MicroSellar BBS

MicroSellar BBS was a popular dial‑up Bulletin Board System (BBS) based in Verona, New Jersey, running continuously from around March 1983 through much of the 1990s. It was operated by Mark Rapp, who served as the Sysop and managed the system throughout its peak years in the era before the internet became mainstream. ([bbslist.textfiles.com])
  • MicroSellar was listed in period Boardwatch Magazine as “NJ’s preferred BBS for the pro 11–12+ years running” and appeared regularly in BBS directories of the day. ([Internet Archive])
  • The system was configured on an MS‑DOS PC running PCBoard software, one of the most advanced BBS host systems of the 1990s, enabling multiple simultaneous Modem lines, extensive file libraries, and participation in message networks. Early technical listings show MicroSellar running PCBoard versions 15.1–15.2 with 10–20+ phone lines and thousands of megabytes of storage for files and messages — a substantial setup for the time. ([Internet Archive])
  • MicroSellar served as a regional hub for telecommunications enthusiasts, software exchange, information sharing, and community discussion, offering:
    • Extensive file libraries with software, utilities, and downloads
    • Multi-line access to BBS network Email and message areas
    • Connectivity with wider BBS networks and early Internet Email gateways
    • Trial access and support for professional and hobbyist users alike
    • All features were provided at no fee, making it notable as a widely accessible technical BBS
  • Because of its longstanding presence and active file and mail services, MicroSellar was frequently featured in period advertising and BBS lists, often alongside other New Jersey boards in issues of Boardwatch Magazine and BBS directory archives. ([bbslist.textfiles.com])
  • As the internet supplanted dial-up BBS technologies in the mid- to late-1990s, boards like MicroSellar either evolved toward internet connectivity or eventually shut down. MicroSellar’s legacy remains part of the broader history of online communities and BBS culture that laid the groundwork for today’s online communication.
“MicroSellar BBS played a significant role in regional online communication before the widespread adoption of the internet, fostering technical exchange and community engagement.”

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