1978
CBBS comes online
Ward Christensen and Randy Suess establish CBBS in Chicago, an early landmark in computer-to-computer message exchange over telephone lines.
SYSTEM.LOG / THEN → NOW
The timeline.
A selected overview — not an exhaustive chronology. Dates and experiences varied across regions and computer platforms.
Early 1980s
Dial-up boards spread
Home computer ownership grows and enthusiasts adapt the bulletin board model to different software, platforms and local communities.
1983
PCBoard enters the story
Clark Development Company’s DOS BBS product begins a long run that will eventually make it a familiar name on commercial and hobby boards.
1984
FidoNet takes shape
Tom Jennings develops FidoNet, letting participating BBSs exchange electronic messages through scheduled transfers.
Late 1980s
Files, communities and doors
Message conferences expand, shareware file libraries grow and external door games become a draw for return callers.
1989–1993
The golden age
Door games such as LORD and TradeWars 2002 become cultural touchstones. ANSI artists and groups create richly decorated menus and art packs.
1990s
Faster modems, more nodes
14.4k, 28.8k and later higher-speed modem technologies improve the experience; major systems add simultaneous lines and more storage.
1996
PCBoard 15.3
The widely remembered PCBoard 15.3 release appears, near the end of the software’s commercial era.
Late 1990s
The web changes everything
Affordable Internet access and the World Wide Web transform online life. Many dial-up BBSs close or move toward Internet connectivity.
2000s–today
Old-school, still online
Communities preserve software, ANSI art and message networks; some enthusiasts run active BBSs reachable through Internet terminals.
Historical references: Engineering and Technology History Wiki, BBS Preservation Project, and PCBoard historical archive.