BBS's

From: Seth <sethm_at_loomcom.com>
Date: Thu Nov 16 18:13:14 2000

On Thu, Nov 16, 2000 at 02:19:18PM -0800, healyzh_at_aracnet.com wrote:
> > I miss the really insane BBS battling that went on back then. I'm hoping
> > that _real_ bulletin board systems will start a slow comeback, but I'm
> > probably just wishing in the wind. :)
> >
> > g.
>
> Actually I've been wondering for the last couple years if it isn't time to
> start resurecting the BBS systems of old. The reason I've been wondering
> about this is the increased concern with security, and people/governments
> snooping on people.
>
> Of course the BBS of the future is likely to have to be accessed dialup and
> share its data with other nodes over the internet via encrypted links.

Speaking of resurrecting old communities...

Does anyone have any experience dealing with Tymnet? They're still
around, zombie-like and living off of government contracts, but I've
been thinking how neat it would be to finally bring my RetroNET idea
to life and provide dial-up through Tymnet.

My plans for RetroNET have always been to form a separate,
non-internet-connected network of hobbyists, retrocomputists, wackos,
and misfits who want a place something like the timesharing resources
of old. It would consist of VAXen and DECstations and even PCs running
more modern Unix-like OSes, communicating over UUCP (since none of
us could possibly afford dedicated leased lines). E-mail, Retronet
News (think: Usenet without the Usenet), and general dorkiness.
And really there's no good reason not to have it connected to the
Internet, except for the "purity" factor, and the neatness factor.
C'mon, think how cool it would be to have a "retronet!host!username"
email address that only other COOL, ELITE DORKS can talk to!

Ironically, though I want it not to be connected to the Internet,
I've already reserved RetroNET.net and RetroNET.org. Hey, might as
well at least have one multi-homed host to let the SLOBBERING PROLES
know how neat and SUPERIOR we are.

Anyway, just a thought. And to make it real, I'd need a bunch of
people who wanted to be RetroNET nodes, and some convenient way to
allow people to dial up. Tymnet sprang instantly to mind (primarily
because they're still EVERYWHERE, and still allow 300bps dial up!
My portable Silent 700 works! Yeah baby!)

I'll bet they're expensive, though.

Still... anyone want to be a RetroNET node? :)

> Zane

-Seth
Received on Thu Nov 16 2000 - 18:13:14 GMT