TID: PX/Win v3.0pr5 PX96-0466M2   
   MSGID: 1:123/140 437e59c3   
   TZUTC: -0500   
     Aug wrote ---   
       
   > In the early times, some sysops were very protective of their     
   > user base.   
      
     Ah yes, we had those here as well.   
      
   > During the dialup days, I would just try to call any     
   > system that didn't have a busy signal. One tended to be easier     
   > to connect to than many of the others   
      
     Yep.   
       
   > I'd hang around and post messages to find out what other BBSes the users   
   liked to visit.   
      
     At one time we had about 20 boards (that I know of) here in the   
   Huntington, WV area.   
     A few were open, but several one had to apply to use them. Had to give   
   your name, address, age, and so forth then wait for the SYOPS to grant   
   permission and some one could only read (and not reply) for a period of time.   
     Some boards were mainly for games, others for this or that field of   
   interest, etc.   
     I was never into games but more general areas.   
     A few offered a little more than just local stuff.   
     Not wanting to run up my phone bill and depleting my bank account I   
   learned the local university offered free internet access.  This was around   
   1996   
   or '97.     
     One had to apply, in person, with paperwork, as to why they wanted   
   access.  It wasn't just to surf.  Then the application had to pass through   
   several   
   people before it was approved or denied.   
     I was about to be denied, since not associated with the university until   
   I mentioned a fella's name I was told by him to use and approved.  Now   
   access is given out like candy at Halloween.   
     I also recall the times when academics in their ivoried towers complained   
   about all the peasants were suddenly flooding their sacred places and how   
   horrible that was.  :)   
     Joe   
   --- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v3.0pr5   
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