Re: Current state of VBBS (aka VADV) and community?

> From what I've seen, at least on the Mystic side of things, many SysOps are
> running their BBS's on Linux.  It has limitations for doors, but it's not
> something that can't be overcome with some additional utilities.  The draw is
> the technical aspect of Linux.  Many are using Raspberry Pi's for their BBS's
> which brings a whole new aspect of tinkering into it.  It's reviving the BBS
> a small way.  I think the reason Mystic has such a following right now is
> because of its protocol support and its multi-platform availability.
>
> It's amazing that Free Pascal can create apps in just about any format you
> could want.  Given time and effort, you could program your own BBS.  The shel
> of it would be easy, it's the networking of messages and file bases and ANSI
> support that would be the bear.  And that's just Free Pascal. There are many
> other languages that would be equally up to the task.
>
> I ran a VBBS BBS from 1991-1995 (registered, of course).  My VirtualNET numbe
> was @1614001.  I would love to run a VBBS-based bulletin board and connect to
> the network(s) again.  I've already put one on the hard drive and tested it.
> It just needs configured to my liking.
>
> I came here first, because I still love VBBS and probably always will.  The
> draw of other packages is alluring, but I haven't made the decision which wil
> win me over in the end.  I may just have to have multiple ones running at the
> same time.

I used Mystic for a while on Windows (mine is a door games oriented BBS), but
eventually came back to VADV because it is my favorite and I moved my BBS back
to classic hardware and OS/2. Synchronet is the most popular right now but most
boards running it are stock because changing the menus is a programming task
rather than something simple. Mystic is a great package. The problems I had
with it had to do with Windows Vista and above not supporting full screen CLI
sessions, rendering some of my games unusable. WWIV is still out there too.
Like Steve said, pick a package you like and go to town. There just isn't much
of a community left anymore. The message networks are quiet except for the
occasional SysOp chatter. File bases are kind of pointless these days. The idea
might have some appeal for people wanting smaller communities than social
media, but you will have to teach people how to use it since it is so
dissimilar from what tools they have to use now.


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