About ExecNet
Founded: 1986
Founder: Andy Keeves
Acquired By: Image’FX Productions Inc.
Original Platform: PCBoard (BBS Software)
Previous Status: Integrated into Image’FX Productions
Current Status: Historical Site about ExecNet itself
Origins and Early Development:
Origins & Purpose:
ExecNet was initially created to serve IT professionals working in the emerging field of Local Area Networking (LAN). Unlike hobbyist BBS systems of the time, ExecNet was:
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Professionally operated
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Technically advanced
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Content-rich
It provided a reliable platform for file distribution, technical discussion, and peer collaboration, at a time when such tools were rare or fragmented. Its text-based BBS platform remained active for many years and is still remembered for its speed, reliability, and technical precision.
Key Features:
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Used Novell NetWare and 8088/80286 systems
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Supported multi-line access, conference-style message boards, and Ilink message networks
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Offered SLIP/PPP internet access in its later years
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Hosted a curated, award-winning software archive
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Acted as a gateway between BBS systems and the early internet
ExecNet was not just a message board; it was an essential utility for sysadmins and tech consultants in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Commercial Services and Recognition:
ExecNet was not just a BBS, it also evolved into a commercial information system and internet service provider (ISP). It offered:
- Shell-based internet access (including telnet, FTP, gopher)
- Full SLIP/PPP connections for web, mail, and newsgroups
- Seamless integration of traditional BBS features with emerging internet services
The system provided a hybrid experience that appealed to both traditional BBS users and early internet adopters—delivering advanced capabilities under a single, affordable membership.
ExecNet’s file collection earned the prestigious Dvorak Telecommunications Award for Excellence, and its influence extended far beyond its local region. It was featured in national publications such as:
- PC World
- Byte Magazine
- Business Week
- PC Week
- Boardwatch Magazine (April 1996 issue)
It also received national attention on major TV networks including CBS, NBC, ABC, and CNN, further cementing its reputation as a leading-edge digital platform.
Technological Advancements & Growth:
ExecNet’s Transition to Internet-Based Services:
- Moving from PCBoard BBS software to web-based forums.
- Providing FTP-based software distribution.
- Expanding into business-oriented networking solutions.
- Developing custom web applications to support IT professionals.
Acquisition by Image’FX Productions:
Legacy of ExecNet
- A pre-internet professional network for sysadmins and developers
- An award-winning software library and file distribution hub
- Helped promote and distribute third-party PCBoard and network administration software.
- A working model of early internet/BBS integration
- A platform that helped shape modern forums, file-sharing services, and collaborative tools
- Early IT Networking Community – A precursor to modern online IT forums.
- Knowledge Base for Network Professionals – Provided a vital resource for LAN administrators, IT support specialists, and developers.
- Pioneered Online Tech Discussions – A model for modern tech support forums and professional networking sites.