This site carries the name of an extinct Computer Bulletin Board System.
While stationed with the U.S. Navy in Atsugi, Japan I operated a computer BBS (Bulletin Board System) from 1987-1994. Upon returning to the U.S. after retiring Space Com was operational for a short time from Lewiston, NY.
The BBS started on a Amiga Computer with a 20 MB hard drive and 1200 BPS modem. I ran the BBS software BBS-PC!. At the time 20 MB hard drives were becoming affordable for the IBM/XT and AT computer’s. My 20 MB C-limited hard drive for the Amiga was $600.00 +!
Space Com BBS featured a Welcome Screen entitled "Welcome to Space Com" and an F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Jet drawn through the use of ANSI characters.
Space Com started with the help of another Amiga Enthusiast Mr. Arthur Before, a GS worker from Yokosuka, Japan. Thanks Art where ever you are!
The bulletin board featured message areas, jokes, online games such as Tradewars and shareware downloads.
My residence on the base came with 1 phone line, there was no option for a second line. The BBS quickly became popular through out military bases in Japan. My command supported the system. Personnel knew if I was to be reached that a driver would be sent to the house as voice communication was not possible. It was not long before the phone would ring of the hook 24 hours a day. As one caller signed off another one would call.
In 1988 I was put in touch with Mr. Bill English, BBS SysOp of BillBoard in the Philippines. Bill was civilian worker at Subic Bay, Philippines and was doing a closed loop FidoNet mail system with 10+ BBS’s around the Manila area. We began transferring mail through the autovon system late at night from the Philippines. Shortly after I was able to register officially through FidoNet in Zone 6 out of Tokyo. This essentially opened up the Philippines mail to the rest of the world. Here is a timeline table of Space Com milestones:
| 1987 | Space Com opens on Amiga System, BBS-PC! |
| 1987 | Space Com is transferred to a IBM XT running BBS-PC! for IBM compatible. |
| 1987 | Space Com begins FidoNet mail transfers with several BBS’s in Japan. 200 messages a night are transferred. |
| 1988 | Space Com converts to RA (Remote Access) BBS Software and Front Door front end mail system. Space Com is upgraded to an Gateway 2000 20 mhz AT computer with 100 mb of hard drive space. This was cutting edge back then folks! |
| 1988 | Space Com hooks up with BillBoard BBS from the Philippines. Space Com transfers an average of 2,000 mail packets a night. |
| 1988 | Space Com receives SysOp deal for U.S. Robotics 14,400 Modem. Priced at over $1,600.00 Space Com got the modem for $600.00 upon verification from USR a BBS was running. |
| 1988 | Space Com becomes link for Hub of FidoNet Philippines. Space Com transfers an average of 10,000 mail packets a night. |
| 1989 | Atsugi Computer Enthusiast BBS opened. ACE (founded by Norm Joseph in 1986) was closely affiliated with Space Com. |
| 1990 | Mail Hub operations transferred to ACE BBS in preparation for Norm Joseph departure to Sea Duty. |
| 1994 | Space Com closed upon retirement of Norm Joseph. |
| 1995 | Space Com re-opened for a short time in Lewiston with random communications to the Philippines. Due to the cost of the foreign calls, and caller activity drop (due to the Internet) Space Com closed for good in 1995. |
Thanks to these people:
Bill English Devoted SysOp of BillBoard http://www.computerbill.com/
Art Belfore Getting me going on Computer skills
Steve Thomas Took over operation of ACE and ACE SysOp
Glen Myer ACE SysOp
Kazuyoshi
Shinada http://www.opus.homeip.net/
Zone 6 Coordinator Tokyo, Japan.