Jeff Black
Role: Network Infrastructure Specialist, Internet Integration
Affiliation: ExecNet Contributor
Years Active: Since the early days of ExecNet (circa 1986)
Jeff Black was a core technical contributor to ExecNet, having been involved with the system almost since its inception. While his work may not have been immediately visible to end users dialing in over a modem, Jeff Black played a vital role in building and maintaining the networking infrastructure that powered ExecNet’s internet integration.
His primary focus areas included:
- Managing the networking backend of ExecNet
- Ensuring stable and secure internet connectivity
- Supporting the system’s expansion beyond dial-up, particularly as ExecNet adapted to early internet protocols like SLIP/PPP, telnet, FTP, and gopher
Much of ExecNet’s ability to connect users to worldwide resources — at a time when BBS systems were still mostly local — was made possible through Jeff Black’s behind-the-scenes work.
Though not always in the spotlight, his contributions were essential to ExecNet’s reputation as a technically advanced and globally connected BBS system. His work helped bridge the gap between traditional BBS communication and the rising potential of the early internet.
Technical Contributions:
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Played a lead role in setting up and maintaining ExecNet’s LAN and WAN capabilities
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Managed and upgraded SLIP/PPP access, giving users full internet connectivity alongside traditional dial-up access
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Oversaw the integration of shell accounts, FTP, gopher, and Usenet gateways
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Ensured seamless, stable performance during periods of high system load and growth
Behind-the-Scenes Operations:
Jeff Black was known as the person who “made the lights stay on.” He maintained the backbone of the system — from routing tables and modem banks to firewalls and domain-level configuration.
“While much of his work may not have been visible to users over the modem, many of the world-wide connections they accessed were made possible by him.”
Legacy:
Jeff’s dedication helped make ExecNet not only a BBS but also a hybrid tech utility, combining traditional message boards with early internet services. His work bridged the technical gap for thousands of users as the internet began to take shape.
Though he rarely engaged in chat on the system itself, his contributions were indispensable — and remain part of the foundation that ExecNet was built upon.