Long before the Internet escaped from the lab, connected the planet and redefined what it meant to use a computer there was a brave and pioneering band of computer users who spent their time, money and sanity setting up their home computers and phone lines to welcome anyone who called. By using a modem, anyone else who knew the phone number of these computers could connect to them, leave messages, send and recieve files.... and millions did.



They called these places "Bulletin Board Systems", or BBSes. And their collections of messages, rants, thoughts and dreams became the way that an entire generation learned about being online.



When the Internet grew in popularity in the early 1990s, the world of the BBS faded, changed, and became a part of the present networked world.. but it wasn't the same.

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Reviewer: eatonjb - favorite favorite favorite favorite - October 1, 2016

Subject: Glad history is documented! I am so glad that I was able to come about this, my fright bought the DVD years ago, and when I visited, we watched as we reminisced about the past and how it shaped us!



Very well done with such a small budget, they let the people tell the story, the way it should, with minimal bias.



RIP to everyone lost, but may we never forget how they helped shape the future that we live in now.

- October 1, 2016Glad history is documented!

Reviewer: broko - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - April 1, 2014

Subject: One of the best documentaries I have ever seen. I love this documentary, and I agree with the comments. This documentary is an excellent educational tool and eye opener. Absolutely amazing! Thanks for making this Jason. Best to you on your endeavors. - April 1, 2014One of the best documentaries I have ever seen.

Reviewer: Ghostsofdeath - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - August 15, 2013

Subject: no title this upload it awesome for teachers to show in class to teach young ones like me where their devices came from and etc.... - August 15, 2013no title

Reviewer: cpt_mocha - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 23, 2010

Subject: The Best Documentary Ever This is one of those documentaries that had my eyes literally glued to the TV the entire time. I never thought in my wildest dreams that someone would make a movie like this about such an important and nostalgic subject. If you were an old school hacker or BBS freak back in the late 80's or early 90's I think you'll feel the same way while watching this. - February 23, 2010The Best Documentary Ever

Reviewer: babysprite - favorite favorite favorite favorite - September 7, 2009

Subject: not an easy thing to do I couldn't imagine it was easy to capture the essence and spirit of these early Unix BBS users and sysops, but Scott does an admirable job of it.



Some of the important points (IMHO): there were a lot of shy and lonely people out there who found a sense of community on the early Unix BBSes; the best boards were free or funded by donations from their members; if a board was advertised in the media or was "for pay," then you knew right away it was probably porn. babysprite -- September 7, 2009not an easy thing to do