BBS

[per_solo]

Ok, no, not "Bigger, Better Shit", but Bulletin Board System (I think that's the right def).

Used to be, back in the olden days, that you'd log onto a Bulletin Board, and chat, either there on the board, or through an extended series of messages (much like how forums work nowadays).

Out of dozens, or hundreds, of Local BBS', there is now only one that I'm aware still exists.

Yes, I happen to still be an Aide on that board, even though I don't log in that frequently at all anymore. At last count, I think there were 5 people that posted there still, with a few of us who will bop in, post a quick comment, and then not say anything for a long time.

So, what do the masses think? Have BBS' gone the way of the dinosaurs? Are they worth the time to even try to keep them alive anymore, when you have better, quicker communication now? I'm talking your online forums, that serve much the same purpose, your Instant Messengers, which do the quick one on one communication, all that. It used to be that one of the main reasons to log into a BBS was to play "Door" games, but you can't even find those typically anymore. I remember one called Neverest Mountain, I think another was...crap, it was a space/trading game (Much like an online version of Dope Wars, which is what Drugrunners is an awful lot like).

So, what say you all, fun flashback to the early days of the net, or dead idea that has been subsumed by many different things in the last few years?

Comments

[echoweaver.livejournal.com]

Yes, they have gone the way of the dinosaur. But once you put them online, they're just another form of forum, and forums are still alive.

Was the door game you're trying to remember Trade Wars? I never played a door game, but I could see some of the attraction. Now we have MMO games to do the same thing on a much larger scale.

I miss the BBS days, because sometimes you don't WANT to socialize with the entire online world. Sometimes you want to meet people who can become friends in RL. But I've done OK with local LJ communities and whatnot.

[per_solo]

*nod* LJ is actually another portion of what was rattling in my head, because LJ is basicaly a "All you, all the time" channel. And it's also assumed the role of "Gatherings", as I personally know of a few people who have gotten groups and meetings of people who they only know on LJ. Just to do that old "Meet the people behind the names".

*nod* Well, as far as the online bit, you should know of the only BBS I'm still aware of existing. There's a bit more to that story, so I'll go into E-mail on why it came to mind to posit such a thought. :-)

The game was indeed Trade Wars. Thank you for that memory. I should at some point try to remember just how many games I used to play. Hmm...I sense a google/wiki search later, after my quiz tonite.

Trade Wars ROCKED!!!!

[royalcrow.livejournal.com]

I used to run a little Phoenix BBS back in Cincy, everybody told me how stupid the software was, but you know it was really cool to see the network link up each night for the mail run. each board was a relay to another computer who was just a local call away - it would take some time but a message from the west coast could be sent to the east coast with only local calls being made. Pretty nifty.

But alas, I have to agree with the other comments - BBS'ing just does not handle it much any more - the technology has surpassed the promise.

later,
Tony

Re: Trade Wars ROCKED!!!!

[per_solo]

*nod* I can't recall who ran Phoenix locally, but I seem to remember it as being a good software bundle. Nor do I remember what "Forest BBS" ran, either, though I think it went through a few types of software.

Yeah, I've been of the mind that BBS' are dodo types, which is sad, as there is that old mentality of "This is what helped evolve this", but some things should be let go eventually. Web presence is one thing, but doesn't do a damn bit of good if you don't advertise what you are, who you are, and where you are from. *shrug*

[the-pixie.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I think that the BBS has been superseeded by it's faster, sleeker brother...the internet. We've traded familarity for accessibility, and people seem to be happy with the trade.

[katmandu07.livejournal.com]

I miss the camraderie of the old BBS's. Most of my close friends these days are from the old BBS days.

[goldstep.livejournal.com]

BBS served a purpose and now it's outdated... that's like saying the typewriter is dead.
I mean it is. But the keyboard and it's function as such is alive. It isn't dead as much as reincarnated.
I like my typewriter... I don't use it, but I like it.

speaking of typewriters

[royalcrow.livejournal.com]

I am at a loss to name the movie - but Greg Kennier (sp?) collected IBM selectrics. I remember one scene where he was talking about this surprise for his girl, and whipped off the cover to reveal a blue seletric type writer. He mentioned how it just was calming to hear the motor humming and such. You know, I actually could understand that - because when my high school switched to a Wang Word processor, it was like an old friend was retiring. Strange.

'bing'

Tony