Clark Development Company

Creators of PCBoard BBS Software

Clark Development Company, Inc. (CDC) was the software firm behind PCBoard, one of the most powerful and influential BBS platforms of the 1980s and 1990s. Based in Murray, Utah, CDC was once a dominant force in the BBS software market, supporting tens of thousands of systems worldwide — including ExecNet.

Key Facts:
  • Founded: Early 1980s
  • Founder & CEO: William “Fred” Clark
  • Headquarters: Murray, Utah
  • Flagship Products:
  • PCBoard – DOS-based commercial BBS software
  • MetaWorlds – A hybrid BBS/Internet server platform
Rise of Clark Development:

Clark Development’s PCBoard software became a favorite among system operators (sysops) for its:

  • Multiline modem support
  • Robust scripting with PPL (PCBoard Programming Language)
  • Powerful user and file management tools
  • Compatibility with networks like ILink and FidoNet

By the early 1990s, PCBoard was used by corporate BBSes, major online hubs, and shareware distributors, and Clark Development was estimated to hold as much as 30% of the global BBS software market.

Decline and Shutdown:

By the mid-1990s, the explosive growth of the World Wide Web significantly diminished the role of dial-up BBS systems. Although Clark Development attempted to adapt with products like MetaWorlds — a hybrid BBS/Web platform — the effort proved too little, too late.

“According to a June 1997 article in The Salt Lake Tribune, Clark Development shut down abruptly and began liquidating assets to avoid bankruptcy. Equipment was auctioned, and online services ceased without warning.”

Former executives described internal struggles and a lack of funding for proper marketing, despite having “a cool product” in MetaWorlds. Customers at the time reported having placed orders they never received, and business partners could not contact the company.

Legacy & Impact:

Despite its closure, Clark Development’s contributions to online communications were substantial:

  • PCBoard set the standard for professional-grade BBSes
  • It enabled advanced scripting, file libraries, and message networks
  • ExecNet, among other systems, built its infrastructure entirely around PCBoard’s capabilities
  • Fred Clark is still recognized as a pioneer in digital communication software
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