Early Days of BBS: 1980s Beginnings

Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) started as an innovative way for individuals to communicate using modems over telephone lines, enabling a single user at a time to dial into another computer. These early systems, which originated in the late 1970s and gained popularity throughout the 1980s, allowed users to post messages, share files, and even play text-based games. Unlike the internet as we know it today, BBS networks required a direct dial-in connection to a host computer running the BBS software, and the experience was predominantly text-based.

Pioneering BBS Software: CNet and All American BBS

One of the first BBSs, CBBS, was launched in 1978 by Ward Christensen and Randy Suess in Chicago. CBBS used Christensen’s “Xmodem” protocol for data transfer, making it possible for individuals to leave messages for others and engage in a fledgling form of online community.

By the 1980s, two notable BBS software programs emerged: CNet and All American BBS. Each of these systems offered distinct features that appealed to different user bases.

CNet BBS Software

• Originally developed for Commodore 64 computers, CNet BBS became a favorite among Commodore enthusiasts. It was celebrated for its robust capabilities, enabling messaging, file sharing, and user management on a relatively low-cost system. CNet provided a highly customizable environment, and because it was written in BASIC, many users were able to tweak it to their preferences, a feature that fostered a strong user community.
• CNet was one of the first BBS software packages to introduce hierarchical message boards and customizable user levels, allowing sysops (system operators) to offer more nuanced community features.

All American BBS Software

• Another popular choice in the 1980s, All American BBS was known for its ease of setup and user-friendly experience. Often run on IBM PCs, it offered similar core features, such as message posting, file downloads, and system games, and gained traction due to its stability and performance.
• All American BBS users valued its reliability and the way it simplified the complex process of running a BBS, which often required hands-on management and a degree of technical knowledge.

Some Resources Still Available?

There are still several resources online for learning about C-Net BBS software and the broader ecosystem of bulletin board systems, particularly those from the Commodore 64 era.

For C-Net, C64-Wiki has a detailed history of various C-Net versions, including C-Net 12.0 and the later Image BBS, both widely used by Commodore 64 enthusiasts. You can also find original manuals and modification guides, which include instructions for popular p-files (program files used to extend C-Net features, like Wallwriter and Voting Booth) and insights into sysop support groups like the C-Net Sysop Support Center (CSSC). C-Net 12.0 was significant for its modularity, allowing sysops to customize their boards extensively, making each BBS experience unique for users. This era's details are further documented at C64-Wiki, including links to various C-Net manuals and support guides.

Additional resources also exist on community forums and historical sites, such as the JLedger PETSCII Forum, which hosts discussions around Commodore software, and Zimmer's Net, which provides archives related to C-Net and BBS development history. For historical exploration or more technical documentation, these sources provide a comprehensive look into C-Net's role in early digital communication.