Knowledge (XXG)

Bulletin board system

Source 📝

1231:. Small BBSes copied each file individually to their hard drive. Some systems used a CD-ROM drive to make the files available. Advanced BBSes used Multiple CD-ROM disc changer units that switched 6 CD-ROM disks on demand for the caller(s). Large systems used all 26 DOS drive letters with multi-disk changers housing tens of thousands of copyright-free shareware or freeware files available to all callers. These BBSes were generally more family-friendly, avoiding the seedier side of BBSes. Access to these systems varied from single to multiple modem lines with some requiring little or no confirmed registration. 1743: 38: 274: 358: 1467:. The front-end mailer would conduct the periodic FidoNet transfers, while the mail processor would usually run just before and just after the mailer ran. This program would scan for and pack up new outgoing messages, and then unpack, sort and "toss" the incoming messages into a BBS user's local email box or into the BBS's local message bases reserved for Echomail. As such, these mail processors were commonly called "scanner/tosser/packers". 385:
the most basic modems. The Smartmodem could pick up the phone, dial numbers, and hang up again, all without any operator intervention. The Smartmodem was not necessary for BBS use but made overall operation dramatically simpler. It also improved usability for the caller, as most terminal software allowed different phone numbers to be stored and dialed on command, allowing the user to easily connect to a series of systems.
1122: 1362: 1448:
per day, some even to multiple nodes or hubs, and as such, transfers usually occurred at night or in the early morning when toll rates were lowest. In Fido's heyday, sending a Netmail message to a user on a distant FidoNet node, or participating in an Echomail discussion could take days, especially if any FidoNet nodes or hubs in the message's route only made one transfer call per day.
490: 1305:(which folded in 1996) were admired for their close, friendly communities and quality discussion forums. However, many free BBSes also maintained close communities, and some even had annual or bi-annual events where users would travel great distances to meet face-to-face with their on-line friends. These events were especially popular with BBSes that offered 686: 526:. It used a standardized set of icons to indicate mouse driven commands available online and to recognize different filetypes present on BBS storage media. It was capable of transmitting data like images, audio files, and audio clips between users linked to the same BBS or off-line if the BBS was in the circuit of the FidoNet organization. 1522:
a small dish and receiver, a constant downstream of thousands of FidoNet and Usenet newsgroups could be received. The local BBS only needed to upload new outgoing messages via the modem network back to the satellite service. This method drastically reduced phone data transfers while dramatically increasing the number of message forums.
373:. Internal modems like the ones used by CBBS and similar early systems were usable, but generally expensive due to the manufacturer having to make a different modem for every computer platform they wanted to target. They were also limited to those computers with internal expansion, and could not be used with other useful platforms like 969: 701:, BBS computers (especially for smaller boards) were typically operated from the system operator's home. As such, access could be unreliable, and in many cases, only one user could be on the system at a time. Only larger BBSes with multiple phone lines using specialized hardware, multitasking software, or a 245:. But users found ways to express themselves outside these bounds, and the system spontaneously created stories, poetry and other forms of communications. The system was expensive to operate, and when their host machine became unavailable and a new one could not be found, the system closed in January 1975. 931:
with low-bandwidth applications that required its own client for efficiency. This led to one of the earliest implementations of Electronic Commerce in 1996 with replication of partner stores around the globe. TCP/IP networking allowed most of the remaining BBSes to evolve and include Internet hosting
593:
allowed them to contact services around the world. In comparison, BBS systems relied on a direct point-to-point connection, so even dialing multiple local systems required multiple phone calls. Internet protocols also allowed a single connection to be used to contact multiple services simultaneously;
1521:
As the volume of FidoNet Mail increased and newsgroups from the early days of the Internet became available, satellite data downstream services became viable for larger systems. The satellite service provided access to FidoNet and Usenet newsgroups in large volumes at a reasonable fee. By connecting
1246:
materials, and other questionable or unlawful content. These BBSes often had multiple modems and phone lines, allowing several users to upload and download files at once. Most elite BBSes used some form of new user verification, where new users would have to apply for membership and attempt to prove
1012:
COCONET, a BBS system made by Coconut Computing, Inc., was released in 1988 and only supported a GUI (no text interface was initially available but eventually became available around 1990), and worked in EGA/VGA graphics mode, which made it stand out from text-based BBS systems. COCONET's bitmap and
517:
became very popular. FirstClass offered a host of features that would be difficult or impossible under a terminal-based solution, including bi-directional information flow and non-blocking operation that allowed the user to exchange files in both directions while continuing to use the message system
312:
modems were much more expensive than asynchronous modems. A number of modems of this sort were available by the late 1970s. This made the BBS possible for the first time, as it allowed software on the computer to pick up an incoming call, communicate with the user, and then hang up the call when the
292:
to handle telephone operation. The user would pick up the phone, dial a number, then press the handset into rubber cups on the top of the modem. Disconnecting at the end of a call required the user to pick up the handset and return it to the phone. Examples of direct-connecting modems did exist, and
497:
Through the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was considerable experimentation with ways to develop user-friendly interfaces for BBSes. Almost every popular system used ANSI-based color menus to make reading easier on capable hardware and terminal emulators, and most also allowed cursor commands to
1595:
games were distributed as shareware. The Internet has largely erased the distinction of shareware – most users now download the software directly from the developer's website rather than receiving it from another BBS user "sharing" it. Today, shareware often refers to electronically
1447:
session. Messages would be relayed around various FidoNet hubs until they were eventually delivered to their destination. The hierarchy of FidoNet BBS nodes, hubs, and zones was maintained in a routing table called a Nodelist. Some larger BBSes or regional FidoNet hubs would make several transfers
384:
to implement a system that examined the data flowing into the modem from the host computer, watching for certain command strings. This allowed commands to be sent to and from the modem using the same data pins as all the rest of the data, meaning it would work on any system that could support even
240:
after inserting a coin, and offered a "pure" bulletin board experience with public messages only (no email or other features). It did offer the ability to tag messages with keywords, which the user could use in searches. The system acted primarily in the form of a buy and sell system with the tags
2252:
Since acquiring the venerable Hermes Macintosh BBS program last Spring, new owner Lloyd Woodall of Computer Classifieds has developed a major upgrade package. Programmer Robert Rebbun has added over 70 new features and enhancements to this widely used program that now supports color ANSI graphic
1422:
Most early BBSes operated as individual systems. Information contained on that BBS never left the system, and users would only interact with the information and user community on that BBS alone. However, as BBSes became more widespread, there evolved a desire to connect systems together to share
1109:
to allow changing colors on demand, provide cursor control and screen formatting, and even basic musical tones. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, most BBSes used ANSI to make elaborate welcome screens, and colorized menus, and thus, ANSI support was a sought-after feature in terminal client
1222:
In the early days, the file download library consisted of files that the system operators obtained themselves from other BBSes and friends. Many BBSes inspected every file uploaded to their public file download library to ensure that the material did not violate copyright law. As time went on,
984:
character set. However, some home computer manufacturers extended the ASCII character set to take advantage of the advanced color and graphics capabilities of their systems. BBS software authors included these extended character sets in their software, and terminal program authors included the
388:
The introduction of the Smartmodem led to the first real wave of BBS systems. Limited in both speed and storage capacity, these systems were normally dedicated solely to messaging, both private email and public forums. File transfers were extremely slow at these speeds, and file libraries were
1273:
Some general-purpose Bulletin Board Systems had special levels of access that were given to those who paid extra money, uploaded useful files or knew the system operator personally. These specialty and pay BBSes usually had something unique to offer their users, such as large file libraries,
389:
typically limited to text files containing lists of other BBS systems. These systems attracted a particular type of user who used the BBS as a unique type of communications medium, and when these local systems were crowded from the market in the 1990s, their loss was lamented for many years.
2327:
Skypix is a way of sending graphics, fonts, brushes, and (soon) sound samples over the phone line via modem. It is an extension of ANSI that takes advantage of the Amiga's graphic power. ... At this writing (May 24) most of the systems listed will still be running Atredes 1.0, a much less
377:. External modems were available for these platforms but required the phone to be dialed using a conventional handset. Internal modems could be software-controlled to perform both outbound and inbound calls, but external modems had only the data pins to communicate with the host system. 1000:
The use of these custom character sets was generally incompatible between manufacturers. Unless a caller was using terminal emulation software written for, and running on, the same type of system as the BBS, the session would simply fall back to simple ASCII output. For example, a
564:, which in turn increased demand for faster modems. 14.4 kbit/s modems were standard for a number of years while various companies attempted to introduce non-standard systems with higher performance – normally about 19.2 kbit/s. Another delay followed due to a long 676:
In the 2000s, most traditional BBS systems migrated to the Internet using Telnet or SSH protocols. As of September 2022, between 900 and 1000 are thought to be active via the Internet  – fewer than 30 of these being of the traditional "dial-up" (modem) variety.
1269:
run by a manufacturer of computer products or software. These boards were dedicated to supporting users of the company's products with question and answer forums, news and updates, and downloads. Most of them were not a free call. Today, these services have moved to the Web.
1599:
Many commercial BBS software companies that continue to support their old BBS software products switched to the shareware model or made it entirely free. Some companies were able to make the move to the Internet and provide commercial products with BBS capabilities.
588:
These developments together resulted in the sudden obsolescence of bulletin board technology in 1995 and the collapse of its supporting market. Technically, Internet service offered an enormous advantage over BBS systems, as a single connection to the user's
580:
could access the protocol suite more quickly than with slower modems. Dial-up Internet service became widely available in the mid-1990s to the general public outside of universities and research laboratories, and connectivity was included in most general-use
2357:
Skyline BBS, for the Amiga, was originally marketed under the name 'Atredes BBS'. ... It was, BTW, cool software which allowed for plain text, ANSI graphics, as well as a proprietary graphical point and click 'SkyPix' UI using special terminal software
428:. By the late 1980s, many BBS systems had significant file libraries, and this gave rise to leeching – users calling BBSes solely for their files. These users would use the modem for some time, leaving less time for other users, who got 1434:
network. Private email (Netmail), public message boards (Echomail) and eventually even file attachments on a FidoNet-capable BBS would be bundled into one or more archive files over a set time interval. These archive files were then compressed with
571:
These increasing speeds had the side effect of dramatically reducing the noticeable effects of channel efficiency. When modems were slow, considerable effort was put into developing the most efficient protocols and display systems possible.
1470:
Many other BBS networks followed the example of FidoNet, using the same standards and the same software. These were called FidoNet Technology Networks (FTNs). They were usually smaller and targeted at selected audiences. Some networks used
458:. While this gave the market a bad reputation, it also led to its greatest success. During the early 1990s, there were a number of mid-sized software companies dedicated to BBS software, and the number of BBSes in service reached its peak. 868:. In the late 1980s, a handful of BBS developers implemented multitasking communications routines inside their software, allowing multiple phone lines and users to connect to the same BBS computer. These included Galacticomm's 518:
and chat, all in separate windows. Will Price's "Hermes", released in 1988, combined a familiar PC style with Macintosh GUI interface. (Hermes was already "venerable" by 1994 although the Hermes II release remained popular.)
340:. The system came into existence largely through a fortuitous combination of Christensen having a spare S-100 bus computer and an early Hayes internal modem, and Suess's insistence that the machine be placed at his house in 348:
his local computer club used to post information like "need a ride". CBBS officially went online on 16 February 1978. CBBS, which kept a count of callers, reportedly connected 253,301 callers before it was finally retired.
1155:, is Web-enabled, and the traditional text interface has been replaced (or operates concurrently) with a Web-based user interface. For those more nostalgic for the true BBS experience, one can use NetSerial (Windows) or 252:
users, which might be considered a sort of ultra-local BBS when used in this fashion. Commercial systems, expressly intended to offer these features to the public, became available in the late 1970s and formed the
1194:
As the BBS phenomenon grew, so did the popularity of special interest boards. Bulletin Board Systems could be found for almost every hobby and interest. Popular interests included politics, religion, music,
435:
This also gave rise to a new class of BBS systems, dedicated solely to file upload and downloads. These systems charged for access, typically a flat monthly fee, compared to the per-hour fees charged by
2278:
The BBS system chosen was Hermes (Price F & Yount Ralph, 1991), a character-based popular billboard system running on the Mac, but accessible from any computer system with VT100 terminal emulation.
505:
A number of systems also made forays into GUI-based interfaces, either using character graphics sent from the host, or using custom GUI-based terminal systems. The latter initially appeared on the
168:
and tens of thousands of BBSes disappeared. Today, BBSing survives largely as a nostalgic hobby in most parts of the world, but it is still a popular form of communication for Taiwanese youth (see
634:
became mainstream. BBSes rapidly declined in popularity thereafter, and were replaced by systems using the Internet for connectivity. Some of the larger commercial BBSes, such as MaxMegabyte and
2146:
The Computerized Hobbyist Bulletin Board System ... was conceived, designed, built, programmed, tested, and installed in a 30 day period (January 16, 1978 to February 16, 1978) by the two of us.
160:
offered ease of use and global access that BBS and online systems did not provide, and led to a rapid crash in the market starting in late 1994 to early 1995. Over the next year, many of the
1451:
FidoNet was platform-independent and would work with any BBS that was written to use it. BBSes that did not have integrated FidoNet capability could usually add it using an external FidoNet
860:
MS-DOS continued to be the most popular operating system for BBS use up until the mid-1990s, and in the early years, most multi-node BBSes were running under a DOS based multitasker such as
475:
which devoted extensive coverage of the software and technology innovations and people behind them, and listings to US and worldwide BBSes. In addition, in the US, a major monthly magazine,
2884: 1727:
A "yell for SysOp" page caller side menu item that sounded an audible alarm to the system operator. If chosen, the system operator could then initiate a text-to-text chat with the caller.
533:, essentially a picture description system, which remained relatively obscure. Probably the ultimate development of this style of operation was the dynamic page implementation of the 2130: 1525:
FidoNet is still in use today, though in a much smaller form, and many Echomail groups are still shared with Usenet via FidoNet to Usenet gateways. Widespread abuse of Usenet with
405:, giving way to 2400 bit/s fairly rapidly. The improved performance led to a substantial increase in BBS popularity. Most of the information was displayed using ordinary 529:
On the PC, efforts were more oriented to extensions of the original terminal concept, with the GUI being described in the information on the host. One example was the
293:
these often allowed the host computer to send it commands to answer or hang up calls, but these were very expensive devices used by large banks and similar companies.
145:
estimated that there were 60,000 BBSes serving 17 million users in the United States alone in 1994, a collective market much larger than major online services such as
3116: 3141: 2633: 308:, it became possible for the modem to communicate instructions and data on separate lines. These machines typically only supported asynchronous communications, and 2877: 1191:
Since most early BBSes were run by computer hobbyists, content was largely technical, with user communities revolving around hardware and software discussions.
1144:
which was capable of giving the user a complete graphical interface, featuring rich graphics, changeable fonts, mouse-controlled actions, animations and sound.
708:
The first BBSes each used their own unique software, quite often written entirely or at least customized by the system operators themselves, running on early
2073: 2596: 2179: 1005:
user calling an Atari BBS would use ASCII rather than the native character set of either. As time progressed, most terminal programs began using the
3126: 2870: 673:
film that chronicles the history of the BBS and features interviews with well-known people (mostly from the United States) from the heyday BBS era.
1430:
As is it was prohibitively expensive for the hobbyist system operator to have a dedicated connection to another system, FidoNet was developed as a
420:
There was a lengthy delay before 9600 bit/s models began to appear on the market. 9600 bit/s was not even established as a strong standard before
2658: 1383: 2315: 328:, members of the Chicago Area Computer Hobbyists' Exchange (CACHE). According to an early interview, when Chicago was snowed under during the 2689: 1207:
in which they customized their entire BBS (welcome screens, prompts, menus, and so on) to reflect that theme. Common themes were based on
2119: 2626: 2328:
sophisticated system than 1.1. ... ATREDES, SKYPIX, and SKYPAINT are Copyright © 1988, 1989 Michael Cox. All rights reserved worldwide.
1239: 333: 1159:(Windows/*nix) to redirect DOS COM port software to telnet, allowing them to connect to Telnet BBSes using 1980s and 1990s era modem 2538: 2519: 2478: 2459: 2440: 2421: 1409: 534: 941: 424:
at 14.4 kbit/s took over in the early 1990s. This period also saw the rapid rise in capacity and a dramatic drop in the price of
309: 1254:
The largest elite boards accepted users by invitation only. Elite boards also spawned their own subculture and gave rise to the
3106: 2893: 849:
and Tempest. There was also a small faction of devoted Atari BBSes that used the Atari 800, then the 800XL, and eventually the
2051:"COMPUTERS FOR THEIR OWN SAKE: From the Dompier Music to the 1980 Computer Faire - An Interview with Lee Felsenstein (Part 2)" 2017:"CONVIVIAL CYBERNETIC DEVICES: From Vacuum Tube Flip-Flops to the Singing Altair - An Interview with Lee Felsenstein (Part 1)" 2797: 2653: 2619: 1944: 1787: 1387: 877: 477: 116:, allowing users to interact with each other. Bulletin board systems were in many ways a precursor to the modern form of the 1495: 1452: 897: 442:
and most online services. Many third-party services were developed to support these systems, offering simple credit card
3101: 2929: 2732: 1317: 370: 366: 3042: 1372: 1312:
Some of the BBSes that provided access to illegal content faced opposition. On July 12, 1985, in conjunction with a
1022: 568:
standards process before 28.8 kbit/s was released, only to be quickly replaced by 33.6 kbit/s, and then 56 kbit/s.
129: 1990: 1391: 1376: 2939: 2050: 2016: 639: 590: 169: 121: 3121: 2999: 2694: 1294: 1038: 977: 414: 90: 2091: 782:) were the first notable MS-DOS BBS programs. Many successful commercial BBS programs were developed, such as 2952: 2742: 1969: 1026: 530: 258: 153: 31: 2176: 655:
contains over 105,000 BBSes that have existed over a span of 20 years in North America alone. The owner of
2924: 2919: 2914: 1822: 1584: 873: 545: 329: 242: 218: 177: 1029:(RIP) emerged and was promoted by Telegrafix in the early to mid-1990s but it never became widespread. A 846: 221:
neighborhoods. The poor quality of the original modem connecting the terminals to the mainframe prompted
1200: 1061: 912: 822: 755: 740: 1329: 985:
ability to display them when a compatible system was called. Atari's native character set was known as
273: 85:
software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging messages with other users through public
37: 2369: 1742: 3111: 2809: 2345: 1782: 1628: 1168: 665: 660: 607: 206: 161: 157: 70: 502:
to make menu navigation simpler, a feature that would not re-appear on the Web until decades later.
3017: 2246: 2160: 1777: 884:
and Opus, with some associated applications such as BinkleyTerm being based on characters from the
181: 2573: 1121: 1091:
in addition to or instead of proprietary terminal control codes, e.g., color, cursor positioning.
3131: 2701: 1911: 603: 438: 249: 230: 214: 344:
where it would be a local phone call for more users. Christensen patterned the system after the
826: 817:, largely because they catered to the audience of users running those machines. The ubiquitous 357: 213:
did not exist at that time, and modems were both expensive and slow. Community Memory ran on a
3032: 3012: 3007: 2909: 2711: 2534: 2515: 2474: 2455: 2436: 2417: 2388: 2065: 2031: 1965: 1812: 1658: 1526: 1511: 1472: 1440: 1436: 1431: 1345: 1320:
Sheriff's department raided and seized The Private Sector BBS, which was the official BBS for
1313: 1204: 1160: 901: 885: 821:(introduced in 1982) was a common platform in the 1980s. Popular commercial BBS programs were 614:. In comparison, a connection to a BBS allowed access only to the information on that system. 582: 237: 2266: 112:
in which users could compete with each other. BBSes with multiple phone lines often provided
3054: 2826: 2737: 2727: 2569: 2161:
Collection of Memories of writing and running the first BBS by Ward Christensen (Circa 1992)
1861: 1551:
movement was started via user distribution of software through BBSes. A notable example was
1515: 1487: 1464: 561: 541: 443: 321: 289: 277: 222: 202: 74: 1336:, was raided by the FBI in January 1993 for trading unlicensed software, and later sued by 3136: 2183: 2096: 1797: 1748: 1341: 1137: 1106: 1073: 1042: 1041:, it never gained popularity in the BBS market. There were several GUI-based BBSes on the 1037:
was also considered, and although it became the underlying graphics technology behind the
1014: 694: 577: 549: 523: 398: 381: 226: 66: 626:
Nodelist, BBSes reached their peak usage around 1996, which was the same period that the
1567:
and other popular archivers now use); also other concepts of software distribution like
560:
The demand for complex ANSI and ASCII screens and larger file transfers taxed available
461:
Towards the early 1990s, BBS became so popular that it spawned three monthly magazines,
2967: 2836: 2508: 2410: 2341: 1878: 1772: 1333: 1211:, or were intended to give the user the illusion of being somewhere else, such as in a 1196: 1110:
programs. The development of ANSI art became so popular that it spawned an entire BBS "
1099: 803: 651:
serves as an archive that documents the history of the BBS. The historical BBS list on
627: 374: 254: 136: 117: 86: 2267:"COOCOM: New ways of using Information Technology for buildings design and management" 498:
offer command-line recall and similar features. Another common feature was the use of
261:, which had thousands of users by the late 1970s, many of whom used the messaging and 17: 3095: 3075: 3037: 3022: 2803: 1807: 1691: 1652: 1325: 928: 881: 814: 744: 732: 712: 647: 599: 297: 210: 2149: 432:. The resulting upheaval eliminated many of the pioneering message-centric systems. 2846: 2841: 2684: 2129:. Vol. 3, no. 11. Peterborough, NH: Byte Publications. pp. 150–157. 1580: 1572: 1176: 1148: 1018: 1002: 994: 945: 905: 889: 818: 791: 787: 775: 499: 447: 185: 2862: 1730:
Primitive social networking features, such as leaving messages on a user's profile
731:
operating system. Soon after, BBS software was being written for all of the major
481:, carried a list of BBSes along with a brief abstract of each of their offerings. 2412:
Encyclopedia of New Media: An Essential Reference to Communication and Technology
1498:, such as UFGATE, by which members could send and receive e-mail to and from the 837:. In the early 1990s, a small number of BBSes were also running on the Commodore 762:
soon became the operating system on which the majority of BBS programs were run.
2904: 2851: 2831: 2241: 1936: 1687: 1588: 1530: 1423:
messages and files with distant systems and users. The largest such network was
1361: 1279: 1216: 1081: 716: 698: 552:
add-on presenting a complete menu system individually customized for each user.
429: 325: 265:
features of the system in the same way that would later become common on BBSes.
2564: 1147:
Today, most BBS software that is still actively supported, such as Worldgroup,
1064:
for use with their modems, optionally allowed for color and graphics using the
454:
were filled with ads for single-click install solutions dedicated to these new
2977: 2790: 1767: 1738: 1298: 1212: 1180: 1152: 1115: 1103: 1088: 1050: 1046: 952:
protocol rather than dialup, or by using legacy DOS-based BBS software with a
937: 933: 920: 854: 842: 720: 635: 611: 565: 514: 510: 463: 425: 345: 165: 146: 98: 2386:
Doran, Tim (1996-03-20). "Man Says Kiddie Porno Made Computer Site Popular".
2069: 2035: 2989: 2972: 2679: 2597:
The Lost Civilization of Dial-Up Bulletin Board Systems (The Atlantic, 2016)
1874: 1817: 1592: 1560: 1552: 1548: 1542: 1456: 1306: 1283: 1243: 1224: 1057: 834: 709: 506: 301: 262: 257:
market that lasted into the 1990s. One particularly influential example was
141: 113: 2433:
The Columbia Reader on Lesbians and Gay Men in Media, Society, and Politics
2198: 1991:"Thinking Chinese - Chinese BBS – The Social Activity that Never Grows Old" 537:
BBS (USCBBS) by Susan Biddlecomb, which predated the implementation of the
489: 1624:
One or more phone lines, with more allowing for increased concurrent users
288:
Early modems were generally either expensive or very simple devices using
3049: 2768: 2674: 2611: 1762: 1757: 1698: 1613: 1576: 1568: 1533:
has led to many of these FidoNet gateways to cease operation completely.
1499: 1476: 1460: 1321: 1287: 1111: 1095: 1069: 1065: 1030: 869: 861: 850: 799: 795: 736: 724: 410: 305: 125: 109: 82: 42: 2606: 1443:
and forwarded to (or polled by) another nearby node or hub via a dialup
1021:, and the graphics capabilities were based on what was available in the 1009:
standard, but could use their native character set if it was available.
685: 598:
library while checking the weather on a local news website. Even with a
2957: 2773: 2763: 2199:
Chips 'n' Bits : the Northern Territory Computer Users' newsletter
1802: 1792: 1480: 1424: 1337: 1302: 1208: 1077: 1068:
based graphics mode available on that platform. Other systems used the
990: 986: 957: 830: 783: 779: 767: 763: 705:
connecting multiple computers, could host multiple simultaneous users.
623: 446:
gateways for the payment of monthly fees, and entire file libraries on
421: 341: 317: 94: 3027: 2962: 2747: 1827: 1721: 1717: 1670: 1666: 1662: 1564: 1507: 1491: 1444: 1228: 1172: 1156: 1141: 1034: 953: 949: 759: 748: 573: 519: 455: 173: 78: 2510:
Christians in a .Com World: Getting Connected Without Being Consumed
2431:
Gross, Larry P.; Woods, James D.; Woods, Professor James D. (1999).
544:. A complete Dynamic web page implementation was accomplished using 365:
A key innovation required for the popularization of the BBS was the
361:
The 300 baud Smartmodem led to an initial wave of early BBS systems.
1510:. Elaborate schemes allowed users to download binary files, search 1459:, BinkleyTerm, InterMail or D'Bridge, and a mail processor such as 911:
By 1995, many of the DOS-based BBSes had begun switching to modern
2947: 2706: 2216: 1848: 1634: 1619: 1556: 1275: 1255: 1249: 1235: 1164: 1130: 1120: 1006: 981: 967: 924: 893: 838: 684: 488: 406: 402: 356: 272: 132: 102: 36: 2588: – Collection of historical BBS documents, files and history 2560: 697:
that are typically hosted by third-party companies in commercial
3080: 3070: 2290: 1506:, and many FidoNet discussion groups were shared via gateway to 1503: 1259: 968: 916: 807: 728: 538: 337: 281: 2866: 2615: 2579: 1710:
Internet email (more common in later Internet-connected BBSes)
1583:
like Red Ryder for the Macintosh first appeared on BBS sites.
1355: 993:. PETSCII was also supported by the nationwide online service 865: 702: 670: 631: 595: 1720:
access over the Internet using a telnet server and a virtual
2555: 2092:"Jack Rickard, editor of Boardwatch magazine, saw it coming" 1084:
whom were busy giving away modems with their subscriptions.
1238:, or pirate boards, were exclusively used for distributing 450:
that made initial setup very easy. Early 1990s editions of
77:. Once logged in, the user could perform functions such as 1684:
Statistics on message posters, top uploaders / downloaders
1678:
Live viewing of all caller activity by the system operator
813:
BBS systems on other systems remained popular, especially
236:
Community Memory allowed the user to type messages into a
1017:
and support for multiple type fonts were inspired by the
857:
capabilities, which limited them primarily to messaging.
2592:
The BBS organization (longest running bbs services site)
2585: 2488:
University of Michigan (October 1989 – September 1994),
1297:
and Echo NYC (now Internet forums rather than dial-up),
1227:
CD-ROMs were sold with up to thousands of files on each
184:. Some offer access through packet switched networks or 2601: 2506:
Gene Edward Veith, Jr; Stamper, Christopher L. (2000).
1486:
Before commercial Internet access became common, these
1179:. Modern 32-bit terminal emulators such as mTelnet and 927:. One of the first graphics-based BBS applications was 217:
and was accessed through terminals located in several
2591: 1864:
programmed) was about 20,000 lines of 8080 assembler.
1087:
Over time, terminal manufacturers started to support
2064:(2). Computer History Association of California: 8. 2030:(1). Computer History Association of California: 2. 1053:, but these were mostly confined to the Mac market. 413:, but a number of systems attempted character-based 201:
A precursor to the public bulletin board system was
73:
that allowed users to connect to the system using a
3063: 2998: 2938: 2819: 2782: 2756: 2720: 2667: 1707:
Multi-user chat (only possible on multi-line BBSes)
980:-based, and early BBSes conversed using the simple 864:or consisted of multiple computers connected via a 735:systems of the late 1970s era – the 2507: 2409: 1344:, a 21-year-old man was charged with distributing 1247:that they were not a law enforcement officer or a 380:Hayes' solution to the problem was to use a small 2118:Christensen, Ward; Suess, Randy (November 1978). 233:, whose design was influential in the mid-1970s. 1657:Uploading and downloading of message packets in 1340:for copyright infringement in November 1997. In 841:. Popular BBS software for the Amiga were ABBS, 1694:or only a single active player at a given time) 892:. Though most BBS software had been written in 93:. In the early 1980s, message networks such as 1937:"FidoNet: Technology, Use, Tools, and History" 585:by default as Internet access became popular. 2878: 2627: 2120:"Hobbyist Computerized Bulletin Board System" 1596:distributed software from a small developer. 1490:of BBSes provided regional and international 1094:The most popular form of online graphics was 976:BBSes were generally text-based, rather than 397:Speed improved with the introduction of 1200 8: 248:Similar functionality was available to most 172:). Most surviving BBSes are accessible over 1390:. Unsourced material may be challenged and 932:capabilities. Recent BBS software, such as 806:, which both had early origins from leaked 417:which began to be practical at 2400 bit/s. 97:were developed to provide services such as 2885: 2871: 2863: 2634: 2620: 2612: 908:language was starting to gain popularity. 280:holds an expansion card from the original 1410:Learn how and when to remove this message 900:(with some low-level routines written in 241:taking the place of the more traditional 176:and typically offer free email accounts, 1102:character set's blocks and symbols with 853:. The earlier machines generally lacked 332:, the two began preliminary work on the 1899: 1851:, but that was not economically viable. 1840: 1203:. Many system operators also adopted a 989:, while most Commodore BBSes supported 594:for example, downloading files from an 556:Rise of the Internet and decline of BBS 3142:Computer-related introductions in 1978 2659:List of bulletin board system software 1494:and message bases. Some even provided 1483:used non-Fido software and standards. 972:Welcome screen of Neon#2 BBS (Tornado) 2136:from the original on January 28, 2018 1265:Another common type of board was the 1025:library. A competing approach called 602:, it was possible to multitask using 101:, which is similar to internet-based 7: 2570:BBSmates community and resource site 2090:Zelchenko, Peter (30 October 1998). 1905: 1903: 1847:Technically they could have used an 1388:adding citations to reliable sources 1072:protocols made popular in the UK by 1060:based OBBS software, available from 1644:The BBS software usually provides: 1136:software in 1988 featured a script 576:ran slowly over 1200 bit/s modems. 139:and BBSes through the early 1990s. 3117:Pre–World Wide Web online services 2602:Color64 - official project website 2582:(BBSes available via the Internet) 2240:Gram-Reefer, Bill (January 1994). 1080:service, and the on-line magazine 334:Computerized Bulletin Board System 205:, which started in August 1973 in 25: 2253:menus in addition to ASCII menus. 2177:"File Sponges, the BBS nightmare" 1910:Derfler Jr., Frank (1980-04-01). 689:Amiga 3000 running a two-line BBS 535:University of Southern California 2607:Color64 documentation - OasisBBS 2370:This Day in Geek History: July12 2079:from the original on 2022-10-09. 1916:Kilobaud Microcomputing Magazine 1741: 1360: 751:being some of the most popular. 393:Higher speeds, commercialization 152:The introduction of inexpensive 3127:Computer-mediated communication 2894:Computer-mediated communication 1947:from the original on 2003-12-03 1518:, all using plain-text e-mail. 1348:through his BBS in March 1996. 1183:include native telnet support. 300:with expansion slots, like the 59:computer bulletin board service 2654:List of bulletin board systems 1788:List of bulletin board systems 1140:communication protocol called 956:-to-Telnet redirector such as 770:over from the CP/M world, and 162:leading BBS software providers 1: 2529:Pippen, Patrick (July 2004). 2471:Going On-Line with Your Micro 2435:. Columbia University Press. 2342:"An Overview of BBS Programs" 2049:Crosby, Kip (February 1996). 2015:Crosby, Kip (November 1995). 1125:BBS ANSI Login Screen example 522:featured on Amiga a complete 471:, and in Asia and Australia, 128:. Low-cost, high-performance 2930:Virtual learning environment 2291:"The TEXTFILES.COM BBS List" 1514:, and interact with distant 1318:Middlesex County, New Jersey 371:Hayes Microcomputer Products 3043:Voice chat in online gaming 2265:Modin, Jörgen (June 1995). 1704:Usage auditing capabilities 1701:to third-party online games 1328:at the time. The notorious 1215:, wizard's castle, or on a 948:, provide access using the 915:operating systems, such as 880:. Other popular BBS's were 693:Unlike modern websites and 401:asynchronous modems in the 124:, and other aspects of the 3158: 2376:, retrieved March 26, 2009 2314:Michael Cox (1989-05-24). 2205:, retrieved March 15, 2009 1873:Quantum Link and parts of 1540: 1475:doors, and others such as 1234:Some BBSes, called elite, 1023:Borland Graphics Interface 872:(later WorldGroup), eSoft 640:Internet service providers 29: 2940:Asynchronous conferencing 2900: 2649: 2167:, retrieved June 30, 2007 591:Internet service provider 415:graphical user interfaces 296:With the introduction of 170:PTT Bulletin Board System 89:and sometimes via direct 45:bulletin board, from 1994 41:A welcome screen for the 3000:Synchronous conferencing 2318:(Software documentation) 1716:Most modern BBSes allow 1713:Networked message boards 1559:, using the same ".zip" 845:, C-Net, StormforceBBS, 154:dial-up internet service 108:Many BBSes also offered 30:Not to be confused with 2953:Electronic mailing list 2743:Remote Imaging Protocol 2501:. New American Library. 2499:The Computer Phone Book 2492:, Compute! Publications 2450:Rathbone, Tina (1993). 1970:Encyclopedia Britannica 1966:"Bulletin-board system" 1681:Voting – opinion booths 1455:mailer such as SEAdog, 1027:Remote Imaging Protocol 531:Remote Imaging Protocol 32:Internet forum software 3107:Bulletin board systems 2925:Social network service 2920:Collaborative software 2915:Communication software 2643:Bulletin board systems 2374:thegreatgeekmanual.com 2215:Miller, Michael Alyn. 1849:automatic calling unit 1823:User-generated content 1537:Shareware and freeware 1293:Pay BBSes such as The 1201:alternative lifestyles 1126: 973: 874:The Bread Board System 798:BBS programs included 690: 494: 473:Chips 'n Bits Magazine 362: 330:Great Blizzard of 1978 285: 219:San Francisco Bay Area 46: 18:Bulletin Board Service 2985:Bulletin board system 2416:. SAGE Publications. 2408:Jones, Steve (2003). 2295:bbslist.textfiles.com 2217:"HermesBBS - History" 2058:The Analytical Engine 2024:The Analytical Engine 1124: 1098:, which combined the 971: 756:IBM Personal Computer 741:Atari 8-bit computers 688: 681:Software and hardware 578:56 kbit/s modems 492: 360: 320:BBS was developed by 276: 51:bulletin board system 40: 2810:BBS: The Documentary 2580:The Telnet BBS Guide 2242:"Macintosh BBS News" 2203:catalogue.nla.gov.au 1935:Bush, Randy (1992). 1860:CBBS Chicago (which 1783:List of BBS software 1629:BBS software package 1555:'s PKARC (and later 1384:improve this section 1045:platform, including 715:systems such as the 666:BBS: The Documentary 608:terminal multiplexer 207:Berkeley, California 3102:American inventions 3018:Internet Relay Chat 2561:The BBS Documentary 2497:Cane, Mike (1986). 2247:Boardwatch Magazine 1995:thinkingchinese.com 1912:"Dial Up Directory" 1778:Internet Relay Chat 1608:A classic BBS had: 1316:investigation, the 778:(who later founded 758:was introduced and 284:S-100 host machine. 2565:(Video Collection) 2531:Beam Me Up Scottie 2469:Haas, Lou (1984). 2452:Modems for Dummies 2182:2015-01-20 at the 2165:BBSDocumentary.com 1877:went on to become 1330:Rusty n Edie's BBS 1301:, PsudNetwork and 1187:Content and access 1161:terminal emulation 1127: 1100:IBM Extended ASCII 1033:technology called 974: 774:BBS, developed by 691: 618:Estimating numbers 495: 439:Event Horizons BBS 363: 286: 231:Pennywhistle modem 215:mainframe computer 158:Mosaic web browser 47: 3089: 3088: 3033:Videoconferencing 3013:Instant messaging 3008:Data conferencing 2910:Online discussion 2860: 2859: 2712:Virtual community 2574:archive from 2013 2389:The Flint Journal 2274:Project SBUF 2087 2221:www.hermesbbs.com 1813:Terminal emulator 1637:– system operator 1432:store and forward 1420: 1419: 1412: 1346:child pornography 1324:hacker quarterly 1314:credit card fraud 902:assembly language 888:cartoon strip of 810:BBS source code. 622:According to the 583:operating systems 493:ANSI art BBS logo 316:The first public 313:user logged off. 290:acoustic couplers 238:computer terminal 225:hardware person, 135:drove the use of 57:), also called a 16:(Redirected from 3149: 3055:Web conferencing 2990:Online guestbook 2887: 2880: 2873: 2864: 2827:Ward Christensen 2798:Computer Shopper 2738:Internet outdial 2728:ANSI escape code 2636: 2629: 2622: 2613: 2544: 2525: 2513: 2502: 2493: 2484: 2465: 2446: 2427: 2415: 2394: 2393: 2383: 2377: 2367: 2361: 2360: 2354: 2352: 2337: 2331: 2330: 2324: 2323: 2311: 2305: 2304: 2302: 2301: 2287: 2281: 2280: 2271: 2262: 2256: 2255: 2237: 2231: 2230: 2228: 2227: 2212: 2206: 2196: 2190: 2174: 2168: 2158: 2152: 2148: 2143: 2141: 2135: 2124: 2115: 2109: 2108: 2106: 2104: 2087: 2081: 2080: 2078: 2055: 2046: 2040: 2039: 2021: 2012: 2006: 2005: 2003: 2001: 1987: 1981: 1980: 1978: 1977: 1962: 1956: 1955: 1953: 1952: 1932: 1926: 1925: 1923: 1922: 1907: 1882: 1871: 1865: 1862:Ward Christensen 1858: 1852: 1845: 1751: 1746: 1745: 1690:(usually single 1640:A user community 1415: 1408: 1404: 1401: 1395: 1364: 1356: 1240:cracked software 1107:escape sequences 886:Berkley Breathed 790:BBS, Magpie and 663:, also produced 562:channel capacity 542:Dynamic web page 509:platform, where 478:Computer Shopper 444:merchant account 369:manufactured by 322:Ward Christensen 278:Ward Christensen 229:, to invent the 223:Community Memory 203:Community Memory 75:terminal program 21: 3157: 3156: 3152: 3151: 3150: 3148: 3147: 3146: 3122:Internet forums 3092: 3091: 3090: 3085: 3059: 2994: 2934: 2896: 2891: 2861: 2856: 2815: 2778: 2752: 2716: 2663: 2645: 2640: 2552: 2547: 2541: 2528: 2522: 2505: 2496: 2487: 2481: 2468: 2462: 2449: 2443: 2430: 2424: 2407: 2403: 2398: 2397: 2385: 2384: 2380: 2368: 2364: 2350: 2348: 2339: 2338: 2334: 2321: 2319: 2313: 2312: 2308: 2299: 2297: 2289: 2288: 2284: 2269: 2264: 2263: 2259: 2239: 2238: 2234: 2225: 2223: 2214: 2213: 2209: 2197: 2193: 2184:Wayback Machine 2175: 2171: 2159: 2155: 2139: 2137: 2133: 2122: 2117: 2116: 2112: 2102: 2100: 2097:Chicago Tribune 2089: 2088: 2084: 2076: 2053: 2048: 2047: 2043: 2019: 2014: 2013: 2009: 1999: 1997: 1989: 1988: 1984: 1975: 1973: 1964: 1963: 1959: 1950: 1948: 1934: 1933: 1929: 1920: 1918: 1909: 1908: 1901: 1896: 1891: 1886: 1885: 1872: 1868: 1859: 1855: 1846: 1842: 1837: 1832: 1798:Online magazine 1749:Internet portal 1747: 1740: 1737: 1606: 1593:Apogee Software 1591:and nearly all 1545: 1539: 1416: 1405: 1399: 1396: 1381: 1365: 1354: 1342:Flint, Michigan 1258:known today as 1189: 1163:software, like 1138:markup language 1118:devoted to it. 1074:British Telecom 1056:In the UK, the 1043:Apple Macintosh 1039:Prodigy service 1015:vector graphics 966: 695:online services 683: 638:, evolved into 620: 558: 524:markup language 487: 395: 382:microcontroller 375:video terminals 355: 271: 269:The first BBSes 243:classifications 227:Lee Felsenstein 199: 194: 137:online services 122:social networks 67:computer server 35: 28: 27:Computer server 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 3155: 3153: 3145: 3144: 3139: 3134: 3129: 3124: 3119: 3114: 3109: 3104: 3094: 3093: 3087: 3086: 3084: 3083: 3078: 3073: 3067: 3065: 3061: 3060: 3058: 3057: 3052: 3047: 3046: 3045: 3035: 3030: 3025: 3020: 3015: 3010: 3004: 3002: 2996: 2995: 2993: 2992: 2987: 2982: 2981: 2980: 2975: 2968:Internet forum 2965: 2960: 2955: 2950: 2944: 2942: 2936: 2935: 2933: 2932: 2927: 2922: 2917: 2912: 2907: 2901: 2898: 2897: 2892: 2890: 2889: 2882: 2875: 2867: 2858: 2857: 2855: 2854: 2849: 2844: 2839: 2837:Chuck Forsberg 2834: 2829: 2823: 2821: 2817: 2816: 2814: 2813: 2806: 2801: 2794: 2786: 2784: 2783:Media coverage 2780: 2779: 2777: 2776: 2771: 2766: 2760: 2758: 2754: 2753: 2751: 2750: 2745: 2740: 2735: 2730: 2724: 2722: 2718: 2717: 2715: 2714: 2709: 2704: 2699: 2698: 2697: 2692: 2682: 2677: 2671: 2669: 2665: 2664: 2662: 2661: 2656: 2650: 2647: 2646: 2641: 2639: 2638: 2631: 2624: 2616: 2610: 2609: 2604: 2599: 2594: 2589: 2583: 2577: 2567: 2558: 2556:The BBS Corner 2551: 2550:External links 2548: 2546: 2545: 2539: 2526: 2520: 2503: 2494: 2485: 2479: 2466: 2460: 2447: 2441: 2428: 2422: 2404: 2402: 2399: 2396: 2395: 2378: 2362: 2332: 2306: 2282: 2257: 2232: 2207: 2191: 2169: 2153: 2110: 2082: 2041: 2007: 1982: 1957: 1927: 1898: 1897: 1895: 1892: 1890: 1887: 1884: 1883: 1879:America Online 1866: 1853: 1839: 1838: 1836: 1833: 1831: 1830: 1825: 1820: 1815: 1810: 1805: 1800: 1795: 1790: 1785: 1780: 1775: 1773:Internet forum 1770: 1765: 1760: 1754: 1753: 1752: 1736: 1733: 1732: 1731: 1728: 1725: 1714: 1711: 1708: 1705: 1702: 1695: 1685: 1682: 1679: 1676: 1673: 1655: 1649: 1642: 1641: 1638: 1631: 1625: 1622: 1616: 1605: 1602: 1541:Main article: 1538: 1535: 1418: 1417: 1368: 1366: 1359: 1353: 1350: 1334:Boardman, Ohio 1188: 1185: 965: 962: 815:home computers 682: 679: 628:World Wide Web 619: 616: 557: 554: 486: 483: 394: 391: 354: 351: 298:microcomputers 270: 267: 255:online service 211:Microcomputers 198: 195: 193: 190: 180:services, and 118:World Wide Web 87:message boards 26: 24: 14: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 3154: 3143: 3140: 3138: 3135: 3133: 3130: 3128: 3125: 3123: 3120: 3118: 3115: 3113: 3110: 3108: 3105: 3103: 3100: 3099: 3097: 3082: 3079: 3077: 3076:Microblogging 3074: 3072: 3069: 3068: 3066: 3062: 3056: 3053: 3051: 3048: 3044: 3041: 3040: 3039: 3038:Voice over IP 3036: 3034: 3031: 3029: 3026: 3024: 3023:LAN messenger 3021: 3019: 3016: 3014: 3011: 3009: 3006: 3005: 3003: 3001: 2997: 2991: 2988: 2986: 2983: 2979: 2976: 2974: 2971: 2970: 2969: 2966: 2964: 2961: 2959: 2956: 2954: 2951: 2949: 2946: 2945: 2943: 2941: 2937: 2931: 2928: 2926: 2923: 2921: 2918: 2916: 2913: 2911: 2908: 2906: 2903: 2902: 2899: 2895: 2888: 2883: 2881: 2876: 2874: 2869: 2868: 2865: 2853: 2850: 2848: 2845: 2843: 2840: 2838: 2835: 2833: 2830: 2828: 2825: 2824: 2822: 2818: 2812: 2811: 2807: 2805: 2804:textfiles.com 2802: 2800: 2799: 2795: 2793: 2792: 2788: 2787: 2785: 2781: 2775: 2772: 2770: 2767: 2765: 2762: 2761: 2759: 2755: 2749: 2746: 2744: 2741: 2739: 2736: 2734: 2731: 2729: 2726: 2725: 2723: 2719: 2713: 2710: 2708: 2705: 2703: 2700: 2696: 2693: 2691: 2688: 2687: 2686: 2683: 2681: 2678: 2676: 2673: 2672: 2670: 2666: 2660: 2657: 2655: 2652: 2651: 2648: 2644: 2637: 2632: 2630: 2625: 2623: 2618: 2617: 2614: 2608: 2605: 2603: 2600: 2598: 2595: 2593: 2590: 2587: 2586:Textfiles.com 2584: 2581: 2578: 2575: 2571: 2568: 2566: 2562: 2559: 2557: 2554: 2553: 2549: 2542: 2540:1-4116-0987-5 2536: 2532: 2527: 2523: 2521:1-58134-218-7 2517: 2512: 2511: 2504: 2500: 2495: 2491: 2486: 2482: 2480:0-8306-0746-3 2476: 2473:. Tab Books. 2472: 2467: 2463: 2461:1-56884-001-2 2457: 2454:. IDG Books. 2453: 2448: 2444: 2442:0-231-10446-4 2438: 2434: 2429: 2425: 2423:0-7619-2382-9 2419: 2414: 2413: 2406: 2405: 2400: 2391: 2390: 2382: 2379: 2375: 2371: 2366: 2363: 2359: 2347: 2343: 2336: 2333: 2329: 2317: 2316:"AtrTerm.DOC" 2310: 2307: 2296: 2292: 2286: 2283: 2279: 2275: 2268: 2261: 2258: 2254: 2249: 2248: 2243: 2236: 2233: 2222: 2218: 2211: 2208: 2204: 2200: 2195: 2192: 2189: 2188:Chips 'n Bits 2185: 2181: 2178: 2173: 2170: 2166: 2162: 2157: 2154: 2151: 2147: 2132: 2128: 2121: 2114: 2111: 2099: 2098: 2093: 2086: 2083: 2075: 2071: 2067: 2063: 2059: 2052: 2045: 2042: 2037: 2033: 2029: 2025: 2018: 2011: 2008: 1996: 1992: 1986: 1983: 1971: 1967: 1961: 1958: 1946: 1942: 1938: 1931: 1928: 1917: 1913: 1906: 1904: 1900: 1893: 1888: 1880: 1876: 1870: 1867: 1863: 1857: 1854: 1850: 1844: 1841: 1834: 1829: 1826: 1824: 1821: 1819: 1816: 1814: 1811: 1809: 1808:Shell account 1806: 1804: 1801: 1799: 1796: 1794: 1791: 1789: 1786: 1784: 1781: 1779: 1776: 1774: 1771: 1769: 1766: 1764: 1761: 1759: 1756: 1755: 1750: 1744: 1739: 1734: 1729: 1726: 1723: 1719: 1715: 1712: 1709: 1706: 1703: 1700: 1696: 1693: 1689: 1686: 1683: 1680: 1677: 1674: 1672: 1668: 1664: 1661:format using 1660: 1656: 1654: 1653:message bases 1650: 1647: 1646: 1645: 1639: 1636: 1632: 1630: 1626: 1623: 1621: 1617: 1615: 1611: 1610: 1609: 1603: 1601: 1597: 1594: 1590: 1586: 1582: 1578: 1574: 1570: 1566: 1562: 1558: 1554: 1550: 1544: 1536: 1534: 1532: 1528: 1523: 1519: 1517: 1513: 1509: 1505: 1501: 1497: 1493: 1489: 1484: 1482: 1478: 1474: 1468: 1466: 1462: 1458: 1454: 1449: 1446: 1442: 1438: 1433: 1428: 1426: 1414: 1411: 1403: 1393: 1389: 1385: 1379: 1378: 1374: 1369:This section 1367: 1363: 1358: 1357: 1351: 1349: 1347: 1343: 1339: 1335: 1331: 1327: 1326:2600 Magazine 1323: 1319: 1315: 1310: 1308: 1304: 1300: 1296: 1291: 1289: 1285: 1281: 1277: 1271: 1268: 1263: 1261: 1257: 1253: 1251: 1245: 1241: 1237: 1232: 1230: 1226: 1220: 1218: 1214: 1210: 1206: 1202: 1198: 1192: 1186: 1184: 1182: 1178: 1174: 1170: 1166: 1162: 1158: 1154: 1150: 1145: 1143: 1139: 1135: 1132: 1123: 1119: 1117: 1113: 1108: 1105: 1101: 1097: 1092: 1090: 1085: 1083: 1079: 1075: 1071: 1067: 1063: 1059: 1054: 1052: 1048: 1044: 1040: 1036: 1032: 1028: 1024: 1020: 1016: 1010: 1008: 1004: 998: 996: 992: 988: 983: 979: 970: 963: 961: 959: 955: 951: 947: 943: 939: 935: 930: 929:Excalibur BBS 926: 922: 918: 914: 909: 907: 903: 899: 895: 891: 887: 883: 879: 875: 871: 867: 863: 858: 856: 852: 848: 844: 840: 836: 832: 828: 824: 820: 816: 811: 809: 805: 801: 797: 793: 789: 785: 781: 777: 773: 769: 765: 761: 757: 754:In 1981, the 752: 750: 746: 745:Commodore PET 742: 738: 734: 733:home computer 730: 726: 722: 718: 714: 713:microcomputer 711: 706: 704: 700: 696: 687: 680: 678: 674: 672: 668: 667: 662: 658: 657:textfiles.com 654: 653:textfiles.com 650: 649: 648:textfiles.com 643: 641: 637: 633: 629: 625: 617: 615: 613: 609: 605: 601: 600:shell account 597: 592: 586: 584: 579: 575: 569: 567: 563: 555: 553: 551: 547: 543: 540: 536: 532: 527: 525: 521: 516: 512: 508: 503: 501: 491: 484: 482: 480: 479: 474: 470: 466: 465: 459: 457: 453: 449: 445: 441: 440: 433: 431: 427: 423: 418: 416: 412: 408: 404: 400: 392: 390: 386: 383: 378: 376: 372: 368: 359: 352: 350: 347: 343: 339: 335: 331: 327: 323: 319: 314: 311: 307: 304:machines and 303: 299: 294: 291: 283: 279: 275: 268: 266: 264: 260: 256: 251: 246: 244: 239: 234: 232: 228: 224: 220: 216: 212: 208: 204: 196: 191: 189: 188:connections. 187: 183: 179: 175: 171: 167: 163: 159: 155: 150: 148: 144: 143: 138: 134: 131: 127: 123: 119: 115: 111: 106: 104: 100: 96: 92: 88: 84: 80: 76: 72: 68: 64: 60: 56: 52: 44: 39: 33: 19: 2984: 2847:Steve Punter 2842:Tom Jennings 2808: 2796: 2789: 2721:Technologies 2685:File sharing 2642: 2533:. Lulu.com. 2530: 2514:. Crossway. 2509: 2498: 2489: 2470: 2451: 2432: 2411: 2387: 2381: 2373: 2365: 2358:('SkyTerm'). 2356: 2349:. Retrieved 2335: 2326: 2320:. Retrieved 2309: 2298:. Retrieved 2294: 2285: 2277: 2273: 2260: 2251: 2245: 2235: 2224:. Retrieved 2220: 2210: 2202: 2194: 2187: 2172: 2164: 2156: 2145: 2140:February 16, 2138:. Retrieved 2126: 2113: 2101:. Retrieved 2095: 2085: 2061: 2057: 2044: 2027: 2023: 2010: 1998:. Retrieved 1994: 1985: 1974:. Retrieved 1972:. 2023-03-20 1960: 1949:. Retrieved 1940: 1930: 1919:. Retrieved 1915: 1869: 1856: 1843: 1688:Online games 1651:One or more 1648:Menu systems 1643: 1618:One or more 1607: 1598: 1581:donationware 1573:postcardware 1547:Much of the 1546: 1524: 1520: 1485: 1469: 1450: 1429: 1421: 1406: 1400:January 2024 1397: 1382:Please help 1370: 1311: 1292: 1272: 1266: 1264: 1248: 1233: 1221: 1193: 1190: 1177:Procomm Plus 1149:Wildcat! BBS 1146: 1133: 1128: 1093: 1086: 1082:Micronet 800 1055: 1019:PLATO system 1011: 1003:Commodore 64 999: 995:Quantum Link 975: 964:Presentation 946:Wildcat! BBS 944:, Magpie or 913:multitasking 910: 890:Bloom County 876:(TBBS), and 859: 819:Commodore 64 812: 804:Renegade BBS 792:Wildcat! BBS 788:RemoteAccess 776:Tom Jennings 771: 753: 707: 699:data centers 692: 675: 664: 656: 652: 646: 645:The website 644: 621: 587: 570: 559: 528: 504: 500:autocomplete 496: 476: 472: 469:BBS Magazine 468: 462: 460: 451: 448:compact disk 437: 434: 430:busy signals 419: 396: 387: 379: 364: 315: 295: 287: 247: 235: 200: 186:packet radio 151: 140: 130:asynchronous 110:online games 107: 62: 58: 54: 50: 48: 3112:Online chat 2905:Online chat 2852:Jason Scott 2832:Randy Suess 2346:Jason Scott 2340:Scott Lee. 1589:id Software 1531:pornography 1512:gopherspace 1479:(RIME) and 1280:pornography 1267:support BBS 1217:pirate ship 1134:Skyline BBS 717:Altair 8800 661:Jason Scott 604:job control 426:hard drives 403:early 1980s 326:Randy Suess 310:synchronous 83:downloading 3096:Categories 3064:Publishing 2978:Imageboard 2791:Boardwatch 2351:5 December 2322:2024-05-02 2300:2021-07-01 2226:2023-03-10 1976:2023-04-28 1951:2022-01-22 1921:2018-02-20 1889:References 1768:Imageboard 1675:File areas 1307:chat rooms 1284:chat rooms 1213:sanatorium 1153:Citadel/UX 1116:subculture 1089:ANSI X3.64 1051:FirstClass 1047:TeleFinder 940:, EleBBS, 938:Mystic BBS 934:Synchronet 921:Windows 95 855:hard drive 843:Amiexpress 823:Blue Board 794:. Oopular 727:under the 721:IMSAI 8080 636:ExecPC BBS 612:GNU Screen 515:FirstClass 511:TeleFinder 464:Boardwatch 452:Boardwatch 367:Smartmodem 353:Smartmodem 346:cork board 197:Precursors 147:CompuServe 114:chat rooms 3132:Telephony 2973:Textboard 2690:Protocols 2680:Chat room 2103:8 October 2070:1071-6351 2036:1071-6351 1894:Citations 1875:AppleLink 1818:Textboard 1561:algorithm 1553:Phil Katz 1549:shareware 1543:Shareware 1457:FrontDoor 1453:front-end 1371:does not 1260:leetspeak 1244:phreaking 1225:shareware 1169:Terminate 1058:BBC Micro 827:Ivory BBS 710:S-100 bus 507:Macintosh 302:S-100 bus 263:chat room 250:mainframe 142:InfoWorld 79:uploading 3050:Web chat 2769:RelayNet 2757:Networks 2695:Timeline 2675:ANSI art 2180:Archived 2131:Archived 2074:Archived 2000:14 April 1945:Archived 1763:Free-net 1758:ANSI art 1735:See also 1614:computer 1604:Features 1577:JPEGview 1569:freeware 1516:programs 1500:Internet 1496:gateways 1488:networks 1477:RelayNet 1461:FastEcho 1352:Networks 1322:grey hat 1290:access. 1288:Internet 1181:SyncTerm 1112:artscene 1096:ANSI art 1070:Viewdata 1066:Teletext 1031:teletext 870:MajorBBS 862:DESQview 847:Infinity 802:BBS and 800:Telegard 796:freeware 737:Apple II 725:Cromemco 610:such as 411:ANSI art 409:text or 306:Apple II 166:bankrupt 156:and the 126:Internet 91:chatting 71:software 69:running 65:), is a 43:Free-net 2958:FidoNet 2774:WWIVnet 2764:FidoNet 2668:Culture 2490:Compute 2401:Sources 2150:Alt URL 1941:Fidonet 1803:PODSnet 1793:Minitel 1724:driver. 1699:doorway 1481:WWIVnet 1425:FidoNet 1392:removed 1377:sources 1338:Playboy 1303:MindVox 1209:fantasy 1078:Prestel 991:PETSCII 987:ATASCII 958:NetFoss 904:), the 882:Maximus 835:CNet 64 831:Color64 784:PCBoard 780:FidoNet 764:RBBS-PC 624:FidoNet 548:with a 422:V.32bis 342:Chicago 318:dial-up 192:History 99:NetMail 95:FidoNet 3137:Telnet 3028:Talker 2963:Usenet 2820:People 2748:Skypix 2537:  2518:  2477:  2458:  2439:  2420:  2068:  2034:  1828:Usenet 1722:FOSSIL 1718:telnet 1692:player 1671:ZMODEM 1667:YMODEM 1663:XMODEM 1620:modems 1565:WinZip 1508:Usenet 1492:e-mail 1465:Squish 1445:Xmodem 1299:ExecPC 1229:CD-ROM 1199:, and 1197:dating 1173:Qmodem 1157:DOSBox 1142:Skypix 1035:NAPLPS 954:FOSSIL 950:Telnet 923:, and 898:Pascal 878:Falken 851:1040ST 768:ported 760:MS-DOS 749:TRS-80 747:, and 574:TCP/IP 520:Skypix 456:sysops 174:Telnet 133:modems 2948:Email 2707:Sysop 2270:(PDF) 2134:(PDF) 2123:(PDF) 2077:(PDF) 2054:(PDF) 2020:(PDF) 1835:Notes 1635:sysop 1587:from 1575:like 1563:that 1557:PKZIP 1332:, in 1276:warez 1256:slang 1250:lamer 1236:WaReZ 1205:theme 1165:Telix 1131:Amiga 1007:ASCII 982:ASCII 925:Linux 894:BASIC 839:Amiga 786:BBS, 606:or a 407:ASCII 399:bit/s 336:, or 259:PLATO 164:went 103:email 3081:Wiki 3071:Blog 2733:Door 2535:ISBN 2516:ISBN 2475:ISBN 2456:ISBN 2437:ISBN 2418:ISBN 2353:2017 2142:2019 2127:Byte 2105:2022 2066:ISSN 2032:ISSN 2002:2018 1585:Doom 1579:and 1529:and 1527:spam 1504:UUCP 1502:via 1375:any 1373:cite 1295:WELL 1175:and 1151:and 1129:The 1104:ANSI 1062:Pace 1049:and 917:OS/2 833:and 808:WWIV 772:Fido 729:CP/M 723:and 669:, a 630:and 566:V.34 550:TDBS 546:TBBS 539:HTML 513:and 485:GUIs 338:CBBS 324:and 282:CBBS 81:and 63:CBBS 2702:MUD 1669:or 1659:QWK 1473:QWK 1463:or 1441:ZIP 1439:or 1437:ARC 1386:by 1286:or 1076:'s 978:GUI 942:DOC 896:or 866:LAN 703:LAN 671:DVD 632:AOL 596:FTP 182:IRC 178:FTP 55:BBS 3098:: 2563:– 2372:, 2355:. 2344:. 2325:. 2293:. 2276:. 2272:. 2250:. 2244:. 2219:. 2201:, 2186:, 2163:, 2144:. 2125:. 2094:. 2072:. 2060:. 2056:. 2026:. 2022:. 1993:. 1968:. 1943:. 1939:. 1914:. 1902:^ 1697:A 1665:, 1633:A 1627:A 1612:A 1571:, 1427:. 1309:. 1282:, 1278:, 1262:. 1242:, 1219:. 1171:, 1167:, 1114:" 997:. 960:. 936:, 919:, 829:, 825:, 766:, 743:, 739:, 719:, 659:, 642:. 467:, 209:. 149:. 120:, 105:. 49:A 2886:e 2879:t 2872:v 2635:e 2628:t 2621:v 2576:) 2572:( 2543:. 2524:. 2483:. 2464:. 2445:. 2426:. 2392:. 2303:. 2229:. 2107:. 2062:3 2038:. 2028:3 2004:. 1979:. 1954:. 1924:. 1881:. 1413:) 1407:( 1402:) 1398:( 1394:. 1380:. 1252:. 906:C 61:( 53:( 34:. 20:)

Index

Bulletin Board Service
Internet forum software

Free-net
computer server
software
terminal program
uploading
downloading
message boards
chatting
FidoNet
NetMail
email
online games
chat rooms
World Wide Web
social networks
Internet
asynchronous
modems
online services
InfoWorld
CompuServe
dial-up internet service
Mosaic web browser
leading BBS software providers
bankrupt
PTT Bulletin Board System
Telnet

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.