Foreword by TOM MACK Co-author and copyright holder of RBBS-PC When Loren Jones first told me about his concept of "RBBS-in-a-Box" I was enthusiastic in my support of it. RBBS-PC's prime directive has always been to "foster the free exchange of information" and I couldn't think of anything that would more imaginatively further this goal as well as be a teaching example of what an electronic bulletin board system operator (SYSOP) contributes -- to other users as well as the PC industry in general. RBBS-PC has sought to be a platform from which users might share and express ideas with as much flexibility as possible for the SYSOP to tailor his system to both his users and his views. I am always awed when I log on to RBBS-PC bulletin boards and experience their diversity of structure, thoughts, ideas, and subjects. As a "tool maker" I am probably the worst person to use as an example of a good RBBS-PC SYSOP. My interest has been primarily in the tool itself -- not in developing any dexterity in utilizing it. Loren and other SYSOPs like him have always left me feeling somewhat humble when I see what they have created from RBBS-PC. Perhaps it is simply because I am focused on addressing the foibles within RBBS-PC that I don't appreciate all of it's strengths. RBBS-PC is like a medieval cathedral in many ways. It is "of the people", an expression of the needs of those of us who live in this electronic village of the 1980's. It is a village which arose with the advent and popularization of Microsoft-based DOS personal computers and low cost/high quality modems. Like the medieval cathedrals of old, RBBS-PC arose in a "dark age" when ignorance was rampant. Eight hundred years ago was a time when knowledge, the antidote for ignorance, was a scarce commodity. It was only then that a few men of faith -- in themselves, in there fellow man, and in their God began assembling what knowledge they could find and preserving it from one generation unto the next. Eventually these collections became the great libraries of Europe. They were always located where men of conviction assembled -- to pray, to learn, and perhaps to dream. Human creativity thirsts to share, to grow, to evolve, and to change. Thus did dusty crossroads of mere huts become soaring edifices with bell towers that filled the sky. So to, has RBBS-PC arisen. In the dark days of the fall of 1981 when no information existed on the so recently announced (but oh so scarce IBM PC) there was a "darkness" on the land of MS-DOS based personal computers. It was not until 1982 that a few hardy souls began to band together to share their hard earned experience with one another. It was in 1982 that there arouse a scattering of "PC user groups", one of these was the Capital PC User Group in Washington, D.C. Almost from their inception PC user groups began "libraries" of useful utilities that the members had written to meet their own needs and which they wished to share with others. Eventually, this shared software evolved into a concept called "shareware" wherein users of the software were asked to donate something to the author if they found the software useful. The "shareware" concept has evolved to become a recognized avenue through which software authors market their products. In 1983, RBBS-PC's concept of "userware" first arose wherein users of the software were asked to contribute improvements to the software. It was exactly at this time, the summer of 1983, that high speed (1200 baud), high quality (Hayes), and low cost modems became available to most users of PCs. RBBS-PC's purpose of "fostering the free exchange of information" and users needs to access software "libraries" is what caused a synergy of goals to be met and RBBS-PC became the industry standard for PC-based electronic bulletin boards in the Microsoft DOS world. Since that time, RBBS-PC has evolved from the 897 lines of BASIC source code offering a rudimentary range of features to over 27,000 lines of BASIC source code offering an unmatched range of features not found in any other similar PC-based bulletin board system. Over these years, RBBS-PC has served well it's other goal of "being a teaching example of what could be done with the BASIC language." What makes "RBBS-in-a-Box" so revolutionary is that for the first time a PC owner can operate an already configured, fully operational RBBS-PC, with a complete set of files to share with others. More importantly, for the first time users can see what a SYSOP's imagination, creativity, and innovation can accomplish utilizing RBBS-PC as the platform with which to express a personalized view. RBBS-PC is in a constantly evolving state of being -- like all living things. It's heartbeat is to be found not in it's author, but in its SYSOPs. A bulletin board is not the software that is used to run it, but the SYSOP that operates the bulletin board. In RBBS-PC's documentation I have stated throughout the years that "I am proud of the company that RBBS-PC keeps." This continues to remain true, especially for "RBBS-in-a-Box." Because of RBBS-PC I have had the privilege of meeting Loren Jones and other RBBS-PC SYSOPs. The international stature that RBBS-PC has earned is because it has been borne aloft by just such giants. In this electronic landscape of modems and bulletin boards I have met men of selflessness, integrity, patience, and perserverence. Two such giants as these are Jon Martin and Ken Goosens. They and every RBBS-PC SYSOP have granted me the privilege of being counted in their company. I remain both honored and humbled. With "RBBS-in-a-Box" you have the opportunity to join a very rare breed of people. If you do choose to participate, all that is asked is that you keep the faith with those who have gone before you. The concept of "users helping users" is not new -- some say it began when the very first human helped another down from the trees. The only thing that has changed in this last quarter of the twentieth century is RBBS-PC allows you to reach further and help many more in our global electronic village. "RBBS-in-a-Box" is your chance to begin, to make a difference, to join the Second Ring. Enjoy.... Tom Mack June 14, 1989