: 301-353-2500 DOE RBBS offers information and public domain utility software for microcomputer users. RBBS allows users to look at bulletins and listings, download information, and post or read messages. 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday. * Science Resources Studies Electronic Bulletin Board System National Science Foundation Division of Science Resources Studies Data: 202-634-1764 Washington, D.C. 20550 Voice: 202-634-4250 (SRS Technical Service) The SRS Electronic Bulletin Board provides up-to-date statistical data and other information on financial and human resources related to science, engineering and technology. The board contains brief narrative reports on current studies and announcements. 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Sysop: Jean Deans. * Small Computer Technical Center Department of the Air Force Data: 618-256-6510 Scott Air Force Base, IL 62225 Voice: 618-256-4206 This board provides an information exchange network for users of small computers. Discussions usually focus on how to enhance the productivity of computer hardware and software. There is no military information exchanged on the board. 24 hours/day; 7 days/week. * The Economic Bulletin Board U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Business Analysis and Economic Affairs Data: 202-377-3870 Washington, D.C. 20230 Voice: 202-377-1986 Users may tap in to the latest releases from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau of the Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics and other federal agencies. Included are GNP, CPI, employment, income, foreign trade data, studies and reports, listings of publications and data bases. Subscriptions and a limited free try-out service are both available. 24 hours/day. * United States Information Agency Bulletin Service (USIA BBS) U.S. Information Agency Data: 202-376-2901 Washington, D.C. 20547 Voice: 202-376-7778 This is a specialized bulletin board service established to facilitate message traffic between USIA and its overseas posts, contractors and clients, and also for the exchange of information between broadcasters. The service is open to USIA employees, clients and contractors; the media; and other BBS operators. Sysop: Pat Pasco. * Veterans Administration Foreclosed Property Listing Remote Bulletin Board Veterans Administration Washington, D.C. 20420 Regional Veterans Administration offices provide online listings of local property foreclosures via remote bulletin board systems. The participating regional offices are listed below. Except where specified, the bulletin boards operate evenings and weekends. The following number for each office is the remote computer bulletin board for property listings. LGO = Loan Guaranty Officer; PMC = Property Management Chief. Montgomery, AL Voice: 204-832-7193 Data: 205-832-7202 Anchorage, AK Voice: 907-271-4562 Data: 907-271-2249 Phoenix, AZ Voice: 602-241-2748 Data: 602-241-2371 N. Little Rock, AR Voice: 501-370-3758 Data: 501-370-3881 Denver, CO Voice: 303-980-2847 Data: 303-980-2984 Hartford, CT Voice: 203-244-2897 Data: 203-240-3021 St. Louis, MO Voice: 314-425-5144 Data: 314-539-3145 Fort Harrison, MT Voice: 406-442-6410 Data: 406-442-7024 Waco, TX Voice: 817-757-6869 Data: 817-757-6308 Salt Lake City, UT Voice: 801-588-598 Data: 801-524-3550 Manchester, NH Voice: 603-666-7656 Data: 603-240-3021 Newark, NJ Voice: 201-645-3607 Data: 201-645-3953 Los Angeles, CA Voice: 213-209-7838 Data: 213-209-7920 Washington, D.C. Voice: 202-275-0611 Data: 202-275-5622 St. Petersburg, FL Voice: 813-893-3404 Data: 813-822-3821 Atlanta, GA Voice: 404-881-3474 Data: 404-347-7768 Boise, ID Voice: 208-334-1910 Data: 208-334-9696 Chicago, IL Voice: 312-353-4068 Data: 312-353-2382 Louisville, KY Voice: 502-582-5866 Data: 502-582-5134 New Orleans, LA Voice: 504-589-6459 Data: 504-589-3871 Togue, ME Voice: 207-623-5434 Data: 207-240-3021 Baltimore, MD Voice: 301-962-4467 Data: 301-962-7876 Boston, MA Voice: 617-223-3052 Data: 203-240-3021 San Francisco, CA Voice: 415-974-0204 Data: 415-974-9510 Lincoln, NE Voice: 402-471-5031 Data: 402-471-5034 Indianapolis, IN Voice: 317-269-7827 Data: 317-269-7527 Des Moines, IA Voice: 515-284-4657 Data: 515-284-4869 Wichita, KS Voice: 316-269-6311 Data: 316-269-6739 Winston-Salem, NC Voice: 919-761-3494 Data: 919-761-3585 Cleveland, OH Voice: 216-522-3583 Data: 216-522-7664 Muskogee, OK Voice: 918-687-2161 Data: 918-687-2556 Detroit, MI Voice: 313-226-7561 Data: 313-226-4227 St. Paul, MN Voice: 612-725-4054 Data: 612-725-3050 Jackson, MS Voice: 601-965-4826 Data: 601-965-4825 Houston, TX Voice: 713-660-4154 Data: 713-660-4140 Albuquerque, NM Voice: 505-766-2214 Data: 505-766-8335 Buffalo, NY Voice: 716-846-5295 Data: 716-846-4702 New York, NY Voice: 212-620-6424 Data: 203-240-3021 Portland, OR Voice: 503-221-2481 Data: 503-221-6884 Philadelphia, PA Voice: 215-951-5509 Data: 215-951-5514 Pittsburgh, PA Voice: 412-644-6979 Data: 412-644-4755 Columbia, SC Voice: 803-765-5154 Data: 803-765-5407 Nashville, TN Voice: 615-251-5241 Data: 615-736-2100 San Juan, PR Voice: 809-766-5216 Data: 809-766-3000 Huntington, WV Voice: 304-529-5047 Data: 304-529-5434 Honolulu, HI Voice: 808-546-2160 Data: 808-541-1476 Downloaded From P-80 International Information Systems 304-744-2253