Basically, a BBS is a computer – usually with a lot of memory – that
has one
or more phone lines attached to it via modem. The BBS is set up to
accept phone
calls from other computers that are equipped with modems. Once on a
BBS,
computer users are usually led through a menu that gives them a variety
of
activities to choose from. Users can leave messages for or receive
messages
from other users (what is known as sending electronic mail or
echomail). They
can receive or donate software and files (known as “downloading” and
“uploading,” respectively). On some systems, they can also access
online games,
as well as other services.
BBSs have been around for years, but really took off in the early
to mid-1980s
during the initial personal computer craze, when average Janes and Joes
started
running them out of their houses. It wasn’t long before various BBS
operators –
known as sysops, for “system operators” – across the country banded
together
to form various networks, or nets, which allowed BBS users to
communicate with
their counterparts across the country – or the world. Users are able to
call
into their local BBS, join a conference on a topic (i.e., “Ecology”),
and post
messages to other users about the topic. At the end of the day, local
sysops
phone into a central exchange line, upload all their users’ messages,
and
download everybody’s responses.
Many of these computer hobbyists/enthusiasts run BBSs because they
want to
spread knowledge and information, as well as a bit of their
personalities. Most
sysops don’t run their BBS for profit. All have invested a lot of time,
energy,
and money into their hobby, in the vein of ham radio.
Some sysops charge their users a fee to recoup the cost of their long
distance
phone bills and equipment, while others don’t charge anything. (One
Austin
sysop told me his long distance bill went as high as $800 a month, but
he
didn’t charge his users anything more than voluntary donations.)
The Internet, which has received a lot of media hype lately, is in
a sense a
string of many BBSs across the world. It is massive, all-encompassing,
hard to
maneuver, and somewhat expensive for its users (usually about $15 to
$20 a
month or more for access). BBSs, on the other hand, are relatively
small, and
therefore contain fewer files and less information. They are also
easier to
explore – menus and on-line help guide users through choices (“Enter
`F’ if you
want to go to the files section, Enter `G’ if you want to play online
games,
Enter `J’ to join a conference, Enter `L’ for a list of conferences,”
etc.).
In recent years, it seems that BBSs have only made the news when they
were
frequented by bucolic child molesters and/or prankster computer
hackers. Yes,
it’s true – these types have been known to log on to BBSs. They’ve also
been
known to buy food and pump gas into their cars, but I hope that hasn’t
stopped
anyone from eating or driving around town. Nowadays, in order to have a
little
sense of computer security, most sysops ask their users for simple
information:
name, address, phone number, birth date, etc.
Environmental BBSs
In order to list BBSs that had environment-related subjects, I used
a locally
produced list of BBSs in the Austin area called RETSOF as my guide.
RETSOF,
compiled by local BBSer John Foster, includes more than 300 BBSs
(updated
regularly) and briefly describes what each offers. I logged onto over
100 BBSs
– all that were listed on RETSOF as having echomail (e-mail)
capabilities – and
hunted around through their conference and file directory listings.
Because this article is meant to showcase locally run BBSs as an
alternative
to the Internet, the list does not include people/organizations who
pretty much
focus all their energies on the Internet. The list also does not
include larger
national databases, such as Compuserve & GEnie.
Many BBSs were not listed because they didn’t offer any obvious
access to
environmentally related conferences or files. Many sysops, however, can
access
and offer these conferences upon request – so the list is in no way
“complete.”
My advice is to log on to these BBSs, download a list of Austin-area
BBSs for
yourself, and go exploring!
(All phone numbers are within the 512 area code unless otherwise
noted.)
-
Austin Metro Info BBS
Modem: 251-8712.
Includes information on Texas parks – number of campsites, what’s
available at
them, nearby points of interest, etc. -
Black Tower
Modem: 444-3933, 448-3216.
Really nice on-line graphics in a medieval motif, and lots of
different things
available. There’s an environmental discussion group – VirtualNET’s
Green
Sub/Earth Preservation – which can be accessed under “Political
Subjects” in
the message menu). Access is free for an hour or less or day, which
should give
you plenty of time to explore, but you can increase your time with
donations
ranging from $1-4 (for up to 75 minutes a day) to $46 or more (up to
nine hours a day). -
Camel’s Back BBS
Modem: 243-0077, 243-0082.
Extensive files and conferences sections – conferences include
fishing, UseNet
environment, and BioNet plants. Access is free for up to 30
minutes/download of
up to 150 KB daily;
$5 a year for 60 minutes/500 KB download;
$10 a
year for 90 minutes/1.5 meg download, and $15 a year for 90 minutes/1.5
meg
download and Internet e-mail with files attached. -
Comland BBS
Modem: 218-0173, 218-0174, 218-8814, 214-0076.
This BBS carries a large number of conferences, including BikeNet
(bicycle use
in sports, touring, racing, and transportation), EcoNet (ecology
issues), and
fishing. Callers have limited access to the conferences unless they are
paid
subscribers ($5 a month or $50 a year). -
Crossroads BBS
Modem: 255-8985, 255-0576. Sysops: Jay and Elaine Loveless.
Want a great selection of discussion groups? The sysops will take
requests for
any of the more than 600 FidoNet groups in existence. As far as the
environmentally related goes, they already have a handful: ecology,
fishing,
gardening, sustainable agriculture, and home power, which recently has
covered
subjects such as convection heat, diesel fuel alternatives, and natural
gas
generation. -
DEIST BBS
Modem: 474-0918.
Run by the “Deep Eddy Institute of Strategic Thought” or DEIST, this
BBS
includes a variety of discussion conferences including the FidoNet
Wilderness
and the PodNet Global Change. -
DWIE (Drinking Water Information Exchange)
Modem: 800/932-7459. Voice: 800/624-8301. Sysop: Brad Moss.
This national BBS, run by the National Drinking Water Clearinghouse,
includes
bulletins about subjects like “States Impose Green Taxes to Prevent
Pollution”
and “States and Industries Are Awarded Grants for Pollution
Prevention.”
Conferences include “Regulations Affecting Small Communities” and
“Health
Effects of Drinking Water Contaminants.” Files include alternative
technologies, water treatment, and water storage and distribution. -
E-Net
Modem: 471-4771. Sysop: Jack Turner.
This BBS is sponsored by the University of Texas’ Department of
Physics; the
welcoming statement says that “E-Net is oriented toward advancing
science and
science education.” Conferences include ecology and the environment,
but with a
different kind of twist, as it is frequented by scientific types.
Example of
one e-mail message: “I’m a packaging engineer for a large worldwide
company and
I’d like to get some opinions from people about all the legislation
being
created regarding packaging and environmental waste issues.” File areas
include
physics, chemistry, and biology. -
E-Source
Modem: 463-6257 or 800/831-8826. Voice: 800/367-8272. Sysops: Cathy Keller and Larry Rosenblatt.
This BBS, run by the Texas General Land Office and the Center for
Resource
Management, could be considered a hub of sorts for Austin environmental
BBSs.
It includes bulletins on the “Buy Recycled” campaign (be on the lookout
for TV
public service announcements featuring Lucy and Ethyl in the candy
factory) and
the Sustainable Energy Council. Its extensive conference list includes
such
subjects as ecology, the environment, the international Green movement,
alternative energy and fuels, the Sierra Club, sustainable agriculture,
Internet agriculture, ecological research, nuclear issues, and
oceanography. -
Earth Art BBS
Modem: 803/552-4389 (North Charleston, South Carolina). Sysop: Bob
Chapman.
This BBS serves as the source of the International Green BBS list,
which
includes more than 100 environmentally related BBSs across the country.
The BBS
hosts the RINE outdoor conference and has more than 11 gigabytes
on-line –
including more than 25,000 pieces of art – for all you who like to
download
long distance. You want environmental conferences? They’ve got
conferences on
GreenNet, the environment, ecology, recycling, conservation, alerts,
waste, the
outdoors, the wilderness, and more. -
ElseWhere BBS
Modem: 258-1510. Sysop: Richard Lyle.
This Church of the Subgenius-related BBS has an animal rights echo.
Bob is
everywhere! -
End of the Line BBS
Modem: 459-4693. Sysop: Jeff Russell.
This BBS includes a fishing echo. -
Enterprise BBS
Modem: 453-5079. Sysop: John Read.
This BBS offers a lot of files and over 300 conferences including
science and
technology. Users have a choice of several access plans ranging from
free (60
minutes on-line per day and limited access and downloading
capabilities) to $20
per year (90 minutes on-line per day and increased access or
downloading). -
EnviroLink BBS
Modem: Call voice number for registration and local access number. Voice: 412/268-7187. Sysop: John Knauer.
(From the BBS): “The EnviroLink Network is the largest on-line
environmental
information service on the planet, reaching well over 550,000 people in
96
countries. All services provided by the EnviroLink Network are
free to
the user and are available for anyone who wishes to use them.”
EnviroLink, run
by The Heinz School in Pittsburgh, offers libraries of environmental
information, a directory of environmentally and socially responsible
businesses, many environmentally related forums including some
chat-modes, an
inclusive listing of all environmental resources available on the
Internet,
Telnet access to EnviroWeb, a World Wide Web/Mosaic interface to
environmental
information, and much more. Wanna e-mail Congress, the president, or
vice-president about environmental issues? You can do it through
EnviroLink. To
get access to this wonderful free system through a local access
number,
call the voice number listed above and tell them why you’d like
access. -
Flotom Enterprises BBS
Modem: 282-3941. Sysop: Tom Lane.
This BBS has a huge conferences section and lots of files, too!
Conferences
include home power, home and garden, wilderness, SurvNet outdoor
safety,
hunting, and fishing, and Internet geology. The BBS also has text files
on lots
of survivalist topics including foods, how to build a fire using
friction, and
more. Look for ENVIRO.ARJ – Fifty Ways to Save the Environment. -
Gulfline BBS
Modem: 800/235-4662.
This BBS, run by the Gulf of Mexico Program, is geared toward Gulf
of Mexico
conservation specialists. It includes a variety of related databases
and text
files on the Gulf. Users must fill out questionnaires in order to gain
access. -
InfiNet
Modem: 462-0633, 462-0728, 462-0896. Voice: 288-5223.
This Mac-based BBS (which is also accessible by DOS machines) may
be the best
environmental board in town. Conferences include water and wetlands,
hazardous
waste/toxic materials, air quality, the environment, environmental
justice,
environmental politics, recycling, and endangered species. They also
have
on-line publications, which include information on subjects like Green
Union of
Students, grassroots forestry, urban sprawl, eco-tourism information,
Mexican
environmental groups, and how to help the environment. InfiNet runs on
First
Class modem software; users are advised to download a free program that
includes a graphical user interface. Non-paying users have 15 minutes a
day of
free access for two weeks. To become a fully validated member of
InfiNet and
receive the graphical settings file that gives you full access to all
conference areas, files, Internet e-mail, etc., you subscribe for $32
per
quarter or $100 per year. -
Metropolis Southwest
Modem: 320-0950.
This MajorNet BBS includes echoes on camping, hiking, and outdoor
activities,
as well as on gardening and flowers. They charge according to the
following fee
schedule: 8 hours/$5, 15 hours/$10, all the way up to 400
hours/$100. -
Omicron BBS
Modem: 836-6383. Sysop: Bill Forsythe.
This BBS has the alt.power.source echo under the name
“HOMEPOWR.” -
Outdoor BBS
Modem: 389-4430.
Run by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, this BBS includes
conferences
on proposed outdoor-related laws, fishing, state parks, conservation,
wetlands,
and game and fishing laws, plus files on native birds, endangered
and
threatened species in Texas, and stocking of fish. -
Snarling Music BBS
Modem: 255-9403.
This BBS includes TexNet echoes on hunting/fishing and farming. -
Texas Information Highway BBS
Modem: 475-4765.
With a name like that, you know it has to be good. But seriously…
this BBS,
run by the Texas Department of Information Resources, has a direct
tie-in to
Texas and other state government Internet sites. So if you’re looking
for
environmental information as it pertains to government agencies, this
is the
place. -
Texas Railroad Commission Cross-Ties BBS
Modem: 463-6074.
Run by the Texas Railroad Commission, this BBS includes information
in the
form of downloadable files on alternative fuels, LP Gas/CNG, oil and
gas,
surface mining, and other related subjects. -
Thirst for Knowledge BBS
Modem: 454-8065, 452-3156.
This BBS has an echo on alternative science and technology. -
TourTex 2000
Modem: 302-2001.
Sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation, this BBS
includes
downloadable information about Texas campsites and lakes. -
Tranquility Base BBS
Modem: 210/699-1710. Sysops: Shannon Blackburn and Justin Moore.
This BBS is sponsored by San Antonio’s chapter of Radio Emergency
Associated
Communication Team (REACT). Conferences include environment, bicycling,
fishing, wilderness camping, the Sierra Club, and ecology. The
conference
section has included a lot of discussion on the controversial
Applewhite
Reservoir. The file section includes text files on outdoor recreation
and
travel files like “List of Day Hiking Trails in Colorado,” “Colorado
hunting,
fishing, and campground locales” – bicycling, and nature and
conservation, and
GIF files of marine life and nature. There’s also a good selection of
Texas
visitors information on Kerrville and the Hill Country, Matagorda
Island, New
Braunfels Wildlife Ranch, Moody Gardens, South Padre Island, Pedernales
Falls,
and more. -
TNRCC Online BBS
Modem: 239-0700.
This BBS, run by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission,
includes
the following areas: Office of Air, which includes information on ozone
advisories and emissions; Office of Water, which includes information
on water
utilities, water regulations, and water quality; and Office of Waste,
which
includes information on industrial and hazardous waste, municipal
solid
waste, and waste regulations. Lots of text files! -
Turning Point BBS
Modem: 703-4400. Sysops: Tom Parish, Paul Tischler, Mike Byrnes.
This Association of Shareware Professionals-approved BBS has many
message
bases to choose from for a fee – 180 days/$30, 365 days/$48, and 730
days/$72.
FidoNet areas include bicycling, wilderness travel, home and garden,
the Sierra
Club, environmental, alternative energy systems, and sustainable
agriculture.
UseNet areas include gardening, environment, and ecology. -
zen ink
Modem: 476-7177.
Includes WWIVNet talk groups on whales, dolphins, and other marine
animals, as
well as one on the post-nuclear world.
This article appears in April 28 • 1995 and April 28 • 1995 (Cover).
