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--- mbbsemu:history:majorbbs [2020/11/18 01:52] – enusbaum
+++ mbbsemu:history:majorbbs [2023/11/27 21:57] (current) – enusbaum
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-The MajorBBS was a DOS Bulletin Board Software (BBS) written by Timothy Striker in 1986. Tim had previously written several multiuser gaming systems and used his experience to create both the Galacticomm Software Breakthrough Library (GSBL) and Model 16 Modem Card. The GSBL was a set of x86 Assembler communication routines that helped facilitate the rapid development of multiuser applications on the Model 16, which was a single ISA card that contained 16 1200 baud modems. Both were quite revolutionary and focused on using Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware at a time, when these types of multiuser applications existed primarily on mainframes, mini's and mid's.
+====== History of Galacticomm, The Major BBS, and Worldgroup ======
-While initially created to showcase the GSBL and Model 16, by 1988 Tim was licensing more copies of The MajorBBS than the GSBL. The MajorBBS quickly reached v5 as the user-base continued to grow. The main limitation with the software at this point was that addon's had to be manually compiled which required users to purchase Borland C and have programming experience. Seeing this limitation, Tim implemented loadable module support which allowed addon's to be distributed as 16-bit binary NE DLL's. This eliminated requiring users to purchase compilers and have programming experience just to operate a BBS.
+Galacticomm, a pioneering software company, was established in the mid-1980s, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of online communication and multi-user gaming. The brainchild of Timothy Stryker, Galacticomm's flagship product, The MajorBBS, emerged as a groundbreaking Bulletin Board System (BBS) software, initially developed for the DOS platform. Stryker, leveraging his extensive experience in crafting multi-user gaming systems, introduced innovative technologies that set Galacticomm apart in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
-In 1992 The MajorBBS v6 was released and with the addition of loadable module support it's user-base sky-rocketed. By the end of 1994 Galacticomm had reportedly sold over 15,000 copies of the software, and would go on to release eight revisions that year. In December 1994, CEO Scott Brinker is interviewed by Inter@ctive magazine and publicly announces their new multimedia BBS software named "Project Victory". The MajorBBS v6.25 was finally released on January 11th, 1995 and would be the last version retaining the "MajorBBS" name.
+In 1986, Stryker unveiled The MajorBBS, a software that would revolutionize the realm of online communication and community building. This BBS software was not just a platform for message exchange but a hub for online gaming, forums, and file sharing, catering to a growing audience of computer enthusiasts. Stryker's prior experience in multi-user gaming systems was instrumental in shaping The MajorBBS, particularly in its ability to support multiple users simultaneously, a feature that was relatively rare at the time.
-also saw the rapid growth of public Internet access which drew a large percentage of its users from the BBS community. Like many BBS companies of the time, Galacticomm held delusions that they could compete with the growing popularity of the Internet. "Project Victory", now renamed Worldgroup, was publicly announced on January 30th 1995 and Worldgroup v1.0 would be released in May that same year. In September, v1.0.1 was released and Galacticomm switched compilers from BC3.1 to BC4.5. All addon's compiled with BC4.5 were no longer compatible with previous MajorBBS/Worldgroup releases.
+A cornerstone of Galacticomm's innovation was the Galacticomm Software Breakthrough Library (GSBL), a comprehensive suite of x86 Assembler communication routines. The GSBL was a technical marvel, facilitating the swift development of multi-user applications. This library was particularly optimized for use with the Model 16 Modem Card, an impressive piece of hardware that housed 16 1200 baud modems on a single ISA card. The integration of these modems was a testament to Galacticomm's commitment to leveraging Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware, a strategy that was somewhat unconventional at the time, given the dominance of mainframes and minicomputers in multi-user applications.
-was a very turbulent year for BBSing and Galacticomm would see the exit of many long time ISV/TPD's along with scores of disgruntled Sysops who had invested many thousands of dollars into their systems only to be slapped in the face with massive architecture and price structure changes. In May 1996 Galacticomm would release Worldgroup 2.0, but BBS's as a whole were declining at an exponential rate. Tragically on August 6 at the age of 41, Tim Stryker took his own life in the mountains of Colorado.
+The MajorBBS, initially conceived as a demonstration platform for the GSBL and Model 16, rapidly gained popularity, surpassing the sales of the GSBL by 1988. The software evolved swiftly, reaching version 5 as its user base expanded. However, a significant limitation was identified: the necessity for manual compilation of add-ons. This process required users to possess both the Borland C compiler and programming expertise, barriers that limited the accessibility of the BBS software. Recognizing this, Stryker introduced loadable module support, allowing add-ons to be distributed as 16-bit binary NE DLLs. This innovation significantly simplified the user experience, eliminating the need for programming skills or additional software to operate a BBS.
-After Tim's passing, Galacticomm struggled on but with the loss of their visionary as well as droves of users leaving BBS's for the Internet. The company was destined for failure. Galacticomm would go on to release Worldgroup v3 for DOS in 1997 and v3.12 in 1998 before abandoning DOS entirely. In 1999, Worldgroup v3.2 was released for Windows but before the end of the year Galacticomm would shut its doors. Over the next few years, leadership of Galacticomm would change many times, but none never able to regain the momentum they once had with The MajorBBS.
+The release of The MajorBBS version 6 in 1992 marked a pivotal moment, with the inclusion of loadable module support propelling its popularity. By the end of 1994, over 15,000 copies of the software had been sold, and Galacticomm had issued eight revisions within that year alone. In December 1994, CEO Scott Brinker announced the development of a new multimedia BBS software, "Project Victory," in an interview with Inter@ctive magazine. This project culminated in the release of The MajorBBS version 6.25 on January 11, 1995, the final iteration to bear the "MajorBBS" name.
-In 2002 the company would ultimately file for bankruptcy and fade into the annals of time.
+The landscape of online communication began to shift dramatically in 1995 with the advent of widespread public Internet access. This development drew a significant portion of users away from traditional BBS platforms. Galacticomm, like many of its contemporaries, faced the daunting challenge of competing with the burgeoning Internet. "Project Victory," rebranded as Worldgroup, was officially announced on January 30, 1995, with Worldgroup version 1.0 released in May of the same year. In September, version 1.0.1 was launched, marking a transition in development tools from Borland C++ 3.1 to 4.5. This change rendered add-ons compiled with the newer version incompatible with earlier releases of MajorBBS/Worldgroup, a decision that would have far-reaching implications.
+The year 1996 was tumultuous for the BBS industry, and Galacticomm was not immune to the challenges. The company witnessed the departure of many long-standing Independent Software Vendors/Third-Party Developers (ISV/TPDs) and experienced a backlash from system operators (Sysops) who had invested heavily in their systems, only to be confronted with significant architectural and pricing changes. Despite these challenges, Galacticomm released Worldgroup 2.0 in May 1996. However, the BBS industry was in rapid decline, overshadowed by the expanding Internet.
+Tragedy struck on August 6, 1996, with the untimely passing of Tim Stryker, who took his own life in the mountains of Colorado at the age of 41. His death marked the end of an era for Galacticomm and the BBS community at large. In the wake of Stryker's passing, Galacticomm struggled to maintain its footing in an increasingly Internet-dominated world. The company continued to develop Worldgroup, releasing version 3 for DOS in 1997 and version 3.12 in 1998, before ultimately abandoning the DOS platform. In 1999, Worldgroup version 3.2 for Windows was released, but by the end of the year, Galacticomm was forced to close its doors.
+The subsequent years saw several changes in leadership, but none could recapture the momentum Galacticomm had once enjoyed with The MajorBBS. In 2002, the company ultimately filed for bankruptcy, marking the end of an influential player in the early days of online community building and multi-user gaming. Galacticomm's legacy, however, endures in the annals of computing history, a testament to innovation, ambition, and the transformative power of technology in connecting people across the digital frontier.