Definition
A Bulletin Board Service (BBS) is an online meeting place where users can communicate with each other through a variety of forms including posting public messages, sending private messages, sharing files, and participating in discussions on various topics. BBSs were popular from the late 1970s through the early 1990s before the rise of the Internet and modern web services.
Examples
1. Fidonet
Fidonet is a worldwide computer network that is used for communication between Bulletin Board Systems. It allows BBS users to send messages and transfer files to one another across different BBSes.
2. The WELL
The WELL (Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link) is one of the oldest virtual communities in continuous operation. It started as a BBS and grew into a sophisticated online community known for its vibrant discussions and social activism.
3. Usenet
Usenet, while technically not a BBS, served a similar function by allowing users to post and read messages in a categorized format. Usenet newsgroups functioned much like the forums found on traditional BBSs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a BBS used for?
A BBS is used for communication, file sharing, and social interaction among users. It allows for public message boards, private messaging, and file downloads.
How did users connect to a BBS?
Users traditionally connected to a BBS via a modem over phone lines using terminal programs to dial in and interact with the BBS software.
Are BBSs still in use today?
While traditional BBSs have largely been replaced by Internet forums and social media, a small community of enthusiasts continues to run and use BBSs for nostalgia and hobby purposes.
What was required to set up a BBS?
Setting up a BBS required a computer, a modem, BBS software, and a dedicated phone line. Popular BBS software included WWIV, Renegade, and Wildcat.
How did BBS contribute to the development of the Internet?
BBSs contributed greatly by pioneering online community building and fostering the early sharing of software and information, setting the stage for today’s Internet forums and social networks.
Related Terms
Modem
A device that converts digital data from a computer into an analog signal for transmission over phone lines and vice versa.
Terminal Program
Software used to access remote servers or BBSs, often emulating a computer terminal.
Dial-Up Networking
A form of Internet access that uses phone lines to connect to an Internet Service Provider with modems.
Fidonet
A network of bulletin board systems that exchange messages and files globally.
Usenet
A distributed discussion system, similar to a BBS, organized into newsgroups.
Online References
Suggested Books for Further Study
- “The BBS Book” by Charles Bowen
- “Computers and the Cybernetic Society” by Michael J. R. Keith
- “Computer Networks: A Systems Approach” by Larry L. Peterson and Bruce S. Davie
Fundamentals of BBS: Communications Basics Quiz
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