[vcf-midatlantic] VCFed BBS finally happening

[Tony Bogan]

> On Oct 12, 2016, at 2:13 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic at lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
> 
> Everyone,
> 
> We've had various talk / starts / stops about an authentic-ish dial-up BBS through the years. Now it is finally coming true.
> 
> The most recent plan was to use Asterisk, but that is overkill, a lot of maintenance, and would require an expensive telephony card. I asked Joe O. to research something better. He came back with this:
> 
> http://www.excelltel.com/en/enproductslist.asp?id=612
> 
> It's an 8-port analog PBX with a GSM module. We bought it on Amazon for $98.49.
> 
> Joe will connect this via modem to a PC running MajorBBS (possibly virtualized). We'll connect modems and vintage computers to the analog ports. Visitors and VCF East exhibitors/visitors will be able to dial in at 300-2400bps, hear the handshake, and connect to our BBS just like in the glory days. People can also telnet in directly to the PC thanks to our LTE modem, or they can call in remotely once we buy a GSM SIM card (to be considered after the main system is up and running).
> 
> The PBX won't arrive until sometime next month because it shipping from China.
> 
> Joe suggested that someone can draw the standard VCFed logo using ASCII art, and BBS users can watch it fly by a line at a time when they connect. I endorse that idea!
> 
> Joe will answer any technical questions. Keep in mind we selected this approach because it's affordable, low maintenance, and the simplest way to reach the goal. Some people wanted us to use all period hardware, or modern servers that were WAY more than we needed, or a high-end PBX, etc. .... this one is "just right" for us.

This is awesome news!! Just in my couple years involved with the group it's been discussed numerous times. BBSing (if that's even a term!!) was what kept me on computers throughout my childhood (mainly running my own!)
Tony