(1) (Bulletin Board System) A computer system used as an information source and forum for a particular interest group. They were widely used in the U.S. to distribute shareware and drivers and had their heyday in the 1980s and first part of the 1990s, all before the Web took off. A BBS functions somewhat like a stand-alone Web site, but without graphics. However, unlike Web access via one connection to the Internet, each BBS had its own telephone number to dial up.
Although still used in some parts of the world where there is little or no Internet access, most every resource found on a BBS migrated to the Web. Software companies may still maintain their old BBS to serve as alternate venues for downloading drivers.
Comm Programs Are Required
To access a BBS, a general-purpose communications program such as Crosstalk or Qmodem Pro is used. The address list in a comm program stores telephone numbers like a Web browser stores bookmarked URLs.
(2) (BIOS Boot Specification) A Plug and Play BIOS format that enables the user to determine the boot sequence. See OPROM.
Although still used in some parts of the world where there is little or no Internet access, most every resource found on a BBS migrated to the Web. Software companies may still maintain their old BBS to serve as alternate venues for downloading drivers.
Comm Programs Are Required
To access a BBS, a general-purpose communications program such as Crosstalk or Qmodem Pro is used. The address list in a comm program stores telephone numbers like a Web browser stores bookmarked URLs.
(2) (BIOS Boot Specification) A Plug and Play BIOS format that enables the user to determine the boot sequence. See OPROM.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Widespread BlackBerry data outage reported, is it time to move on?
- umgotta say this sounds like a justification for an iffy iphone purchase or usage maybe? you make it sound like if BIS goes down you're dead in the water, but if BIS goes down all you lose is what you don't have with any other service anyway, you still get...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-17
- AbsoluteTelnet Telnet / SSH / SFTP Client 8.14 (Windows)
- AbsoluteTelnet provides Telnet, SSH, SSH2, SFTP, dialup, and serial connectivity in the new tabbed multi-session interface or the classic single-session interface. A wide range of emulations are provided, including VT100, VT220, VT320, XTERM, WYSE60, ANSI, SCO-ANSI, ANSI-BBS, and QNX. Packed with options such as SOCKS5, IPV6, BIDI bidirectional text, Arabic...
- Software downloads 2009-10-08
- Revisiting RIM: Are the enterprise storm clouds brewing?
- In the context of the scenario...it could very well come down to iPhone v. RIM. If, as posited, businesses adopt a BYOP model. That kind of thing doesn't matter what wireless network your using, if they'll open exchange up for you to hook your iPhone to. Which may - and...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-30
- RIM signals price war potential; Fallout could be substantial
- Thesis-changing?Potential MBAs racing to their pcs to start re-writes?RE: RIM signals price war potential; Fallout could be substantialWant to see consumers really scoop up smart phones? Have the carriers charge $5.00 a month for data plans... Some consumers don't see the value in paying $30 a month for mobile...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-25
- Wired Server 1.3.4 (Mac)
- Wired is an open, modern and free version of the BBS-style client/server system, providing chat, messaging and file transfers. Wired Server is a Mac OS X version of the UNIX server, with an easy-to-use System Preferences panel.
- Software downloads 2009-09-14
- Wired Client 1.3.4 (Mac)
- Wired is an open, modern and free version of the BBS-style client/server system, providing chat, messaging and file transfers. Wired Client is a native Mac OS X client written using Apple's Cocoa. It features full support and compatibility with the Wired protocol and the Wired server, with an interface that...
- Software downloads 2009-09-14
- King of the QWERTYs: RIM BlackBerry Tour
- King of the QWERTYs: RIM BlackBerry TourCarrier choices...something's missing.Why no mention of Sprint? They released the Tour the same day as Verizon, and for me, their coverage is really good.(And apparently, I'm not alone: http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=20868)Plus, they also have options like Sprint Music Store, Sprint Software Store, Nascar app, NFL Mobile...
- Discussion threads 2009-07-21
- What's Cloud Computing and What's Not?
- What's Cloud Computing and What's Not?Cloud Computing Definition in 4 wordsOther people's virtual serversWhat is the Cloud? What....is computing? These two terms are definitive. We don't need someone trying to define something that is defined already by its terms.Cloud computing is accessing your IT resources through the cloud. The term...
- Discussion threads 2009-05-29
- BlackBerry Curve outsells Apple iPhone in Q1 2009
- BlackBerry Curve outsells Apple iPhone in Q1 2009good indeedWe all benefit from good old fashion competition. Otherwise companies like Apple will not innovate.And...the Chevy Cobalt outsold the Audi A4, so obviously, it's better.(?)The average mobile-phone user who is upgrading to the smartphone category, doesn't even know there are different...
- Discussion threads 2009-05-04
- Microsoft links HealthVault service with Amalga software
- Microsoft links HealthVault service with Amalga softwareAm I the only one who read that as Amiga software...Am I the only one who read that as Amiga software?Microsoft links HealthVault with Amiga Cnet BBS! :D Finally, I can play Empire, Trade Wars, and Global Nuclear Warfare while I check my...
- Discussion threads 2009-04-06
- “Zombies ahead!” sign says something about SCADA security
- “Zombies ahead!” sign says something about SCADA securitySecurity of the GridThanks for bringing light angle to what is essentially a very hot topic! We all need to take a breather every now again, stop worrying about the security of parts of the grid and calm down.I'm wondering if you wouldn't...
- Discussion threads 2009-01-30
- Are 1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 drives dropping like flies?
- Are 1TB Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 drives dropping like flies?I've moved to WDI bought Seagate drives for 15 years. I still have at least 12 in service.Never had a failure, until starting about 2 years ago.I've had FOUR failures in 2 years, and don't get me started on their continuing...
- Discussion threads 2009-01-16
- Wondershare DemoCreator 2.5.2.4 (Windows)
- DemoCreator--screen recording software to create screen video tutorials with audio by recording computer screen, and show exactly how the application (like PowerPoint, Photoshop, website) and system runs. This screen recorder enables users to record narration from microphone along with video recording, or import audio clips or background music to live...
- Software downloads 2008-12-29
- Get-To-Know-You 1.0.3 (Mac)
- Get-To-Know-You presents the BBS visitor with 35 questions in an easy-to-use menu. Some are easy to answer, while others require a little more thought. The questions are designed to give other users a well-rounded, in-depth view of a user's personality; assuming of course, that they provide honest answers. All...
- Software downloads 2008-12-01
- Transit do Brasil Ltda. Consolidates Information Systems and Unifies Business Operations
- Transit do Brasil Ltda. wanted to develop a unified operations system to improve the company´s business efficiency, integrating actions such as: record-keeping updates, call answering, telephony network control, and billing solutions and centralize all the information in a single place, allowing subsidiaries to access data without the need to request...
- Case studies 2008-12-01
- Sun reseller contacts
- Sun reseller contactsSun and C=There are some very eerie parallels between Sun marketing and Commodore's in the 80's. The Commodore Amiga was a superior computer by far in the late 80's. US Ham radio operators were the first major group to adopt it, as it fit their needs perfectly. They...
- Discussion threads 2008-11-24
- Apple fixes 12 Safari security flaws
- Apple fixes 12 Safari security flawsApple engineers are an odd bunchApple zealots praise Apple because Apple releases a patch [b]as soon as it is ready[/b] instead of waiting until they can bundle it up in a package that is more convenient to end users. What I find interesting about Apple...
- Discussion threads 2008-11-13
- InfoLayout 2.4.4 (Windows)
- How to deal with thousands of files on various media? How to quickly find a file or a disk? InfoLayout helps you create and maintain a catalog of your CD-ROMs, hard disks, removable and network drives. It is a comfortable software application that keeps a catalog of your files in...
- Software downloads 2008-10-15
- SyncTERM 0.9.2 (Windows)
- An ANSI-BBS terminal designed to connect to remote BBS systems via telnet, rlogin, SSH, or a modem. Supports ANSI music and the IBM CP437 charset when possible. Will run from a console, under X11 using XLib, or using SDL. This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
- Software downloads 2008-10-02
- SyncTERM 0.9.2 (Mac)
- An ANSI-BBS terminal designed to connect to remote BBSs via telnet, rlogin, or SSH. Supports ANSI music and the IBM CP437 charset when possible. I'm making this description longer because I have to...
- Software downloads 2008-09-24
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Reduce risk. Reduce complexity. Increase reliability.
-
A simplified IT environment isn't just less complex. It's also more reliable. Standardize on a single Linux platform with SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, and get the world's most interoperable Linux
- Learn more >>
- New Online Dashboard for IT Leaders
-
Read about top issues IT decision-makers face every day, plus get cost-effective solutions to real-life IT problems.
- Learn more >>
- Save time with automated shipping solutions
-
The Business Essentials Guide provides you useful tools and templates to help grow your business and save you time with automated shipping solutions.
- Visit the UPS Business Essentials Guide
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
SmartPlanet
- Thought-provoking progressive ideas on diverse topics that intersect with technology, business, and life, and matter to the world at large. Visit SmartPlanet
- More from IBM
-
- Innovate your business' process model, play against the market, compete against others on our scoreboards and WIN! Try INNOV8 2.0: A BPM Simulator
- Enabling Real-World Business Transformation through IBM Service Management Read the EMA Analyst Report
