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. 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.

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.

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."

There are several dedicated sysops running Telegard BBS today. Many still congregate in Fidonet's TG_SUPPORT echo as well as on other networks.

OpenTG Project

Recently, a new project was formed to recreate the Telegard BBS from scratch into a modern, internet ready, and standardized system. This new project, called OpenTG, started on August 17, 2008. No code or release has yet been written, but promises to develop the software without introducing any of the original code. The idea being to recreate the Telegard experience on modern computer systems with modern networking support.

References

See also

• Renegade (BBS)
• WWIV

External links

• Official Telegard Site
• OpenTG Project