• RE: BBS Forum Sysops Fine

    From Robert Wolfe@VERT/KLYNTAR to MIKE on Tue Jan 20 09:59:00 2026
    On 1/20/2026 12:10 PM, MIKE wrote to OGG:

    Whether it ultimately works also depends on the acceptance of the sysops in the FTNs. As long as many see a forum as the enemy of the hobby, it will of course be harder for the initiator to present and explain the hobby in all its
    splendor and diversity. A lot has happened in almost 40 years of BBS history!
    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!

    Coming in late to this conversation, could someone kindly remind us of what the original
    topic was about?

    TIA.
    ---
    þ wcQWK 10.0
  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Robert Wolfe on Tue Jan 20 15:41:05 2026
    Re: RE: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Robert Wolfe to MIKE on Tue Jan 20 2026 09:59 am


    Coming in late to this conversation, could someone kindly remind
    us of what the original topic was about?



    that shitty bbs forum that 3 people use.
    ---
    þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::
  • From paulie420@VERT/BEERS20 to MRO on Tue Jan 20 17:29:00 2026
    Coming in late to this conversation, could someone kindly remind
    us of what the original topic was about?

    that shitty bbs forum that 3 people use.

    Why be rude 1oo% of the time???

    The original topic was sysops-finest.com - Mike's BBS related WWW forums.



    |07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
    |08.........

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337
  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to paulie420 on Tue Jan 20 23:57:40 2026
    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: paulie420 to MRO on Tue Jan 20 2026 05:29 pm

    Coming in late to this conversation, could someone
    kindly remind us of what the original topic was about?

    that shitty bbs forum that 3 people use.

    Why be rude 1oo% of the time???

    The original topic was sysops-finest.com - Mike's BBS related WWW
    forums.

    he should post his ads in the ad section.

    if you pay attention to dovenet our topics drift off from time to time.
    he seems really pushy, probably due to lack of interest by everyone else. there's no reason to re-invent the wheel.

    Only the strong survive. When i ran my bbs services people like frank linhares and another guy actually used the free scripts i used and stripped the code to make it seem like it's was all done in house. Then they made
    false claims about how a banner made someone's entire webpage load slow. meanwhile my uptime was WAY better, my support was way better and I rented real ovh servers instead of using shitty overworked vms.

    I outlasted all of them because i remained relevant. and i pulled the plug when i wanted to pull the plug.

    This guy's site is on it's 2nd year. I don't care if it stays or goes, but
    he should post his ads in the ad section and not be so pushy if people don't upload files, post help etc etc etc. If you run something it's your baby.
    you have to be willing to put in all the time and not expect anything.
    ---
    þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::
  • From Denn@VERT/OUTWEST to paulie420 on Tue Jan 20 22:44:39 2026
    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: paulie420 to MRO on Tue Jan 20 2026 05:29 pm

    that shitty bbs forum that 3 people use.

    Why be rude 1oo% of the time???

    I think MRO's last ratings had him down to 97.3%

    Denn

    ... Dignity is one thing that cannot be preserved in alcohol.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ the Outwest BBS - outwest.synchro.net - Home of BBSBASE 6.0
  • From Mike@VERT/CAPCITY2 to All on Wed Jan 21 14:58:36 2026
    On Jan 20, 2026 10:51pm, Denn wrote to Paulie420:

    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: paulie420 to MRO on Tue Jan 20 2026 05:29 pm

    that shitty bbs forum that 3 people use.

    As is well known, politeness is a virtue and unfortunately not everyone possesses it, dear Mro. And I really can't remember ever having gone after
    you, or? You could also step out of your comfort zone and be the "fourth" one? Maybe then others would join in too? It's always very easy to complain about others. But then you would also have to show how it could be done better! And the proof, you're still keeping us waiting for that!

    But it is true that no one told me to start a BBS forum! Personally, though, I believe in the idea of promoting this hobby on the web in this way, even if it will take longer without you. And I admit that I had hoped that some of you might perhaps help support the project with different kinds. I have already explained everything else. I just think it's a pitty that many sysops ignore this type of advertising for our shared hobby and instead prefer to be online on commercial platforms, sharing information here and there. I can't really understand that. But I don't have to!

    Nevertheless, I will make another post in a year. Constant dripping wears away the stone. :-)

    Why be rude 1oo% of the time???

    I think MRO's last ratings had him down to 97.3%

    Denn

    ... Dignity is one thing that cannot be preserved in alcohol.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ the Outwest BBS - outwest.synchro.net - Home of BBSBASE
    6.0 * Origin: Capitol City Online (723:320/1)

    ... 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
  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Mike on Wed Jan 21 15:59:04 2026
    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Mike to All on Wed Jan 21 2026 02:58 pm

    On Jan 20, 2026 10:51pm, Denn wrote to Paulie420:

    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine By: paulie420 to MRO on Tue Jan 20 2026 05:29 pm

    that shitty bbs forum that 3 people use.

    As is well known, politeness is a virtue and unfortunately not
    everyone possesses it, dear Mro. And I really can't remember ever
    having gone after you, or? You could also step out of your comfort
    zone and be the "fourth" one? Maybe then others would join in too?


    you think i was actually going after you? You don't know me that well.
    if i was going after you i'd be a lot less polite.

    anyways, post your ads in the ad section like everyone else does.

    I think MRO's last ratings had him down to 97.3%

    Denn

    ^^ who's this denn guy? never heard of him.
    ---
    þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::
  • From phigan@VERT/TACOPRON to Mike on Wed Jan 21 14:57:03 2026
    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Mike to All on Wed Jan 21 2026 02:58 pm

    But it is true that no one told me to start a BBS forum! Personally, though, believe in the idea of promoting this hobby on the web in this way, even if will take longer without you. And I admit that I had hoped that some of you

    My only problem with the thinking of attracting people via the Web is that if someone goes to visit a forum about BBSing, and the forum is practically unused and looks like a ghost town, it makes people feel like the whole BBSing thing might be abandoned too. If you get someone to join an active BBS and there is information about BBSing and the scene on THERE, then the life of the scene is more obvious.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO TACOPRONTO.bbs.io
  • From Denn@VERT/OUTWEST to Mike on Wed Jan 21 22:49:01 2026
    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Mike to All on Wed Jan 21 2026 02:58 pm

    that shitty bbs forum that 3 people use.

    As is well known, politeness is a virtue and unfortunately not everyone possesses it, dear Mro. And I really can't remember ever having gone after you, or? You could also step out of your comfort zone and be the "fourth"

    Some people like (MRO) are like the old cranky (get off my lawn) hippie types.
    It's best just to ignore MRO, unless you're trying to bait him.
    Don't let his rudness distract you from your goals.

    Denn

    ... Tennis players have fuzzy balls.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ the Outwest BBS - outwest.synchro.net - Home of BBSBASE 6.0
  • From Mike@VERT/CAPCITY2 to Denn on Thu Jan 22 08:33:12 2026
    On Jan 21, 2026 10:56pm, Denn wrote to Mike:

    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Mike to All on Wed Jan 21 2026 02:58 pm

    that shitty bbs forum that 3 people use.

    As is well known, politeness is a virtue and unfortunately not everyone
    possesses it, dear Mro. And I really can't remember ever having gone
    after
    you, or? You could also step out of your comfort zone and be the
    "fourth"

    Some people like (MRO) are like the old cranky (get off my lawn) hippie types.
    It's best just to ignore MRO, unless you're trying to bait him.
    Don't let his rudness distract you from your goals.

    Denn

    ... Tennis players have fuzzy balls.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ the Outwest BBS - outwest.synchro.net - Home of BBSBASE
    6.0 * Origin: Capitol City Online (723:320/1)

    Everything's fine. But I always assume that people remain fair in a dialogue. You can always discuss things controversially, but insulting simply doesn't belong here!

    Thank you fo your feedback Denn!I appreciate it!

    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
  • From Mike@VERT/CAPCITY2 to Phigan on Thu Jan 22 09:08:00 2026
    On Jan 21, 2026 03:04pm, Phigan wrote to Mike:

    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Mike to All on Wed Jan 21 2026 02:58 pm

    But it is true that no one told me to start a BBS forum! Personally,
    though,
    believe in the idea of promoting this hobby on the web in this way, even
    if
    will take longer without you. And I admit that I had hoped that some of
    you

    My only problem with the thinking of attracting people via the Web is
    that if someone goes to visit a forum about BBSing, and the forum is practically unused and looks like a ghost town, it makes people feel
    like the whole BBSing thing might be abandoned too. If you get someone
    to join an active BBS and there is information about BBSing and the
    scene on THERE, then the life of the scene is more obvious.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO
    TACOPRONTO.bbs.io * Origin: Capitol City Online (723:320/1)

    Dear Phigan,

    I completely agree to 100% with you!

    But it's not like I announced this project early (in 2024) on all FTN channels and invited all former and current system administrators to share their BBS
    ads and news, their extensive experience, or recommended tools/utilities and their settings. And I, as the "idea initiator" of this project, am doing all
    of this entirely on my own, and that takes more time, as needed in a real community, which also has a genuine interest in promoting this wonderful hobby in a best possible way! I already wrote, 25,000 verifiable clicks per month. The forum is definitely being noticed.

    So why not make the best of it? The hobby has so many great facets! I understand people who on one hand say they like BBSs but demonize the
    Internet. On the other hand, I have to say.. true, it has contributed to the User Target group being there and many sysops too! But everyone takes
    advantage of this internet flat rate, in contrast to the horrendous telephone costs we had monthly in the 90s. (just only one example of the benefits)
    Just imagine if 200–300 Sysops from the about 1500-2000 worldwide would dedicate 10 minutes of their valuable time each week or month to various activities (hardware/software/doors/scene/FTN/ANSI/ASCII), in addition to my own efforts. I can see that it (announcements, new BBSs, etc.) seems possible on other platforms, besides the FTN. Nobody can deny!

    One could also put forward the thesis that this forum reflects the disarray of the sysop scene? That would also be an explanation, wouldn't it?

    It would be wonderful and very helpful if more of you would make an effort and contribute a small part. Many of you have far more knowledge of the subject than I could ever learn in the rest of my life. With you, the forum can become and be significantly definitely better! A great showcase for our hobby! And of course, with the necessary patience for the development too!

    And I stick to my thesis that all the fragmentation across the many portals, and even more so on the commercial ones, has not been beneficial to the thematic presentation of this hobby and still isn't. A thematic focus would certainly bring more to the hobby and to those interested in it!

    What certainly won't happen is that I give up the project, which by now has cost not only a lot of my time but also not insignificant amount of money.

    ... 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
  • From Mike@VERT/CAPCITY2 to Phigan on Thu Jan 22 10:10:56 2026
    On Jan 21, 2026 03:04pm, Phigan wrote to Mike:

    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Mike to All on Wed Jan 21 2026 02:58 pm

    But it is true that no one told me to start a BBS forum! Personally,
    though,
    believe in the idea of promoting this hobby on the web in this way, even
    if
    will take longer without you. And I admit that I had hoped that some of
    you

    My only problem with the thinking of attracting people via the Web is
    that if someone goes to visit a forum about BBSing, and the forum is practically unused and looks like a ghost town, it makes people feel
    like the whole BBSing thing might be abandoned too. If you get someone
    to join an active BBS and there is information about BBSing and the
    scene on THERE, then the life of the scene is more obvious.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO
    TACOPRONTO.bbs.io * Origin: Capitol City Online (723:320/1)


    Small addendum!

    A nice, meaningful and chronological beginning could be, just as an example,
    if a large part of the 1500-2000 BBSs would introduce themselves in a good and meaningful visual presentation. With e.g. software using, focal points,
    special features, possibly a photograph of the BBS (hardware), if operated at home and an introduction of the sysop as a person/human. And very important, what makes this hobby for him so fascinating! As long as these informations
    are not now under Top Secret.

    Conversations and discussions arise through contributions. If these are lacking, the aforementioned does not take place either. And it should be in
    the interest of every sysop to present their heartblood as best as possible
    and for free.

    As I had already written in 2024/2025. The forum could be a first central
    point of contact for the hobby in all its glory!

    And on the topic of the web. There is a meaningful saying that also applies here: The enemy of my enemy is my friend! Why don't we take advantage of that?

    ... 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
  • From phigan@VERT/TACOPRON to Mike on Sat Jan 24 10:34:28 2026
    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Mike to Phigan on Thu Jan 22 2026 09:08 am

    So why not make the best of it? The hobby has so many great facets! I

    Well, like I said earlier, I personally don't like the web, and like web forums even less so. When I want to tell web-only people about BBSes, I point them to telnetbbsguide.com where there is a list of a thousand BBSes they can try.

    You don't have to give up on your project, but you should realize that you are contributing to the fragmentation. You want people to use your web forum to bring attention to BBSes. In a way, this is bringing attention away from BBSes :). Mucking with web forums just isn't interesting for me. Otherwise I'd probably participate on AtariAge or one of the countless other web forum communities that have existed for decades.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO TACOPRONTO.bbs.io
  • From phigan@VERT/TACOPRON to Mike on Sat Jan 24 10:36:01 2026
    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Mike to Phigan on Thu Jan 22 2026 10:10 am

    A nice, meaningful and chronological beginning could be, just as an example, if a large part of the 1500-2000 BBSs would introduce themselves in a good a meaningful visual presentation. With e.g. software using, focal points,

    Kind of like telnetbbsguide.com? There's a saying about reinventing the wheel, etc.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO TACOPRONTO.bbs.io
  • From Mike@VERT/CAPCITY2 to Phigan on Sun Jan 25 14:33:38 2026
    On Jan 24, 2026 10:43am, Phigan wrote to Mike:

    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Mike to Phigan on Thu Jan 22 2026 10:10 am

    A nice, meaningful and chronological beginning could be, just as an
    example,
    if a large part of the 1500-2000 BBSs would introduce themselves in a
    good a
    meaningful visual presentation. With e.g. software using, focal points,

    Kind of like telnetbbsguide.com? There's a saying about reinventing the wheel, etc.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO
    TACOPRONTO.bbs.io * Origin: Capitol City Online (723:320/1)

    Hm

    First.. Hello Phigan

    It's actually not really about... like... but rather to gather as much information as possible about this hobby from the hundreds of actual sources
    of information that currently exist and to relate it to a single point. And it's also not about competing with anyone. That is completely foreign to me
    and is 100% absolutely not the goal of the forum! The 'wheel' is simply the point that this information could one day be brought together in the most useful way, and that a visitor interested in this hobby gets everything important they need to build/create a BBS of his choice and become part of the BBS community. I would rather call this a bridge for an optimal entry into
    this hobby!I look at the whole in a holistic way, so overlaps are bound to happen. But that is also the diversity that is desired and is a good thing!

    I can live just fine with someone not liking the internet, even though he/she/it use it every day. It's the same with the way a forum approaches and presents a topic on the www. Everything is fine from my perspective!

    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
  • From Accession@VERT/PHARCYDE to Mike on Sun Jan 25 13:58:58 2026
    Hey Mike!

    On Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:33:38 +0100, you wrote:

    I can live just fine with someone not liking the internet, even though he/she/it use it every day. It's the same with the way a forum
    approaches and presents a topic on the www. Everything is fine from my perspective!

    If I remember correctly, you had previously mentioned that it is out of your realm of expertise/knowledge to do what I mention below, but rather than trying to get people that don't like using web forums to try using... web forums.. How about trying to expand your knowledge and expertise and utilize FTN /into/ your message forums? This way people that don't like using web forums can still communicate with the people that access your web forum?

    Would that not bridge a pretty huge gap in communications between the two?

    Currently, it looks like you are using (and maybe even paying for?) some cloud based forum software, with a light-weight wiki add-on. If indeed you are paying for this monthly, or yearly, I'd like to ask how much different it actually is than this (which can definitely be improved upon, graphically, by anyone), for example:

    https://pharcyde.org/?page=001-forum.ssjs&group=0

    I guess what I'm saying here is, there are actual BBS softwares that already seem to have this "forum" style messaging built in - and already supports communication via FTN networks, so there is no need to gain expertise/knowledge on creating your own, etc.

    I'm not trying to put what you're doing down, whatsoever. So please don't take it that way. I was just looking at some comparible stuff and wondering why you chose to go the route that you did. Either way, keep on doing whatever makes you happy!

    Regards,
    Nick

    ... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
    --- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20250409
    * Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (723:1/1)
    ï¿­ Synchronet ï¿­ _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin)
  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Accession on Sun Jan 25 15:05:05 2026
    Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Accession to Mike on Sun Jan 25 2026 01:58 pm


    I guess what I'm saying here is, there are actual BBS softwares
    that already seem to have this "forum" style messaging built in -
    and already supports communication via FTN networks, so there is no
    need to gain expertise/knowledge on creating your own, etc.

    I'm not trying to put what you're doing down, whatsoever. So please


    he could use a forum software with nntp gateway/plugin. several of us here have done that. i think fudforum has one and it's free. i dont think it
    plays well with synchronet's nntp but that can be addressed.

    so he could have his forum and he could have all the msg networks he joins, all in one. truly bringing it all together.


    --
    "Before using Wildcat....This Company did not have a convenient way of
    looking after some of the richest clients in the world...Now we do!"
    ---
    þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::
  • From Ogg@VERT/CAPCITY2 to Mike on Sun Jan 25 13:56:00 2026
    Hello Mike!

    ** On Thursday 22.01.26 - 09:08, Mike wrote to Phigan:

    promoting this wonderful hobby in a best possible way! I already wrote, 25,000 verifiable clicks per month. The forum is definitely being noticed.

    .. noticed by bots too, perhaps? That 25,000 could be misleading.


    It would be wonderful and very helpful if more of you would make an
    effort and contribute a small part. Many of you have far more knowledge
    of the subject than I could ever learn in the rest of my life. With you, the forum can become and be significantly definitely better! A great showcase for our hobby! And of course, with the necessary patience for
    the development too!

    Your best bet is to simply list the different types of active BBS software out there, provide links to other online resources offering them, discussing them and supporting them.

    https://www.ipingthereforeiam.com/bbs/ ..is another fine window to the bbs world.


    And I stick to my thesis that all the fragmentation across the many portals, and even more so on the commercial ones, has not been beneficial to the thematic presentation of this hobby and still isn't. A thematic focus would certainly bring more to the hobby and to those interested in it!

    A theme named for just sysops seems limiting and doesn't sound like a place to attract non-sysops into the hobby, imho. ;)


    What certainly won't happen is that I give up the project, which by now
    has cost not only a lot of my time but also not insignificant amount of money.

    Yeah.. hosting costs can accumulate. Good luck.
    --
    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.64
    * Origin: Ogg's Dovenet Point (723:320/1.9)
    * Synchronet * CAPCITY2 * Capitol City Online
  • From Ogg@VERT/CAPCITY2 to phigan on Sun Jan 25 14:20:00 2026
    Hello phigan!

    ** On Saturday 24.01.26 - 10:34, phigan wrote to Mike:

    So why not make the best of it? The hobby has so many great facets! I

    Well, like I said earlier, I personally don't like the web, and like web forums even less so. When I want to tell web-only people about BBSes, I point them to telnetbbsguide.com where there is a list of a thousand BBSes they can try.

    https://www.ipingthereforeiam.com/bbs/ is also a good way to explore and discover BBSes out there.


    You don't have to give up on your project, but you should realize that you are contributing to the fragmentation. You want people to use your web forum to bring attention to BBSes. In a way, this is bringing attention away from BBSes :). Mucking with web forums just isn't interesting for me. Otherwise I'd probably participate on AtariAge or one of the countless other web forum communities that have existed for decades.

    I agree.. there is a fragmentation aspect.

    I see several BBSes have basic front-end intro pages that describe BBSing, the history, etc. ..and then provide the portal to login. Excellent.

    Outside from having a 60 Minutes segment on BBSing as it exists today, or a viral video somewhere, this hobby simply needs a place that describes what a BBS is "TODAY", and points the user to various systems.

    The IPTIA, SBBSLIST, and TelneBBSguide, are excellent directories of systems that can do that.


    --- OpenXP 5.0.64
    * Origin: Ogg's Dovenet Point (723:320/1.9)
    * Synchronet * CAPCITY2 * Capitol City Online
  • From Mike@VERT/CAPCITY2 to Accession on Mon Jan 26 11:28:34 2026
    On Jan 25, 2026 02:04pm, Accession wrote to Mike:

    Hey Mike!

    On Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:33:38 +0100, you wrote:

    I can live just fine with someone not liking the internet, even though
    he/she/it use it every day. It's the same with the way a forum
    approaches and presents a topic on the www. Everything is fine from my
    perspective!

    If I remember correctly, you had previously mentioned that it is out of your realm of expertise/knowledge to do what I mention below, but rather than trying to get people that don't like using web forums to try
    using... web forums.. How about trying to expand your knowledge and expertise and utilize FTN /into/ your message forums? This way people
    that don't like using web forums can still communicate with the people
    that access your web forum?

    Would that not bridge a pretty huge gap in communications between the
    two?

    Currently, it looks like you are using (and maybe even paying for?) some cloud based forum software, with a light-weight wiki add-on. If indeed
    you are paying for this monthly, or yearly, I'd like to ask how much different it actually is than this (which can definitely be improved
    upon, graphically, by anyone), for example:

    https://pharcyde.org/?page=001-forum.ssjs&group=0

    I guess what I'm saying here is, there are actual BBS softwares that already seem to have this "forum" style messaging built in - and already supports communication via FTN networks, so there is no need to gain expertise/knowledge on creating your own, etc.

    I'm not trying to put what you're doing down, whatsoever. So please
    don't take it that way. I was just looking at some comparible stuff and wondering why you chose to go the route that you did. Either way, keep
    on doing whatever makes you happy!

    Regards,
    Nick

    ... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
    --- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20250409
    # Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (723:1/1)
    þ Synchronet þ _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin)
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (723:320/1)

    Hello Nick

    First of all... Thank you for your constructive suggestions!
    I would like to first comment on the upper section, if that's alright?

    This is relatively easy to explain. At the end of 2023, I started to seriously engage with the topic of BBS again. I hadn't done anything for 23 years; I was never really the programmer either (probably no talent for something like that).

    What struck me back then, besides the Wildcat Interactive Net Server that was used/choiced, was that in addition to the language problems (English - German, technical English - technical German), you had to search a long time on the
    WWW before you could get a rough overview of the hobby. Perhaps this is also because, over the 23 years, I have inevitably just gotten 23 years older? I don't want to dispute that right now!

    Long story short: I was never the programmer, more of a user of existing software. My talent is therefore limited.

    The forum software was therefore purchased after I had weighed the pros and cons of the software available on the market a little. The add-ons as well.
    If the timing works out, I will also tackle the wiki.

    Let's move on to the next point: I had to start with something within the
    scope of my mental capabilities and skills. And maybe I am taking the easier route for me? So I focused on the content first. Unfortunately, a forum is not really suitable, or barely suitable at all, for properly describing and categorizing mass uploads. So each program, tool, utility, door, door game,
    and and and, must be entered and descriped individually.

    Therefore, since I am now hanging around as a one man show, I am maintaining/adding programs, doors, and tools, etc., in this endless loop, along with information (simple research) on the topic of BBS in the www.

    Since my day also only has 24 hours, and there is still a working life (although due to my retirement it is no longer 220 days a year), but with the German Armed Forces as a reservist for 5-7 months a year, alongside normal family life, time is limited, as it is for many here.

    Regarding the connector in the Fido or FTN: Apart from the fact that, as described above, I don't even have the time to learn the skills, I do have
    some concerns about this possibility. I had mentioned that I don't want to see the forum as competition to the BBSs or the Nets! The idea itself is quite
    very appealing to me, although I have some legal concerns with one or another network that uses real names!

    Therefore, I initially focused on introducing the respective still existing
    FTN and mentioning contact persons (Zone Coordinators). Certainly, one could further expand on the content, and I will most likely do so. But in my view, the first step is to first highlight the diversity and history of this wonderful and creative hobbies.

    All in all, the forum is explained by the personal facts of my person
    described above and therefore develops more slowly than it would in a collaborative effort where everyone can contribute their ideas and strengths. And the fact that often, and now I will try to express myself cautiously, things are depicted and discussed here and there mostly in a manner specific
    to certain software. Broadly, that is, across all platforms and still existing programs, actually to my knowledge, concentrated to one point not.

    All in all, I can still imagine many things that the forum could offer or accomplish. But honestly, I rely on a bit of help for that. And everyone reading along knows that it doesn't come and probably never will.
    No blame! Just the reality.

    I can only keep repeating that I would be very happy if the project, the idea, gained more approval.

    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
  • From Mike@VERT/CAPCITY2 to Ogg on Mon Jan 26 12:37:16 2026
    On Jan 25, 2026 02:01pm, Ogg wrote to Mike:

    Hello Mike!

    ** On Thursday 22.01.26 - 09:08, Mike wrote to Phigan:

    promoting this wonderful hobby in a best possible way! I already wrote,
    25,000 verifiable clicks per month. The forum is definitely being
    noticed.

    .. noticed by bots too, perhaps? That 25,000 could be misleading.


    It would be wonderful and very helpful if more of you would make an
    effort and contribute a small part. Many of you have far more knowledge
    of the subject than I could ever learn in the rest of my life. With you,
    the forum can become and be significantly definitely better! A great
    showcase for our hobby! And of course, with the necessary patience for
    the development too!

    Your best bet is to simply list the different types of active BBS
    software out there, provide links to other online resources offering
    them, discussing them and supporting them.

    https://www.ipingthereforeiam.com/bbs/ ..is another fine window to the
    bbs world.


    And I stick to my thesis that all the fragmentation across the many
    portals, and even more so on the commercial ones, has not been
    beneficial
    to the thematic presentation of this hobby and still isn't. A thematic
    focus would certainly bring more to the hobby and to those interested in
    it!

    A theme named for just sysops seems limiting and doesn't sound like a
    place to attract non-sysops into the hobby, imho. ;)


    What certainly won't happen is that I give up the project, which by now
    has cost not only a lot of my time but also not insignificant amount of
    money.

    Yeah.. hosting costs can accumulate. Good luck.
    --
    ../|ug

    --- OpenXP 5.0.64
    * Origin: Ogg's Dovenet Point (723:320/1.9)

    Next step:

    My statistics add everything up and unfortunately cannot distinguish. I just threw the number in there because surely there were a few that were not bots.

    In one form or another, it is already included in the forum. Programs and any existing additional links. And yes absolutely. I like his web page very weel and it has also long been referred to as an additional source of information
    in the forum! Absolutely good work he's doing there! No ifs or buts!

    The name is always a matter of interpretation. The forum needed some name. It could have been called BBS Finest as well (just as an example). What really matters is the content. Sometimes a name is just a name. But that is, or can, simply just be the result when only one person has a "brain fart". However, I had asked other sysops beforehand. Perhaps out of politeness, there were no objections or alternative suggestions at this time!

    I don't care about the money. Others go out drinking, or whatever!
    For me it's part of the hobby. And every hobby costs money!

    But I always find the constructive conversation very good, because you still take something away from it!

    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
  • From phigan@VERT/TACOPRON to Mike on Mon Jan 26 13:29:32 2026
    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Mike to Phigan on Sun Jan 25 2026 02:33 pm

    I can live just fine with someone not liking the internet, even though he/she/it use it every day. It's the same with the way a forum approaches an

    The Internet is great. It's the Web that sucks. ;)

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO TACOPRONTO.bbs.io
  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Mike on Mon Jan 26 15:58:03 2026
    Re: RE: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Mike to Accession on Mon Jan 26 2026 11:28 am


    All in all, I can still imagine many things that the forum
    could offer or accomplish. But honestly, I rely on a bit of
    help for that. And everyone reading along knows that it
    doesn't come and probably never will.
    No blame! Just the reality.

    you seem like you're not cut out for something like this.

    you need time, dedication and knowledge. you cant just make a website and expect people to make it flourish.

    Also you're not really filling a void. you aren't providing anything
    that is lacking.


    --
    "Before using Wildcat....This Company did not have a convenient way of
    looking after some of the richest clients in the world...Now we do!"
    ---
    þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::
  • From Mike@VERT/CAPCITY2 to Phigan on Tue Jan 27 06:32:58 2026
    On 26.01.2026 13:36, Phigan wrote to Mike:

    @TZUTC: -0700
    @MSGID:
    72070.dove-gen@723:320/1 2dde5822
    @REPLY: 723:800/50 43051BD3
    @PID:
    Synchronet 3.19c-Linux / Jun 26 2022 GCC 9.4.0
    @TID: SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
    master/123f2d28a Jul 12 2025 GCC 12.2.0
    @COLS: 80
    @BBSID: VERT/
    TACOPRON
    @CHRS: CP437 2
    @FORMAT: flowed
    @NOTE: Synchronet
    msgeditor /
    Re: Re: BBS Forum Sysops Fine
    By: Mike to Phigan on
    Sun Jan 25 2026 02:33 pm

    I can live just fine with someone not
    liking the internet, even though
    he/she/it use it every day. It's the
    same with the way a forum approaches an

    The Internet is great. It's
    the Web that sucks. ;)

    ---
    ÿ Synchronet ÿ TIRED of waiting 2
    hours for a taco? GO TO TACOPRONTO.bbs.io
    * Origin: Capitol City Online
    (723:320/1)

    But always with the possibility for the reader to chose, which
    is intereting for him!
    www is a mixed box of "sweets".
    And some things are
    indeed interesting to read! And everyone decides for themselves what that
    means to them! I think that's okay in this way! I certainly wouldn't
    generalize that!

    But that is also my personal opinion, and of course I
    respect other opinions!


    --- 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