Almost as popular (if not more) as the commercial data base services, are the privately operated data bases or bulletin board services (BBS). Most BBS are run by computer hobbyists with systems on a small scale. Most systems are simply a microcomputer, a modem, a floppy-disk drive, and some appropriate software (available commercially), sometimes written entirely in BASIC. The number of BBS are growing at an outstanding rate, so much so that a few publications have taken over the job of trying to list such BBS nationwide. The good news is that just about everyone is free, and most likely there is one operating in your area.
BBS interests range in many different areas, from adventure game enthusiasts to chess clubs, and many seperate microcomputer groups. Individual BBS may contain different services. For example, a computer club may have on-going equipment swapping, question and answer clinics, mail and messages service, and programs for down-loading.
Timex/Sinclair related BBS have taken a slow start, but a few have emerged, and plans for others are underway. We have included a listing of TS BBS that we know of, and there might be some others out there. All it takes is a phone call to open the door to a brand new source of information and ideas for your TS computer. Please take into consideration the one rule that is common with all BBS: be courteous, and no obusive language.
Zebra Systems BBS Woodhaven, NY (718) 296-2229 River Cities Smart BBS Paden City, WV (304) 652-1416 Pheonix BBS Dover, DE (302) 734-0179 ONLINE BBS Atlanta, GA 1 (800) 438-2438 INTERCOMEX Denver, CO (303) 367-1935
This list will be up-dated in future issues.