 | F I D O B B S | |
| _ / \ /|oo \ (_| /_) _ @/_ \ _ | | \ \\ | (*) | \ )) |_ U _| / \// ______ _//|| _\ / (_FIDO_)(_/(_|(___/
ASCII ART: DIALUP: TELNET: Shareware: BBS: MODERATED: ECHO: | The ASCII Art on the left is a registered trademark belonging to Tom Jennings who originated the process of distribution used to form the FIDO message systems that originally exchanged messages around the world without an assist from the Internet.
FIDO BBS are personal computers that have installed BBS software to accept calls from other personal computers using either dialup terminal software and direct dial telephone line connects or telnet terminal software and your internet connection. Direct dialing is normally only done by computer users who live within the local calling area of the BBS. A FIDO BBS can then transfer your messages and the messages of other users to other FIDO BBS using a method similar to the method used by the post office to route and deliver your letters and other mail. While you are connected to a FIDO BBS you can read and write messages while connected or download selected messages and read and write your messages while offline using an offline reader written for this purpose. In countries that have no free local calling rates this offline method is the preferred method of communication. Computer programs written for popular personal computer hardware can also be transferred (downloaded) using BBS. This software has been distributed using BBS for decades. The Shareware and Freeware enjoyed by new generations of computer users originally was distributed using BBS. Shareware and freeware continues to be available from most present day BBS.
At a time when the Internet was not yet available for use by the public, computer hobbyists were helping to develop a messaging system that could exchange messages collected from Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) around the world and redistribute replies back again using Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) land lines. Many sysops were required to pay long distance (toll) charges to span the geographic gaps from one BBS to the next and these costs were often passed along to the users of the FIDO message system. The Internet transfers have reduced this expense which was a deterent for many who avoided FIDO to avoid the requirement to financially support the costs involved. If your older siblings did not use FIDO this might be one reason. If you have been avoiding FIDO for this reason you can now use FIDO with no concerns that the costs will be prohibitive, there are none. A few BBS continue to attempt to charge for access, just skip these BBS and use one that does not charge.
Newer forms of communication between hobbyists on the Internet are easier to accomplish. The software required is already installed for most new users when they purchase their machines. There are browsers for the World Wide Web (WWW) and those who use AOL have the Instant Messenger (AIM) installed for "chat" functions that will popup and play various sounds to inform each user they are being paged by another. Yahoo and MSN have similar software to perform these chat functions. Nothing wrong with this at all, I use these to chat with my children who have moved away to other parts of the country. The advantage when using FIDO message base echo's is that those who are interesting to chat with often can't help you when you need technical assistance. FIDO echos are moderated meaning vulgarity, personal attacks, and other hostile forms of communication found within chats such as AIM, IRC, ICQ, and Usenet are not tolerated. FIDO messages require a more professional mature attitude that Internet users do not always demonstrate. FIDO users are often better informed, more technically oriented than the average user, and many have decades of experience covering a wide range of topics. BBS were often used by companies to keep technicians in the field up to date and this tendency to favor technical information has remained within FIDO and it's users. Many are working technicians and programmers, some are now retired, others are just very well informed hobbyists. The short answer would be that none of the other newer forms of communication have the concentration of experience and knowledge about computer software, hardware, and programming that can be found within the FIDO message base.
I won't try to convince you that FIDO users are easy to "chat" with, they're not. Many FIDO users have more experience than the consultants who charge impressive sums of money for their expertise. FIDO users get nothing in return for their advice and often must put in considerable time to locate the source of your difficulty and help solve your problem. In return for this most FIDO users expect you to someday take their place and help others less knowledgeable than yourself. Answers tend to be short and to the point which may seem less than "hospitable" to those unaccustomed to brevity. Questions necessary to gain enough information to help solve a problem might seem argumentative, they are not. Requests for private email replies are considered rude and questions that reveal absolutely no knowledge of the subject tend to be replied to with "RTFM" which is loosely translated as "Read the (Fine) Manual". Again, this may seem less than hospitable but to understand an answer a person must have some minimal understanding of what is being discussed or the answer is of no use. Some never adapt to the FIDO environment but, hopefully, being forewarned will make the adjustment a bit less stressful for new users. You will find links to software and additional information in the sidebar menu. This website supports forum software where you can leave requests for further assistance if necessary.
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