-=> Quoting Darryl Perry to All <=-

 DP> I am considering opening a new BBS, one that is adult oriented.  I
 DP> know that there are alot of long-time sysops who read this echo, so I
 DP> thought I'd pick your brains on the right-way/wrong-way of doing such a
 DP> thing.  I want to protect myself as much as possible.

 DP> I've been sysoping for 15 years, and except for my first 2-3 years of
 DP> doing so, I never offered any adult material.  I was just flying under
 DP> the radar then, didn't give a lot of attention to the news about the
 DP> Rusty and Eddie debacle.

 DP> Anyways, what are your thoughts on the best way to ensure that all the
 DP> users are of appropriate age and such?

     Well problem is the market.  Is there enough demand just for
     this niche.  A decade ago I'd say yes.  If your going for
     mostly adult folks they tend to be on no bbses in the
     first place like porn sites :)  Its clear the day of specialized
     boards is gone.  To meet the low supply of users one must
     diversify into general areas.  Course with that said.  Give
     it a try.  Who knows.  You could always advertise in adult
     oriented places like adult porn sites or adult magazines.

     Personally I never covered the stuff.  Never liked much of it.
     See one movie see them all kinda thing :).  I specialize
     in other areas.  I have covered adult echos though but those
     are tame compared to some out there.

     As to protecting.  Theres call back doors that require caller
     ID and some form of id like a mailed in or faxed ID proof
     of age.  There might be porn site type verifiers out there for
     bbses as well.  The honor sysem is always out there but you
     can cover yourself with a good disclaimer or two on the board.

     Legal wise as long as you have enough disclaimer that the user
     says he is 18 then that's fine.  Course you should check with
     your state laws and a lawyer if you have one.  If you carry
     just plain old porn then you should not even be cared abo
     to get into trouble.  Its when you carry things like child porn
     which I know you won't or som ultra stuff (rape, animals, gore, etc.)
     You might get attention.  I do recall the Rusty stuff.  Boy that's
     been a long time.  I forgot the details though.  

                                             
     You won't be able to get away with charging like bbses did
     a decade ago for porn.  Why should a user pay you money when
     they can go to any porn site for free.  No.  It should be
     unique stuff like exclusive material, adult cartoons or adult
     oriented echomail areas that are more fun than spam oriented
     Newsgroups.

     Good luck.
         
... "There a threat to Humanity, and they always will be." -
Richard Frank  
--- Fringe BBS