Shotgun Professional BBS v2.10 reddit / bbs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BryanLee35 · 2022-08-26 21:24 Hey everyone, I just wanted to share with you some updates I've been making to the BBS software I've been working on so to help speed things up a bit. This software has been a hobby of mine since 1997 and I occasionally get a chance to work on it to make improvements and such... so I wanted to share with you all what I have done so far. [https://youtu.be/e-qBsvwrRH4](https://youtu.be/e-qBsvwrRH4) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- vga256 · 2022-08-26 22:47 I really dig that custom client and GUI. Can you tell us about what language/libraries this was developed with? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- cgfiend · 2022-08-27 00:23 Old SysOp here. I ran a BBS between 1991 and 1995, and also recently. I'm going to be completely honest here, because you asked for opinions. > Side Note: I remember seeing a BBS software package in development back in the day (early to mid 90's) that had the same window graphics, so I assume it's using the same libraries. I can't remember the name of it. Dark-something? (ETA: [DarkStar](http://software.bbsdocumentary.com/IBM/DOS/DARKSTAR/)) Anyway, it never came to fruition. I much prefer a text BBS over a Windows style BBS. The hallmark of a BBS is the text-only interface, and the ANSI graphics. If you take that away, it's not the same. When you go graphical interface, you push it into Windows 3.x territory. The culture was completely different, as evidenced in the video. The sounds and animations, while appealing to some, may be a bit corny and wear thin after you've heard them the first few times. In my view, this would appeal to Windows 3.x users/fans from that time. I can appreciate that it's something you've been working on for a long time, and that you've reached this point, which is commendable. It's appealing to you, and it most likely will be appealing to others. I'm sure it'll find its niche. Those are my thoughts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- mailman43230 · 2022-08-27 10:45 The BBS software was DarkStar. I was a member of the "team" in Columbus. I don't remember too much about it other than showing it off and a couple meetups. What I remember of it was pretty slick. Everything was integrated into the software. I may even have a copy laying around on a CD somewhere. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- cgfiend · 2022-08-27 12:40 Yes, that's it. I found a copy of it [here](http://software.bbsdocumentary.com/IBM/DOS/DARKSTAR/). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- mcasao · 2022-08-27 14:10 Interesting concept. Reminds me of the DLG BBS Software for the Amiga. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- mailman43230 · 2022-08-27 19:06 I found my copy (had the original name) like at the link you found. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- cgfiend · 2022-08-27 21:01 Nice. It's good to have a piece of history like that. I have something similar, in a snapshot of my BBS sometime a year before I shut it down. I break it out every once in awhile to relive it. I keep it on a DOS VirtualBox. Speaking of BBS, I want to create a new one, I'm just in the process of deciding which software I want to use. I ran VBBS before (and later VADV), but I'm leaning toward Mystic this time. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BryanLee35 · 2022-08-28 19:01 Hi vga256, the BBS software is written in Borland Pascal using Async Pro and the Genus Micropgramming SVGA Tool Kits for Pascal.... The code is very old but will run natively under Widows XP, 7, 10 with out any problems however I have to emulate the SVGA Terminal client using DOSBox due to the fact I am unable to locate some of the necessarily tools to recompile the code. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BryanLee35 · 2022-08-28 19:12 Hi cgfiend, Thanks for your input and I actually agree 100% with you, I too prefer the ANSI Terminal vs GUI side of the system when visiting BBS's... it's just that I am trying to attract a younger audience to visit BBS's so I created this video to share on Facebook with family and friends that have never heard of a BBS before. I was hoping to spark their curiosity and making it appealing to someone who didn't know how to use the ANSI Terminal. Anyway thanks for dropping a comment and sharing your thoughts. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BryanLee35 · 2022-08-28 19:17 >mailman43230 Have you been able to install your copy and run the configuration tool for the software? I downloaded the copy that was linked above and was able to install it however when I went to go run the configuration tool for the software it says that some files were "either corrupted or illegally modified" I just wanted to check out the software and see what it had to offer verses the software I've been toying with. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BryanLee35 · 2022-08-28 19:20 Hey mcasao, That's cool I started getting into computers when Windows 95 was taking off so I missed the Amiga era of computing and never got to see what they had to offer but I have some friends in the BBS community that really love them... Kalief at Sanctum BBS still runs an Amiga BBS if you're interested you can check his out. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- vga256 · 2022-08-29 12:55 Wow! So glad to see Pascal back in the fray. Great work. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- mailman43230 · 2022-09-01 11:52 I think I tried it a year or two ago under xp in virtualbox; however, I can't remember if I got it running or not. I'll have to spin it up again and see and let you know.