Major BBS
Encyclopedia
The Major BBS was bulletin board software (a bulletin board system
server) developed between 1986 and 1999 by Galacticomm. In 1995 it was renamed Worldgroup Server and bundled with a user client interface program named Worldgroup Manager for Microsoft Windows
. Originally DOS
based, two of the versions were also available as Unix
-based edition, and the last versions were also available for Windows NT
-based servers.
and launched in 1986 by Stryker's company, Galacticomm, Inc., as a demonstration of the abilities of the Galacticomm Software Breakthrough Library (or GSBL). The GSBL was a powerful set of assembler
routines written for IBM and compatible PCs that allowed up to 32 simultaneous serial port
or dialup connections to a single software instance without the need for an external multitasker
. It was licensed to developers for varied uses, such as communications systems, bank systems, and real estate systems. Eventually, The Major BBS was enhanced enough that it became a marketable product in its own right. By late 1987, Galacticomm was licensing more copies of The Major BBS than the GSBL by itself. The GSBL continued to be enhanced, expanding to 64 users by 1988, then 256 by 1992, with The Major BBS's line capacity expanding as a result.
Because it was one of the few multi-line bulletin board systems, MBBS software was known for fostering online communities and an interactive online experience where users were able to interact with each other via Teleconference (chat room
s) and multiplayer games. This flexibility spawned a small industry of Independent Software Vendors (ISV) who began developing MBBS add-ons, which ranged from shopping malls (what would now be called shopping cart software
) to online role playing games.
The Major BBS allowed incoming connections via modems on telephone lines, IPX networks, and X.25
packet-switched networks. In the mid-1990s, the offering expanded to include TCP/IP by the ISV Vircom, a Canadian company that has since become well known for its anti-spam/anti-virus software, shortly followed by Galacticomm's own TCP/IP add-on, the Internet Connection Option (ICO), which was derived from another ISV's offering.
In 1992, the Major BBS was selected by the National Library of Medicine as the access mechanism for the Grateful Med medical journal system, just prior to universal access the World Wide Web.
As version 3.0 in 1997, the first 32-bit version of Worldgroup Server was released for Windows NT
, and other versions were simultaneously continued. This release finally focused on an active HTML web community
, after three years of concentrating on the original client–server strategy. The DOS version of the server was discontinued with version 3.1.
was just emerging as a dominant phenomenon. The popularity of the text-terminal-based BBS
es, as well as America Online's proprietary client model, faded as online use became web-oriented. Galacticomm's slow response in adapting to the web-based online model probably was fatal.
Founder Tim Stryker
committed suicide on August 6, 1996, in Colorado
, and the company was sold by his widow Christine to a group headed by Yannick Tessier, owner of Tessier Technologies, who developed software as an ISV. As Galacticomm Technologies, Inc., Tessier and Peter Berg led the company toward an initial public offering
, which failed in 1998. The company discontinued operations in 1999 and was foreclosed upon by their primary lender; the lender acquired the company's assets through the foreclosure
in 2002. The company's assets were purchased by an ISV from the bank in 2005.
Bulletin board system
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and log in to the system using a terminal program. Once logged in, a user can perform functions such as uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging...
server) developed between 1986 and 1999 by Galacticomm. In 1995 it was renamed Worldgroup Server and bundled with a user client interface program named Worldgroup Manager for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
. Originally DOS
DOS
DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...
based, two of the versions were also available as Unix
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
-based edition, and the last versions were also available for Windows NT
Windows NT
Windows NT is a family of operating systems produced by Microsoft, the first version of which was released in July 1993. It was a powerful high-level-language-based, processor-independent, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with features comparable to Unix. It was intended to complement...
-based servers.
History
The Major BBS was developed by Tim StrykerTim Stryker
Timothy J. Stryker, better known as Tim Stryker or Stryker to friends was a computer programmer, best known as the creator of MajorBBS, a computer bulletin board software package.- Education :...
and launched in 1986 by Stryker's company, Galacticomm, Inc., as a demonstration of the abilities of the Galacticomm Software Breakthrough Library (or GSBL). The GSBL was a powerful set of assembler
Assembly language
An assembly language is a low-level programming language for computers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and other programmable devices. It implements a symbolic representation of the machine codes and other constants needed to program a given CPU architecture...
routines written for IBM and compatible PCs that allowed up to 32 simultaneous serial port
Serial port
In computing, a serial port is a serial communication physical interface through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time...
or dialup connections to a single software instance without the need for an external multitasker
Multitasker
Multitasker is a Palm OS program that allows multiple BASIC programs to be run at the same time. The current version, 1.0C, supports up to 10 applications running simultaneously....
. It was licensed to developers for varied uses, such as communications systems, bank systems, and real estate systems. Eventually, The Major BBS was enhanced enough that it became a marketable product in its own right. By late 1987, Galacticomm was licensing more copies of The Major BBS than the GSBL by itself. The GSBL continued to be enhanced, expanding to 64 users by 1988, then 256 by 1992, with The Major BBS's line capacity expanding as a result.
Because it was one of the few multi-line bulletin board systems, MBBS software was known for fostering online communities and an interactive online experience where users were able to interact with each other via Teleconference (chat room
Chat room
The term chat room, or chatroom, is primarily used by mass media to describe any form of synchronous conferencing, occasionally even asynchronous conferencing...
s) and multiplayer games. This flexibility spawned a small industry of Independent Software Vendors (ISV) who began developing MBBS add-ons, which ranged from shopping malls (what would now be called shopping cart software
Shopping cart software
Shopping cart software is software used in e-commerce to assist people making purchases online, analogous to the American English term 'shopping cart'...
) to online role playing games.
The Major BBS allowed incoming connections via modems on telephone lines, IPX networks, and X.25
X.25
X.25 is an ITU-T standard protocol suite for packet switched wide area network communication. An X.25 WAN consists of packet-switching exchange nodes as the networking hardware, and leased lines, Plain old telephone service connections or ISDN connections as physical links...
packet-switched networks. In the mid-1990s, the offering expanded to include TCP/IP by the ISV Vircom, a Canadian company that has since become well known for its anti-spam/anti-virus software, shortly followed by Galacticomm's own TCP/IP add-on, the Internet Connection Option (ICO), which was derived from another ISV's offering.
In 1992, the Major BBS was selected by the National Library of Medicine as the access mechanism for the Grateful Med medical journal system, just prior to universal access the World Wide Web.
Worldgroup
Seeking to compete with America Online, Galacticomm extended The Major BBS software to communicate in a client–server model with a custom program. The MBBS software was renamed Worldgroup Server, and released in 1995 with the version number restarting at 1.0; the included user-side client software was named Worldgroup Manager (but sometimes known as Worldgroup Client) and ran in Microsoft Windows.As version 3.0 in 1997, the first 32-bit version of Worldgroup Server was released for Windows NT
Windows NT
Windows NT is a family of operating systems produced by Microsoft, the first version of which was released in July 1993. It was a powerful high-level-language-based, processor-independent, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with features comparable to Unix. It was intended to complement...
, and other versions were simultaneously continued. This release finally focused on an active HTML web community
Web community
A web community is a web site that is a virtual community. A web community may take the form of a social network service, an Internet forum, a group of blogs, or another kind of social software web application....
, after three years of concentrating on the original client–server strategy. The DOS version of the server was discontinued with version 3.1.
Demise
Although Worldgroup initially had some success, the initial proprietary client–server model was an unfortunate strategic choice, as the world wide webWorld Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...
was just emerging as a dominant phenomenon. The popularity of the text-terminal-based BBS
Bulletin board system
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and log in to the system using a terminal program. Once logged in, a user can perform functions such as uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging...
es, as well as America Online's proprietary client model, faded as online use became web-oriented. Galacticomm's slow response in adapting to the web-based online model probably was fatal.
Founder Tim Stryker
Tim Stryker
Timothy J. Stryker, better known as Tim Stryker or Stryker to friends was a computer programmer, best known as the creator of MajorBBS, a computer bulletin board software package.- Education :...
committed suicide on August 6, 1996, in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, and the company was sold by his widow Christine to a group headed by Yannick Tessier, owner of Tessier Technologies, who developed software as an ISV. As Galacticomm Technologies, Inc., Tessier and Peter Berg led the company toward an initial public offering
Initial public offering
An initial public offering or stock market launch, is the first sale of stock by a private company to the public. It can be used by either small or large companies to raise expansion capital and become publicly traded enterprises...
, which failed in 1998. The company discontinued operations in 1999 and was foreclosed upon by their primary lender; the lender acquired the company's assets through the foreclosure
Foreclosure
Foreclosure is the legal process by which a mortgage lender , or other lien holder, obtains a termination of a mortgage borrower 's equitable right of redemption, either by court order or by operation of law...
in 2002. The company's assets were purchased by an ISV from the bank in 2005.
Timeline
- 1986: MajorBBS 1.0 — not released
- 1986: MajorBBS 2.0 — sharewareSharewareThe term shareware is a proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience. Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact disc included with a...
- 1987: MajorBBS 3.0 — commercial software
- 1988: MajorBBS 5.0
- 1989: MajorBBS 5.07
- 1990: MajorBBS 5.2
- 1991: MajorBBS 5.3 — includes Novell NetwareNovell NetWareNetWare is a network operating system developed by Novell, Inc. It initially used cooperative multitasking to run various services on a personal computer, with network protocols based on the archetypal Xerox Network Systems stack....
support - 1992: MajorBBS 6.0 — included Phar LapPhar Lap (company)Phar Lap was a software company specializing in software development tools for DOS operating systems. They were most noted for their software allowing developers to access memory beyond the 640 KiB limit of DOS and were an author of the VCPI standard.Phar Lap Software, Inc. was founded in April...
protected modeProtected modeIn computing, protected mode, also called protected virtual address mode, is an operational mode of x86-compatible central processing units...
capability - 1993: MajorBBS 6.1 — multilingual
- 1994: MajorBBS 6.25 — Internet Connection Option (ICO) TCP/IP; Unix version available
- 1995: Worldgroup 1.0 — introduced Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
client; final Unix server version - 1996: Worldgroup 2.0 — included plug-in for NetscapeNetscapeNetscape Communications is a US computer services company, best known for Netscape Navigator, its web browser. When it was an independent company, its headquarters were in Mountain View, California...
- 1997: Worldgroup 3.0 — first server version for 32-bit Windows NTWindows NTWindows NT is a family of operating systems produced by Microsoft, the first version of which was released in July 1993. It was a powerful high-level-language-based, processor-independent, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with features comparable to Unix. It was intended to complement...
- 1999: Galacticomm ends operations after failed IPOInitial public offeringAn initial public offering or stock market launch, is the first sale of stock by a private company to the public. It can be used by either small or large companies to raise expansion capital and become publicly traded enterprises...
- 2002: Galacticomm assets foreclosed upon by lender
- 2005: Galacticomm assets sold by lender to a current ISV
Technical information
- Initially, a system's linecount depended on the user limit of the GSBL purchased with the BBS. The GSBL (and thus the BBS) was offered in 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64 user editions. Later, with the release of version 6, the concept of user six-packs was introduced. System operators (SysOps) purchased as many packs as they needed to add additional lines, up to 256.
- Due to a limitation of the 16-bit architecture of MS-DOS, Major BBS was limited to a maximum of 255 incoming lines (plus one 'local console'). In practice, it was extremely difficult to scale to this level due to the 16MB RAMRam-Animals:*Ram, an uncastrated male sheep*Ram cichlid, a species of freshwater fish endemic to Colombia and Venezuela-Military:*Battering ram*Ramming, a military tactic in which one vehicle runs into another...
limitation of the Phar Lap 286Phar Lap (company)Phar Lap was a software company specializing in software development tools for DOS operating systems. They were most noted for their software allowing developers to access memory beyond the 640 KiB limit of DOS and were an author of the VCPI standard.Phar Lap Software, Inc. was founded in April...
memory extender in use, as well as the physical limitations on connecting 255 modems to a single computer. - Developers were sold development kits that allowed add-ons to be written in C/C++
- All data files were stored using a BtrieveBtrieveBtrieve is a transactional database software product. It is based on Indexed Sequential Access Method , which is a way of storing data for fast retrieval...
format. - It was necessary for the system to go down for maintenance each evening in order to re-index data files as well as running the cleanup routines for the main system and its addons.
Connection add-ons
- Vircom TCP/IP — allowed the system to link to the Internet, provide both inbound and outbound FTP and Telnet services, and provide e-mail service. The add-on also allowed MajorBBS to provide dialup Internet access via SLIPSerial Line Internet ProtocolThe Serial Line Internet Protocol is an encapsulation of the Internet Protocol designed to work over serial ports and modem connections. It is documented in RFC 1055...
and PPPPoint-to-Point ProtocolIn networking, the Point-to-Point Protocol is a data link protocol commonly used in establishing a direct connection between two networking nodes...
. Vircom later went on to produce software solutions to combat spamSpam (electronic)Spam is the use of electronic messaging systems to send unsolicited bulk messages indiscriminately...
. - Vircom RADIUS — a RADIUSRADIUSRemote Authentication Dial In User Service is a networking protocol that provides centralized Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting management for computers to connect and use a network service...
server which allowed MajorBBS to act as the central authentication and billing serverAuthentication serverAuthentication servers are servers that provide authentication services to users or other systems via networking. Remotely placed users and other servers authenticate to such a server, and receive cryptographic tickets...
for any number of applications such as Internet services.
Games
- Flash Attack
- FazuulFazuulFazuul is a text-based multi-player online interactive adventure game available as an add-on to The Major BBS and Worldgroup.-History:Fazuul was written in 1984 by Tim Stryker, who would later found Galacticomm...
by Tim StrykerTim StrykerTimothy J. Stryker, better known as Tim Stryker or Stryker to friends was a computer programmer, best known as the creator of MajorBBS, a computer bulletin board software package.- Education :... - Quest for MagicQuest for MagicQuest for Magic is an adventure/role-playing game or MUD for Major BBS and Worldgroup BBS software. It was among the earliest games developed for that system.-History:...
by Scott BrinkerScott BrinkerScott Brinker, born 28 September 1971 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is a computer programmer and entrepreneur.- The Major BBS/Galacticomm :Brinker was the second customer of, and eventually one of the first employees of, Galacticomm, the company founded by Tim Stryker that created The Major BBS...
and Tim StrykerTim StrykerTimothy J. Stryker, better known as Tim Stryker or Stryker to friends was a computer programmer, best known as the creator of MajorBBS, a computer bulletin board software package.- Education :...
(copyright held by Elwynor Technologies, source was previously released) - Quest for Sorcery by Scott BrinkerScott BrinkerScott Brinker, born 28 September 1971 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is a computer programmer and entrepreneur.- The Major BBS/Galacticomm :Brinker was the second customer of, and eventually one of the first employees of, Galacticomm, the company founded by Tim Stryker that created The Major BBS...
(source code missing, but rights held by Elwynor Technologies) - Quest for Sorcery II by Scott BrinkerScott BrinkerScott Brinker, born 28 September 1971 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is a computer programmer and entrepreneur.- The Major BBS/Galacticomm :Brinker was the second customer of, and eventually one of the first employees of, Galacticomm, the company founded by Tim Stryker that created The Major BBS...
(source code missing, but rights held by Elwynor Technologies) - Quest of the Alchemists by Scott BrinkerScott BrinkerScott Brinker, born 28 September 1971 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is a computer programmer and entrepreneur.- The Major BBS/Galacticomm :Brinker was the second customer of, and eventually one of the first employees of, Galacticomm, the company founded by Tim Stryker that created The Major BBS...
(currently owned by Elwynor Technologies) - KyrandiaKyrandia (Major BBS)Kyrandia is an adventure/role-playing game or MUD for Major BBS and Worldgroup BBS software. It was among the earliest games developed for that system.-History:...
by Scott BrinkerScott BrinkerScott Brinker, born 28 September 1971 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is a computer programmer and entrepreneur.- The Major BBS/Galacticomm :Brinker was the second customer of, and eventually one of the first employees of, Galacticomm, the company founded by Tim Stryker that created The Major BBS...
and Richard Skurnick - Alchemy II: The Hangover by Scott BrinkerScott BrinkerScott Brinker, born 28 September 1971 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is a computer programmer and entrepreneur.- The Major BBS/Galacticomm :Brinker was the second customer of, and eventually one of the first employees of, Galacticomm, the company founded by Tim Stryker that created The Major BBS...
(currently owned by Elwynor Technologies) - Infinity Complex by Steve Neal (currently owned by Elwynor Technologies)
- MajorMUDMajorMUDMajorMUD is a MUD for the Major BBS and Worldgroup BBS software. It can be played over a dial-up modem connected to a BBS, or more commonly over telnet.-History:...
by West Coast Creations (currently owned by Metropolis GameportMetropolis GameportMetropolis Gameport is the Kansas, USA based company that currently owns the rights to several games, including Legend of the Red Dragon, MajorMUD and Planets: The Exploration of Space, selling the licenses to the games on their website.-External links:**...
) - Tele-ArenaTele-ArenaTele-Arena is an online multiplayer fantasy RPG developed in the 1990s by Sean Ferrell for the MajorBBS bulletin board system. Tele-Arena is a BBS Game Module similar to a MUD. This module can only be played on MajorBBS or Worldgroup BBS software...
by Sean Ferrell - Tele-Arena/II by Sean Ferrell (currently owned by Elwynor Technologies)
- Swords of ChaosSwords of ChaosSwords of Chaos is a computer game made by Mark Peterson. It is a MUD type game for the Major BBS and Worldgroup BBS software, allowing it to be played over a dial-up connection with a modem: since the advent of the internet, it is also possible to use a telnet connection or a terminal emulator...
by Scott Peterson (currently owned by Metropolis Gameport) - Mutants by Majorware Inc.(currently owned by Metropolis Gameport)
- Phantasia by Ewe-Nique Creations (Bil Simser, based on Edward Estes UNIX version)
- SceptreSceptreA sceptre is a symbolic ornamental rod or wand borne in the hand by a ruling monarch as an item of royal or imperial insignia.-Antiquity:...
by Ewe-Nique Creations (Bil Simser) - Trivia Party and Word Party by Ewe-Nique Creations (Bil Simser)
- Galactic Empire by Mike Murdock (DOS version maintained by Bil Simser)
- Galactiwars by Don Arnel/Logicom (currently owned by Elwynor Technologies)
- War of Worlds by Richard Skurnick (currently owned by Elwynor Technologies)
- Crossroads of the Elements by High Velocity Software
- Trade Wars 2002 by High Velocity Software and Martech/EIS
- Farwest Trivia/Tele-Trivia (currently owned by Datasafe (only DOS version owned by Metropolis Gameport))
- Lords of Cyberspace (currently owned by metropolis Gameport)
- Wilderlands/II by Wilderland Software (currently owned by Elwynor Technologies)
- Androids by Tim Stryker
- Hangman's Secret Cove by Galacticomm
- Super Nova by Galacticomm
- T-LORD by Robinson Technologies Inc
- Oltima 2000 by Tessier Technologies Inc
- Swords & Sorcery by Logicom Inc
- BladeMasterBladeMasterBladeMaster is a 1990 BBS game. According to the , the program was written by Don Arnel and the creatures/treasure design was by Adam Horowitz. It was known to have run on The Gaming Center Bulletin Board System, which utilized Galacticomm's Major BBS/Worldgroup software...
by Logicom Inc - CyberTank by InfiNetwork
- Foodfight by Jabberwocky Inc
- Teleconference Trivia by Jabberwocky Inc
- RingMastersRingmastersRingmasters is a barbershop quartet affiliated with SNOBS ; they received first place gold medals at Nordic Barbershop Quartet Contest in Stockholm , and won the Barbershop Harmony Society International Collegiate Championship in July, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee...
by InfiNetwork - Archery by GWW
- The Casino by Logicom Inc
External links
- Elwynor Technologies — largest active ISV for Major BBS/Worldgroup; actively locating old TPD/ISV people and acquiring their software
- The Major BBS Restoration Project — dedicated to preserving the history of Galacticomm, The Major BBS/Worldgroup, and the TPD/ISV add-on software
- Dialsoft - one of the few remaining active ISVs for Worldgroup
- Universal Interactive — ISV for Worldgroup releated software (ISV code: UII); active
- The MajorBBS for Unix — archive of only known MajorBBS for Unix material, maintained by one of the MBBS-for-Unix developers
- SEC EDGAR filings for Galacticomm Technologies Inc (CIK# 0001043003) — U.S. government-required filings concerning failed 1998 stock offering