Searchlight BBS
| Original author(s) | Frank LaRosa |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Searchlight Software (1987–1998); TeleGrafix Communications |
| Initial release | 1985 |
| Stable release | 5.1 / February 6, 1999[1] |
| Development status | Discontinued |
| Written in | Microsoft Level III BASIC; Turbo Pascal |
| Operating system | DOS |
| Platform | IBM PC compatible; TRS-80 |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Bulletin board system |
| License | Shareware |
Searchlight BBS is a bulletin board system (BBS) developed in 1985 by Frank LaRosa for the TRS-80.[2] LaRosa formed a company, Searchlight Software, through which he marketed and sold Searchlight BBS. In 1987, LaRosa expanded the software and sold it as shareware written for the PC in Pascal (using Turbo Pascal).[2] The features of Searchlight BBS included a full screen text editor, a remote DOS shell, and file transfer via the XMODEM protocol. Searchlight BBS rapidly grew in popularity, and appeared frequently in Boardwatch magazine and at BBS conventions across the United States. Eventually, Searchlight BBS supported FidoNet, ZMODEM, Internet e-mail and telnet connectivity.
In 1995 LaRosa began work on Spinnaker Web Server, to compete with Netscape and other web server software. Searchight Software sold Searchlight BBS, along with Spinnaker Web Server, to TeleGrafix Communications in 1998.[3]
References
External links
- The Renovator BBS, a large BBS running Searchlight
- The Searchlight BBS Support Page
- Darkrealms, a large BBS running Searchlight
- Frank LaRosa's Personal Homepage (Creator of Searchight Software)
- Telnet BBS Guide
- The BBS Archives
- BBS Documentary Video Collection (Internet Archive)
- The TEXTFILES.COM Historical BBS List
- Bulletin board systems at DMOZ