What does a BBS have. Files. Messages. Chat. That's about it. Linux
is a multiuser timesharing system. You can run a compiler via telnet.
Linux crushed them all. Open source won. Shareware lost. No contest.
Comparing an entire operating system like Linux yo a BBS is like
comparing apples and oranges. A whole operating system isn't a BBS.
I suppose Linux does basically have all the same features, but it's
used in an entirely different way, for different purposes.
there are BBS software packages like Synchronet that run on Linux
Jcurtis wrote to NIGHTFOX <=-
Comparing an entire operating system like Linux yo a BBS is like
comparing apples and oranges. A whole operating system isn't a BBS.
I suppose Linux does basically have all the same features, but it's
used in an entirely different way, for different purposes.
It's an artifical distinction. File distribution via Zmodem or FTP,
either way, you get a file. At a conceptual level, the difference is mainly a question of user interface. A BBS command means different
things depending on context. Not user friendly.
there are BBS software packages like Synchronet that run on Linux
What would a user friendly BBS look like. Probably something like
linux.
there are BBS software packages like Synchronet that run on Linux
What would a user friendly BBS look like. Probably something like linux.
BBS packages make the BBS experience more user friendly
I've never seen a BBS just using Linux as the "BBS software"..
BBS packages make the BBS experience more user friendly
I've never seen a BBS just using Linux as the "BBS software"..
If the word "cat" means dog in one context and horse in another, that's bad language design. Same with interface modes where "G" means one thing in mode A and something else in mode B. For the average person it's not natural and hinders productivity. They don't like it and leave at the first opportunity.
Human interface design is a problem for software of all kinds.
Jcurtis wrote to NIGHTFOX <=-
BBS packages make the BBS experience more user friendly
I've never seen a BBS just using Linux as the "BBS software"..
If the word "cat" means dog in one context and horse in another, that's bad language design. Same with interface modes where "G" means one
thing in mode A and something else in mode B. For the average person
it's not natural and hinders productivity. They don't like it and leave
at the first opportunity.
Human interface design is a problem for software of all kinds.
Re: 90s bbs software
By: Jcurtis to NIGHTFOX on Sun Jul 06 2025 04:33 am
there are BBS software packages like Synchronet that run on Linux
What would a user friendly BBS look like. Probably something like linux
I'd probably disagree.. I think BBS packages make the BBS experience more u friendly than Linux would. I've never seen a BBS just using Linux as the "B software"..
Nightfox
I've used a public unix or two, and while theere is the
same functionality, it was not as nice as the BBS. Some
of the communication mechanisms were quite awkward.
The only real advantage I can see was multitasking
What does a BBS do. Files. Messages. Chat. Maybe doors. 26 letters and 10 function keys give you 36 modeless meanings. And there's always two letter commands if you need more.
Not all BBS user interfaces use command letters - have you not seen a lightbar-driven interface (e.g. lbshell for Synchronet)?
Not all BBS user interfaces use command letters - have you not seen a
lightbar-driven interface (e.g. lbshell for Synchronet)?
IDK what that is. Was it around in the 90s? I'm only interested in text interfaces. Not GUI if that's what it takes.
A lightbar interface is something that shows a menu with a selected option highlighted, and you can choose an option from the menu by moving the selected
item up/down with the arrow keys and pressing enter (usually).
Not all BBS user interfaces use command letters - have you not seen a lightbar-driven interface (e.g. lbshell for Synchronet)?
IDK what that is.
Was it around in the 90s?
I'm only interested in text interfaces. Not GUI if that's what it takes.
A lightbar interface is something that shows a menu with a selected option
highlighted, and you can choose an option from the menu by moving the
selected
item up/down with the arrow keys and pressing enter (usually).
That's how Borland's C++ 3.1 integrated environment works. I never knew the moving green bar was called a "light" bar. A green light. Means go. Imagine that. Yes it was around in the 90s. Not sure how it would work remotely with a BBS, client side or server side. No matter. My interest is limited to text command interface design.
A "lightbar" is a highlighted menu option that is moved around with arrow keys, sometimes called a "matrix menu".
text (and typically ANSI for color and cursor positioning over typical BBS interfaces, e.g. serial lines and modems).
the quote selection window in SlyEdit
the quote selection window in SlyEdit
IDK anything about your program. If you have a sales pitch hit me with it.
the quote selection window in SlyEdit
IDK anything about your program. If you have a sales pitch hit me with it
That's irrelevant to the conversation..? I was simply giving you an example o
what a lightbar is in a text-based BBS context..
Haven't looked at it yet. I wanted an overview first. But if it's
not for DOS never mind.
if it's not for DOS never mind.
It's for QNX. Just forget the whole thing, you won't like it anyway.
I've used a public unix or two, and while theere is the
same functionality, it was not as nice as the BBS. Some
of the communication mechanisms were quite awkward.
A menu may be faster but mode context is still not user friendly. When "A" means one thing on the message menu and something else on the file menu, it's awkward for ordinary people. They will leave and savant designers are too smart to understand why.
What does a BBS do. Files. Messages. Chat. Maybe doors. 26 letters and 10 function keys give you 36 modeless meanings. And there's always two letter commands if you need more.
The only real advantage I can see was multitasking
I'm not saying linux is a better BBS. I'm saying BBS designers of the 90s failed.
* SLMR 2.1a *
BBS designers of the 90s failed.
Have you actaully heard people complain that there is an issue with menus on a
BBS, and have they said they've not come back from it?
You seem to be talking about what *may* happen, but is this based on actual observation?
Have you actaully heard people complain that there is an issue with menusa
on
BBS, and have they said they've not come back from it? You seem to be
talking about what *may* happen, but is this based on actual observation?
The crowd is long gone. Only a tiny population remain. Their view is skewed by various psychological factors. They don't prove anything.
BBS user interface could be improved, but who has the time. Might be fun but I don't.
A "lightbar" is a highlighted menu option that is moved around with arrow keys, sometimes called a "matrix menu".
text (and typically ANSI for color and cursor positioning over typical BBS interfaces, e.g. serial lines and modems).
Sounds like heavy traffic when the user holds down an arrow key to cycle rapidly through the matrix. Seems better suited for client side code, like Borland's integrated environment.
necessarily a GUI thing, and is used in some BBS things. I'm pretty sure it existed in the 90s.
BBS designers of the 90s failed.
Have you actaully heard people complain that there is an issue with menus a
BBS, and have they said they've not come back from it?
You seem to be talking about what *may* happen, but is this based on actua observation?
The crowd is long gone. Only a tiny population remain. Their view is skewed by various psychological factors. They don't prove anything.
BBS user interface could be improved, but who has the time. Might be fun but I don't.
* SLMR 2.1a *
Trying to update the BBS user interface to get more people to use it, is like trying to modernise the horse-drawn carriage, to make it more appealing to people.
These things are quaint curiosities. I did look at seriously using a BBS for a small personal network with others, to chat and message, but it just didn't make sense to use that instead of Internet based technologies like IRC and NNTP or Mastodon, Matrix, etc.
| Sysop: | Freddy Krueger |
|---|---|
| Location: | Verona, Italy |
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| D/L today: |
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