BBSes

A bulletin board system (BBS) is a computer server running software that allows people to connect using dial‑up modems to exchange messages, upload and download files, and participate in online discussions. Before the public Internet became widespread, BBSes served as the primary online community platforms, often operated by individuals or small groups who provided access to a library of software, discussions, and games.

Access and operation: Users connected via telephone lines using terminal software, typically at low speeds such as 300 to 2400 bits per second in early years, progressing to faster modems later. BBS software offered text-based menus, message boards, file libraries, and interactive forums, as well as “door” games that ran on the host system. Many boards connected to wider networks such as FidoNet to relay messages and files between distant BBSes. The system operator (sysop) controlled access, rules, and content.

Features and culture: Common features included electronic mail within the BBS, public and private messages, file archives, and chat or real-time discussions. The experience often featured ANSI art, customized prompts, and a sense of local community. BBSes varied in scope from small hobbyist boards to larger systems with extensive software libraries and multiple nodes.

Decline and legacy: The rapid growth of the Internet in the mid to late 1990s reduced mainstream use of BBSes, but many persisted as hobby projects or retro communities. Since the 2000s, some BBSes have migrated to Internet-based access via telnet or SSH, and modern BBS software such as Synchronet and Mystic enables new and preserved boards. The culture and technology of BBSes influenced early online communities, file sharing, and multi-user games, leaving a lasting imprint on online social history.