Proceedings of the 7th Annual
Federal Depository Library Conference
April 20 - 23, 1998
Cover/Title Page | Table of Contents | Agenda
The Federal Bulletin Board
Helpful Hints in Its Use
Catrena Hairston
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC
James M. Mauldin
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC
About the FBBS
- Accessible via: Telnet, FTP, WWW, or Modem
- Provides immediate, self-service access to Federal electronic information. Participating Federal agencies add files remotely, ensuring that their latest official information is available.
- Offers single files in a variety of formats
- A component of GPO Access, it existed prior to the 1993 law (P.L. 103-40). Senate report 103-27 incorporated it into GPO Access.
Background & History
1989 Started under Project HERMES: Supreme Court opinions placed online
1992 Reworked to deliver files for fee via the Federal Bulletin Board. Files were priced based on file size. All users needed a password, and account approval.
12/95 All GPO Access products were made free to the public. Nov 1995, Internet access offered.
5/96 FBBS made available via the Web
Features
- Some agencies use it to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. (Example, MSPB Summaries)
- Provides modem access to all levels - supports speeds of 300 - 33,600 BPS
- Internet - FTP, Telnet, WWW
- Supports GPO Access with source files, sample questions and helpful hints
- Quick way to make information available via the Web; can also be a secure way
- Alternative way to meet employee needs - e.g., forwarding e-mail; file sharing
Who Uses the FBBS?
Organizations and/or individuals who:
- Do not need (or do not have) real-time connectivity to the Internet (or a modem).
- Need a quick, inexpensive way to deliver (or retrieve) a single, downloadable file
- Download files and exchange/or post messages
FBBS Customers
- Federal Depository Libraries
Shipping Lists, List of Classes, Profiles Database
Library Programs Service (LPS)
Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Top 15 File Libraries, FY 1998
| Agency or POC | Library | Total |
| GPO/LPS | shiplist | 14,508 |
| MSPB | mspbfree | 10,740 |
| MSPB | mspb_97 | 10,571 |
| OGE | oge_daeo | 3,180 |
| MSPB | mspb_dec | 2,598 |
| MSPB | mspb_96 | 2,540 |
| GPO/LPS | mfich97 | 2,477 |
| FLRA | flra_syn | 2,337 |
| FLRA | flra_dec | 2,239 |
| GPO/LP | shipl97 | 2,132 |
| GPO/LPS | paper | 2,103 |
| GPO/HCFA | hcfa_fr | 1,990 |
| GPO/EPA | 40_cfr | 1,921 |
| FLRA | recent | 1,753 |
| GPO/LPS | class | 1,675 |
Helpful Hints
- Contact the SYSOP with problems with the system - connecting, downloading, etc.
- Contact the agency representative or library operator with questions or problems or questions about file content
- Refer to available online guides about adding helpers, readers, etc., to Web browsers
- New software version offers an online keyword search capability
Access to the FBBS
Dial-up: (202) 512-1398 -- Settings: 8, N, 1
Telnet: fedbbs.access.gpo.gov
FTP: fedbbs.access.gpo.gov
WWW: http://fedbbs.access.gpo.gov
User Support
- GPO Access User Support Team:
Local: (202) 512-1530
Toll-free: (888) 293-6498
Fax: (202) 512-1262
E-mail: gpoaccess@gpo.gov
Hours: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding all Federal holidays
Summary
- A component of GPO Access (Public Law 103-40)
- Existed since 1990 (prior to GPO Access)
- Systems Operator (SYSOP) - Catrena Hairston, (202) 512-1607
E-mail: chairston@gpo.gov
- LPS Library Operator - James Mauldin, (202) 512-1698
E-mail: jmauldin@gpo.gov
- User Support - Provided by the GPO Access User Support Team
E-mail: gpoaccess@gpo.gov
Toll-free: (888) 293-6498
Local: (202) 512-1530
Cover/Title Page | Table of Contents | Agenda
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