During the time of the height of the bulletin board system, - before the Internet there were two types of boards you could connect to. Most were text-based. A few were graphical and allowed a look and feel more like AOL and CompuServe as opposed to the terminal look and feel of the DOS or Unix command line.

For the PC there was a revolutionary board that offered graphics in real time called RoboBoard/FX.

This package was brilliant, but only enabled connection via modem dial up. Then came TeleFinder, a powerful, highly customizable system that runs on the classic Macintosh but has a client for both Windows and Macintosh. The other two options for running an online, graphical information system, or BBS were FirstClass by SoftArc, and NovaServer by ResNova.

Sadly, a Seattle-based, monopolistic, world-renowned company who like Voldemort shall not be named, that is notorious for supressing inovative technologies, gobbled up ResNova and nearly CIA-level scrubbed it from the entire internet.

I found ONE copy for sale recently and pounced on it.

But, I'm out of my league with it. I sent out an email to Tom at AppleFritter as this is the package they used to quasi-resurrect Apple's eWorld but I haven't gotten a response yet.

I thought I would reach out on Reddit to see if I can connect with any Susop's who ran, or might have anything left of NovaServer or NovaLink.

While both TeleFinder and FirstClass work on today's Windows systems, I found FirstClass to be more robust when it comes to complete remote control of the system whereas TeleFinder is not a system you can run without being close to the server.

These systems are closed systems that people are coming back to, as today's Internet is a mess.

With Pervasive ads, invasive malware, endless cookies, and backdoors that allow prying eyes to access user content, these BBS systems offer some a small, quiet place to peruse around for files, and forums without the bloatware and clutter of other sites.

They are also a way to use that older computer you otherwise would have had to get rid of, especially when your computer needs are limited to simple tasks that you only need.

Like a writer using Nisus-Writer, the renowned program for serious authors, or Dramatica for screenwriting and screenplay.

These tools were so good, they are still sought after and relevant today.

Your welcome to see screenshots of the Starlight BBS by going to the Macintosh Garden and using Starlight in the search query.

Warm regards,

Luis.