Telegard
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Telegard is an early bulletin board system (BBS) software program written for IBM PC-compatible computers running MS-DOS and OS/2 and is best known as the predecessor of Renegade, one of the most popular BBS software packages written for DOS, and many other BBS software based from the Telegard code.[citation needed] Telegard was written in Pascal with routines written in C++ and assembly language, based on an unauthorized copy of the WWIV source code, and released in 1986, making it one of the earlier BBS packages for that platform.[citation needed]
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-ROMs internally.[1] 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.[citation needed]
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[edit] 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:[2]
"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."
There are several dedicated sysops running Telegard BBS today. Many still congregate in Fidonet's TG_SUPPORT echo as well as on other networks.
