Excalibur BBS

Excalibur BBS was a Windows-based GUI BBS client, developed by Excalibur Communications. Excalibur was released in 1993, and it has not been officially supported since 1999, when Excalibur Communications ceased operations.

Client Software

Users connected to the BBS by modem or over a TCP/IP connection with the Excalibur Client. For its time, the client provided a rich graphical environment allowing users access to instant messaging, message boards, and web-like hyperlinked navigation screens.Excalibur provided the platform for add on functions called plugins.

These plugins included games with/without animation/sound and expanded functions for file searches, local and Internet E-Mail, Fido net, Who's on, chat, change handle/password, edit your account info etc. Some systems used wave files for background music incorporating a "jukebox" like interface with multiple music choices. Others used very clever screen changes to provide different degrees of visual input. Multiple themes for low, medium and high end graphics cards.

The original program was written in Borland C++ by Tim Robinson, who is also the originator of the 99 Bottles of Beer website.

Though "official" support ceased in 1999, several Excalibur BBS's have continued to provide support and information via web and BBS.

The number one "hit" searching for Excalibur http://www.chevychase.com/excalibur.html

The "Flagship" Excalibur Information Server and Web Sitehttp://tecmecca.ath.cx (great setup info and walkthroughs, BBS list and client terminals)@tecmecca.ath.cx (caller needs client terminal)

The oldest BBS in Arizona http://frankenserver.org (client terminals,lost license help, new license access and BBS list)Since 1983 @burmacave.ath.cx (caller needs client terminal)

Several "plugin" suppliers have returned to support their products. JDS, ACE and Genisoft have released their plugins "FREE" of charge.Tangent Thought has released their product though registration is no longer possible due to a fire many years ago. However, many plugins work without registration and only flash a non registered message when used. Tangent Thought's Scrabble is a prime example. It is by and large the "most" popular Excalibur plugin.

External links

* [http://software.bbsdocumentary.com/IBM/WINDOWS/EXCALIBUR/ Excalibur's Entry at the BBS Software Directory]
* [http://www.imcon.co.uk/links.html A list of currently running ExcalBBS' as of 2006, with the client and server software]
* [http://www.tecmecca.net/ TecMecca! Excalibur BBS. Excalibur Client installation for Windows XP, SysOp and Caller help information, systems currently online, links to other Excalibur resources.]
* [http://www.imcon.co.uk// Insight Media BBS Excalibur UK HQ. Host files, plugins and support ]

Excalibur BBS was the first graphic Interaction network that worked with Windows(r) that could connect and download the software for the communication process.

For more information on Internet service please search TELNET.