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Galacticomm was incorporated on July 23, 1985 to initially run a network of multi-user game systems. In 1986, Galacticomm developed the Model-16 (16 modem modules on one expansion card) and Galacticomm Software Breakthrough Library (GSBL, engineer-oriented toolkit for multi-user applications).
In 1986, Galacticomm also wrote Version 1.0 of The Major BBS as an in-house demo of the Model-16 and released Version 2.0 as shareware. The first commercial sale of The Major BBS occurred in 1987 with the introduction of Version 4.0 ($59) and third-party developers also began writing add-on utilities and games.
Version 5.0 of The Major BBS was released in 1988. The GalactiBox (a 16-slot COM 1-4 expansion chassis) was developed the same year. In 1989, Version 5.07 unveiled new “extended editions” such as the Entertainment, File Library, MenuMan, and Shopping Mall. Direct-connect for X.25 packet-switch networks (256 simultaneous users) was also developed in 1989. Version 5.2 offered BBSETUP for automatic hardware detection and configuration, and optional protected mode support in 1990. Also manufactured at this time was the GalactiBoard, an 8-port serial card with 16550 UARTs.
Galactic Innovations, a third-party development firm led by Scott Brinker (currently Galacticomm president), was acquired by Galacticomm in 1991. The Major Database, Dial-Out, Kyrandia, and other utilities and multi-user games were directly offered by Galacticomm as a result of the acquisition. In 1991, Galacticomm released Version 5.3 which offered Novell NetWare LAN support.
The Major BBS Version 6.0 ($259) implemented a major architectural shift in 1992 with native protected mode operation and source code-free integration of add-ons. This allowed system operators to easily add products from Galacticomm and third-party developers without requiring recompilation of the base system. In 1993, Galacticomm launched Version 6.1 which offered online graphics capability and enhanced support for Microsoft Windows. Currently shipping Version 6.2 with integrated RIPscrip, QWK-mail, rewritten file library and polling services.
By 1994, Galacticomm was one of the largest BBS software providers in the world.
The Galacticomm mission statement was: “To do really cool things in the field of computer communications and make a buck at it.”