Definition:
A bulletin board system (BBS) is a computer or an application dedicated to the sharing or exchange of messages or other files on a network. Originally an electronic version of the type of bulletin board found on the wall in many kitchens and work places, the BBS was used to post simple messages between users. The BBS became the primary kind of online community through the 1980s and early 1990s, before the World Wide Web arrived. (Ding and Lui, 2010, p. 245)
Most BBSes are devoted to a particular subject, although some are more general in nature. Among special interests represented on BBSes are dentistry, law, guns, multi-player games, Druidic practices, and information for the disabled. A significant number of BBS sites offer "adult-oriented" chat and images that can be downloaded. The BBS is often free, although some charge a membership or use fee. Many BBSes have Web sites, and many Internet access providers have bulletin board systems from which new Internet users can download the necessary software to get connected. The BBS has its own culture and jargon. For example, a sysop is the person who runs the site. Online chat became widely popular through the BBS and many chart acronyms started there. (Lee G and lee W, 2010)
As the use of the Internet became more widespread in the mid to late 1990s, traditional BBSes rapidly faded in popularity. Today, internet occupy much of the same social and technological space as BBSes did, and the term BBS is often used to refer to any online forum or message board.
References:
Ding, F and Lui Y." Modeling opinion interactions in a BBS Community" (2010), 78 (2) , European Physical Journal B- Condensed matter, 245, 8.
Lee, Gyudong and Lee Won "Altruistic Traits and Organizational Conditions in Helping Online" (2010), 26 (6), Computers in Human behaviors, 1574, 7.
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