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                     Online Messaging Systems of Yesteryear

   Adam Engst

   At Ars Technica, [1]Jeremy Reimer has penned a history of online public
   messaging:

     Today, many folks look back with fondness on the early days of
     computer-based messaging. Depending on their age, they may wax
     nostalgic for BBSes, Usenet, or web forums. Surprisingly, all these
     technologies still exist, although they are either barely used or
     are full of spam. It's hard not to think that something may have
     been lost.

   Reimer's history starts in 1969 and continues through social networks.
   It mainly triggered memories about Usenet for me (like [2]founding the
   rec.arts.int-fiction newsgroup), though I would have liked to see some
   discussion of BITNET messaging and commercial online services like
   AppleLink, BIX, CompuServe, Delphi, and GEnie. At least America Online
   got a brief mention. Which online spaces were most important to you?

   [3]Read original article

References

   1. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/04/first-post-a-history-of-online-public-messaging/
   2. http://maher.filfre.net/if-book/if-9.htm
   3. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/04/first-post-a-history-of-online-public-messaging/

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