Requirement Analysis

Table of Contents
Vision and Scope Document for the bbc Bulletin Board Client
Use Cases

This section deals with the conditions which the bbc software must fulfill, in the form of a Vision Document, Use Cases, and Architectural Diagrams.

Vision and Scope Document for the bbc Bulletin Board Client

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Project Requirements

Software must address needs to be deemed useful. This section touches on the criteria for the bbc software. Among other purposes, this will identify for us when the software, as well as the project, is complete.

Background

Nearly all existing clients for DOC BBS and related Bulletin Board Systems are derived from the BBS client written by Doug "Serendipity" Siebert. Because of this, they share certain common features as well as limitations.

Most notably, the clients are generally confined to variations on the feature set created by the seminal Serendipity client. Their network connectivity layer often reflects older expectations of network topology and the core code is somewhat assumptive about system resource availability.

Project Opportunity

BBS client will make customizing the user experience trivial.
Client will take advantage of insights gained in ten years since genesis of DOC server BBS.
Paying especial attention to the wireless PDA platforms will enable convenient portable access to BBSes via the client.
Concerns about user privacy and access can be addressed conveniently by this client.

Project Objectives

To create a GUI client.
To support all existing forms of DOC [and -derived] protocol.
To support user privacy and security concerns.
To revitalize DOC [and -derived] BBS communities.
To make a BBS client available on a wide array of platforms.

User Requirements

Users require a punchy, responsive GUI interface to the text-based BBS community. They value the privacy of their communications and their ability to filter noise out of the signal they are interested in. The bbc application will do this for them.

Value Provided to Users

Members of existing BBS communities where these protocols are in use will find their interactions improved. Users not previously involved in the communities will find it easier to join without being overwhelmed in details.

Project Risks

Development could starve for time and incentive.
Code requirements could exceed developer abilities.
All existing DOC-protocol BBSes could be shut down and none rise to replace them.
Project hosting could be imperiled.

Vision of the Solution

Vision Statement

This Bulletin Board Client will allow users to interact with several varieties of BBSes with varying degrees of encryption. A graphical interface will simplify complex configuration. Text filtering capabilities will allow users to tune their experience to their reading and interaction needs.

Major Features

Graphical interface with appearance masks.
Multiple simultaneous sessions.
Multiple usage profiles.
Separate X-message streams per conversant.
Searchable content archive.
Consistant interface on multiple platforms.
Language and locale tuned client emissions.
Scripting engine for user-crafted plug-ins.
Support of all known variants of DOC/YAWC protocol.
Support of all known network connection methods for DOC style BBSes.
Six levels of zoom.
Wave motion gun.

Assumptions and Dependencies

We assume that cross-platform portability can be attained without extensive rewriting of the core of the application.

We will have dependencies upon the necessary support libraries being installed on the user's system. This may necessitate bundling them with the executables via packaging systems.

Scope and Limitations

Scope of Initial Release

Major Features

  1. Telnet DOC Protocol Connection - The oldest form of DOC connection, telnet option signalling, will be the first supported.

  2. Graphical User Interface - This initial release will run under X11R6 and take advantage of the mouse events and image rendering capacities of that environment.

  3. Ignore/Highlight List Management - The user will be able to import, export, create, delete and edit lists of users to filter the text of, either to focus upon or ignore messages from that user.

Quality Characteristics

  1. Easy to Use - The emphasis is on an interface which will not be confusing for a new user nor cumbersome for an old hand at BBSing.

  2. Stable - Rigorous unit testing will quell the most serious instability before it ever makes it into a build.

Scope of Subsequent Releases

Future releases will add support for additional user platforms, additional connection negotiation, additional BBSes, as well as additional client functionality.

Limitations and Exclusions

Porting to closed operating systems is subject to willingness to shell out for SDKs to develop for them. Development for them and repair of defects on those platforms will lag behind similar efforts for more sensibly forthcoming operating systems.

Project Context

User Profiles

This application is intended for either existing BBS users who are unhappy with the interfaces presently available to them or users new to the BBS experience.

The former group will expect a client with features equivalent or superior to existing client features and with modes with familiar interactions.

The latter group will desire a client which doesn't over-burden them with incomprehensible choices and which makes it possible for them to quickly attune to a BBS's community and make useful contributions with a minimum of hurdles and fumbles.

Project Priorities

  1. DOC protocol

    1. DOC 1.5 standard

    2. YAWC extensions

    3. ABC extensions

    4. Future extensions

  2. Graphical interfaces

    1. X11R6

    2. GNUStep

    3. GNOME

    4. KDE

    5. PalmOS

    6. Win32

  3. BBS experience-enhancing features

    1. Ignore/highlight lists

    2. Encryption

    3. Separated X-message conversation spaces

    4. Searchable content archive

Project Success Factors

  1. The interface is useful.

  2. The interface is attractive.

  3. The feature set enhances BBS communication.

  4. Someone determines a use for six levels of zoom.