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So, What *IS* A BBS?

If you're one of the many people who feel the Internet has become too big, too impersonal, too unsafe for families, why not try one of the many Bulletin Board Systems? The BBSes have been around long before the Internet, and the friendly sysops (system operator - the owner of the BBS) are always around to lend a hand getting the software configured correctly, answer questions, or just to chat.
These BBSes usually carry what are called "echo networks" that contain "conferences" for the exchange of information, ideas, or gossip. They're called "echoes" because once mail is gathered by the sysop, it's forwarded, or echoed, to the next BBS down the line until it's sent to BBS systems all around the world. There's a whole complex network out there that I really can't explain in detail.
The conferences are much like the Usenet newsgroups you've probably seen but are almost always monitored for content and language. Everyone tries to keep these as safe places that even your child can visit. Topics differ according to the network, but some of the larger ones, like FIDO, Intelec, or RIME carry conferences on such diverse topics as Cooking, UFO's, Video Games, miscellaneous computer and software related topics, to just about anything you can think of. All the networks have a special conference set aside for suggestions so if you know of a topic you would like to see a conference about, just ask! Unlike the Usenet groups that take a whole complicated series of computer commands to set up, an echo conference only needs enough people to express an interest in it and the network moderators will set one up. Also, like the Usenet, not every server carries every available topic on its bbs. Ask the sysop to add any conference you know is out there but not appearing on his.her particular conference list.
Below, I've set up telnet connections to some of the BBSes I frequently visit. Agora is a combination ISP/BBS and after a free trial of the bbs has many subscription options open. It's also one of the largest and most inclusive BBSes in the country, with conferences from all the top networks.
Computer Junction and DMJ BBS are hobby boards that are free after filling out a basic questionnaire and posting an introductory message. Both carry a small assortment of local and FIDO echoes, and Computer Junction is the home BBS of the FIDO Clique echo conference.
There are many more BBS systems out there, many just a local phone call away and accessible by either telnet or using your computer's communication program, like Terminal, or one of the many third-party programs out there either retail or shareware. If you like what you see and want more, just go to one of the many search engines like Yahoo or Dogpile and use "BBS" as your search criteria, aks your computer-literate friends or check the alt.bbs.ads Usenet newsgroup. Try the Computer BB, BBS ad topic over on Prodigy. I'm sure AOL must have something similar
When BBSing was big, before the Internet invasion, magazines like BBS and Boardwatch would carry lists of local systems. Now BBS Magazine is gone and Boardwatch carries mostly ISP information.
Some BBSes also carry in their files menu a file listing all the BBSes in their state, or are carriers of the same echo network they carry, or have the same interests, like hobbies or religious affiliations. Check these out, too. One of the first BBSes I ever belonged to was called "Vocation BBS" and it was owned by a Brother who set it up for the public to learn more about the Catholic vocations. As it turned out, only a small part of that BBS had to do with the vocations. The rest of the place had the usual file areas with games and utilities and a few local and echo conferences. It's sysop, Brother Bill Leaming, is still travelling around the country setting up BBSes wherever he goes and is the owner/moderator of the CandelNet network. A lot has changed since I logged on to my first BBS back in 1992!
So come on over for a spell! You'll find nice friendly folk who share your interests and you may even make it to some Hall of Fame for beating the top score in inter-bbs play of Dominoes or Stack-Em! Be sure to leave the sysop a nice note of "Hello" wherever you go - they appreciate it. You don't even have to know their names - a note address to "ALL" or even "SYSOP" will get to the right person.


My Favorite BBSes to visit by Telnet are:
* * * * *
Computer Junction (cjbbslive.com) telnet://cjbbslive.com
Wildcat! BBS software
Local to Elizabeth, NJ; free subscription and full access after leaving a "Hello" message. Message areas, both local and some FIDO. Home of FIDO's Clique conference. About a dozen door games. Internet access available for a low fee.

* * * * *
Doc's Place telnet:bbs.docsplace.org
"Your One Stop FIDOnet BBS"
Located In, Sunny Clearwater Florida, Doc's Place is a "Free Service for the Fidonet Community to Send & Receive Echomail. You will find the complete Fidonet Backbone Conferences Inside. If your looking for Shareware Files, close to 20,000 Virus Free on Cd Rom. So come on inside & have a look around! Theres something for Everyone Here!"
URL for the board is http://www.docsplace.com, and from there you can use WCNavigator to log in, your telnet program to telnet in, download QWK mail, or just click on a few links for information.

* * * * *
Agora OnLine telnet://bbs.agoron.com
Local to Bayonne, NJ at 201-437-4355. Terminal settings 8-n-1 ANSI or VT-100
PC Board BBS software
One of the biggest BBSes and now ISP in urban NJ, carries the Intelec, UnI Net, I Link, FIDO, RIME, and CandleNet echoes, full Internet services, plenty of registered door games, many of which are inter-bbs play. Online chat, and many more.
The bbs has a free trial of I think 2 weeks, and many subscription plans are available for either the BBS, Internet access, or both.
Agora OnLine home page is located at http://www.agoron.com
I've been a subscriber here since the early days when it was just a hobby BBS back in the early 1990's and have visited and subscribed to other places, but I always come home to Agora and will continue to be a member even after I move to another state in a few months.

Other BBSes to Visit via Telnet

These are BBSes I've seen ads for but haven't had the time to pay a long visit to yet. All have many conferences and door games available, some have extensive files collections available for download. All are advertised as free.

* * * * *
Spun Crystal - Home Page, home of the Telnet Web Ring
* * * * *
The Hard Drive Cafe BBS
telnet://204.186.22.12
Dialup: 610-367-8347 out of Boyerstown, PA
WWIV BBS software
Internet email, newsgroups, FILEnet, TerraNET, IceNET, WWIVnet
Doors - L.O.R.D., L.O.R.D. II, Usurper, Planets TEOS; interbbs games including Barren Realms Elite/ Falcon's Eye, the Arcadian Legends.
* * * * *
The Bare Facts BBS
telnet://barefactsbbs.com
Fort Worth, Texas

Other BBS Related Web Sites

BBS Promotion Site
BBS Info
[BBSREF: Your source for BBS software]

BBS Software Links

Company Pages

Maximus & Squish - Y2K Compliant BBS software
Searchlight BBS Software
Mustang Software's Support - Wildcat!
Glacticomm Support System
Excalibur BBS [windows]
WWIV Support Site
Renegade

Web Pages of Some Echo Networks

RelayNet - Home of the RIME Network
FIDO FIDO
Windows 95 has a telnet program built in and it should start right up when the above url's are clicked. Win 3.1 users like me aren't so lucky. Right now I'm using the shareware versions of CommNet and CRT and will decide soon which one I'm going to register. Others I've tried are EWAN and TeraTerm, both freeware programs. If anyone has a favorite Windows 16 bit telnet program that I didn't mention, please let me know how you like it and where to get it. The 4 I mentioned above can be found at FilePile, Shareware.com, or download.com
I do have one request - If you're already a seasoned BBSer, please send me the telnet address or the local phone number of your favorite BBS and eventually I'll have it posted here so others can go over and visit you. Thanks.

This Telnet BBS WebRing site is owned by
SuzyBear.

Want to join the The Telnet BBS WebRing ??
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April 20, 1999
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