Telegard
Encyclopedia
Telegard is an early bulletin board system
(BBS) software program written for IBM PC
-compatible computers running MS-DOS
and OS/2
. Telegard was written in Pascal with routines written in C++
and assembly language
, based on a copy of the WWIV
source code
.
Telegard has several features that make it attractive to BBS sysops, such as being free, having remote administration facilities built into the main program, and the ability to handle CD-ROM
s internally. Telegard is still viable today as it can accept telnet
connections by using a virtual modem/FOSSIL set up such as NetSerial, a virtual modem driver, and NetFoss, a freeware FOSSIL
driver, both for Windows. OS/2 users can use the SIO/VMODEM combination to allow telnet access to their BBS.
Bulletin board system
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and log in to the system using a terminal program. Once logged in, a user can perform functions such as uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging...
(BBS) software program written for IBM PC
IBM PC
The IBM Personal Computer, commonly known as the IBM PC, is the original version and progenitor of the IBM PC compatible hardware platform. It is IBM model number 5150, and was introduced on August 12, 1981...
-compatible computers running MS-DOS
MS-DOS
MS-DOS is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating systems, and was the main operating system for IBM PC compatible personal computers during the 1980s to the mid 1990s, until it was gradually superseded by operating...
and OS/2
OS/2
OS/2 is a computer operating system, initially created by Microsoft and IBM, then later developed by IBM exclusively. The name stands for "Operating System/2," because it was introduced as part of the same generation change release as IBM's "Personal System/2 " line of second-generation personal...
. Telegard was written in Pascal with routines written in C++
C++
C++ is a statically typed, free-form, multi-paradigm, compiled, general-purpose programming language. It is regarded as an intermediate-level language, as it comprises a combination of both high-level and low-level language features. It was developed by Bjarne Stroustrup starting in 1979 at Bell...
and assembly language
Assembly language
An assembly language is a low-level programming language for computers, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and other programmable devices. It implements a symbolic representation of the machine codes and other constants needed to program a given CPU architecture...
, based on a copy of the WWIV
WWIV
WWIV was a popular brand of bulletin board system software from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s. The modifiable source code allowed a sysop to customize the main BBS program for their particular needs and aesthetics...
source code
Source code
In computer science, source code is text written using the format and syntax of the programming language that it is being written in. Such a language is specially designed to facilitate the work of computer programmers, who specify the actions to be performed by a computer mostly by writing source...
.
Telegard has several features that make it attractive to BBS sysops, such as being free, having remote administration facilities built into the main program, and the ability to handle CD-ROM
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
s internally. Telegard is still viable today as it can accept telnet
TELNET
Telnet is a network protocol used on the Internet or local area networks to provide a bidirectional interactive text-oriented communications facility using a virtual terminal connection...
connections by using a virtual modem/FOSSIL set up such as NetSerial, a virtual modem driver, and NetFoss, a freeware FOSSIL
FOSSIL
FOSSIL is a standard protocol for allowing serial communication for telecommunications programs under the DOS operating system. FOSSIL is an acronym for Fido Opus SEAdog Standard Interface Layer. Fido refers to FidoBBS, Opus refers to Opus-CBCS BBS, and SEAdog refers to a Fidonet compatible mailer...
driver, both for Windows. OS/2 users can use the SIO/VMODEM combination to allow telnet access to their BBS.
Current status
According to Tim Strike, Telegard's current author, development has ceased and will not be taken back up. According to a post Tim made on Outpost BBS in Fidonet's TG_SUPPORT echo in 2005:Strike, Tim (Post made in Fidonet's TG_SUPPORT echo via Outpost BBS concerning Telegard)""I'm not sure where Telegard can go from here -- I'm not sure that the PC that has all the source code can boot, nor am I sure that I have all the compilers and tool chains that would be required to revitalize the project. I also know that I don't have the time, or the will, to continue the project myself. I don't remember what state it was left in, as time and age have not likely been kind to the project. Off the top of my head, I don't know what code can be open-sourced, and wouldn't move the project that way without the consent of the other authors of the project (and yes, as much as I rewrote there are still contributions and copyrights that are owned by other individuals). I realize this leaves it open ended, and I suspect for the next little while that's where it'll have to stay with my apologies -- and with your understanding."