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   + User FidoNet address: 1:229/114   
    Ti> This is the first I've heard of this project.  If I still ran a BBS it   
    Ti> wouldn't be somehting that would interest me as I am not in a position   
    Ti> to purchase SIP equipment for the hobby.   
    Ti>   
    Ti> I do have a USB modem I've never used... Why?  I don't know.   
    Ti>   
    Ti> Shawn   
      
   Everyone has their own reasons for running or building a BBS. I decided to   
   start mine around June 20, 2024, because I am truly fed up with the big social   
   networks. Platforms like Facebook and others sell our information to those who   
   can pay to target us with ads. Then, there are all the trolls whose sole   
   purpose is to put you down, destroy, and discourage you. It has also become a   
   place for scammers to gather data on us and do everything they can to extort   
   money. I ditched Facebook ages ago.   
      
   Instead of putting effort into making a small webpage to sell their products,   
   people prefer creating a Facebook page to sell their stuff. But you never know   
   if it's legitimate or a scam. So if it's on Facebook, I don't trust it at all.   
   And it's often a scam. Many of my clients have been scammed or could have been   
   scammed by Facebook scams.   
      
   I was looking for a solution to create a means of communication, send messages,   
   and stay in contact using amateur radio frequencies. That's when I stumbled   
   upon BBSs. One thing I hadn't considered in my communication solution over 9600   
   bps on UHF was BBSs. I was pleasantly surprised to see that BBSs still existed   
   and that there was a fairly large community keeping them alive. Just like the   
   Gauls in *Asterix and Obelix* who survived against Caesar's Roman domination!   
   :)   
      
   So, I embarked on this project. I was delighted to see that "Avon" from FsxNet   
   21:* and "Nick" from FidoNet 1:* helped me. There aren't really any trolls, and   
   when people contact us, it's usually to help, encourage, and give us tips.   
      
   To me, a BBS is a piece of art from the early days of computing, where the   
   local community used this tool to inform and entertain. I believe the essence   
   of a BBS is to have some games, discussion forums on general topics for those   
   interested, and a clear purpose with file and text pages, allowing users to   
   share their hobbies. And another important aspect is having modems.   
      
   Why modems? Because they were the very foundation of BBSs. It was the only   
   means of communication back then. The internet and high-speed access didn't   
   exist at that time. We have a responsibility, both as BBS owners and users, to   
   keep this technology alive. The internet as we know it existed alongside BBSs   
   before, serving as a way to connect with the world. Now, platforms like   
   Facebook are there to make money, and if one day they stop making money, they   
   will just shut down.   
      
   My generation grew up with BBSs, modems, CPUs starting at 2 MHz, floppy drives,   
   and more. Today's youth only know smartphones. Give them a rotary phone, and   
   they don't even know what it's really for. Our generation has the   
   responsibility to preserve history and bridge the gap with new generations. We   
   are the guardians of history. I am on a waiting list to get a replica of a   
   Cromemco Z-1 with the S-132 module. I plan to get other kits after that. Retro   
   computing is a wonderful hobby that still has much to teach and offer. What's   
   great about the Cromemco Z-1 is that there are Telnet clients on it, so you can   
   use it to access BBSs. I'll also try to connect a modem to it, which seems to   
   be possible.   
      
   So, that's my take! :) I don't know if this resonates with others, but it's how   
   I see things.   
      
                   VA2RFC BBS    Les M‚chins, Qu‚bec  Canada   
                  SysOp: rmurray    PhoneNet: 1000040 (Modem)   
     Telnet: va2rfcbbs.photorm.net:23    FsxNet: 21:1/235    FidoNet: 1:229/114   
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   + The FidoNet News Gate (Huntsville, AL - USA)        +   
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