The founder of Fidonet, Tom Jennings, said "But the most basic element of Fidonet is the BBS.". But, just what is a BBS? Here's a description.

A Bulletin Board System is an Online Service that allows callers to send and receive "private" mail, read and post messages under topic forums, upload and download files, play online games, and much more.

For a more detailed description, check out these links:

• The BBS Corner Welcome to the World Of Bulletin Board Systems
• ZZapp - What's a BBS?
• A Fidonet Primer
• Was-Is-Fido.de - German

We hope this information helps you and gets you interested in BBSs. Most BBS Sysops started out as BBS Users. They liked the BBS so much that they decided to start their own.

Even if you never decide to start your own BBS, please become a User on a BBS. For lists of BBS that you might want to call, check out these links:

• US BBS List
• Synchronet BBS List
• The BBS Corner Telnet BBS Guide
• The BBS Corner List of BBS Listings

To learn more on how to connect to a BBS, click here. :)