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Hi everyone,

A couple of posts lately have reminded me of the local "bulletin boards" that we used to have running here back in 91-93 or so. Also known as BBSs (Bulletin Board Systems), these were run by individuals who created, hosted, and monitored them. The typical bulletin board was very similar to the forums here.

Because it was before Yahoo and what we now think of as the internet and all of that, most people frequented each of the boards. The local, individually-hosted forums started falling off around 1994, or at least the ones I frequented did.

Was anyone here involved with those boards as a host (SysOp!), frequent commenter, or lurker? If so, what years and what boards?

I was a host (not going to name the board for reasons of anonymity) from around 1991 to 1994.
"Ignorance is excusable when it is borne like a cross, but when it is wielded like an axe, and with moral indignation, then it becomes something else indeed. " ~Flannery O'Connor
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TD,
Yes, they were online forums, just like this one. It was before what we think of as our WWW style of being "online", but it was online. You would "dial up" to a local number, wait a LONG time to get connected, and then a message board would appear.

The message board was not unlike this one, but a little more basic. There generally wasn't as much organization. Many of the boards simply listed comments one after the next, as they were posted, so following a conversation could be difficult. The more sophisticated ones had 'sections' of interest such as this one, but still there was only one 'thread' in each.

Yes, meeting folks in person was quite an experience. You would think that there are some things people will do when they are behind the screen that they wouldn't do or say in public or to your face. I assumed that, anyway. I found out the hard way that I was WRONG. Wink

What's interesting about meeting folks face-to-face is how long it takes to get past your pre-conceived notions about how particular "personalities" might look, dress, etc. Even if you aren't consciously aware that you're doing it, it's easy to form a few opinions about some folks. Their thoughts, their politics, and their general behavior can lead to expectations.

The first time we met up at a local restaurant (about 20 of us that time), we really just sat there in silence while we tried to take it all in. Here were some typical thoughts: "Gosh, I always thought of her as a good ol' country gal. Did you see that mink coat and that diamond ring the size of her hand?" OR "Hey, he said he was an executive. Why'd he pull up in a truck that has a lawn service sign on it?" OR "Oh my! I always thought he was a SHE!" You get the idea. After we all got past that, it got more interesting. Not better, mind you, just more interesting. Wink
quote:
Originally posted by puckerupfrog:
I wasn't involved in the boards, but i remember my sister and her (then) husband being involved with the boards as early as '88-'89.
I believe they also attended a few get acquainted meetings with other bulletin board members at local restuarants.


Puckerup,

If your sister's first name begins with an L, I'm gonna fall over in my chair.
quote:
Originally posted by e:
Hi everyone,

A couple of posts lately have reminded me of the local "bulletin boards" that we used to have running here back in 91-93 or so. Also known as BBSs (Bulletin Board Systems), these were run by individuals who created, hosted, and monitored them. The typical bulletin board was very similar to the forums here.

Because it was before Yahoo and what we now think of as the internet and all of that, most people frequented each of the boards. The local, individually-hosted forums started falling off around 1994, or at least the ones I frequented did.

Was anyone here involved with those boards as a host (SysOp!), frequent commenter, or lurker? If so, what years and what boards?

I was a host (not going to name the board for reasons of anonymity) from around 1991 to 1994.


Late 90's I was a host, sysop, for the old MSN Chats. I hosted the young teen sections, and it was all g-rated... those kids would really get on ones last nerve... FAST, lol... I was invited to join the NEW MSN Chat as a Host, but I declined... I had enough of that... lol.
I have actually met a LOT of people from online, in groups like described above, and was absolutely elated over seeing them face to face. Most people who are online are just plain old folks, using the computer to talk... ya ain't gotta put on make up or fix your hair, LOL...

I am not an advocate of online romances though, seen too many of those that fail, and only one that has been a winner for 8 years, and I am very close to both of them!!!

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