Watch BBS: The Documentary

BBS: The Documentary is a 2005 documentary film that explores the rise and fall of the Bulletin Board System (BBS), a precursor to the internet that allowed users to communicate, share files, and play games in the early days of personal computers. The film is directed by Jason Scott, a computer historian and archivist, and features interviews with BBS pioneers, software developers, and enthusiasts who reminisce about their experiences with this groundbreaking technology.

The film is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different aspect of the BBS phenomenon. The first part, entitled "The Modem", explores the origins of the BBS, tracing its evolution from early computer networks like ARPANET to the development of affordable personal computers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The film introduces us to a number of notable figures in this history, including Vint Cerf, one of the co-creators of ARPANET and a key figure in the development of the internet, and Ward Christensen, who created the first BBS software in 1978.

The second part of the film, "The Sysops", focuses on the people who ran BBS systems and the communities that formed around them. We meet a number of former sysops (short for system operators), including Ben Gardiner, who ran one of the largest BBS networks in the world, and Jack Rickard, who published a pioneering BBS magazine called Boardwatch. Through their recollections, we get a sense of the camaraderie and creativity that characterized the BBS scene, as well as the challenges and controversies that arose as it began to grow.

The final part of the film, "The Users", looks at the experiences of the people who connected to BBS systems and the impact that this had on their lives. We hear from a diverse range of users, including teenagers who used BBSs to connect with others like themselves, entrepreneurs who used them to build businesses, and even a convicted felon who used a BBS to communicate with the outside world while in prison. Through their stories, we see the BBS as a tool for empowerment and self-expression, as well as a reflection of the broader social changes that were taking place in the 1980s and 1990s.

Throughout the film, Scott weaves together archival footage, interviews, and animations to create a rich and nuanced portrait of the BBS. He does not shy away from the conflicts and controversies that surrounded this technology – including legal battles over copyrights and pornography – but he also highlights the sense of community and creativity that made it so compelling. By the end of the film, viewers will have a greater appreciation for the role that the BBS played in shaping the early days of personal computing, as well as the lasting legacy that it continues to have today.

Overall, BBS: The Documentary is a fascinating and comprehensive look at a technology that has been largely forgotten by the mainstream. By foregrounding the voices of the people who were there – the sysops, users, and developers – the film offers a compelling and highly personal perspective on the history of computing and the internet. Whether you are a veteran of the BBS scene or a newcomer to this world, you will find something to appreciate in this meticulously researched and engaging documentary.