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Over thirty years ago, before the internet and before the first PC, something small started that would greatly effect the history of modern communications and computers. This was the Bulletin Board System, which over time would link together the world and lay the foundation for the way we use computers today.
Even though it's been over ten years since the decline of the BBS, there's still a small community of people who love to get out their old phone modems and dial in to the few remaining BBS's. And if you feel like taking a trip back to 1989, why not get out a modem too?
But before you begin, here's a few things to remember:
* Modems can be slow. Very slow. So if you're impatient, this probably isn't for you.
* There are much easier ways to do this, like using Telnet over the internet. But that's just not the same.
* Old technology doesn't always work with new technology. And if you're using Windows, you probably won't
have much luck with this if you're using anything newer than XP.
* This probably won't be very fun for you unless you're interested in older technology and computers.
That being said, lets get in our time machines and begin.
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Signing UpStep 1What You'll Need
It doesn't take much to get this to work. But before you begin, you're going to need a few things.
What you'll need:
* A computer, preferably old
* A phone modem, either external or a softmodem (a PCI-card modem)
* A phone line
* Software, such as HyperTerminal (Comes with Windows XP and earlier)
* Some computer knowledge.
Even though there are many other things you could have for this, this instructable focuses on the most basic and easiest way to get yourself connected to a BBS over a phone line. Usually, I'd prefer using Linux and other programs for this. But to keep this simple, we're going to be using Windows XP and the HyperTerminal program. But if you want to do this with other software, it should be pretty easy to translate this.
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To the author: thank you for posting this. While these systems are of little practical use these days, they're a fun hobby for those of us who continue to operate and use them, and they're a huge part of computer history. It's nice to see some new people exploring the BBS, and to see others returning for a hit of nostalgia.
It's worth noting that while in the example HyperTerminal is used to call my BBS, there are other terminal emulators out there (some that even continue to work with modems and other serial devices) that will do a better job of handling the colours and "graphics" that you'll find on bulletin board systems. And while dialing in will give you the true vintage experience, most bulletin board systems these days are accessible over the internet, via the telnet protocol - so those of you without modems can try it out too.
(If you'd like to try a somewhat more 'BBS-friendly' terminal emulator, check out SyncTerm: http://syncterm.bbsdev.net/)
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by!
Late nights on BBS's were common due to the fact that it tied up your (one & only) phone line, and if you had it, 'Call Waiting' would kick you off in a heartbeat!
Yeah, I really miss the "Good Old Days"
It's hard to believe the phone I'm using to write this reply with is 1,000 times faster, has 667,000 times the memory, and actually has color (something I didn't have in my computer until I had my third one). When I got my color computer, I splurged and got this new thing call a hard drive (I started moving away from the 5-1/2" floppy world).
The hard drive made it possible to store unheard of amounts of data. I was in the big leagues now because I could store 10MB of data in one place! Who could ever need that much space? Of course when I look back at it now, I could not have saved three MP3's on that drive.
I look back at those old days with a smile, but I really, really don't miss them.
It's nice to look back on and see how far we've come, but I think I'll just leave it on the shelf.
Anonymous:Guest
16mhz of fury.
I'm not sure if it can be accessed through the phone, but I know you can reach them through telnet. Their website is http://www.mono.org/
My first BBS was in 1990, a friend in highschool was running it, and I connected with my blazingly fast 1200 baud modem to play TradeWars 2002, and download Amiga .MOD music files. I built my own Digital-to-Analog converter connected to the printer port to convert the music down to an RCA plug to hook it up to my stereo.
Good times.
What were we thinking?
:)
Seriously though, This brought back some happy memories of late nights and large phone bills. Also am I the only person sad enough to have been able to tell whereabouts in the negotiation the modem was by listening to the tones?
I do miss the BBS communications, where posting to a 'national' board meant that other people would not see your post the the next upload (usually at midnight) so proper conversations took days going each way. the anticipation was worth the wait, but we are so spoiled now with IM, Twitter, and RSS feeds.
5 of 5
I think back then I though more about what I was writing too; making sure I typed exactly what I MEANT to say. When it took a day or three for a reply to a board post you didn't want to waste time being misunderstood.
I actually ran a WWIV BBS for a few years; the cost of the second phone line was worth the fun.
Anyone remember Prodigy?ANSI graphics and being charged per message! Gotta love the old days.
(Waving to the sysops)
Now I just have to go dig out the old 300 baud ACCOUSTIC modem ...
I remember back when I first got a hold of a 33 mhz pentium, that monochromatic screen, and lets not forget pong!
Although I really got started with BBs's when I received my $2,499 Pentium I 75Mhz beauty. Figuring at that time, that I had already spent enough on my hardware, sought to find cheap software.... and oh boy did I ever...he he he!
I remember the first play of my pirated Duke Nukem 3D, when 3D was simply 2D pictures that oriented themselves to your current view, and resized (Amazing tech wasn't it!)
Thank you so much for this. I am only 24, so that sure does show you how far we've come!
When I met some of the women I conducted late night chats with, I found my imagination had sold me short! (of course, I'm sure some of the girls thought the same of me!)
CTHULU SHAKES THE MOUNTAIN <--- who can ID the BBS that tossed you off
with this line?
Some of you may remember me as I ran the BBS Forum on Delphi Online Services.
Just think, yesteryear we spent our time configuring * FOSSILs, now we are them!
(* (F)IDO, (O)PUS,( S)eadog (S)tandard (I)nterface (L)ayer - a program that handled communications between the ports and your BBS software
Great article.
http://www.tradewarsrising.com/?creator=Dorque
Come say hi if you check it out; that link should show you which games I'm in, I think... the site's been having some issues lately.