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From BBSwiki
Ward Christensen and the computer that ran the first public Bulletin Board Systems, CBBS
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to dial into the system over a phone line (or Telnet) and, using a terminal program, perform functions such as downloading software and data, uploading data, reading news, and exchanging messages with other users.
During their heyday from the late 1970s to the mid 1990s, many BBSes were run as a hobby free of charge by the system operator (or "sysop"), while other BBSes charged their users a subscription fee for access, or were operated by a business as a means of supporting their customers. Still others were run by Internet service providers as part of their service to subscribers.
In recent years, the term BBS is sometimes also used to refer to any online forum or message board.
Bulletin Board Systems were in many ways a precursor to the modern form of the World Wide Web and other aspects of the Internet. BBSes were a highly social phenomenon and were used for meeting people and having discussions on message boards, as well as for publishing articles, downloading software, playing games and many more things, all using a single application.
The BBS was also a local phenomenon, as one had to dial into a BBS with a phone line and would have to pay additional long distance charges for a BBS out of the local area, as opposed to less expensive local charges. Thus, many users of a given BBS usually lived in the same area, and activities such as BBS Meets or Get Togethers, where everyone from the board would gather and meet face to face, were common. As the use of the Internet became more widespread in the mid to late 1990's, BBSes rapidly faded in popularity.
Welcome to the BBS Wiki
Attention Sysops! This is YOUR wiki. We hope that you will contribute to it. With out your help it will not be as useful as it could be. PLEASE take the time to post what ever information you think will be helpful!
This wiki is set here to be a central place to come for help and FAQ's regarding Bulletin Board Systems. If you are a Sysop and you would like to also have an advertisement page please add it in our BBSLIST.
The OTHER wiki
The old wiki is located here: [1]
And it will stay there until all data is moved off of it.
