TZUTC: -0600   
   MSGID: 1437.fidonet_bbscarni@1:3634/27 2dd970d9   
   REPLY: 5599.carnival@1:2320/105 2dd8da9c   
   PID: Synchronet 3.19b-Win32 master/a2a9dc027 Jan  2 2022 MSC 1928   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.11-Win32 r3.177 Sep 20 2020 MSC 1927   
   CHRS: ASCII 1   
     To: Dumas Walker   
     Re: Re: getting and keeping n   
     By: Dumas Walker to ALEXANDER GROTEWOHL on Fri Jan 23 2026 10:07 am   
      
    > > respond:   
      
    > > you sound like a big baby   
      
    > To be accurate, it sounds like ChatGPT was the one being a big baby.   
    > ;)   
      
      
   yeah but he fed chatgpt a leading question.   
   so he was still behind the wheel.   
      
   i asked grok a non retarded non leading question and got a good result.   
      
   i asked "why aren't new people getting involved in bbs softwares. I mean    
   bulletin board softwares that used to be old but are still being developed    
   for the internet"   
      
      
      
   Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) originated in the late 1970s as dial-up services    
   for messaging, file sharing, and games, but they largely faded in the 1990s    
   as the internet rose. While some modern adaptations exist (e.g., telnet-based    
   systems like Synchronet or Mystic BBS, or hybrids blending retro aesthetics    
   with web tech), involvement from new developers and users remains low. Based    
   on discussions in online communities and historical analyses, here are the    
   key reasons:   
      
      
   1. Shift to Modern Alternatives   
   BBS functionality has been superseded by more accessible platforms like    
   Reddit, Discord, forums (e.g., phpBB), and social media. These offer similar    
   features- threaded discussions, media sharing, and communities-but with    
   better scalability, multimedia support, and no need for specialized clients    
   or dial-up/telnet. Historical accounts note that BBS declined sharply in the    
   mid-1990s due to services like AOL and CompuServe, which supported more    
   simultaneous users without hardware limits. Today, why build on BBS when    
   tools like Discourse or even Mastodon provide modern, open-source    
   equivalents?   
      
      
   2. Niche and Nostalgic Appeal   
   Modern BBS development often caters to retro enthusiasts rather than broad    
   audiences. Communities like r/bbs on Reddit highlight that much of the    
   interest comes from veterans reminiscing about the 80s/90s era, with    
   questions about why software hasn't "evolved" to include modern graphics or    
   sounds. New people aren't drawn in because it's seen as a hobbyist relic, not    
   a cutting-edge field. For instance, ongoing projects like new hybrid BBS    
   software blend old and new tech, but they're shared in small Facebook groups    
   for "BBS fans," limiting exposure.   
      
      
   3. Technical and Accessibility Barriers   
   BBS software typically relies on outdated protocols (e.g., telnet, ANSI art)    
   that don't integrate well with current web standards or mobile devices.    
   Developers note compatibility issues, like finding telnet clients that handle    
   PC-ANSI properly on modern hardware. New coders prefer stacks like    
   JavaScript, React, or cloud services, which are more employable and easier to    
   learn. Older BBS codebases (e.g., MajorBBS or Worldgroup) are often treated    
   as abandonware, with calls to open-source them unmet, deterring    
   contributions.   
      
      
   4. Lack of Visibility and Education   
   BBS isn't part of mainstream tech education or hype cycles. Younger    
   developers focus on AI, web3, or app dev, where jobs and funding abound.    
   Forums like phpBB, a spiritual successor to BBS, are perceived as "dead" by    
   former contributors due to inactivity and lack of fresh involvement. Without    
   marketing or viral appeal, new talent doesn't discover it-contrast this with    
   how GitHub trends boost projects in other areas.   
      
      
   5. Community and Economic Factors   
   The ecosystem is small and aging, with sysops (system operators) retiring and    
   few replacements. Atari or Macintosh BBS threads show evolution stalled    
   decades ago, tied to specific hardware. There's little economic incentive;    
   BBS isn't monetizable like SaaS tools. Broader software dev trends, like    
   resistance to outdated practices or focus on maintenance over innovation,    
   compound this.   
   That said, pockets of activity persist-e.g., new multi-platform BBS projects    
   in 2026 still pop up in niche groups. If you're interested in getting    
   involved, check communities like r/bbs or BBS-focused Facebook groups for    
   entry points.   
      
   --snip--   
      
   you notice it gave good feedback instead of blaming people for creating a    
   'learning curve' by responses.   also if people want to know how to set    
   things up they can read the docs.  i can count on one hand how many times    
   i've had to ask for help in 26 years with synchronet.   
   --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32   
    * Origin: *The Gate BBS*Shelby, NC USA*thegateb.synchro.net* (1:3634/27)   
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