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An Electronic Bulletin Board System (or Service) is simply a
computer hooked up to phone lines. People may call the computer
if their own computer has a modem and communications software. A
modem is a device which allows computers to talk to each other
over the telephone lines. The right communications software can
make the job of connecting to a BBS quite simple. The BBS'es are
mostly operated in DOS, but there are BBS'es for OS/2 and Linux as
well.
Today, bulletin board systems vary greatly. From the small
hobbyist to the big software companies support boards, each BBS
has it own feel and selection of features. Some may call
themselves on-line services, or information services, but they are
still bulletin boards. Even America On-line, CompuServe, Prodigy
and the MicroSoft Network are basically bulletin boards. However,
the majority of the tens of thousands of bulletin boards available
today are set up by hobbyists for their own enjoyment.
Once one calls a BBS, a whole new world of information, services
and fun opens up. Bulletin boards are one of the best places to
get the latest in software for your PC, most of the time before
you can get the programs through disk vendors. Callers can also
leave messages to people who call the board or discuss issues with
computer users all over the world. Many BBSs have games which you
can play, sometimes against other callers. Some boards offer
unique services which cannot be obtained anywhere else. The
system operator (Sysop for short, and DARKWiNG on Draculah Sweden BBS)
tries to have all the information you will need to get started posted somewhere
on the board. So just call up, and have Fun! InterNet is controlled, the
BBS is independent !!
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