Bulletin Board Systems

In the late 1970s, computer hobbyists in Chicago set up the first public-access computerized bulletin board system (BBS). Inspired by physical bulletin boards in grocery stores and other public locations, bulletin board systems offered computer enthusiasts a way to communicate directly outside of user group meetings.

Many BBSes provided an private user-to-user email system, open message boards around specific topics and the ability to upload and download software and other documents. Access to most BBSes was free.

Bulletin Board Systems were a popular supplement to commercial online services like CompuServe, The Source and GEnie.

Because of the unique design of Timex/Sinclair systems, users of these computers faced additional challenges in connecting to BBSes. However, by 1985, the TS 2050 modem was widely available and many TS users were able to access online services and BBSes.

Limitations of the TS computers did not prevent enthusiasts from writing their own BBS software.

• I.S.T.U.G. TS2068 BBS - Bulletin board system for the unexpanded TS2068. Works with TS2050 modem and TS2040 printer. Holds 40 535-character messages; has “chat with sysop” feature.
• Micro BBS-1 - For use with Byte Back modem and TS 1000 with 16K RAM; stores 20 messages and sysop note.
• TINYBOARD - Bulletin board software, written by Randy and Lucy Gordon. The original Tinyboard BBS software program provided the ability of an unexpanded TS 2068 to serve as a host system. The program provided the “bare bones” essentials (no frills approach) to operate as a remote message base. The selections from the menu included reading, scanning, writing
• TMX-64 BBS - This BBS program is fully compatible with the Z-SIO (for use use with 300/1200 baud modems) as well as the TS-2050 modem. It features multiple message bases, 64 column sysop screen, abbreviated menus, and adjustable user display.

Bulletin board access grew, along with the importance of user groups, in the mid-1980s. How to access BBSes, lists and reviews of systems were popular article topics.

• 2068 BBS Program - This program creates a limited capacity message BBS using a 2068 & 2050 modem. Thanks to Randy and Lucy Gordon for making BBS software available to us. This revised version has new features that will make it easier to use. I hacked the BASIC down some to make more room in memory for messages. I
• A Change in the FWKUG MBBS - There has been a change in the FWKUG MBBS. Ron Lane, Sysop, has been running his board on a Kaypro with a dual 44Meg hard drive. Ron acquired some new software called ROS from a programmer in New Mexico. It is extremely fast and very closely resembles the old BBS that we are all used
• A Change in the FWKUG MBBS - Continued from July Issue
• A Letter from England - A UK-based correspondent surveys the current QL hardware and software landscape in Britain and Europe, covering products such as the Gold Card, Pointer Interface, QPac2, QD4, QSpreadII, EasyPointerIII, and Miracle Systems QLX. Also lists a European QL BBS network compiled in December 1992 and mentions Jurgen Falkenburg hardware and Jochen Merz Software. Includes brief notes
• A Look at FIDO NET - Explanation of the FIDO NET packet-radio BBS network, how messages propagate between local FIDO boards without connect charges, how it differs from CompuServe and GEnie, and a local listing of NET 157 FIDO boards in the greater Cleveland/Ohio area.
• A Private Library - OK bunky, so you’ve fought your way through the BBS and gotten to the QL program area – WHAT do all those files do?
• A Tour of the Bus Depot - A guided tour of the Bus Depot BBS, walking readers through connection settings, menu structure, and the available Timex/Sinclair file download section. Aimed at helping members navigate and make use of the local T/S-friendly BBS.
• Amstrad-Sinclair-Timex Resources - Regular community news column covering the closure of the TSU-BBS (run by Chris Raynak) after three years, the opening of a new Cleveland T/S BBS by Bob Parish (The Timelines, 216-671-6922), the Cleveland Free-Net Timex SIG, Youngstown Freenet launch, Amstrad support added to CompuServe, and new modem software including Specterm-64 for the 2068 and ZX-TERM-80
• Area Bulletin Board Phone Numbers
• BBS - What Is It?
• BBS for Timex Sinclair Users - Announcement of BBS in Toronto area.
• BBS List
• BBS List
• BBS List
• BBS Listing - Directory of seven BBS systems currently supporting Timex/Sinclair computers: Greg’s Psychedelic Breakfast (NJ), Grey Matter (CA), Ron’s ROS (TX), Timechange (CA), T3503 (OH), The King’s Market (CO), and one unlisted (CA). Solicits additions from readers. Editor DuPuy adds note about Cleveland FreeNet T/S SIG accessible via ‘go ts’ command.
• BBS Listing for the Lower Mainland
• BBS News
• BBS Programs - I am very proud to announce that the download Section on the FUKUG MBBS & PSDE for the Timex/Sinclair computers now has 41 programs for downloading via XMODEM protocol.
• BBS Report
• BBS Report by Mark Fisher, SYSOP - We’ve got a Kaypro! It’s been a long road, but it looks like we’ll be able to drive the BBS through our newly acquired K-10. It will offer 300 or 1200 BAUD service (what the heck how about 9600 BAUD?), and allow up to ten Megabytes of data storage. In today’s terms, that ain’t much,
• BBS Report: Into the Depths of CP/M
• BBS Services Available in British Columbia
• BBS Update
• BBSes
• BBSes that work with Q-Code
• BBSing on an Unexpanded 2068 - After you have been using your modem for awhile, you notice one thing most, it can be an enjoyable use of your computer. Sending and receiving electronic mail, uploading and downloading programs, and all of the different SIGS (special interest groups) that allow one to share common interests and hobbies with others are just a
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Bytes
• Bits & Pieces
• Bits & Pieces
• Bits & Pieces
• Bits and Pieces - News about Sinclair Research Ltd., two Timex-based BBSes join FidoNet, SOFTAID fundraising cassette, update on Timex Portugal. Shorter updates on MSCRIPT, RMG Enterprises, an RS-232 interface from Edward Loxterkamp, speech software from Tad Painter, software from Frank Lockhart, Jim Clatfelter and Peter McMullin.
• Book Review: Guide to Timex/Sinclair Telecommunications V2.0 - Review of Pete Fischer and Steve Ishii’s updated 96-page telecommunications guide, praising the expanded format, coverage of all T/S hardware and software for modems and comms, BBS listings with screen reproductions, and operating procedures. The larger format (8.5×11) addresses readability complaints about the first edition. Price increased to $7.50 postpaid.
• Bulletin Board Listing
• CATS BBS is UP! - Mark Fisher has just informed the newsletter staff that the CATS Bulletin Board system is now up and running.
• CATS BBS News - I’m not “the great telecommunicator”. I enjoy the Sysop-ing I’ve been doing, mainly because I DON’T have to do any phoning – I just yell at you guys to do that. However: I’ve been forced into the MODEM game in order to find out more about how this Kaypro works. In the process, I’ve got
• Chris Fenn's Column: Z88/PSION News and BBS Listings - Chris Fenn covers the PSION MC400 laptop delay, the new Z88 1 MEG RAM cartridge, Z88 CLI file command examples, and a selection of out-of-state BBS listings. Regular column appearing across multiple issues.
• Cleveland Free-Net Community Computer BBS System - Report on a SYSOP meeting for the Cleveland Free-Net community bulletin board system, including a $35,000 fundraising campaign to expand and sustain public access to the network. Provides context for the growing importance of free community computing in Cleveland.
• Closet Computers - Got an old computer stashed away somewhere? It may not be as fast or as powerful as your new machine, but there’s still plenty you can do with the machine that gave you the best eight bits of its life. Bulletin Board Systems Another type of digital communication involves connecting computers via telephone lines. Thousands
• Communications
• Computin in the Country - Oscar gets a 2050 modem and tries to connect to multiple BBSes, including the Zebra BBS.
• Data Interrupt - After over six years of continuous operation the Club computer, a PDP 11/60, has gone down. This has caused the newsletters to get way behind. This is also the computer that ran the SNUG BBS. It is our hope to either get this computer up and running again or migrate to another machine. This work
• Dealing With The BBS - This will take your computer, a terminal program, and a MODEM. For the 2068, the most common setup is the 2050 (Anchor) MODEM, along with SmartTerm II. For the QL, the horizon is wider – any “external” MODEM will work at 1200 BAUD. For terminal programs, again, the choice is wider, with QL Term, QLink,
• FCC Drops Modem Access Charge Plan - A reprint from the Hi-Tech Business Machines BBS of a Wall Street Journal article reporting that the FCC has abandoned its plan to charge computer users for telephone system access. Covers Rep. Markey’s role and an ongoing $4.50/hr private network charge proposal.
• FLASH BBS Bites The Dust in Las Vegas - Bob Royall, sysop, shut down BBS because his wife was ordered to a duty station in Turkey.
• From the Editor's Mailbag and Information from the FWKUG MBBS & PDSE - I thought you might like to see just what takes place many times on the FWKUG MBBS & PSDE that affects the Timex/Sinclair users and modem users here in the Fort Worth/Dallas area. Also some of the information and files that get placed on the board for the benefit of all of us. (Our downloadable
• From the Editor's Mailbox - Messages extracted from the Fort Worth BBS.
• FWKUG MBBS & PSDE - I certainly hope that many of you have been on line at one time or another with this BBS that is between Fort Worth and Dallas. Many of the downloads in the TIMEX AREA are from the Fort Worth group, but others have been added from time-to-time by people like Ed Grey. It also has
• Galfrey II BBS
• Gator's Twisted Pair
• Gator's Twisted Pair - TAKE NOTE! We are on a new computer. We now have a 24 hour BBS and encourage you to exchange mail and contribute to the Download Section. Use it and have fun!
• Gator's Twisted Pair - As you have just read in John Donaldson’s report, the PDP is down. Fortunately we have friends! We have migrated to a VAX but I will have to learn DCL to get the BBS fully Operational again. You may upload and read all the information in the DIRectory. You see the DIRectory by typing DIR,
• GIGO: The Meeting - December meeting report noting low attendance due to a snow storm and consequent cancellation of planned modem training. Covers the treasury report (in good shape), circulation of letters from FOG (Friends of Gateway), distribution of Robert Shade’s digitizer book, and a surprise visit from former member John Wells who reported on a local FIDO BBS
• Guide to Bulletin Boards Coming
• Guide to T/S Telecommunications Update for Version 2.0 - Time Warp, based in Boston, MA, runs on Casboard on a TS 2068. VSYS, in New Jersey, also runs on a TS 2068 using JBBS. Mark Fendrick runs Sinclair at Night. The Toronto T/S Users Club uses Downloaders Anonymous. SINCUS’s board is TCCS. The Timex/Sinclair Computer Club of Florida ran its board using a re-write
• In Touch With The World - Welcome to this month’s column! I have a lot of interesting information for those of you that have already joined the ranks of “T/S Telecommunicators”. And for those of you that have yet to get your modem, I think that this column will make you interested enough to make a modem your next purchase. First,
• Input/Output
• ISTUG BBS
• ISTUG BBS
• ISTUG BBS Program - BBS program written by Paul Holmgren and Willie Jones is available for sale. Program features automatic word wrap, real time clock, printing messages to SYSOP on 2040 printer.
• Larken Electronics Launches Maxcomm
• Letter from Keith Skapinksi
• Letter: TS BBS Guide Update (Version 2.0) - Letter from Pete Fischer updating readers on Version 2.0 of his Timex/Sinclair BBS Guide, listing newly returned boards (TIME WARP, VSYS), new boards (DOWNLOADER’S ANONYMOUS in Toronto, TCCS in upstate New York, Central Florida UG BBS, Sinclair at Night, Flash! BBS in Las Vegas, Timex X Change), and announcing terminal programs ZX-TERM-80 and Q-LINK for
• List des BBS de la region de Quebec - Bulletin board systems in Quebec.
• Local BBS List
• Local BBS Listings - Directory of six Las Vegas-area BBS systems with full detail: sysop names, phone numbers, hardware specifications, and access information. Systems listed include Firth of Fifth, Raiders of the Lost Arc, Nighthawk BBS, The Comic Connection, and Weekend Huddle.
• Local BBS Numbers
• Local Timex/Sinclair BBS
• LOG-ON!
• Modem News
• Modem News
• Modem Owners Directory - Announces the first Bay Area T/S modem owner directory, listing 13 members with phone numbers and modem type (Westridge 2050, Byte-Back, or Other). Briefly describes national online services (The Source and Compuserve) available to modem owners, and notes the Zebra Systems BBS (212-296-2229) dedicated to T/S users. Solicits additional entries from readers not yet on
• Modeming in Jacksonville - Surveys the BBS scene in Jacksonville, Florida, noting more than 70 local boards accessible to T/S users. Highlights the dedicated T/S message board on the Bus Depot BBS (904-262-6701, FidoNet) and encourages members to explore telecomputing. A practical guide for local club members getting started with modems.
• MTERM Tips: Transmitting and Receiving Files via Modem - Detailed procedural guide for transmitting BASIC programs and text files between TS-2068 computers using the MTERM terminal program. Covers sender/receiver parameter settings (duplex, LF, word length, parity), step-by-step CONNECT procedure, buffer management, saving to tape or AERCO/ZEBRA disk, and moving files between MTERM and MSCRIPT word processor.
• New American Sinclair BBS
• New BBS in Town
• New Developments in Timex/Sinclair Tele-Communications - Survey of BBS systems supporting Timex/Sinclair users in 1986: TIME--CHANGE BBS (213-329-3922, 25MB hard disk, all T/S computers); Average Remote BBS with first T/S sub-board west of the Mississippi; Zebra Systems BBS; Micro Systems BBS; and several others. Covers CompuServe Timex SIG (GO Club, section 4), PC Pursuit nationwide modem service ($25/month, off-peak hours), and
• New Developments in Timex/Sinclair Telecommunications - Article from LA T/S Group covering: using Tasword and Mterm II together for file transfer via modem; POKE modification to prevent Mterm II losing phone numbers and macros on exit to BASIC; POKEs for faster telephone dialing; and MINI XMOD v1.5 (Weymil Corp., $29.50) for TS1000/1500/ZX81 implementing Xmodem error-checking protocol for uploads and downloads.
• New Modem Adventures
• New Timex/Sinclair BBS Notices
• New Timex/Sinclair BBS Notices - This month we have three new BBS to announce that support the efforts of the Timex/Sinclair community. The SINCLAIR AT NIGHT BBS in New York operates from 11:00 PM until 6:00 AM. Their telephone number is (718) 627-1293 and the logon parameters are: Word Length=8, Parity=NONE, Stop Bits=1. Mark Fendrick, Sinclair columnist for the Computer
• Notes on the CATS BBS - This is the first attempt at a BBS by the CATS Users Group. It is using the Casboard BBS software: 300 BAUD only at this time, using an 8-1-N protocol leight bit word, one stop bit, No pairity check).
• Potpourri
• Potpourri - HOW TO MAKE A BBS I’m glad to report that the Kaypro 10 (K10) is in good health. It didn’t seem that way when I first took delivery, as mentioned in last month’s installment. Since then, I’ve heard of other recently-bought K10’s with BDOS errors #92 – | think that the green crud that grows
• Program Review: TS Tinyboard
• Public Telecomputing Network / Freenet Listings - Lists 14 NPTN Freenet node sites across North America with modem phone numbers and internet addresses. Contact information for the National Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN, PO Box 1987, Cleveland OH 44106) is provided. Useful for members seeking free public-access internet and BBS services.
• Quick Guide to Using the CATS BBS
• Random Bits
• River Cities Smart BBS: Timex/Sinclair SIG - Announcement of the River Cities Smart BBS (304-532-1616) with a dedicated Timex/Sinclair Special Interest Group. Features include message center, bulletins, information center with national user group/dealer/publication lists, and a download section with programs for the 1000 and 2068. Introduces a one-time lifetime membership fee to cover hardware costs.
• RMG BBS Down
• Sinclair Echo
• Sinclair ECHO
• Sinclair Echo
• Sinclair Echo
• Sinclair FIDO Nodes - Lists FidoNet BBS nodes operated by QL and Sinclair enthusiasts in the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden. Provides node numbers and contact information for each site. A reference for QL users seeking to connect with like-minded hobbyists via FidoNet.
• Sinclair Net Addresses
• Sinclair Users Unite! - Rules and guidelines for the Sinclair/Timex user FidoNet Echo.
• Sinclair/ECHO
• Sinclair/ECHO
• SincLink
• SincLink
• SincLink
• SincLink
• SincLink
• SincLink
• SincLink
• Special Notice - Proposal to develop a nation-wide Timex/Sinclair bulletin-board network.
• Spectrum Art Studio and AERCO Interface Conversion - Instructions for converting the Spectrum Art Studio (or Extended Art Studio) program to work with the AERCO Centronics parallel printer interface. Requires POKEing 26 bytes into memory before running; step-by-step customization procedure for selecting the print driver. Also notes a local LA-area ZX users group and the Timex Exchange BBS.
• Sysop John's BBS Beat - Updates on bulletin boards.
• Sysop's Twisted Pair - Swoger describes the club’s BBS, which he wrote. It runs on a PDP 11 under RSX-11M. The BBS has been up since 1984 and was written by me at a time when I had never seen any other BBS. As a result it looks like no other board you’ve seen before. I wrote it from
• Sysops Twisted Pair - PDP 11/23+ obtained for BBS.
• T/S BBS - Brief into to bulletin-board systems and a list of four that support TS users.
• T/S Guide to Telecommunication: BBS List - Introduction to a forthcoming free publication by Steve Ishii and Pete Fischer covering T/S modems, terminal programs, and hardware add-ons. Accompanied by a table of BBS systems that support Timex/Sinclair computers with phone numbers, hours, and connection settings.
• T/S On-Line: Modems and BBS Report - First-hand account of using the Westridge 2050 modem with Mterm communications software on various online services. Covers Compuserve (CEM 450 SIG, weekly Wednesday T/S realtime conference, data base section XA-4), the free Zebra Systems BBS (718-296-2229), and several Bay Area bulletin boards (Neighborhood Story Board, Parent’s Resource Net, Peacenet, Land of the Lost for SF/Fantasy
• T/S Resources - Cleveland Free-Net.
• T/S Resources
• T/S Tinyboard BBS
• T/S Update - Emulator news from Dewey; Pinball available from Sunset Electronics. Timex sold all hardware and software to New York liquidator.
• T/S Users Meet on Compuserve - Guide for Timex/Sinclair users accessing the CEM 450 Special Interest Group on Compuserve. Explains how to log in, read bulletins, join the weekly Wednesday T/S conference (hosted by SYSOP Patrick), and access the XA data library (Section 4 = T/S) to download programs via Byte-Back’s ZCOMM modem software. Positions Compuserve as a vital lifeline for
• Telecommunication News
• Telecommunications - Account of using the TS2068 with the Zebra OS-64 cartridge for 64-column BBS access via Challenger BBS, including a dedicated SEATUG/Timex room. Describes downloading RLE graphics files at 300 baud and using Jack Dohanys’ RLE decompression program.
• Telecommunications Article Errata - Corrections from the ZEBRA BBS SYSOP (John Ezike) to Ed Grey’s BBS article from the January 1986 issue: Zebra Systems is in Woodhaven Queens NY, not Long Island; Micro Systems BBS no longer supports T/S users; OMNI-NET BBS phone (718) 296-2385 is actually Zebra’s order line; MINI-BIN BBS does not exist — that number is
• Telecommunications Corner
• Telecommunications Corner
• Telecommuter's Corner
• The Bull Pen
• The Editor's Soapbox
• The ISTUG BBS Report: The CATUG BBS
• The ISTUG BBS Report: The Grey Matter BBS
• The Serial Port BBS - The Serial Port bulletin board has an active Timex/Sinclair SIG (Special Interest Group) area continuously since 1983. Recently, activity on the SIG has increased, matching the rebirth of the QL.
• The T/S Telecommunications Guide - I have just received the BIG telecommunications guide from Pete Fischer. (This is the one that has it all on the 11 X 8 1/2′ paper.) The cover page is in black and white, but he included-for me-the identical page in its original COLOR form.
• The World of the Fnet - An extended tutorial explaining the FNet BBS networking system: its history, how it differs from FidoNet, how the Fmailer software routes messages between nodes, and how to use MegaVision BBS (node 396) to access TSU files and Canadian user group resources. Includes step-by-step instructions for sending Email and Fmail.
• Time-X-change
• Timelines BBS Co-Sysop Wanted - Seeks volunteer co-sysops to manage dedicated file sections for the TS-1000, TS-2068/Spectrum, and QL platforms on the Timelines BBS. Provides contact information for interested members.
• Timex Sinclair Electronic Newsletter
• Timex Sinclair Sites for Humans and Small Animals
• Timex Telephone Tricks and Tips
• Timex Tidbits
• Timex Tidbits
• Timex Tidbits
• Timex Tidbits
• Timex Tidbits
• Timex Tidbits - Our Timex brethren in Milwaukee are producing Digitizers for the TS-2068. The cost of a completely assembled and tested unit with postage is $52.95 while the bare board alone costs $22.95! These prices include the software. For more information write to SMUG, Р.O.Вох 101, Butler, Wisconsin 53007. RMG Enterprises have expanded their Timex/Sinclair inventory by
• Timex-Sinclair BBS Update
• Timex-Sinclair Supporting BBSes
• Timex/Sinclair BBS Directory
• Timex/Sinclair BBS Directory
• Timex/Sinclair BBS Directory (April 1988) - A reference listing of approximately 34 Timex/Sinclair bulletin board systems from April 1988, with phone numbers and parameter codes indicating baud rate settings, message base activity, file transfer support, subscription requirements, and PC Pursuit accessibility.
• Timex/Sinclair BBS in San Mateo - Announces the launch of a TIMEX/Sinclair Special Interest Group (SIG) on the LogOn Unlimited BBS in San Mateo, CA (415-571-6911). Describes upload/download capabilities for 2068, Spectrum, and QL software, plus plans for ZX81/TS1000/TS1500 files. Explains the message base system, access registration, and relationship to other LogOn boards.
• Timex/Sinclair BBS List
• Timex/Sinclair News and Tips
• Timex/Sinclair User Bulletin Board - Zebra Systems has provided T-S Horizons with the information below on a bulletin board service especially for Timex and Sinclair users. Future plans include providing programs that modern users can download into their own system and save for their own use.
• Trouble with Corrupted Files? - Explains why TS2068 BASIC files downloaded from PC-based BBSs via Xmodem become corrupted: Xmodem pads the last 128-byte block with garbage bytes that follow the final program line. Solution uses HOT-Z v1.81 (loaded at address 50416) in hex-edit mode to replace the end-of-program byte (DEC 14) with DEC 13 followed by DEC 128, and zero
• TS Telecommunication Tips for Long Distance BBSers
• TSU BBS Usage Survey - Presents survey results on TSU BBS usage patterns via bar charts, including reasons members use the BBS (information, uploads/downloads, browsing, or all) and the types of modems they use to connect.
• Turn Off Call Waiting - A brief tip explaining how to disable call waiting before placing modem calls to prevent connection drops: dial *70 for touch-tone lines or 1170 for pulse-dial lines. A short but practical note for BBS users.
• Using Fidomail as a TS Network
• WetWare Divisions T/S SIG Telecommunications Server Starter's Manual/Guide - A comprehensive guide to accessing the WetWare Divisions UNIX-based BBS, which hosts a dedicated Timex/Sinclair special interest group. Covers login procedures, terminal emulation settings (VT-52, ANSI, DUMB) for various T/S models, conference navigation commands, essential UNIX commands, and XMODEM file transfer procedures for the TS2068 and TS1500 modems.
• What's Under the S.U.N. - Newsletter editorial announcing new columns for the coming year and reporting on plans for a club bulletin board system to run on an Osborne I computer with a modem.
• Why Timelines BBS was Founded and What is Timelines BBS? - Timelines….BBS was founded out of frustration of not having a Timex/Sinclair BBS that I could log on to that spoke my. language (Sinclairees). When I bought my TS-2068 computer and TS-2050 modem I thought that I could do some modeming like the Apple and I.B.M. computer users do. What I found was that there were
• Z88 BBS Announcement - Two-part announcement for the ZED-88 BBS, dedicated exclusively to Cambridge Z88 users and located on the US East Coast (703-968-9433, Northern Virginia). Part 1 previews the BBS with approximately 200 files planned and invites interest gauging before the August 1st official launch. Part 2 confirms the BBS is open in beta test mode with about