What is a Bulletin Board Service (BBS)?
A Bulletin Board Service or Bulletin Board System is where local people can meet other local people and discuss things, play games, or even join a social club of sorts.
Basically someone takes a computer and a phone line and dedicates it to being a BBS, this computer is usually not used for anything else, nor is the phone line. Then the Sysop (System Operator) sets up the software, and tests it out. The Sysop has to figure out what his main focus is going to be. Is the main focus going to be Files, Chatting, Games, Message Bases? Is there going to be a theme like Anime, Science Fiction or whatever.
What do you do on a BBS?
You can get in to discussions on a Varity of topics, from Music, to Movies, to a event that happened locally. You can play games, or get files, or you can chat with others.
Are BBSes part of the Internet?
Yes they are. There are a number of BBSes that are connected to the Internet and offer features found on the Internet. Not all BBSes however are connected to the Internet.
Why would anyone run a BBS?
At one time it was the height of Geek Cool to run a BBS. Some people even did it to make some money. Some people did it because they saw things they didn't like going on in the BBS community and tried to fix those things. Some people wanted to create that sense of community that anyone could find on BBSes.
Can I start my own BBS?
Yes you can, however the traditional BBS is dying out. I'm not sure where things are going to go, a number of BBSes have added Internet connections, where you can telnet or use your web browser to get to them. Right now a lot of companies and web sites are trying to create a sense of community. BBSes had this sense of community. We were a sub-culture, or our own community quite often.
Is it hard to run a BBS?
It takes time, and a lot of effort. Haven (the BBS I run), has been up and running since 1992. During that time I have run user drives, changed hardware four times, changed software 4 times (Major BBS to Zinfandel to Citadel86 to Citadel/UX). When I upgraded from Citadel/UX 5.01 to Citadel/UX 5.52 I ran into a minor problem that kept me working on it for close to three hours. when I was done, I had a Band-Aid fix in place till the solution could be found. Recently I have been agonizing over the fact that Haven doesn't get the calls that it used to. I have to keep wondering is it worth the time and effort that it takes to run it if I'm only getting 4 - 6 different users a week. However after doing all that worrying, it seems that we are attracting close to a dozen regulars who login every day.