Net-Works II BBS

Posted by: Brian Wiser Date: July 30, 2023 0 Likes 2792 Views

Seattle, Washington — July 30, 2023 — An early Bulletin Board System, Net-Works II, has received a an update to version 2.6 – and a new physical manual over 100 pages. Net-Works II is a Bulletin Board System written by Nick Naimo for the 300 baud Hayes Micromodem.  For a time, it was the most popular BBS software for the Apple II computer.  As many as 60 BBS’s were using the software in 1984.

Availability

Net-Works II is available through the A.P.P.L.E. bookstore with production and fulfillment by Lulu. Read the Table of Contents. The disk image is available on the Apps page.

Features

  • Table of Contents – PDF
  • Bulletin Boards, Private Electronic Mail, and Editor.
  • Sysop Chat, Clock Cards, 40-columns, and 80-columns.
  • System Operator monitoring and logging of user activity.
  • Expert Mode for callers to bypass system menus.
  • Hayes Micromodem II direct-to-user disk writing.
  • Remote operation of computer and direct return to BBS.
  • Created for an Apple II computer with 48K of memory.
  • Over 100 pages of enhanced documentation.

Author

Nick Naimo — developed the Net-Works II BBS software in the early 1980s as a member of Computer Station, a Missouri-based BBS.  Later, he worked for Advanced Data Systems, an Apple II software developer in St. Louis, Missouri that published Net-Works II.  Version 2.2 was released by the company in June 1982.   Several applications were written by Naimo for Advanced Data Systems, including a small business accounting program, and an inventory program for retailers.  Advanced Data Systems transferred the publishing rights for Net-Works II to High Technology Software Products in Oklahoma – just one year after its introduction. For a time, Net-Works II was the most popular bulletin board system software for the Apple II.  As many as 60 BBS’s were running Net-Works II in July 1984, according to Softalk magazine.  High Technology Software continued selling Net-Works II into the late 1980s. Naimo’s experiences with computers started in 1974 courtesy of his electric train hobby.  He also served as city councilman for the suburb of Maplewood, Missouri.  In 1982, he quit Advanced Data Systems, and worked for Better Business Computers & Systems – a computer store and software publisher based in Vincennes, Indiana.

Producers

Brian Wiser — A producer of books, films, games, and events, as well as an Apple consultant, historian and archivist. Designer, editor, and co-producer of dozens of books including:  Nibble Viewpoints: Business Insights From The Computing Revolution, Cyber Jack: The Adventures of Robert Clardy and Synergistic Software, Synergistic Software: The Early Games, Graphically Speaking: Enhanced Edition, What’s Where in the Apple: Enhanced Edition, and The WOZPAK Special Edition: Steve Wozniak’s Apple-1 & Apple II Computers.  Brian is also the author of The Etch-a-Sketch and Other Fun Programs. Producer/Director of the documentary film “Done The Impossible: The Fans’ Tale of Firefly & Serenity“, his Browncoat Cruise convention with Firefly cast, and an extra in the movie “Serenity.” Co-producer of Beagle Bros and Applied Engineering websites, the retro iOS game Structris, and co-producer/writer for CallAPPLE.org and Call-A.P.P.L.E. magazine.

Bill Martens — Apple historian and enthusiast, programmer, President of Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) and co-producer of Call-A.P.P.L.E. magazine, and books like: Cyber Jack, Synergistic Software: The Early Games, Nibble Viewpoints, The WOZPAK Special Edition, and What’s Where in the Apple: Enhanced Edition. Bill also co-produced and co-programmed the retro iOS game Structris. Bill is the author of ApPilot/W1, Beyond Quest, The Anatomy of an EAMON, and multiple EAMon adventure games. He is a systems engineer specializing in office infrastructures and has been programming since 1976. And he is the production editor for the A.P.P.L.E. website CallAPPLE.org, writes science fiction novels in his spare time, and is a retired semi-pro football player.

Publisher

Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) has been a global Apple user group since 1978, with membership peaking near 50,000 in 1985.  Offering many services, A.P.P.L.E. is also a book publisher and game developer, and has produced dozens of new book titles since 2013 and over 100 Apple software titles. A.P.P.L.E. published the The WOZPAK Special Edition – a detailed book containing Steve Wozniak’s restored handwritten notes and printouts about his Apple II computer, as well as forewords from Steve Wozniak and other Apple legends. They also publish books such as: Graphically Speaking: Enhanced Edition by Mark Pelczarski, Tome of Copy Protection,  Cyber Jack: The Adventures of Robert Clardy and Synergistic Software, Synergistic Software: The Early Games, Nibble Viewpoints: Business Insights From the Computing Revolution by Mike Harvey, What’s Where in The Apple: Enhanced Edition, The Colossal Computer Cartoon Book: Enhanced Edition by David H. Ahl, A.P.P.L.E. 1978 and 1979 magazine Compendiums, and the retro iOS game Structris

Press information is available at: www.callapple.org/press

Books are listed at: www.callapple.org/books

Author: Brian Wiser
Brian is an A.P.P.L.E. Board member and Managing Editor of Call-A.P.P.L.E.. He is a producer of books, films, games, and events, as well as an Apple consultant, historian and archivist. Brian designed, edited, and co-produced dozens of books including:  "Nibble Viewpoints: Business Insights From The Computing Revolution," "Cyber Jack: The Adventures of Robert Clardy and Synergistic Software," "Synergistic Software: The Early Games," "Graphically Speaking: Enhanced Edition," "What’s Where in the Apple: Enhanced Edition," and "The WOZPAK Special Edition: Steve Wozniak’s Apple-1 & Apple II Computers."  Brian also co-produced the retro iOS game "Structris." Brian was an extra in Joss Whedon’s movie “Serenity,” leading him to being a producer/director for the documentary film “Done The Impossible: The Fans’ Tale of Firefly & Serenity.” He brought some of the Firefly cast aboard his Browncoat Cruise convention and recruited several of the Firefly cast to appear in a film for charity. Brian speaks about his adventures at conventions around the country.
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