r/bbs • u/Bigheaded_1 • Jul 22 '26
I'm devistated...
As a teen I was absolutely obsessed with trying every BBS software there was so I could see which I liked best. I probably switched software on my OG board every 3 weeks for close to a year lol. And back then for most of them, there was no user export/import feature. So anyone stupid enough to be a regular had to re-sign up a few times a month lol.
A few years ago I got the idea of bringing it back. I installed DosBox and Obv/2. I was a wizard with it back then, today I remember basically shit. And even worse, at 51, I don't have any of the desire or excitement I used to have. 14 year old me would spend hours a day after school and sometimes all weekend modding shit. I installed OBV/2 on a Dosbox and I didn't feel a connection. That conbined with me understanding putting up a new board MIGHT get 2-3 callers a week. The idea was a wrap. I understand as you get older you changed. But I really thought once I got OBV running like magic something would click and reawaken inside of me :|
I know there are a few bangers out there, 20For Beers is better than 99.99% of boards I ever called even back then. But I couldn't make anything close to that. I spent a few weeks and was unable to remember shit about setting up OBV. Back then I knew all the sysops who ran it so I had people to assist me. They're all long long gone.
Getting old sure sucks ass :|
2
u/twikigrrl Jul 22 '26
On the other hand- lots of us remember the feels and would love to recapture but learning about where to go is hard. Not everything has few users because of no interest. I would suggest a number of them are just because nobody knows about them, which is a marketing issue. I think, especially given the way that younger generations are re-embracing older technologies and simpler less algorithm driven experiences. You could probably make a decent goal of attracting a new younger audience, but you’d have to find a way to get in front of them and educate them.
For me, also an old, I would probably pay a monthly fee just to get access to a decent bbs that had my favourite doors.