

       =========================================================

                            C  L  U  S  S  E

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            The Free Finnish DX Cluster / Conference System

             ***  ***  Frequently Asked Questions  ***  ***

       Before asking the author anything, see if your question is
      already answered here! These are the questions that i've had
                         to answer most often.


    Q: In the user list, why does the per-node user count sometimes
       show larger/smaller values than there are user callsigns for
       the node?
    A:   It's a problem of the PC linking protocol, not Clusse.
       When cluster links are dropped and then re-established, user
       and node tables are often distributed farther than they are
       meant to (distribution is usually limited to restrict traffic
       in LARGE networks). When the links are OK, user table addition
       and deletion messages are not forwarded any more, but the PC50
       message is usually forwarded much farther. It includes the
       user count for the node, and it updates the per-node user count
       in the node list. So, if the user count value is different than
       the amount of callsigns in the user list, the callsign list
       is inaccurate, but perhaps useful, and is not cleared by Clusse.


    Q: When Clusse will include the PC mail system?
    A:   The original mail system included in the PacketCluster (TM)
       is one of the most stupid mail systems ever written. (Sorry
       guys 8-) It consumes very much bandwidth. The normal packet
       BBS mail system is MUCH better (but still far from perfect).
       I would NOT like to spend a lot of time to implement a complex
       but slow and bandwidth-eating protocol, while we already have
       a working BBS system which is there only to forward messages!

         I think the DX cluster network is meant to do other things,
       that the BBS network cannot do. I am planning to include a mail
       system, though, but it might not support mail over PC links.
       It will most probably include an interface to the BBS network,
       and compressed forwarding over a new binary DX cluster linking
       protocol. Maybe some day it will also support PC mail...


    Q: Linking doesn't work. How can I make Clusse recognize that it
       is connected to a PacketCluster node?
    A:   The operator of the node you're linking to *MUST* tell his
       software you should be treated as a node and not an user.
       The node at the other should respond to the connection with two
       messages looking a bit like these:

       PC38^OH7LZB-1,OH7RBA-1,OH1RBI^~
       PC18^ some text here ^5433^~

       If not, check the configuration at the other end. PacketCluster
       is SSID sensitive when it comes to incoming links! This applies
       to listen-only linking mode too!


    Q: Where can I get the latest version of Clusse?
    A:   The main distribution media for Clusse is the Internet. The
       latest version of Clusse is always available on these sites:

         WWW: http://zone.pspt.fi/clusse/
              http://zone.oh7rba.ampr.org/clusse/ (ONLY IF you really are
                                                   behind amprnet routing!)
         FTP: ftp.funet.fi: /pub/ham/packet/bbs/cluster/clusse/clu????.zip
              zone.oh7rba.ampr.org: /pub/oh7lzb/clu/clu????.zip (Only if...)

         ???? is the version number. 030 means 0.30, NOT 3.0 ! Yes, it's
       still FAR from 1.0 !  8-)

         If you don't have Internet access, and you don't know anyone
       who has, you can send a formatted 1.44" diskette and a SASE to
       my address below. SASE is a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope.
       Include the postage in Finnish or US funds! Mailing a diskette
       overseas from Finland can cost up to 4 US dollars, so a single
       greenstamp might not be enough to cover my expenses. Please, no
       IRC's.


     ================================================================

       This file is written by Heikki "Hessu" Hannikainen,
       the author of Clusse. I can be reached at the following
       addresses:

       Internet email (preferred): hessu@pspt.fi
       Amprnet email (a good one): oh7lzb@oh7rba.ampr.org
       Ax.25 packet (sloooow....): oh7lzb@oh7rba.fin.eu
       World Wide Web (graphic!!): http://zone.pspt.fi/~oh7lzb/

         Snail mail:
       (Always include a SASE if you want me to answer your letter!)

            Heikki Hannikainen
            Blueberry Road 17
            70280 Kuopijo
            Finland


