Name : The Official ProBoard History
Updated : January 21, 2001
Started : 1996 to present
Hosted By: Frank Robbins <proboard@winramturbo.com>
From : ProBoard Innovations aka Tools of the Trade
WebSite : http://winramturbo.com/pbi/
aka : Unofficial ProBoard Historian
Most of the ProBoard history contained here has been derived from
Official ProBoard documents and from other Support sources.
This document is a living historical record with frequent changes being
posted as significant events occur in the life and times of ProBoard!
If you have any information that you would like to share here, or if
something is incorrect or needs to be included, please feel free to
contact me with a short description of your concerns.
To see if a current email address is available for any of the ProBoard
people identified below, please check the ProBoard Who's Who at:
http://winramturbo.com/pbi/ww/ww.htm
*****************************************************
********* ProBoard Support & Registration Sites (1990-2001) ************
*****************************************************
2000 - Beta Testing of ProBoard v2.20 Continues
========================================================================
PUBLIC BETA v2.20f Released (14-Dec-2000)
TeleGrafix releases PUBLIC BETA version 2.20f of ProBoard which has an
expiration date of 15-Mar-2001.
PUBLIC BETA v2.20e Released (14-Sep-2000)
TeleGrafix releases PUBLIC BETA version 2.20e of ProBoard which has an
expiration date of 15-Dec-2000.
PUBLIC BETA v2.20d Released (01-Jun-2000)
TeleGrafix releases PUBLIC BETA version 2.20d of ProBoard which has an
expiration date of 01-Sep-2000.
PUBLIC BETA v2.20c Released (02-Mar-2000)
TeleGrafix releases PUBLIC BETA version 2.20c of ProBoard which has an
expiration date of 01-Jun-2000.
ProBoard Report - Working & Broken PEXes for Y2000 Released (04-Jan-2000)
Frank Robbins (ProBoard Innovations) has compiled a listing of PEXes
that have been reported working and broken. Some of the broken PEXes
have minor defects and are still operational while some of the broken
PEXes either produce erroneous information or have stopped working
altogether! This listing will be continually updated as long as new
info is being furnished to Frank Robbins.
More information concerning the PEX Report can be found at:
http://winramturbo.com/pbi/
PUBLIC BETA v2.20b Released (01-Jan-2000)
TeleGrafix releases PUBLIC BETA version 2.20b of ProBoard which has an
expiration date of 01-March-2000. This BETA version is limited to 2
nodes. More information concerning the PUBLIC BETA release is at:
http://winramturbo.com/pbi/
1999 - Beta Testing Started for ProBoard v2.20b (10-Dec-1999)
========================================================================
ProBoard Beta Testers Selected (29-Oct-1999)
TeleGrafix sends out official notification to selected Beta Testers
for version 2.20b of ProBoard. Each Beta tester must be a registered user
of the ProBoard software package. To verify eligiblity, selectees are
required to send a copy of their registration key file (regkey.pb) to
TeleGrafix. When TeleGrafix receives the key file, a message with
Beta software attached and the new "Serial Number" and
"Activation Code" will be sent to those Beta Team members!
The long used key file registration system is being replaced starting
with ProBoard v2.20b and later. In order to use v2.20b, SysOps will need
to have a TeleGrafix assigned "Serial Number" and an "Activation Code"
to unlock the software. Without this new registration information,
unregistered ProBoard BBS software will revert to the "unregistered
demo edition" with limitations.
The notorious Y2K bug has been addressed in v2.20b.
A modest fee will be charged for this upgrade and will be announced
at the time the upgrade first becomes available!
ProBoard Beta Testers are Solicited by TeleGrafix (20-Jun-1999)
TeleGrafix annonced that Beta Testers wishing to test the
beta version of ProBoard with the Y2K fix send specific
requested info to TeleGrafix. This info will be used to
select a small group of qualified SysOps for beta testing.
ProBoard Registrations v2.16 (26-Apr-1999)
Being accepted at TeleGrafix by email only to:
clawson@telegrafix.com
Dennis Murphy
former DMJ BBS System/2
Host of the current ProBoard Mailing List (1997 to present)
Frank Robbins
ProBoard Innovations
Unofficial ProBoard Info Support Site (1996 to present)
Unofficial ProBoard Historian. (Oct-1996 to present)
Home of the ProBoard FAQ (1996 to present)
Home of the ProBoard Major Issues (1998 to present)
Home of the ProBoard Who's Who Registry (Mar-1998 to present)
Home of the ProBoard Wish List (1998 to present)
TGPBN Terminated (Oct-1999)
The Global ProBoard Network (TGPBN) in the United States
hosted by Todd Cochrane terminates service Oct-1999 due to
little or no activity.
Walter Reihle at TreeTop BBS was unable to reassume duties.
The Russian ProBoard NetWork (TRPBN) (May-1999 to present)
TRPBN was found May 1999 by the ProBoard SysOps at
Saint-Petersburg, Russia for coverage in Russia only!
Point of Contact: Ted Stingray <stat55@solaris.ru>
TGPBN Nodelist Purged (Apr-1999)
The Nodelist for the Global ProBoard Network (TGPBN) in the
United States was purged April 1999 of inactive ProBoard sites by:
Frank Robbins
ProBoard Innovations
http://winramturbo.com/pbi/
Todd Cochrane
BBS Networks & Hafa Adai Exchange
http://www.bbsnets.com/
TGPBN Changes Hosts (Mar-1999)
The Global ProBoard Network (TGPBN) in the United States
hosted by Walter Reihle at TreeTop BBS has passed the torch
to Todd Cochrane at BBS Networks March 1999 to assume TGPBN
duties while Walter undergoes serious surgery.
1998 - Last PB Product Released by Philippe Leybaert 20-May-1997
========================================================================
Philippe Leybaert
The Home of ProBoard
Worldwide PB Support/Reg (1990-1998)
Constantin Spiess
The Dealer's BBS
PB Support/Reg Germany (1993-98)
Chuck King
Silverado Online BBS
PB Support/Reg USA & Canada (1997-1998)
Eddie van Loon
DqP
Official PB Support/Reg Netherlands (1996-1998)
ProBoard sold to TeleGrafix (18-Nov-1998)
All registration sites closed!
Pat Clawson
Telegrafix Communications, Inc
ProBoard BBS source code being examined.
Author of PB - Pat Clawson (18-Nov-1998 to present)
Dennis Murphy
former DMJ BBS System/2
Host of ProBoard Mailing List (1997 to present)
Frank Robbins
ProBoard Innovations
Unofficial ProBoard Info Support Site (1996 to present)
Unofficial ProBoard Historian. (Oct-1996 to present)
Home of the ProBoard FAQ (1996 to present)
Home of the ProBoard Major Issues (1998 to present)
Home of the ProBoard Who's Who Registry (Mar-1998 to present)
Home of the ProBoard Wish List (1998 to present)
On November 18th, 1998, Patrick Clawson of Telegrafix
Communications, Inc stated that elements of both ProBoard
and Searchlight BBS technologies, along with TeleGrafix's
award-winning Remote Imaging Protocol (RIPscrip) rapid
Internet vector graphics technology, will be incorporated
in a new TeleGrafix product under development that is code
named "Cherokee.
************************************************************************
PB NEWS
Gilles Hemberg (The Church bbs) was the last person to publish a series
of PBNews articles.
Gilles is a ProBoard PEX Writer and was the unofficial ProBoard liasion
between Philippe Leybaert (the previous owner of ProBoard) and the
ProBoard community before ProBoard was sold to TeleGrafix on 18-Nov-1998.
************************************************************************
TGPBN Changes Hosts (???98 - Mar-1999)
The Global ProBoard Network (TGPBN) in the United States
hosted by Arthur Stark at Top's Diamond Mine has passed the
torch to Walter Reihle at TreeTop BBS to assume TGPBN duties
as Art leaves ProBoard.
ProBoard IRC Discussion (7-Aug-1998)
An IRC chat with the former developer of ProBoard BBS
Philippe Leybaert regarding the possible future of ProBoard.
Philippe is looking for someone to take over the ProBoard
project. Logs are available of the conversation!
1997
PB216 released 20-May-1997
Version 2.16 uses the identical pb_sdk.h file that first appeared
in PB v2.15 which has a bug in an incomplete header file. The
lib was alright. Just some lines (about 20), concerning the new
features (specifically the CONFIG-structure) haven't been
added to the pb_sdk.h file.
This bug would affect newly compiled PEX programs
that used this version of the pb_sdk.h file.
For a corrected version of pb_sdk.h for PB v2.16,
download sdk215.zip from pcmicro.com at:
ftp://ftp.pcmicro.com/proboard_pex/sdk215.zip
This bug fix was prepared by Christian Schulz at UNO at:
http://www.tu-harburg.de/kt1/uno/
ProCFG allows you to insert, delete, move and sort message
areas and file areas.
========================================================================
Philippe Leybaert
The Home of ProBoard
Worldwide PB Support/Reg (1990-1998)
Constantin Spiess
The Dealer's BBS
PB Support/Reg Germany (1993-1998)
Ken Givens
ChessBoard BBS
Retired PB Support/Reg USA #1 (1996-1997)
Chuck King
Silverado Online BBS
PB Support/Reg USA #2 (1996-1997)
PB Support/Reg USA & Canada (1997-1998)
Eddie van Loon
DqP
Official PB Support/Reg Netherlands (1996-1998)
Dennis Murphy
former DMJ BBS System/2
Host of ProBoard Mailing List (1997 to present)
Frank Robbins
ProBoard Innovations
Unofficial ProBoard Info Support Site (1996 to present)
Unofficial ProBoard Historian. (Oct-1996 to present)
Home of the ProBoard FAQ (1996 to present)
TGPBN Revived (Nov97-???98)
The Global ProBoard Network (TGPBN) in the United States
revived by Arthur Stark at Top's Diamond Mine.
************************************************************************
PB NEWS
Dennis Murphy (the former DMJ BBS System/2) decided to activate the
ProBoard Newletter again.
Dennis was able to publish his first and last copy of PBNews in January
1997, before other pressing requirements took him away from this effort!
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
Proboard Mailing List
Activated: July 1997 to present
Dennis Murphy is the host of the ProBoard Mailing List, to subscribe:
http://winramturbo.com/pbi/md/pbmail.htm
and also is a computer programmer.
He retired from his duties as Moderator of the Fido ProBoard Echo.
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
PB-Lib C/C++ Programming Library
Branislav L. Slantchev
Silicon Creations Inc.
For ProBoard PEX Writers and general programmers.
See 1995 for specific definiton of PB-Lib.
First Release: Jul--1995
Final Release: Apr-1997 (PB-Lib v3.0)
************************************************************************
1996
PB215 released 05-May-1996
Version 2.15 had an incomplete header file. The library was
alright. Just some lines (about 20), concerning the new
features (specifically the CONFIG-structure) haven't been
added to the pb_sdk.h file.
This same bug file is in version 2.16 also!
This bug would affect newly compiled PEX programs
that used this version of the pb_sdk.h file.
For a corrected version of pb_sdk.h for pb_215,
download sdk215.zip from Pacific Coast Micro at:
ftp://ftp.pcmicro.com/proboard_pex/sdk215.zip
A Full-Screen message editor was now included!
Default protocols and languages were now supported.
Message and File area Groups were supported better.
========================================================================
Philippe Leybaert
The Home of ProBoard
Worldwide PB Support/Reg (1990-1998)
Constantin Spiess
The Dealer's BBS
PB Support/Reg Germany (1993-1998)
Ken Givens
ChessBoard BBS
Retired PB Support/Reg USA #1 (1996-1997)
Chuck King
Silverado Online BBS
PB Support/Reg USA #2 (1996-1997)
Eddie van Loon
DqP
Official PB Support/Reg Netherlands (1996-1998)
Brett Wilkinson
Eternal Entropy BBS
Retired PB Support/Reg Australia (1996-1997)
************************************************************************
Alain Schellinck
The Happy House
Retired PEX Writer Belgium (1996)
Originally developed TheEdit and TheChat.
After being active for more than seven (7) years in FidoNet, it was
time for Alain to do something else. He has a family and two kids
who want to spend some time with him too and a job that takes a lot
of his time.
In 1996, Alain decided to leave FidoNet and to quit his BBS. TheEdit
and TheChat are probably the two most used PEXes on ProBoard BBSes.
Alain thought it would not be fair to quit development, support and
distribution. Another Programmer would continue further development
of his widely used programs!
After a few talks with Constantin Spiess from Germany, both men agreed
that Constantin would be totally responsible for and also own the
sources and the programs. Constantin would handle further support and
distribution, while Alain would support him in the background.
Constantin has since further developed TheEdit and released
version 2.11 and no other versions have been released since
this one.
************************************************************************
ProBoard Official WebSite Goes Online (Sep-1996)
Original Domain Name: proboard.be
Present Domain Name: proboard.com
As of the date of this document, proboard.com
is still registered to the original owner
(Philippe Leybaert) and apparently never have
been transferred to the new owner (Pat Clawson)
according to Internic records in the United States!
ProBoard Innovations by:
Frank Robbins
ProBoard Innovations
http://winramturbo.com/pbi/
voluntarily assumes role of Unofficial ProBoard Info Support Site
after the last and the biggest ProBoard Support Site by Sarah & Faye
Pearson of the former Fe-line Software in the United Kingdom closes
in Dec96!
Assumes responsibility of the PB FAQ from the Pearsons. (1996 to present)
Assumes Unofficial duties as ProBoard Historian. (Oct96 to present)
TGPBN Terminates (Dec-1996)
The Global ProBoard Network (TGPBN) in the United States
hosted by Sarah & Faye Pearson (email not available) of
the former Fe-line Software in the United Kingdom terminates
service Dec96 as the Pearsons leave ProBoard.
TGPBN Revived (???96)
The Global ProBoard Network (TGPBN) in the United States revived by:
Branislav Slantchev at the former Silicon Creations Inc.
Sarah & Faye Pearson at the former Fe-line Software
Arthur Stark at Top's Diamond Mine
************************************************************************
PB-Lib C/C++ Programming Library
Branislav L. Slantchev
Silicon Creations Inc.
For ProBoard PEX Writers and general programmers.
See 1995 for specific definiton of PB-Lib.
First Release: Jul-1995
Final Release: Apr-1997 (PB-Lib v3.0)
************************************************************************
1995
PB210 released 21-Jul-1995
Version 2.10 now supported modem connect speeds up to 115200.
It was now possible to display ANSI files or run PEX from a
language prompt. External upload scanners were now supported.
ProBoard now stores message area information in MESSAGES.PB
rather then MSGAREAS.PB as the previous versions did. MODEM.PRO
used in previous versions was now called MODEM.PB.
The login procedure could now be replaced with a PEX.
PB211 released 27-Aug-1995
Version 2.11 was released for the registered users only
due to an error in the program. It searched for a valid
keyfile, and returned to the DOS prompt when it couldn't
find one.
Note that PB v2.12 (with exactly the same features) was
released only a few days after PB v2.11...
For this reason, PB v2.11 was not widely distributed
and will not be listed here for downloading!
Files that were tagged and not downloaded when a user
logged off will still be tagged at the next logon.
The maximum number of AKAs was increased from 20 to 50.
PB212 released 09-Sep-1995
Version 2.12 has the same features as PB v2.11 except
PB v2.12 was released for all users, instead of
registered users only as was the case with PB v2.11!
Files that were tagged and not downloaded when a user
logged off will still be tagged at the next logon.
The maximum number of AKAs was increased from 20 to 50.
========================================================================
Philippe Leybaert
The Home of ProBoard
Worldwide PB Support/Reg (1990-1998)
Constantin Spiess
The Dealer's BBS
PB Support/Reg Germany (1993-1998)
Sarah & Faye Pearson
Fe-line Software
Retired PB Support/Reg UK (1995-1996)
David Silver
The Silverado
Retired PB Reg US (1995-1996)
Reinier De Groot
Multiline Paradise
Retired PB Support Netherlands (1995-1996)
Graeme Adamson
HNR BBS
Retired PB Support/Reg South Africa (1995-1996)
Shyhchang Yu
PLAY BBS
Retired PB Support/Reg Taiwan (1995-1996)
Peter Rideout
Gemini Solutions BBS
Retired PB Support/Reg Australia (1995-1996)
************************************************************************
PB NEWS
The original concept of the PB Newsletter was a collective effort by:
Warren Davis (the former North Georgia Online).
Warren was also a PB PEX Writer of Visual Basic programs under the
GWARE label.
Josh Jones ()
Brandon Whitten ()
Warren published the first issue of the ProBoard Newsletter in Sep-1995.
The ProBoard Newsletter has been commonly referred to as PBNews!
Warren published 4 issues (Sep-1995 - Dec-1995) of PBNews and apparently
stopped further issues due to LACK of contributing article support from
the ProBoard community after repeated requests for same!
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
Proboard Mailing List
From: Alvin Brinson
Newsgroups: alt.bbs,alt.bbs.allsysop,alt.bbs.internet,alt.bbs.ads
Subject: Proboard Mailing List
Date: Sun, 14 May 1995 01:45:14 -0500
Organization: USiS Internet Services +713 682 1666
Lines: 18
NNTP-Posting-Host: usis.com
Mime-Version: 1.0
Check out the Proboard Mailing List - for ProBoard sysops, PEX
coders, and anyone interested in Proboard!
[ Alvin Brinson ]
[ FidoNet 1:106/7008 ]
----------------------------------------------
[ **>> Proboard Mailing List Coordinator <** ]
[ send to: listserver@eterninc.blkbox.com ]
[ "CONNECT proboardlist" in body of message! ]
Unknown how long this PB Maling List lasted!
Alvin's ProBoard background included:
Hosted the first ProBoard Mailing List!
Founded the alt.bbs.proboard NewsGroup!
Ran a FTP site for PB (ftp.shsu.edu) at Sam Houston State Univ (TX).
Was a ProBoard PEX Writer!
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
PB-Lib C/C++ Programming Library
Branislav L. Slantchev
Silicon Creations Inc.
For ProBoard PEX Writers and general programmers.
Comprehensive library with special features for seamless ProBoard SDK
compatibility. You can compile PEX and EXE files from the same source
code. All SDK global variables are automatically available for normal
executables. Advanced classes with:
terminal emulator A??/WC/PCB complete listbox solution
cursorkey keyboard support file access and manipulation
ProBoard language interface feature-extendable line editor
data structures (lists trees) FILES.BBS processing & parsing
First Release: Jul-1995
Final Release: Apr-1997 (PB-Lib v3.0)
************************************************************************
1994
PB200 released 01-Feb-1994
Version 2.00 added JAM support.
New fully supported areas were multiple language, RIP graphics,
internal file tagging and internal QWK (using a PEX).
User files were now fully RA 2.01 compatible. Menu options
were greatly improved.
All PEXes written for PB_131 or earlier are no longer supported.
PB201 released 05-Apr-1994
Version 2.01 was the last version of ProBoard to carry
Alain Schellinck's TimeBank (tbnk200.zip) program.
========================================================================
Philippe Leybaert
The Home of ProBoard
Worldwide PB Support/Reg (1990-1998)
Constantin Spiess
The Dealer's BBS
PB Support/Reg Germany (1993-1998)
Mattias Pettersson
City BBS
Retired PB Support Sweden (1994-1995)
Alain Fontaine
Base 999
Retired PB Support Luxembourg (1994-1996)
Klaus Harms
Abakus-Trendmail-BBS
Retired PB Support Germany (1994-1995)
Christian Kraus
OnTron Australia BBS
Retired PB Support/Reg Australia (1994-1995)
1993
PB130 released 30-Jan-1993
Version 1.30 was the first version to support Squish and *.MSG
message base formats. The maximum number of message bases
and file areas were increased from 200 to 10,000 each.
The 16.8k and 28.8k modem connect messages were now supported.
The MSGINF file was now supported when shelling to an external
message editor.
PB131 released 07-Aug-1993
Version 1.31 has a 10 second delay in unregistered mode,
when logging in locally.
========================================================================
Philippe Leybaert
The Home of ProBoard
Worldwide PB Support/Reg (1990-1998)
Constantin Spiess
The Dealer's BBS
PB Support/Reg Germany (1993-1998)
Paul Wijhenke
Flash-Point
Retired PB Support Netherlands (1993)
Raymond Wozencroft
Kookaburra Australia BBS
Retired PB Support Australia (1993)
Ralph Jans
The Lone Star
Retired PB Support Luxembourg (1993)
Alain Schellinck
The Happy House
Retired PB Support Belgium (1993-1995)
1992
PB122 released 17-Aug-1992
Version 1.22 contains the pre-release of EFL 1.30,
the famous file tagging program designed for ProBoard.
========================================================================
Philippe Leybaert
The Home of ProBoard
Worldwide PB Support/Reg (1990-1998)
Jim Biggs
The O-Zone BBS
Retired PB Support USA (1992-1993)
Retired PB Support/Reg USA & Canada (1994-1995)
Paul Tabara
Rivendell BBS
Retired PB Support USA (1992)
Retired PB Support/Reg USA & Canada (1992-1993)
1992
PB121 released 28-Mar-1992
Version 1.21 was the first version to support /F=+ /F=- /M=+ /M=-
in the GOTO and GOSUB menu functions to switch to the next file
or message area.
A System Password was now supported, for private bbses.
========================================================================
Philippe Leybaert
The Home of ProBoard
Worldwide PB Support/Reg (1990-1998)
Jim Biggs
The O-Zone BBS
Retired PB Support USA (1992-1993)
Retired PB Support/Reg USA & Canada (1994-1995)
Paul Tabara
Rivendell BBS
Retired PB Support USA (1992)
Retired PB Support/Reg USA & Canada (1992-1993)
1991
PB116 released 30-Sep-1991
Version 1.16 now has a unique new feature, a Software
Development Kit (SDK) which allows you to write your own
extensions to ProBoard with a C or C++ compiler.
CONVERT utility which comes with ProBoard now has
an option to create RA system files (FILES.RA,MESSAGES.RA,
SYSINFO.BBS,TIMELOG.BBS,CONFIG.RA).
========================================================================
Philippe Leybaert
Worldwide PB Support/Reg (1990-1998)
Alain Luckx
Computron BBS
Retired PB Support Belgium (1991-1992)
Marc Van Loocke
?BBS
Retired PB Support Benelux (1991-1992)
Karen Charland
?BBS
Retired PB Support/Reg USA (1991-1992)
Peter Ptok
Travel Info Net
Retired PB Support/Reg Canada (1991-1992)
Mike Wagner
Milling A-Round
Retired PB Support USA (1991-1992)
Retired PB Support/Reg USA & Canada (1992)
1990
PB??? released ?? ??? ??
========================================================================
Philippe Leybaert
Worldwide PB Support/Reg (1990-1998)
The Home of ProBoard
PB Reg Europe except NL (1993)
ProBoard Registration Europe except Germany & NL (1993-????)
PB Support/Reg Belgium (1993-1998)
Philippe Leybaert
Worldwide PB Support/Reg (1990-1998)
Co-Author of ProBoard (1990-1992)
Author of PB (1993-1998)
Rutger Lasuy
?BBS
Co-Author of ProBoard (1990-1992)
Retired PB Support/Reg Europe (1990-1992)
THE PROBOARD DREAM BEGINS!
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