On Jan 25, 2026 01:47pm, Ogg wrote to Mike:
Hello Mike!
** On Tuesday 20.01.26 - 12:10, Mike wrote to Ogg:
What's wrong with having the same info and "bring together information"
right in the technology that it aims to promote? ie. via echomail.
Nothing wrong with a web-forum interface for messages, but then
export/share those messages in echomail here or via FTN.
Theoretically, that should be doable, but unfortunately not with my
level
of knowledge! I can only refer people to contacts in the FTNs on the
forum and, if necessary, provide the required software. As I already
wrote to Phigan, I don’t see the forum as competition, but as a possible
starting point for those interested.
Sysops are poor advertisers of their own systems. They are not the ones who will go out and promote their sites on other channels.
At best there are places that list bbses:
https://www.telnetbbsguide.com/, and even http://www.synchro.net/sbbslist.html ..is pretty good.
I don't think you will have a place that will act as a hub for actual sysops. Sysops already lurk/contribute either on their own systems or communicate on the sysop-based echoes that they need technical
information about for their own partiular bbs software.
[...] We don’t just want to appeal to the 50-70+ year-olds, but also
draw
the younger generation’s attention to this hobby; at a place where they
would search (Google for example).
Younger generations who are already enamoured my Discord, Element, Facebook, etc.. will likely stay there.
There is atleast one "bbs" that kinda emulates a full BBS message-base system on Discord: The Underground BBS. It's a pretty good way to share images and files without a lot of exceptions that FTN might require.
He has #mystic, #wwiv-bbs, and #telegard-bbs support areas.
I am concerned that 'we' may further isolate ourselves through our
stance,
since there is no agreement on how the hobby can be presented in the
best
way.
Many will say that "BBS" is just the way it was during the dialup days. Along came the webby "the forum" approach when internet became more ubiquitous in people's homes. So, technically, a forum is a sort of bulletin board. After all, a true Bulletin Board is still the paper
type seen at grocery stores and post offices!
But what separates most traditional online BBSes from webby forums are games. So, it really depends on what the visitor is looking for.
On the other hand: Why not support this project for a while with as much
unity as possible? What do you have to lose? A simple example: If 250
people could spend 5 minutes of their time each week to introduce a new
feature (hardware or software), upload a program, or help solve a
problem.
Then even more people would become aware of this forum as a possible
first
point of contact for this hobby. The possibilities are truly diverse!
OK.. sounds like you want that to be a sysop place to share tips and
info. Fine. But that's not going to do much to attract new people to bbsing, I think.
Good luck with attracting sysops to the cause.
In any case, I do not see myself at all in the role of a traitor to the
cause, but rather take a different approach to the solution!
... Platinum Xpress & Wildcat!..... Nice!!!!
-+- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
I do believe that Platinum Xpress was one of the first "bbs software"s
that supported an internet interface for visitors. But is it still being developed/supported?
--
--- OpenXP 5.0.64
* Origin: Ogg's Dovenet Point (723:320/1.9)
Dear Ogg
Thank you for your detailed explanation.
First. Yes, Wildcat is still developed. Platinum Xpress not for fairly mysterious reasons! Don't aks :-) But both are somehow closely intertwined, with one 'small' exception: the missing BinkP connection.
I have already noticed, and let's say acknowledged, that the sysops have
little to no interest in describing or explaining their systems outside of their own system, with very few exceptions (Rob is a very good example of the excellent explanation of his program)! Generally speaking, it just seems to be the way it is!
But the sysops of former and existing systems would, in my eyes, be the first point of contact for a new installation. I'm not asking a gardener how to fix
a car problem, that's my line of thinking!
And I find it easier to evaluate things brought together in an overall view
and make a choice, rather than gathering the information on many pages. That was my next thought process.
I already have a few pieces of information and links posted in my forum. Unfortunately, not yet comprehensive, so someone who is interested in the
hobby might also be able to get further information there. When I have it, I will also mention the contact person.
If I ever get around to it, the plan was to also install the current systems that are freely available. I would then have also shared my experiences with the installation and setup. Whether I will ever get around to it, however, remains questionable!
The bottom line is this: For me, it’s an enjoyable pastime, and on top of
that, I personally feel like I’m giving something back to this hobby.
And of course! Nobody asked me to do this, and nobody is forcing me to keep pushing it forward.
And I am fully aware that I am not reinventing the wheel here. That was never the plan anyway.
Mike
... Platinum Xpress & Wildcat!..... Nice!!!!
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: Global Chaos BBS, The Home of the Nets and Files (723:800/50)
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * Capitol City Online