312 Area Code BBSes Through History (80's Version)

MAP OF THE 312 AREA CODE
312-210-1087
Harvey, IL
The Town Crier BBS
(1985)
"First BBS I ever called after acquiring a 300 baud modem for my Radio Shack TRS-80. Remember it like it was yesterday...." - jjo31420a
312-213-1666
Electropolis Multi-Line
(1988)
312-221-0171
The Supreme Court
(1986)
Forem ST
312-221-2879
Chicago, IL
The Missing Link BBS
(1989-1995)
Thomas ConleyPCBoard, PCBB
312-223-9673
Lakes Region
(1986)
312-225-3962
Chicago, IL
The Land of Fa V
(1988)
312-225-9138
Chicago, IL
The Feminist B.B.S., The Feminist BBS
(1988)
Linda Grossman
312-225-9836
Chicago, IL
The Static Barrier
(1987)
312-227-7455
Chicago, IL
Bio Med, BioMed, Midwest Biomedical Society, Midwest Biomedical [Private], RBBS Biomed
(1986-1995)
RBBS
312-231-8223
Chicago Metro-Net
(1986-1988)
ABBS
312-232-1250
Windmill
(1987-1989)
Ed CurlinPCBoard
312-232-6339
P.S. Meeting Room
(1989)
Wildcat
312-232-7933
Micro Mail B B S, Micro Mail B.B.S.
(1986-1988)
CCBS
312-233-8327
Double Take II
(1986-1988)
Net-Works
312-234-4843
Jolly Roger Shop
(1987)
312-234-6237
Hotel California
(1986-1987)
Ascii Express
312-234-6795
Flaming Toilet
(1987)
312-234-7366
The Inner Sanctum
(1988)
312-234-8187
Steed's Bar and Grill, The Steed's Bar
(1987-1988)
312-234-9257
Lake Forest, IL
Calamity Cliffs Computer Center
(1980-1981)
Tom C.CP/M, RCPM
312-235-3200
Chicago, IL
PMS - Chicago Public Library, PMS Chicago Public Library
(1983-1985)
PMS
312-235-7902
Chicago, IL
C.F.O.G. Two, CFOG - 2
(1986-1988)
Bill Kuykendall
FOG (FOG AMO #80) member supported system. PRACSA FOG (FOG AMO #80) member supported system. PRACSA
312-243-1046
DIAL-YOUR-MATCH #39 Chicago
(1983-1984)
312-245-9110
PLINK
(1989)
312-246-7705
Custom Software
(1989-1994)
Steven Merenkov, Steve MerenkovPCBoard
312-246-9493
Traders Connection
(1987)
312-248-8758
Chicago, IL
1 Step BBS, 1Step BBS, First Step BBS
(1989-1992)
Jay Rothschild
312-249-4385
The Blue Knight BBS
(1988)
The Blue KnightGBBS Pro
312-252-2136
Logan Square, IL
Logan Square RCP/M, Logan Square RCPM, RCP/M Logan Square
(1981-1986)
Earl BockenfeldRCPM
312-252-6180
First National Software, War Net Software Bank III
(1987)
312-252-6489
Chicago, IL
Chicago CP/M
(1981)
CP/M
312-253-3633
AE Line: GHOST, AE LINE: RANA#1
(1984-1985)
312-253-6134
PC-Tech
(1988)
312-253-6224
M.P.P.L. BBS
(1988)
Wildcat
312-255-1416
The Bird's Nest
(1988)
312-255-6489
Arlington Heights, IL
Computerland (New Format), NET-WORKS CLAH
(1981-1982)
CLAH-NET
"Apparently a part-time BBS run at a Computerland, later transferred elsewhere." - Jason Scott
312-255-8838
PC Center
(1985-1986)
Jeremy SmithIBBS
312-256-8119
SECO
(1986)
Jim Heider
312-257-7747
Aliens
(1988)
312-259-7785
AE Line: THRILL
(1985)
312-259-8086
BBS IBM PC Chicago, BBS IBM PCmodem Chicago, IBM-PC BBS, RCP/M IBM PC
(1982-1984)
312-259-8930
Com-ads
(1989)
312-260-0640
Wheaton, IL
MCMS Metro West Database
(1982-1983)
Terry Haas
"It was originally running from my shop in Wheaton and then moved to the city where I had a computer mail order business and store. It ran on a TRS 80 Model 3, initially on the built-in floppy drives, and used a 300 baud modem. Upgraded it to a buggy beta version of a US Robotics 1200 baud, and also purchased a Corvus 5 MB external drive. I think at the time it might've been the only BBS using a hard drive (probably because nobody else was dumb enough to spend $2,000+)." - Terry Haas
312-260-1859
HexNet
(1987-1990)
Brian Mackison
312-260-9660
Working With Works
(1988)
Red Ryder Host
312-262-5600
Adventureline
(1989)
312-262-8959
Byls Fido
(1986)
FidoNet
312-267-4427
Com-Link Data Systems
(1986-1988)
IHCS
312-267-4749
Chicago, IL
Exec Region, ExecRegion, Executive Region BBS
(1989-1996)
Randy GautierPCBoard , PCBB
312-267-4750
Executive Region BBS
(1989-1995)
Randy GautierPCBoard
312-267-7665
The Voice of Peace
(1986)
OTBB
312-272-0943
Captain Video
(1988)
312-272-1423
The Castle
(1987)
312-272-5912
The Igloo
(1988)
312-274-1677
Nexus
(1986)
MCBB
312-274-4088
The Palace
(1988)
312-276-4159
Chicago, IL
American Archive, Ye Olde Archives
(1985-1996)
JohnRosengarten, John RosengartenPCBoard , PCBB, RBBS first week, PC Board after that
"This was a hobby of mine, I started with a 1200-baud Hayes modem and one dedicated line, the name was ye Olde Archive the first year or so, but later people complained that the name was too far down the alphabetized list and we changed it to American Archive in 1987 I recall.

We also were the first (or maybe the second, hard to tell as there was no central registry) IBM-based BBS, running on an IBM-XT with a ten megabyte HDD the first year. Soon a second, 20-MB Seagate half-high drive was purchased from Elek-Tek in Lincolnwood and we has a total of thirty Mb of disk space.

About 25 Mb of space was available for downloadable files, mostly programming languages, file utilities, device drivers and how-to files. We always worked with ShareWare authors to keep the latest versions of programming utilites available.

Features included programming forum, sale-trade forum and the ever-loved Adult forum. Users had to send me a xerox of their driver license by US Mail to access adult section. Adult pictures were very tame, mostly bikinis and tasteful nudes.

When explicit photos were uploaded we would delete them, as Attorney General Ed Meese (remember the draconian policies and intrusions of free speech that characterized the Ronald Regan era?) was proposing harsh penalties for anything indecent.

In 1988 we went to two lines and a third was added in 1990. We had a 3-Com server and five dedicated computers at its heighth. At the end (1992-1996) we had five US Robotics Courier HST (56 kbps link speed) all externals so I could impress visitors to my basement with the rows of blinky lights.

With the universal adoption of the Internet, few visitors came after 1995 and in 1996 we finally pulled the plugs. We want to thank the many people who donated time, hardware and cash to support American Archive. John Rosengarten (Ye Olde Sysop) now works as Internet Administrator at a small nameless government agency." - John Rosengarten

312-278-9513
The Color-80 B B S, The Color-80 B.B.S.
(1986-1988)
COCO
312-279-1053
Automated Systems, High Resolution B.B.S.
(1986-1988)
PCBB
312-279-8525
CAT BBS
(1988)
Wildcat
312-280-8180
LAW MUGS BBS, LAWMUG
(1985-1986)
Paul Bernstein
312-280-8764
Chicago, IL
American Association of Individual Investors, Assoc. of Individual Investors, Computerized Investing, Individual Investor's BBS, Arte’ Graphics DTP
(1986-1995)
Wildcat!
312-281-6887
Chicago, IL
Coconut Club III, The Coconut Club
(1988-1993)
TAGG
312-282-9272
Chicago, IL
Ski's Lodge, Ski's Lodge BBS
(1986-1990)
Ken MorrisonRBBS
312-283-0559
Chicago, IL
Chinet, Unix - Chi-Net [wlcrjs], chinet
(1985-1996)
Randy Suess
UNIX System offering Internet Mail
312-283-0560
Chinet
(1989-1991)
312-283-8672
Chinet
(1989-1991)
312-284-6124
The ASCII Connection
(1986)
Diversi-Dial
312-284-6601
Forbidden Zone
(1987)
312-284-7133
Chicago, IL
Fourth Dimension (4D Software), The 4th Dimension BBS
(1986-1995)
Jeff Sorrentino, Jeff JonesPCBoard, PCBB
312-286-0608
Chicago, IL
COPH 2 (115/778), COPH-2 (BGMS)
(1986-1991)
Eric BohlmanPMS
312-286-3789
Chicago, IL
KOZ Exchange
(1987)
312-289-0014
Bartlett, IL
The Monitor Post
(1986-1988)
CCBS
312-289-1089
Bartlett, IL
Blue Thunder, War Games
(1986-1988)
AMIS
312-289-1198
Streamwood, IL
NIBS
(1981)
ABBS
312-289-4973
Bartlett, IL
Dial-Your-Match, The Mad Marty
(1986-1988)
DYMS
312-289-9808
Bartlett, IL
The Billboard BBS
(1989)
Gary Watson
312-291-1619
Northbrook, IL
Mothers (Video Info), Ski Machine
(1981)
ABBS
312-293-0199
Growers Xchange, The Growers Exchange
(1986-1988)
MCBB
312-293-0696
Growers Exchange BBS
(1988)
Red Ryder Host
312-293-1021
West Chicago Express [Fee]
(1988-1990)
312-293-1468
The Other Side
(1988)
312-293-5675
Imperial Palace
(1987)
312-295-5852
Lake Forest, IL
Wits of the World
(1988)
312-295-6926
Lake Forest, IL
International Apple Core, MACropedia BBS, MACropoedia, MACropoedia BBS, NIAUG, PMS - I.A.C.
(1981-1989)
Dave AlpertMCBB, Red Ryder Host, ABBS
312-295-7284
Lake Forest, IL
NET-WORKS Adventure's Inn
(1983-1984)
312-295-8706
Lake Forest, IL
AE Line: OAKLEY
(1985)
312-296-3883
Chicago, IL
Interface BBS Atari)
(1983)
312-296-7782
Chicago, IL
Logopolis
(1988)
312-297-1591
Chicago, IL
The Chicago BBS
(1989-1990)
Sidney Bratkovich
312-297-3242
Chicago, IL
Marvin
(1988)
312-297-3275
Chicago, IL
Realm of Amber
(1987)
312-307-1519
Schaumburg, IL
Glenside Coco-Rama
(1988)
312-307-8897
Schaumburg, IL
Station SOL
(1989)
Rick Waterson
312-321-1432
G.E. Games
(1981)
ABBS
312-323-3741
Hinsdale, IL
CHIPMUNK, NET-WORKS Chipmunk, The Chipmunk
(1982-1986)
Net-Works
312-323-4711
SouthDog
(1989)
Timothy SheaPCBoard
312-323-9707
AE LINE: DEAL
(1984)
312-326-4392
Chicago, IL
RCP/M Bridgeport, RCP/M PLUS, CPM3 RCP/M
(1983-1986)
Dick Lieber
312-335-0305
The Science Fiction Centre
(1988)
312-336-6700
Great Lakes, Great Lakes B.B.S. [Private]
(1986-1988)
CCBS
312-337-6631
Chicago, IL
Computer Room, Personal Computers of Chicago
(1980-1981)
ABBS
Cited in S-100 Micro Systems Magazine (January/February 1980 Issue)
312-338-0338
Chicago, IL
WestRidge CommuniCenter
(1988)
Phil Jern
312-338-8827
Chicago, IL
A I S, AIS-Chicago 396, AIS/Chicago, Apple Info, Fido 396, Net 115, The Chicago B.B.S., The Chicago BBS
(1981-1990)
Sidney BratkovichFidoNet, AIS
312-341-6217
DePaul College of Law, DePaul College of Law B.B.S.
(1988-1990)
312-342-6919
Chicago, IL
Publish!, Publisher Info Service
(1986-1990)
RBBS
312-343-0100
Lincolnet
(1986-1988)
PMS
312-344-2505
C F O G Osborne, C.F.O.G. Osborne
(1986)
RBBS
312-345-3919
The Cider Press
(1988)
312-345-4127
TI-West
(1989)
Nick Iacovelli
312-345-7202
The Intercept
(1988)
312-346-4218
Wood Computer Associates
(1986)
RBBS
312-348-0097
Chicago, IL
MODEM MEDIUM Chicago
(1984-1985)
MODEM MEDIUM
312-348-7269
Chicago, IL
Lively Arts {348}, The Lively Arts
(1989-1994)
Prestigiacomo
312-349-0098
Atari Worship
(1986)
AMIS
312-350-1109
Wood Dale, IL
Trade Mark
(1986-1988)
TeleprompterMarsh
"I ran this BBS on an Atari 800 and Atari 800XL systems. Storage was on four Atari 1050 drives, all having the eprom chips to double its capacity. There was at one time Trade Mark II and Trade Mark III when it was cool to franchise the name :-) Remember passwords = pirate and phreak numbers?" - Teleprompter
312-351-2658
The Alter Ego
(1986)
ABBS
312-351-4374
Schaumburg, IL
MCMS WACO Hot Line, N. Ill. Computer Society BBS, W A C O, W.A.C.O., W.A.C.O. BBS, WACO Hot Line
(1982-1998)
A Kahn, K ArgoMCMS
312-351-6702
Grand Stand RBBS, The Grand Stand
(1986-1989)
RBBS
312-351-8815
Amiga Doc, N.I.C.S. Amiga Users Group
(1988)
312-352-1035
RBBS of Chicago, RBBS Of Chicago 160m, RBBS ofChicago, RBBSofChi
(1987-1991)
Loren D. Jones
312-352-5681
Chicago C-NODE
(1983)
312-352-8842
The IDOG Exchange
(1987)
312-353-2382
Chicago, IL
VARO Chicago Property Management, VARO Chicago Property Mgtt
(1989-1996)
PEBB
312-354-6606
Countryside, IL
The Byte Board
(1980-1982)
jaxtrxSelf Written
"Fun story - Originally I used computer to download games, after a rather large phone bill, I was informed to find a way to have people call me or the modem would be taken away. So dug through the Commodore C-64 manuals and taught myself enough machine code and BASIC to write a BBS. Feature and refinement wise, it "bit"(lower quality) compared to the CBBS of the day, hence "bytes" board but I did sell a couple of copies and had an active message and file base for a part time BBS." - Jaxtrx
312-355-4293
Freeside
(1989)
Jeff Porter
312-356-3776
Lindenhurst, IL
DESKTOPPERS, Desktoppers BBS, DeskToppers Multi-Line, Desktoppers Multi-Line MAC Brd
(1987-1991)
Randy BennettWildcat
312-356-6420
Lindenhurst, IL
Desktoppers Multi-Line MAC Brd
(1989)
Randy Bennett
312-357-8075
AE Line: PRODOS, CAMELOT
(1985)
312-358-0634
The Wild West
(1986)
IBBS
312-359-2553
Palatine, IL
RCP/M Palatine
(1981-1982)
CP/M
312-359-7953
Tom Clough
(1989-1991)
Monica Arena
312-359-8080
Palatine, IL
Palatine RCP/M, Palatine RCPM, RCP/M Palantine, RCP/M Palatine, The AT&T Unix System
(1981-1988)
Tim CannonRCPM
312-359-9346
The Central Command
(1989)
Wildcat
312-359-9450
Palatine, IL
P B B S Palatine, P.B.B.S. Palatine, PBBS Co-operative Comp Svc
(1981-1986)
John PetrikasNorthStar, NBBS, PBBS
312-362-0538
Libertyville, IL
BPGB, BPGB QuickBBS
(1988-1989)
B Phillip Gerber, B Philip Gerber
312-362-5368
Chicago, IL
Illinet Online/Carl Uncover, Illilnet Online/Carl Uncover
(1989-1996)
312-362-7875
Libertyville, IL
Computers for Christ
(1984-1991)
Doug MooreTBBS
312-364-0048
New York, NY
STARLET ConNECtion BBS, The Starlet ConNECtion
(1985)
Steve SarnaRBBS
312-364-7320
The ZED B B S, The ZED B.B.S.
(1986-1988)
PCBB
312-369-4332
Cabaret Voltaire
(1988)
312-371-1396
AppleSider ][, AppleSider ][
(1987)
GBBS Pro
312-373-8057
PMS - Chicago, S.L.O.B.B.
(1981-1984)
ABBS
312-376-7598
BBS IBM PCmodem Chicago, RBBS IBM PC Chicago
(1983-1985)
312-377-0359
The Time Centre
(1988)
Belgarion of RivaPro-Talk
312-377-5988
Fox Valley ROS-34, Pics 1.5a CP/M Kaypro MSDOS
(1988-1991)
Dave Cummens
312-381-4134
N.I.C.S. PC Users Group, Oracle BBS
(1988-1991)
John Martin
312-382-1369
Elven Realm
(1985)
312-382-3270
Protecto Multi-Line B.B.S.
(1988)
312-382-3453
Network 21
(1989)
Klee Dienes
312-383-3144
The PMC Store
(1986)
FidoNet
312-383-5939
The Greenhouse
(1987-1988)
Joe Pluta
312-383-6335
Discovery Place, DiscoveryPlace, The Discovery Place
(1988-1994)
Mike Cook
312-383-7794
The Fisherman
(1986)
UBBS
312-384-0013
Chicago, IL
RCP/M RBBS Xerox Midwest, Xerox Midwest RCPM/RBBS
(1983-1986)
David LowyRCPM
"This was one of the 1st BBSs up on the Xerox 820 SAM (Simply Amazing Machine) an early commercial CP/M system with an initial whopping 482K space on two 8' floppies!" - David Lowy
312-384-2320
Chicago, IL
CACHE Lobo-80
(1986)
Unknown
312-384-4762
Chicago, IL
Remote Apple CP/M
(1981)
David MortizRAPM, Apple CP/M
312-386-4290
Oak Park, IL
Prometheus Multi-Line, Prometheus TBBS
(1988-1989)
Edward Vincent
312-392-0188
Arlington Hts Library Dial Access, Arlington Library Dial Access
(1986-1988)
DATA
312-392-2403
ACS Arlington Heights, DATA THIEVES
(1983-1984)
312-393-4755
Warnville, IL
NET-WORKS RJNET, RJNET
(1983-1985)
NET-WORKS
312-394-0071
Arlington Heights, IL
Samson, SAMSON BBS, Samson Fido
(1987-1991)
Larry Miglore
312-394-4398
Arlington Heights, IL
Nite Owl
(1986)
RBBS
312-394-5772
Arlington Heights, IL
Epson America RBBS/RTPM, Epson RBBS/RTPM, HI-RES Windy City Database, Windy City
(1985-1990)
Roger HeathRBBS
312-395-1816
The Slauter House
(1987)
312-395-1992
Antioch, Il.,
The Outer limits
(1988-1992)
Ralph KenyonWildcat
312-395-5865
ANTIOCH, IL
The Outer Limits
(1988-1992)
Ralph KenyonWildcat and PC Board
"I remember this bbs. He had a node 1 of 312-395-5865. His node 2 was 312-395-1992. He shutdown OL after talking to John at Lakes bbs. I was a supporting user on both. I remember both Ralph and John taking time to call me and say they are shuting down." - Pete
312-395-7233
On-Line Computer Store
(1986)
RBBS
312-395-9456
The Infocomatium, Genesis Project
(1986-1987)
Ascii Express
312-396-1022
RBBS IBM PC Chicago
(1984-1985)
312-397-0871
Chicago, IL
Commodore, PET BBS Commodore
(1982-1985)
PET BBS
312-397-5849
The Pyramid
(1988)
312-397-6888
Chicago Attache' User's Group RCP/M
(1984-1985)
Donald Larson
312-397-8308
OS-9 6809 BBS
(1983-1984)
312-398-1935
Tandy-4 B.B.S.
(1988)
312-398-2872
Excellence
(1986)
PCBB
312-416-1180
F O R A, F.O.R.A.
(1986)
RBBS
312-420-1722
Lisle, IL
DigiTec Znode (tm)
(1986)
Unknown
312-420-7995
Naperville, IL
ABBS Illini Microcomputer, IL. Microcomputers, Inc.
(1981-1983)
Dav HolleABBS, ABBS+
312-420-8868
AE Line: PRODOS
(1985)
312-423-7558
The Computer Lab
(1988)
312-424-2882
Burbank, IL
America BBS
(1984-1986)
Bob VrastilC64 based
312-425-6061
Compu Erotica, Compu-Erotica, CompuErotica
(1988-1994)
312-426-3279
Fox Rival, Fox River Valley B.B.S., Fox River Valley PCB 145m, FoxRivVal
(1988-1994)
George Krueger, Geo.KruegerPCBoard
312-430-4477
Hickory Hills, IL
The Switchboard
(1986-1988)
Ken MorrisonGBBS
312-432-2396
The Looney Bin
(1986)
ABBS
312-432-3062
The Key to Time
(1988)
312-432-4178
Connie
(1988)
312-432-4285
Fox Trot RBBS
(1989)
Jay Schulman
312-432-6964
Wizard's Guild
(1986)
Ascii Express
312-433-4563
Universal
(1986)
UBBS
312-433-5459
The Dragon's Spire
(1988)
312-433-7340
Diversi-Dial 36
(1986-1988)
Diversi-Dial
312-436-2261
Chicago, IL
North Pole
(1989-1993)
312-436-3062
Chicago, IL
AMNET
(1985-1988)
Chip Berlet & Alan FenskeRBBS modified to NEWSBASE
312-437-3225
Guild Mail, Suburbia, The Guildhall
(1987-1988)
Dick Sonka
312-438-9356
Dark Side of the Moon, The Dark Side of the Moon
(1986-1989)
Chad Hendrickson (Dioskilos)AMIS, Carina
"An Atari 8-bit BBS that started with a highly modified version of AMIS and ended with Carina II. The final few months saw a switch over to a custom built Atari ST BBS program called "Matrix" written in GFA Basic by Mike Szewczyk. If anyone has a copy of Atari ST Matrix BBS software, please contact hendricksonc@hcgi.com." - Chad Hendricks
312-439-3563
Mt Prospect, IL
CSS BBS
(1989)
312-439-9679
Mt Prospect, IL
The Midrange System
(1989)
David Gibbs
312-441-6957
AE Line: OUTPOST, AE LINE: OUTPOST
(1984-1985)
312-442-9697
Lankhmar Mountain
(1988)
312-443-3744
C A S A T CBBS, C.A.S.A.T. CBBS, RCP/M CBBS CASAT
(1984-1985)
John Manning
312-445-1130
ACS Chicago
(1983-1984)
312-446-3898
The Junction
(1986)
UBBS
312-447-3857
The Midwest Exchange, Mansion AE
(1987-1988)
Disk Muncher
312-447-8175
The Riverside Premium
(1988)
312-448-6472
PHAMIS
(1985)
Don MackAMIS
312-448-8290
Lode Data Systems
(1986)
RBBS
312-452-0333
Computers Plus
(1986-1988)
IBBS
312-453-7831
Chicago Conn.
(1989)
Hank Ellerman
312-455-0086
The Cellblock
(1988)
312-455-3256
Westdale
(1987-1989)
Alan Izzo
312-457-2219
C L A U G II, C.L.A.U.G. II
(1986-1988)
AMIS
312-459-5721
The Nite Owl
(1986-1988)
CCBS
312-459-8375
North Suburban Library Dial Access
(1986-1988)
DATA
312-459-9331
Wheeling, IL
Incomm's Turbo Board
(1986)
Brad Grinstead
312-462-7560
Wheaton, IL
ANALEPTIC P.C.M.S., MCMS P.C.M.S. Wheaton, MCMS PCMS, P C M S, P.C.M.S.
(1983-1990)
C HornadayMCMS
312-462-9844
S.C.A.T, Suburban Chicago Atarians
(1985-1988)
AMIS
312-463-8932
Mind Master's Domain, Mindmaster's Domain
(1988)
David LucasTUBBS
312-465-HACK
The Glue Ball
(1983-1986)
Vid Kidz, Barney Badass, Mr. //cCBBS
"The Glue Ball was a message base/pirate board running modified Commodore 64 CBBS code, 3 1541 drives and the 300/450 Commodore modem. The multiple 1541 drives were obtained by fraud at a local Zayre store when we discovered that buying a drive then returning the box with a brick in it and claiming that the drive didn't work. This is not cool, but it is history. The Glue Ball was possibly best known for the writing contained upon it, as the welcome screens were constantly changing and tended to be fairly imaginative. The name Glue Ball is a reference to an aspect of particle physics that I'm too stupid to explain. Vid Kidz was taken from the name of the design team of the coin-op video game Robotron. The name Barney Badass was selected as it was the name Vid called Barney the day they met in the cafeteria of Mather High School in 1983. That meeting would also develop into an early Chicago punk rock / surf band called The Defoliants, whose career lasted 5 years. An early song by that band was an instrumental called "Cold Start 64738", which should entertain any C64 head. Modifications to the code were done often under a programmer's tool for the 64 called Sysres, a kind of wrapper environment for C64 Basic code. It was admired because of its ability to display all variables in the code using the "dump" command, which also caused much snickering." - Barney Badass
312-469-2597
Glen Ellyn RCP/M, Glen Ellyn West Suburban RCP/M, RCP/M Glen Ellyn
(1983-1985)
Jim Mills
312-469-2872
Torgazmic, Torgazmic Systems
(1989-1994)
Jim TorgersonPCBoard
312-469-7737
AE Line: INDOOR
(1985)
312-469-8412
Infinity
(1988)
312-470-0017
Morton Grove RCP/M RBBS
(1984)
Mark Stein
312-470-1691
Cache/Nicol Chicago BBS
(1988)
Wildcat
312-472-6796
ConsultNet
(1987-1988)
Don Damon
312-473-9350
North Chicago, IL
Gator's Lair, The Gator BBS
(1989-1990)
Stan Pifer
312-473-9415
North Chicago, IL
North Shore Sinclair
(1988)
312-474-5795
Chicago, IL
Electronic Oddysey
(1987)
312-475-4884
Evanston, IL
ABBS Gamemaster, GAMEMASTER, The Game Master B B S, The Game Master B.B.S., The Game Master BBS
(1981-1986)
ABBS
312-475-5282
ABBS Video Adv. Movie Marquee
(1983)
312-475-5522
Board Electric
(1986-1988)
ERAC
312-478-3902
Arcadia
(1986)
TBBS
312-478-3903
North Parks TBBS
(1987)
Dave Jeschke
312-480-8730
FIDO #57 MCCPowers, MCCPowers
(1984-1985)
Russ FrenchFidoNet
312-481-4177
ISS, INC. BBS - CHICAGO
(1988)
Wildcat
312-484-1747
G.A.B.B.S.
(1988)
312-484-1984
BBS-1984
(1988)
312-484-7782
Logopolis, Logopolis CBBS
(1986-1989)
CBBS
312-490-9206
Chicago, IL
Chicago DECUS, DEC PCLug
(1986)
Chuck GarrettFidoNet
312-491-2611
Evanston, IL
Chicago Business, ChicagoNorthShore, North Shore
(1987-1991)
Chris Michael
312-491-3070
Evanston, IL
Northwestern LUIS System, Northwestern University LUIS System.
(1986-1988)
DATA
312-491-3215
Evanston, IL
N.U.T.U.G. B.B.S.
(1988)
312-491-3892
Evanston, IL
Northwestern ACNS, Northwestern Micro, Northwestern University ACNS, Wildcat
(1986-1989)
Roger Safian, Bill BlissFidoNet
312-491-6995
Evanston, IL
The Word Processing B.B.S., Word Processing
(1986-1988)
IBBS
312-496-1243
The Command Module
(1988)
312-497-9756
THE WIDOW MAKER BBS
(1988)
Wildcat
312-498-1809
The NSC Connection
(1986)
GBBS
312-513-1034
Midwest
(1989)
Steve MillsPCBoard
312-519-1353
Space Station I
(1987)
312-520-1780
Software Plus B B S, Software Plus B.B.S.
(1986-1988)
STBB
312-523-6351
Hopefully Heaven
(1989-1995)
312-525-5296
Chicago, IL
Argent Griffon Inn, The Gold Dragon CBIS
(1989-1990)
Michael Lichon
312-526-0642
N.I.C.S. Apple Users Group
(1988)
312-526-3725
Northern Illinois R.B.B.S.
(1988)
312-528-5020
Chicago, IL
Ripco, Ripco II, RipCo ][, RIPCO
(1986-2000)
Dr. RipcoGBBS, Ascii Express, SLBB
312-528-7141
Chicago, IL
Chicago CBBS, Chicago Area Computer Hobbyists' Exchange (CACHE), Ward and Randy's Chicago CBBS
(1980)
Ward Christensen, Randy SuessCBBS, CP/M CBBS
Cited in S-100 Micro Systems Magazine (January/February 1980).
312-529-0081
Elk Grove, IL
Tech Exch , The Tech Exchange
(1988-1989)
Mark Madej
312-529-1586
Elk Grove, IL
Elk Grove Repeater, Elk Grove Village, Information Exchange, The Elk Grove Repeater
(1986-1991)
Glen RandlesTBBS
312-530-2209
GGS BBS
(1988-1990)
Wildcat
312-532-8209
Great Lakes Civil Air Patrol, GREAT LAKES REGION CAP
(1987-1994)
312-535-8282
CPSnet (Chicago Public Schools)
(1989-1996)
312-535-8512
Chicago, IL
CPSnet (Chicago Public Schools)
(1989-1996)
MGPE
312-535-8513
CPSnet (Chicago Public Schools)
(1989-1996)
312-537-2611
D&D Software 1
(1986)
ERAC
312-537-3456
AE LINE: QUZI
(1984)
312-537-3532
DPRP
(1987-1988)
James Zachary
312-537-7063
Chicago, IL
ABBS CODE, C.O.D.E. Consultants
(1981-1983)
ABBS
312-537-7888
RCP/M Prairie View
(1984-1985)
312-539-6419
Electric Paradise
(1986)
Online
312-541-4617
D&D Software 2
(1986)
ERAC
312-541-6470
Electronic Exchange
(1981)
312-543-0180
Trans-Com B B S, Trans-Com B.B.S.
(1986-1988)
CCBS
312-543-8112
AmigaTech
(1988)
312-545-1945
The Night Line
(1986-1988)
AMIS
312-545-8086
Chicago, IL
CBBS, CBBS Chicago, Ward and Randy's, Ward and Randy’s, CBBS-1
(1979-1995)
Ward Christensen, UnknownCBBS
312-560-0559
Data Express
(1986-1987)
PCBB
312-560-0730
Ye Olde Shack
(1986)
PCBB
312-561-2382
Chicago, IL
Bear's Den, Bears Den, Bears' Den (A), The Bear's Den, Baha’i National Center
(1988-1995)
TBBS
312-561-9382
Chicago, IL
Satellite AE
(1987)
312-564-0931
AE LINE: SRF
(1984)
312-564-1122
AE Line: SRF
(1985)
312-564-1339
The Library
(1988)
312-566-8911
AKCS Traveler's Aid - One
(1988)
312-566-8912
AKCS Traveler's Aid - Two
(1988)
312-567-5036
JURISnet
(1989-1991)
312-577-5143
AE Line: PRODOS
(1985)
312-578-1701
The Gator BBS
(1989)
Stan Pifer
312-581-1111
Chicago, IL
The Village Adult BBS, Village (A) [Fee], Village (A) [Fee] , Village Adult BBS, Village Information Systems
(1989-1996)
312-583-6364
C-64 Users Group B B S, C-64 Users Group B.B.S.
(1986-1991)
CCBS
312-584-9130
CustomAmiga
(1988)
312-588-1003
Rick's BB, Rick's Permiun BBS PCB, Ricks BBS
(1986-1991)
Lars Pedersen, Lars PedersonPCBoard
312-589-2827
Beaker's Beacon, Beaker's Beacon 212
(1986-1988)
John BekasFidoNet
312-593-6478
Turner Tech
(1987-1989)
Memory Turner
312-594-8989
STL Software
(1986)
IBBS
312-597-8485
Creme-de-Coco B B S, Creme-de-Coco B.B.S.
(1986)
COCO
312-598-0525
SPORTFIDO , Sports Fido 512
(1986-1987)
FidoNet
312-598-4861
Cass-80 Hickory Hills
(1983-1985)
312-599-8089
Oak Lawn
(1988-1989)
Vince DamorePCBoard
312-604-8888
Krex
(1989)
Steve KrexPCBoard
312-622-4442
Chicago, IL
Chicago Syslink, Chicago Syslink [Fee], CHICAGO SYSLNK, GREENE MACHINE Chicago, IL, MCMS Message-82
(1981-1999)
GEORGE MATYASZEK, George Matyaszek, G MatyaszekOTBB, GREENE MACHINE, HOST, M81
312-622-7080
Chicago, IL
Chicago Syslink [Fee]
(1989-1991)
312-623-2226
Waukegan Public Library
(1986-1988)
UBBS
312-629-2253
C A K E, C.A.K.E.
(1986)
RCPM
312-629-4478
The Computer King [Fee]
(1988)
312-630-1892
Glen Ellyn, IL
EchoMail to Go, Future Zonegate, IFNA Plebiscite, North America
(1989-1990)
Stephen Bonine, Steve Bonine, IFNA Elections Comm, Z1C
312-630-6282
Glen Ellyn, IL
ChicagoDowntown, COPH Mail, TNT BBS
(1987-1991)
Steve Bonine
312-631-1233
Chicago, IL
Frankenstein's Lab, Frankenstein’s Lab
(1989-1995)
312-631-8470
The Underground Garage
(1988)
312-635-7863
Gallifrey II
(1986-1988)
AMIS
312-636-4485
Fertech Systems
(1988)
Wildcat
312-636-9612
Photos and Fun BBS System
(1988)
Red Ryder Host
312-639-8654
Star "9" PCB, Star 9
(1989-1994)
Rex RobinsonPCBoard
312-640-7980
Computer Guild, The Computer Guild
(1986-1988)
Dick SonkaTBBS
312-646-6097
The Misfits
(1986)
DYMS
312-647-7636
IBM-PC BBS, RCP/M A.B. Dick Co.
(1982-1983)
Gene Plantz
312-648-4867
ONLINE Omega
(1983-1984)
312-649-0490
Chicago, IL
E N A, E.N.A, Emergency Nurses Association, ENA BBS, E.N.A.
(1989-1995)
TBBS
312-649-1225
The HaHa ][
(1987)
312-649-1730
Chicago, IL
Lillipute, Lillipute Z-Node, Z-System Znode (tm)
(1985-1990)
Richard Jacobson, Unknown
312-651-7252
TI-South
(1989)
James Brooks
312-653-5999
Family Radio Forum WJCH
(1988)
John Rorvick
312-653-6089
The Hotel
(1988)
312-654-1133
Multi-Line Message Center
(1988)
312-654-2918
The Quarterdeck
(1986-1987)
Ascii Express
312-655-1044
AE LINE: SEASME
(1984)
312-657-1113
Glenview, IL
Spectrum MACInfo
(1989)
Steve Levinthal
312-661-1740
Chicago, IL
Law MUG {661}, LawMUG , LawMug RBBS, LAWMUG RBBS DePaul Law School
(1985-2002)
Barry Lowe, Alfred Roth, Paul BernsteinRBBS
312-661-1741
Chicago, IL
LawMug RBBS
(1989)
Alfred Roth
312-665-9732
The Other Board
(1988)
312-670-6736
Position Report, The Position Report
(1988-1990)
312-671-4992
HUG-CBBS
(1981-1982)
Paul Mayer, Dave LeonardRCPM
312-674-1042
Evanston, IL
Marvin
(1986)
UBBS
312-674-1638
Evanston, IL
Bill's Color Comp PCB HAM, Bill's PCBoard
(1986-1991)
William KnoppPCBoard
312-674-1989
Evanston, IL
TechLine RBBS
(1989)
Mark Annis
312-674-2159
Evanston, IL
PC Tech Center
(1986)
IBBS
312-674-2282
Evanston, IL
The Closet
(1988)
312-674-6502
Evanston, IL
C C B S, C.C.B.S., Commodore Video King
(1983-1988)
CCBS
312-674-7564
Evanston, IL
Gamer's Hall
(1987)
Emulex
312-674-9246
Chicago, IL
Marvin, MODEM MEDIUM Marvin
(1984-1985)
MODEM MEDIUM
312-675-8881
ACOA
(1986)
Roger Strauss
312-677-8514
Skokie, IL
Fantasy, FBBS Skokie
(1981-1982)
FBBS
312-679-8983
The Ham & Hobby B B S, The Ham & Hobby B.B.S., The Ham and Hobby B.B.S.
(1986-1988)
PCBB
312-680-8566
Dragons Den AE
(1987)
312-680-9613
Scream Machine
(1982-1983)
312-683-2379
The Cavern, The Caverns
(1986-1988)
RBBS
312-685-9573
Chicago, IL
Apple Net, APPLE-NET, MODEM MEDIUM Apple-Net, NET-WORKS Apple Juice
(1983-1988)
UBBS
312-689-8869
Great Lakes, Great Lakes Fido 969
(1986-1990)
Lew PratherFidoNet
312-690-1132
DIAL-YOUR-MATCH #70
(1984)
312-690-2211
The Crooked Dragon Inn
(1988)
312-690-3808
Chicago, IL
Jim Mills RCP/M, Jim Mills RCPM, Ampro 4 RCP/M
(1986-1988)
Jim MillsRCPM
312-690-6775
The Electric Cafe
(1986-1988)
Seth Tisue (Dr. Strangelove)GBBS Pro
The Electric Cafe was located in Wheaton, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). It operated on an Apple II+ with a 1200 baud internal modem. It was primarily a discussion board, especially about music and politics. I'd be delighted to hear from any of the board's old users; visit me at http://tisue.net." - Seth Tisue
312-693-1223
IBEW Local 1220, Local 1220 BBS
(1989-1996)
Wildcat
312-695-2606
Church of the Brethren B.B.S.
(1988)
312-695-7194
The Inner Workings
(1988)
312-696-0324
N.A.A. B.B.S., Nat'l Assoc of Accountants, Natl Assoc. Of Accountants
(1988-1991)
Jim Whaley
312-697-1606
RichWare
(1989)
Rich DoughertyPCBoard
312-699-7482
The Challenger
(1986-1987)
Ascii Express
312-714-8568
Gagme
(1989-1991)
312-724-0742
Foundation
(1987)
312-724-0807
Bullwinkle's Bar
(1986-1988)
Ascii Express
312-724-8874
The Lite Fido 615
(1986)
FidoNet
312-725-0652
Captain Video B.B.S.
(1988)
312-725-5890
Chi Net, Chi-Net, ChiNet
(1986-1994)
UNIX
312-725-7586
Software Exchange, Wizard's Palace
(1987)
Roger MialkowskiPC-Board
312-727-2174
Dark Side
(1987)
312-727-4868
Chicago, IL
Hispanic Bell Mgmt Association, Hispanic Bell Mgmt.Assoc.
(1989-1993)
Wildcat, Wildcat!
312-727-5043
Chicago, IL
Bell Microcomputer Club BBS, Bell Microcomputer Club [$], Bell Microcomputer Club [Fee], Ball Microcomputer Club
(1989-1996)
Lyle GiesePCBoard, PCBB
312-728-4069
The Lazy Dragon
(1986)
UBBS
312-728-7784
Chicago, IL
RuneQuest
(1989-1995)
BPRO
312-728-9722
786 BBS Of Chicago 110m, The 786 Board
(1987-1991)
Shabbir Damani
Click Here to Browse Artifacts for 312-728-9722
312-729-0012
N A B B S O, N.A.B.B.S.O.
(1986)
FidoNet
312-729-0556
Chicago, IL
Ham Radio BBS
(1986)
Unknown
312-729-2101
Chicago, IL
Biz B B S, Biz B.B.S., The Business B.B.S., IBMPC/Business BBS
(1986-1988)
Les MultackIBBS
312-729-3203
The First Node
(1988)
312-729-3471
Microsolve 151
(1986)
FidoNet
312-729-8768
Mac Net, Spectrum MACInfo, Spectrum MACNet, The Rest of Us
(1986-1991)
Steve Levinthal, Mike BorsettiUBBS
312-736-0228
Chicago, IL
The Phone Company
(1989)
Wildcat
312-736-7526
Chicago, IL
Innovations, Innovations BBS, Innovations (Peter Hru), Innovations BBS
(1988-1995)
Peter Hru
312-739-6121
AE Line: MAXX
(1985)
312-740-2072
Chicago, IL
The Black Knight BBS
(1988-1989)
Jerry Callahan
312-740-9128
Chicago, IL
L A M S, L.A.M.S., MCMS L.A.M.S. Round Lake
(1982-1986)
MCMS
312-741-9782
Strangers in the Night, The Call Box
(1986-1988)
Diversi-Dial
312-742-6590
BMBBS Adult Fantasy System
(1984)
312-743-3153
Chicago, IL
Lakeshore Modem Magazine
(1981-1985)
Patrick TownsonApple ][+ with a variant of Apple ABBS
"We did social issues discussions, I think there were about 20-25 regular users. About this same time, I was an assistant sysop for Chicago Public Library BBS phone 312-235-7200. I also worked a little with Jerry Ablan with his THINK! BBS. I 'got into' Usenet as a newsgroup Moderator on comp.dcom.telecom (a position I still hold today, 2006) and I also maintained in those days a forum on Compuserve. I grew tired of the old 'single server' style machines and decided to close Lakeshore Modem Magazine at the end of 1986 and go full time with Usenet; by that point I had about 35,000 participants in TELECOM Digest (comp.dcom.telecom). Old users from Lakeshore Modem Magazine are invited to stay in touch at ptownson@telecom-digest.org" - Patric Townson
312-743-4532
Chicago, IL
ChicagoLand, Cook County BBS, Cook County Board
(1988-1991)
Tom Etheridge
312-743-6116
Chicago, IL
Krishna Yoga Foundation, Krishna Yoga Foundation BBS, Krishna Yoga Foundation {800}
(1989-1994)
Vaishnava Dasa, Vaishnava dasa
312-743-7729
Chicago, IL
Hare Krishna RBBS, Krishna Yoga Foundation, Krishna Yoga Foundation {800}
(1989-1994)
Vaishnava Dasa
312-743-8176
Chicago, IL
Games, MARS/RP Rogers Park
(1981-1982)
FGS/RP
312-745-0924
NET-WORKS North Parks
(1982-1983)
312-745-8962
Rainbow Computer News, Rainbow Computers
(1986-1990)
NEWS
312-746-0548
Flat Cat Alley
(1989)
Lew Prather
312-747-4247
The Valley Girl
(1986)
AMIS
312-747-7568
Chicago, IL
Compu-Shop, CompuShop, RBBS Chicago
(1985-1986)
Tom SpeakerIBBS, RBBS
312-751-1503
Chicago, IL
High Res, High Resolutions, InfoComm Co, InfoComm High Resolution MAC, The High Res B.B.S.
(1988-2000)
Willie WagnerRRDH
312-752-6104
Art of Science
(1989-1990)
312-752-7412
CHICAGO NEWS , Non-Profit Info Center, Non-Profit Information Center
(1986-1990)
IBBS
312-754-7412
Byte Back
(1986)
UBBS
312-755-6264
Apple Tree
(1986-1988)
UBBS
312-757-3135
T I South, T.I. South, T.I.B.B.S. South
(1986-1988)
TIBB
312-758-1136
The "Foolish Pleasure" BBS, The "Foolish Pleasure"BBS
(1988-1990)
Wildcat
312-759-1916
Silver Tongue
(1986-1987)
Ascii Express
312-759-5402
Bolingbrook, IL
Chicagoland, DEC RB HELP, Illini Data RB
(1986)
Rob ElliottFidoNet
312-759-6297
SATELITE
(1985)
Carina BBS
312-759-7005
Jim's B B S, Jim's B.B.S.
(1986)
RCPM
312-759-9101
The Sundog
(1988)
312-759-9191
The Bunker
(1986-1988)
Online
312-761-7779
Chicago, IL
Yet Another B B S, Yet Another B.B.S.
(1985-1987)
Kenneth P. StoxColossus, Unix BBS
312-761-7887
Chicago, IL
ICS/TRIX I Opus
(1988-1991)
Kevin Bryson
312-762-8678
The Synergy Info Line
(1988)
312-763-9001
Touch Tone BBS
(1989-1994)
Bill Popjoy
312-764-0719
Chicago, IL
Fremen Mountain
(1989-1993)
FRMN
312-764-1699
Chicago, IL
Dial-Your-Match 206, West Rogers Park A B B S, West Rogers Park A.B.B.S.
(1986-1995)
ABBS
312-764-4581
Chicago, IL
Lakefront, LakeSide, Terrapin Station
(1987-1990)
Maynard Riley
312-764-5162
Chicago, IL
Antelope Freeway [CP/M, MS-DOS], CFOG Two
(1989-1992)
312-766-2797
T I West, T.I. West
(1986-1987)
TIBB
312-768-5853
Chicago, IL
Top Gun, Top Gun {768}
(1989-1995)
Sean MikelRBBS
312-769-2020
Chicago, IL
20/20 T.B.B.S., 20/20 TBBS, 20/20 Video B B S, 20/20 Video B.B.S., 20/20 {769}, 20/20 BBS
(1986-1995)
John Shew, UnknownCCBS
312-769-2713
Chicago, IL
Fremen Mountain
(1989-1995)
312-769-4608
Chicago, IL
Stillwaters
(1989)
Jordan/Dilworth
312-772-0347
The Superbird
(1987-1988)
312-772-2452
Chicago, IL
Orgasm, Orgasm! [$], Orgasm! [Fee]
(1986-1996)
DYMS
312-773-3308
Itasca, IL
ABBS Nessy Game System, NESSY Chicago, Nessy Game System
(1982-1986)
Ken MorrisonABBS
312-774-2035
The Greek Inn
(1986-1988)
Net-Works
312-775-2970
The Windy City Atarian
(1986)
AMIS
312-776-8173
ATARI WORLD
(1985)
AMIS
312-777-2804
East Village BBS, The East Village (Node 2)
(1979-1999)
Pete KoskiTriBBS
312-777-4184
Chicago, IL
The Wild Side, Wild Side 7 Node, Wild Side C-NET COMMO, WILD SIDE [6NDZ], WILD SIDE [6NDZ]
(1989-1994)
Rick Anzaldua, Baby Bear, Analog Kid CNET
Rebels Member BBS
312-779-3916
Roy's , Roy's (N
(1989-1994)
Roy Herman
312-779-6120
Cellar
(1989-1991)
312-782-1900
Adventure-Line, The Adventure Line
(1986-1988)
UNIX
312-782-8180
Chicago, IL
EBG and Associates
(1981)
FORUM-80
312-784-8763
TRoU Mac Base System
(1987-1988)
Steve Levinthal, Chuck Ross
312-786-1247
DePaul Library LCS System, DePaul University LCS System .
(1986-1994)
DATA
312-787-2174
Chicago, IL
The Dark Side 312
(1984-1989)
Exilic XythNetworks, GBBS, AE Pro, GBBS Pro
"Memories. I got my first copy of "Net-Works" from the owners of Ghost Ship I (312) 528-1611 and Ghost Ship II (312) 644-5165 (so named for their pirate proclivities) along with one of the early SSI games, "The Warp Factor." I think these two programs actually filled 2 discs. It was a heavily modified version of Net-Works with no documentation and I had no idea whatsoever how to program such things so I had to learn by poking through the code and experimenting. This must have been around 1984 or something as I had just gotten an Apple //e and those hadn't been out very long (1983) when I finally got mine. I even had that ugly dual disc drive thing that sat on top of the //e too. I don't know who thought up the casing color for these things but I am convinced it came out of a Miami design convention.

"It took me several months to modify the thing well enough to try and open my own BBS, which looked for several months suspiciously like the two Ghost Ships that birthed it. It wasn't until GBBS Pro came out (along with its "ACOS" language) that "The Dark Side" finally got its own look.

"The Dark Side was primarily a text file (called G-Files then, I still know not why other than that's what they were called on RIPCO, "General Files" perhaps?) and eventually a rather prolific Apple II pirate software BBS. I don't think I paid for a single piece of software after I bought the //e. This is significant because I remember one weekend when my friend and I went in together to buy a bulk of 1,000 floppies. We filled them in three weeks and had to buy another case. We were all very much impressed with the boards in California back then, as they all seemed to have the newest games sooner than everyone else and all the boards in Chicago were always trying to get a connection to Cali boards whenever something came out. I'm sure my parents freaked out over all the 213 phone calls at some point but having Aquatron (Cracked by The Freeze!) before everyone else in 312 was worth even a serious shouting match.

"Somewhere in there, right around the time we went to 9600 baud from 2400 I think, I managed to put my hands on an external 20 meg hard drive for the Apple //e I had. It was made by some firm called "CMS" (all traces of which have since vanished), was the size of a large 4 waffle toaster and sounded like a King Air spooling up the engines on the tarmac when you turned on. COOL! The thing must have weighed 15 pounds and it was totally featureless except for two LED lights on the front. Green (power) and red (activity). Ugly as it was it ran reliably for as many years as the BBS was still up.

"At some point a good friend of mine opened "The Courts of Chaos," the sister system to "The Dark Side" and also a GBBS board and also shamelessly pirate oriented. I think we made some attempt to hide things by making the files section "private" (with a sucker public section filled with, and I'm not kidding, desert recipes, though I doubt most of the users even noticed them since going straight to the files section was SOP) but I doubt anyone was fooled for very long.

"By 1988 I figured the way to really get the word out about a BBS was to write a popular text file and stick the number of the board on the bottom (and top and middle) of it. I penned "The Modern Speeders Guide to Radar and State Troopers" early that year. (You can still find it all over the place via a Google search so I guess it worked!). I actually did more research on this little project than I ever did for anything in grad school many years later. The phone was busy all the time after that and though I used to love to hear it ring reminding me that someone was logging on, I was happy to install a switch to shut the damn ringer up at this point. Even the separate Radio-Shack "flashing ringer" got annoying and found its way into my junk drawer along with the old, 300 baud internal Hayes MicroModem //e.

"Things had pretty much peaked back in 1987 though with the release of "Airheart," by Dan Gorlin. After that passed through The Dark Side everything else seemed to pale in comparison. (Well, Karateka was pretty cool). People started to spell "Pirate Wares" with a "z" at the end and drop the word "Pirate" all together. Folks started getting arrested for text files. I graduated High School. I discovered EFNet. And that was pretty much the end of The Dark Side. Looking back at how serious the government was taking such things I'm surprised I didn't end up another teenage hacker felon. Instead, I got a law degree." - Exylic Xyth

312-787-3008
Chicago, IL
The Rest of Us MUG, TRoU - The Rest of Us MUG
(1988-1990)
Jemiah DuffFIDO
"I took over this BBS from Brian Wink and Steve Levinthal, who ran it for The Rest of Us MUG (Macintosh Users Group). It ran on an XT-class IBM with a 40MB HD and a 2400baud modem. Thanks to Steve and his friends at US Robotics, we were given a brand new Courier HST/V.32bis Dual Standard modem and could connect a whopping 19,200bps! Of course, the backchannel was only 450bps, but for BBSing, it was great. I also got the MUG to upgrade the hard drive to 80MB - I thought I'd NEVER be able to fill that up! I was 16 years old, a Junior in High School, when Brian asked me to save his marriage by taking over the BBS for him. LOL. It seems Brian was spending too much time online, and not enough time IRL. Of course, being 16, I had no RL, so I was happy to take it over. I was elected by the MUG to continue running the BBS until I left for College in the summer of 1990. I learned a ton, and it's amazing now that I think about it, how much of that information still comes in handy even today, in 2003. I found this by Googling for my first name - thanks for the trip down memory lane!" - Jemiah Duff
312-787-7865
Chicago, IL
Golem BBS, The Golem
(1986-1990)
ABBS
312-788-1264
The No Change B.B.S.
(1986-1988)
Mike Jacobs
312-789-0499
Hinsdale, IL
Aims Dynabyte, AIMS, Hinsdale, Ill., CHICAGO, Janus Software Group, RCP/M AIMS Hinsdale, RCP/M RBBS AIMS, Hinsdale RCP/M
(1981-1986)
Mark PulverRCPM, RBBS, AIMS
$$$$ Subscription service only $$$$ Subscription service only
312-789-1263
AE LINE: SWORD
(1984)
312-789-3610
AMIS Chicago, AMIS Clarendon Hills
(1982-1984)
312-789-3966
Clarendon Hills, IL
Ora-Comm, Oracomm #318
(1982-1992)
Mark DrozdOracomm
312-790-0187
Glen Ellyn, IL
C.O.P.E. {777}, Central, Chicagoland, Cope (115/777), Cope BBS, COPE OF CHICAGO, Software Dist
(1987-1991)
Steve Bonine, KB9X
312-790-4688
Glen Ellyn, IL
Central, ChicagoLand, The Generic B.B.S., The Generic BBS, The Generic BBS HST
(1987-1991)
Patrick Mulcahy, Pat Mulcahy
312-790-5037
Glen Ellyn, IL
S/38 to PC Connectivity IBBS
(1989-1991)
Robert Cozzi
312-790-8088
Glen Ellyn, IL
The Celestial Toyroom
(1983)
312-795-0871
Sierra B B S, Sierra B.B.S.
(1986-1988)
CCBS
312-798-7634
Shangri-La BBS
(1988-1989)
Chuck RossRed Ryder Host
312-798-9150
The Phoenix
(1986-1988)
GBBS, GBBS Pro
312-799-4790
Homewood, IL
Central, Chicagoland, Fido Tech Stand, Solar Wind, The Day of the Yuga, The Solar Windjammer
(1987-1989)
Rick MooreFidoNet
312-803-3590
Chi. Comp. Soc, Chi. Comp. Soc.
(1985-1996)
Wildcat
312-819-6628
Midwest Telephony
(1989-1991)
312-827-0229
IBEW Locak 1220
(1989)
Wildcat
312-830-0058
The Bartlett Exchange
(1986)
CCBS
312-830-7572
Micro Systems Colossus
(1988)
312-831-1142
Video Etc. B.B.S.
(1988)
312-831-2691
The Desktopper
(1988)
312-832-6714
The Conspiracy Ae
(1987)
312-833-8126
Vpnet
(1988)
312-837-7100
Software Plus West
(1988)
312-837-7196
C.O.D.E.
(1988)
312-837-8996
MacPyramid
(1988)
Brian Wink
312-839-5002
Willow Springs, IL
CYCLOPS! Multi-Line TBBS
(1989)
George Slone
312-841-2401
1984
(1986-1988)
CCBS, PCBoard
"This BBS was listed as using CCBS, however I used it for years and they always ran PCBoard. He used the default bland theme that the BBS software came prepackaged with, the menus were all yellow, it wasn't much to look at. I remember he had 5 phone lines and the BBS was so popular they were always filled up. Mostly people were playing door games. Though, some messaging and file sharing went on as well. I'm not sure if the number is correct, I just copied it from the list. I do believe this is the same board though. Hope this helps." - Blakesteel
312-841-3612
The Orphanage, The Orphanage RCPM & BBS System
(1985-1986)
Dennis DuffnerRCPM
312-841-6519
Dial-Your-Match, Dial-Your-Match 102
(1986-1988)
DYMS
312-841-8064
Midwest C-64 Users Group
(1986-1988)
CCBS
312-842-1745
Chicago, IL
BBS Chicago, BBS-Chicago, BBS-Chicago ][
(1986-1991)
Joel Nelson, joel nelsonAmiga BBS
312-842-2139
Chicago, IL
Franconian Kingdom [Fee]
(1989-1991)
312-848-3394
The Cemetary, The Cemetery
(1986)
GBBS, Ascii Express
312-848-3669
Chicago, IL
Apple SIG 'Cider Press
(1986)
Larry McMahon
312-849-1132
Chicago, IL
CBBS Chicago, The Ward Board, Dolton CBBS
(1986-1989)
Ward ChristensenCBBS
312-851-9823
Dean's Den
(1986)
RBBS
312-852-0061
Darien, IL
The Grand Illusion
(1986)
MUSR
312-852-0829
Darien, IL
ConsultNet
(1988-1989)
Don Damon
312-852-1305
Darien, IL
Heath Users Group
(1986)
RCPM
312-858-4469
AmeriType
(1988)
Wildcat
312-858-7580
Amiga last resource bbs
(1989-1991)
312-858-8087
Lattice Inc. BBS
(1989-1991)
John Masters
312-859-2622
Aurora, IL
Starcom 06, Wescom BBS
(1981)
ABBS, STAR
312-862-0182
Chgo User Group
(1989)
Mike Maksimik
312-863-4612
National Public Computer
(1986)
IBBS
312-864-3690
The Third Floor
(1986)
CCBS
312-864-6720
Evanston Library Online Catalog
(1986-1988)
DATA
312-865-0623
West Suburban Message System
(1986-1988)
John De LongTBBS
312-869-2940
The CRDC Architect's Network
(1988)
312-870-7875
Metal Shop
(1986-1987)
Ascii Express
312-872-8086
Lakes Region B.B.S., Lakes Region BBS 95m
(1987-1991)
John HodalPCBoard
312-873-6752
Chicago, IL
Night Link Chicago BBS, Wild Bill's B.B.S.
(1988-1994)
TRIT
312-873-8360
Wild Bill's B B S, Wild Bill's B.B.S.
(1986)
CCBS
312-876-0974
CBBS MAUDE Milwaukee, Maude - Milwaukee, Maude-Milwaukee, RBBS Milwaukee-Chicago Line
(1981-1991)
CBBS
312-876-3652
SupportNet Chicago
(1989)
Jerry Ablan
312-879-2751
The Steward's Ship
(1986)
AMIS
312-880-5246
Chicago, IL
Nucleus BBS
(1989-1990)
Keith Powell
312-882-2926
Glen Ellyn, IL
ABBS CODE
(1983-1985)
ABBS
312-882-4145
PC Information Center
(1986)
IBBS
312-882-4227
IBBS #1 11 lines 4000 files, Information Exchange, RBBS IBM PCmodem Chicago, Superboard
(1983-1991)
Gene PlantzRBBS
312-882-4228
Line #2
(1985)
Gene Plantz
312-882-9237
Roselle, IL
CHICAGO, E.I.E., Electronic Industries, STARCOM 07 E.I.E.
(1981-1984)
ABBS, NET
312-885-2303
PC Information Center
(1988)
312-885-9557
IBBS 1-PCMODEM
(1989)
312-887-7870
Elek-Tek B.B.S., Elek-Tek BBS
(1988-1991)
PCBoard
312-888-1112
South Elgin, IL
Fox Valley Pet Users Group
(1989)
David Bulkley
312-888-4329
South Elgin, IL
The Dispatcher's Office
(1986)
Forem ST
312-888-4821
South Elgin, IL
Ye Olde Board
(1988)
312-888-7381
South Elgin, IL
Academic PCB4 Academic, E.A.P.P.U.G. B.B.S.
(1988-1991)
Community Colleg
312-889-1240
C.L.A.U.G., Chicagoland Atari User Group, Chicagoland Atari Users Group
(1985-1988)
AMIS
312-892-0417
LOCHLEVEN
(1985)
AMIS
312-893-6618
The Well of Souls, Well of Souls AE
(1987-1988)
312-894-9989
CPU BBS
(1989)
George Mays
312-896-9628
Aurora, IL
B.A.S.I.C. BBS, The B A S I C /B B, The B.A.S.I.C./B.B.S., The B.A.S.I.C. BBS
(1985-1988)
Steven LorenzOTBB
312-897-6532
Aurora, IL
C S B B, C.S.B.B., Computer Solutions
(1986)
Bill SlakerMCMS
312-897-9037
Chicago, IL
Aurora Computers, CBBS Aurora Computer Peripherals, J-B-S Enterprises, TBBS Aurora Computer Peripherals
(1983-1988)
TBBS
312-898-4505
the Lost Horizon BBS
(1988)
Red Ryder Host
312-902-3599
Chicago, IL
Compu Erotica , Compu-Erotica, CompuErotica [Fee], CompuErotica , CompuErotica [$], COMPU-EROTICA BBS!
(1984-1996)
TigerCustom 5.5
From the January 1996 issue of Boardwatch: Chicago's LARGEST adult BBS with nearly 1 million served! If you like your chat hot, you'll love CEBBS. Alternate lifestyle chat-conferences, erotic shopping, active party calendar, unique features, internet mail and more! Women free after v/v. V/MC/D.

From the September 1994 issue of Boardwatch: Chicago, Illinois since 07/84. Sysop: Tiger. Using Custom 5.5 with 32 lines on DEC VAX 3500 with 1500 MB storage. US Robotics at 38400 bps. $.15 Hourly fee. If you like your chat HOT, you'll LOVE CEBBS! Alternate lifestyle chat-conferences, erotic shopping, active party calendar, unique chat features, internet mail and MORE! Chicago's premier adult BBS with over 500,000 served! Women FREE after v/v. V/MC/D.

COMPU-EROTICA BBS!, 312.902.3599. Chicago's largest adults-only system, serving open-minded adults for years! 32 lines running on VAX mainframe/USR Courier v.32bis, using unique custom software system with features found nowhere else! Rates as low as 1 50/hour; local dialups nationwide. - BBS Magazine November, 1994

312-906-0698
Chicago, IL
A/V, D/831 MIS BBS
(1988-1993)
Wildcat, Wildcat!
312-907-1831
Chicago, IL
Lincoln Park Zoo, The Zoo, Zoo BBS, Zoo [Fee], Zoo [Fee] (10 lines)
(1988-1995)
Micky BernalDLX, DLXB
"The bbs still continues via the web @ . This also changed phone numbers to 773-743-9791 with a change of ownership to Chuck Goes in March, 1990. Kept operating as a dial up until 1999." - Micky Bernal
312-908-2583
Chicago, IL
Spine Fido 444
(1986)
Vernon KeenanFidoNet
312-916-1200
Lombard, IL
Lattice
(1989)
C. DeConcilis
312-916-8889
Lombard, IL
West Suburban Message System
(1988-1989)
John De Long
312-922-3626
Chicago, IL
EXCHANGE-NEWS-EX , Financial Options Exchange, Financial Options Xchange, XNX
(1986-1990)
UnknownIBBS
312-922-9231
The Electronic Pub
(1988)
312-925-0259
Chicago, IL
Forum 80 of Chicago
(1980)
Forum-80
Cited in S-100 Micro Systems Magazine (January/February 1980 Issue)
312-925-2929
Chicago, IL
WIZ BANG
(1985)
AMIS
312-925-8854
Chicago, IL
Flowers, Spaces
(1988-1991)
PCBoard
312-927-1020
Chicago, IL
MCMS C.A.M.S. Chicago, MCMS CAMS
(1982-1985)
MCMS
312-927-9411
Hacki Shack
(1989-1991)
312-929-6634
Chicago, IL
Home Again!
(1979-1997)
William Johnson
312-932-0896
Statewide Micro
(1986)
RBBS
312-934-1649
Gospel Outreach System
(1988)
312-934-4637
Shady Vale Inn
(1986-1987)
Ascii Express
312-934-6060
GOD's BBS PCB, Gospel Outreach B B S, Gospel Outreach B.B.S.
(1986-1991)
Don SchlesakCBBS
312-934-9373
Atari BBS Express Tech Info
(1989-1991)
Greg Cory
312-935-2933
Chicago, IL
MICRO MEGA, NET-WORKS Pirate's Ship, PIRATES SHIP, PIRATE'S SHIP
(1982-1984)
312-935-3091
Chicago, IL
NET-WORKS Apple-Technical
(1983-1984)
312-935-6809
Chicago, IL
Bit Wiz, BIT WIZ Opus, Bit Wiz {689}, The Bit Wiz
(1988-1996)
Michael Katz, Michael H. KatzOpus
312-937-5639
RCP/M North Chicago
(1983-1985)
312-939-3300
The Advocate M B B S, The Advocate M.B.B.S.
(1986)
RCPM
312-939-4411
Chicago, IL
Advocate MBBS, Advocate/Nowar, Advocate/Nowar/Amnet, The Advocate, The Advocate M.B.B.S.
(1988-1994)
312-940-1686
Deerfield, Il
Kesher
(1987)
Dick Fiedler
312-940-1696
Deerfield, Il
Kesher, Kesher Chicago
(1988-1990)
Dick Fiedler
312-940-6496
Deerfield, Il
Artif. Intelligence, Business-Pro, Business-Professional B.B.S., Ron Fox RBBS
(1985-1990)
Ron FoxRBBS
312-941-0049
Smokin' Silicon RCP/M
(1984-1985)
John Sojak
312-941-9009
Oak Brook, IL
ABBS Oak Brook Computer, Computer Centre
(1981-1982)
ABBS
312-942-0089
Chicago, IL
The Conference Tree, UNICIN: University Conference Information Network
(1984-1987)
Jim LimberConference Tree, Conference Tree (tm)
"This system was a continuation of my interest in social communication via electronic media. Working at a University and having founded the University of Chicago Computer Club in 1975, I had some continuing interest in my lifelong hobby of technical communications. Ham Radio started it off in 1959, and the M.I.T.S. Altair Computer 8800 8-bit kit (serial # 243?) at an affordable price 1974 shifted me from the radio frequency realm to landline. At that time Bill Gates was my Altair Interpreter Basic Language consultant- he was the co-author, if I recall. When the U of C Computer Club disbanded in 1977 spring semester to form the U.S. Robotics Corportation (named by Stan Metcalf), I was left without enough to do to keep me busy and interested in the evolving virtual world. Conference Tree software was innovative and efficient, operating at 300 baud which was deemed the optimal speed for personal communication via keyboard, and for not sending boilerplate spam messages at high-speed (1200 baud). Various groups made it their home for several years, because the threaded tree-branch nature of the messages was quite convenient to select and extend a given topic of discussion.

"When Apple gave zillions of computers to high-schools in substitution for paying taxes, the hackers and spammers made it too difficult to continue operation of a respectful, non-bigoted Conference system without constant checking for truly disturbing postings of everything you might imagine that is offensive, threatening and indicative of a culture gone bad. I eventually just pulled the plug in frustration and it sits to this day- an Apple One (maybe Two) bootleg motherboard kit, I think, in a dish-rack in my kitchen pantry, buried in dust and clutter. The dates of operation are approximate- I don't fully recall that far back from today (May08)" - Jim Limber

312-942-0706
C C S, C.C.S., Chi Comp Soc, Chicago Computer Society
(1986-1994)
Colby Jordan, Cathy Konas, Ron FoxRBBS
312-945-1910
Deerfield, IL
Nomad
(1988)
312-945-3665
Deerfield, IL
The Flying B.B.S.
(1988)
312-945-5575
Deerfield, IL
T I E, T.I.E., The Information Exchange
(1986-1989)
Alfred RothRBBS
312-945-5693
Deerfield, IL
Teletypes
(1988)
312-945-8519
Deerfield, IL
Temporal Instability
(1989)
Bill Taney
312-947-0567
The Command Module
(1986)
GBBS
312-948-5463
Dataland International
(1987-1988)
Dr. DataPro-Tac
312-948-5728
Chicago, IL
MODEM MEDIUM No. Shore Line, No Shore Line
(1984-1985)
MODEM MEDIUM
312-948-5754
The Bozo Board
(1988)
312-949-6189
Mundelein, IL
NEI RCPM System, RCP/M NEI, RCP/M TRS-80 Chicago, TC-80, TC-80 TRS/RCPM System
(1981-1985)
Chuck WitbeckCP/M, RCPM
312-951-5260
PC Network
(1989)
312-953-4922
Scintillation, SCS
(1987-1989)
John HinesPCBoard
312-955-4493
Chicago, IL
Hyde Park RCPM/RBBS, RCP/M RBBS Hyde Park
(1981-1982)
Ben BronsonCP/M, RBBS
312-957-3924
C.M.M.S. Chicago, CENTRAL INDUSTRIES, RATS Homewood
(1982-1985)
312-960-2241
Orchard Hill
(1989)
312-960-2308
PMS - Downers Grove/SRT
(1984)
312-960-3425
Orchard Hill BBS
(1988)
Wildcat
312-960-5928
Sit UBU Sit, Sit-Ubu-Sit 500, UBU FIDONet/USR
(1986-1989)
Rob ElliottFidoNet
312-963-3929
Dr. Hack's Clinic
(1987)
Forum
312-963-4328
C C M S, C.C.M.S.
(1986)
MCMS
312-963-5384
Chicago, IL
Apple Juice, NET-WORKS Apple Net
(1983-1986)
HBBS, NET-WORKS
312-964-0526
Logicians, The Logician
(1987-1989)
Mike WidoPCBoard
312-964-1084
Servicemaster
(1987-1991)
Tom Wisnioski, T. Wisnionski, Dennis CourtneyPCBoard
312-964-6513
PMS - Downers Grove/SRT
(1982-1983)
312-964-8102
AE Line: DABO, AE LINE: DABO
(1984-1985)
312-965-3677
The Lunatic Phringe
(1986-1990)
FidoNet, Opus
312-966-0227
PCjr Users Group
(1986)
FidoNet
312-966-2342
T I Users Group, T.I. Users Group
(1986-1988)
TIBB
312-967-0052
Ham Radio RCPM, RCP/M Ham Radio
(1983-1989)
312-967-0453
Morton Grove, IL
Compushop
(1981)
ABBS
312-967-9425
AE LINE: WIRES
(1984)
312-968-4820
Kaleidoscope
(1986)
Diversi-Dial
312-968-9050
West Suburban Wildcat
(1988)
312-968-9419
The Lost Cause
(1988)
312-969-0137
Packard BBS
(1989)
312-969-1145
Downers Grove, IL
Atlantis, Crosstalk
(1986-1988)
ZenoOnline
"In 1986 this was called Crosstalk, sysop "Scanners Inc." (Chuck Wolf). He graduated from high school and sold the hardware to me, I took it over with the same phone number. From 1987-1988 it was called "Atlantis", I was the sysop, handle "Zeno"." --Eric Weeks
312-969-7810
HyperCap+
(1988)
Red Ryder Host
312-971-1736
Chicago, IL
Khasablanca, MODEM MEDIUM Khasablanca
(1984-1985)
MODEM MEDIUM
312-972-0628
Bolinbrook, Bolingbrook B.B.S., Bolingbrook RBBS
(1985-1989)
Dick LainRBBS
312-972-1974
Chicago, IL
MODEM MEDIUM The Unknown BBS, The Unknown B.B.S., The Unknown BBS, Unknown B B S, Unknown B.B.S
(1984-1988)
UBBS, MODEM MEDIUM
312-972-3275
Hazardous Management
(1989-1994)
312-972-6979
RCP/M EI Division
(1983-1985)
312-973-2227
Chicago, IL
ABBS Rogers Park, Rogers Park A B B S, Rogers Park A.B.B.S., Rogers Park B.B.S., The Roger Park ABBS
(1980-1991)
Hy AlexanderGBBS, ABBS, ABBS+, GBBS Pro
312-973-3551
Chicago, IL
Nefertiti, The African
(1989-1991)
Bob OhuesWildcat
312-975-6546
Chicago, IL
Manhole, The Manhole
(1988-1991)
312-980-6924
Prison AE
(1987)
312-980-9762
Crooked Dragon Inn
(1986)
STBB
312-982-0005
Skokie, IL
Sahakian's BBS, Sahakian's Info Service
(1988-1989)
Curtis Sahakian
312-982-0386
Skokie, IL
Sahakian's B.B.S.
(1988)
312-982-5092
Skokie, IL
Sit UBU Sit HST, Sit-Ubu-Sit HST
(1987-1989)
Henry Senk
312-982-5274
Skokie, IL
USR Factory Info Svc, USR Tech Support PCB REL
(1989-1991)
Henry Senk
312-983-5147
Lisle, IL
Sun Valley RCPM, Sun Valley RCP/M
(1985-1988)
Ken Stritzel, K StritzelRCPM
312-983-6435
Brainstorm
(1986-1988)
CCBS
312-985-9699
Isengard
(1988)
312-989-4600
The Electric Paradise
(1988)
312-991-8304
FIDO #108 Samson, Samson, Samson 108, Sansom
(1984-1986)
Larry MigloreFidoNet
312-991-8887
BBS IBM PC Niles
(1983-1984)
312-995-0856
Riptide
(1988)
312-996-5308
U.I.C.C. - SRL
(1988)
312-996-8844
Illinet Online/Carl Uncover
(1989-1996)
312-996-8859
Illinet Online/Carl Uncover
(1989-1996)
312-998-5066
Glenview, IL
NET-WORKS Micro Ideas
(1983)
312-998-5706
Glenview, IL
AE Line: DC#1, AE LINE: DC#1
(1984-1985)
312-998-9021
Glenview, IL
ICS/TRIX II Opus HST, Trix II
(1988-1989)
Mike Dickholtz
312-998-9606
Glenview, IL
Free Enterprise
(1986)
ERAC
220 Sysops currently listed.
612 BBSes Listed.