C-Net DS2: Difference between revisions

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Latest revision as of 17:57, 13 May 2022

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{{Short description|Bulletin board system software for Commodore 64}}

{{Multiple issues |

{{Original research|date=June 2018}}

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The Commodore-64 was a simple computer, based on the [[MOS Technology 6502]] [[8-bit]] [[microprocessor]], with 64 kilobytes of [[RAM]], only 38k of which was available for program code and variables that could be used by the built-in [[BASIC programming language]] interpreter. Nevertheless, several different BBS programs were developed (including DS2) by various independent programmers (mostly hobbyists not affiliated with any large software publisher) that enabled a System Operator ([[SysOp]]) to run a single-user, multiple member online community supporting threaded topical discussions, on-line games; information reference library, live chat mode with the console operator, file-sharing library and the ability to create a customized user experience in BASIC, thus the Developers System title.

From an engineering standpoint, C-Net DS2 was remarkable in its use of [[Machine language]] modules, early multitasking technology, relocatable code, and modular program overlays. Although the user experience was entirely text-based and non-graphical, fast performance could be attained through the use of memory expansion modules, [[IEEE-488]] interface hard drives, and modem speeds including the mid-1980s state of the art 19,200 bpsbit/s.

Although the emergence of widely available public internet services has made private BBS systems obsolete in most of the developed free world, a dedicated core of enthusiasts continue to tinker with vintage computers and keep software like DS2 running, despite the quaint limitations of the simple linear message threading system and the primitive keyboard-based, non-graphical games.

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== References ==

* Dan FitzGerald, Current Developer of C-Net DS2

* Jim Selleck, author of CNet DS-2

* Gary O'Brien, author of DS2 Network

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[[Category:Commodore 64 software]]

[[Category:Bulletin board system software]]

{{Computing-stub}}