Maximus (BBS)
| Company type | Software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bulletin board system software |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Scott J. Dudley |
| Fate | Released under GNU General Public License in 2002 |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Scott J. Dudley |
| Products | Maximus BBS software, Squish mail format and tools |
| Owner | Lanius Corporation |
| Parent | Lanius Corporation |
Maximus is a bulletin board system created by Scott J. Dudley under the Lanius Corporation banner. It was first launched in 1990 for MS-DOS and OS/2, with subsequent editions extending compatibility to 32-bit Windows environments and later being adapted for Linux and other Unix-like platforms. The MS-DOS iteration communicated with modems through a FOSSIL driver. Key versions include 1.0 (1990), 2.0 (1991), and 3.01 (1995). In 2002, Maximus, along with associated tools such as Squish, was released under the terms of the GNU General Public License.
The system features a straightforward, automatically generated interface displayed using ANSI or ASCII, making it attractive to sysops who desire a simple yet adaptable BBS solution. Its visual and functional aspects can be further enhanced via RIP graphics.
System configuration is accomplished by modifying text-based files that are then compiled into binary form. Maximus incorporates two scripting languages designed for customization:
- MECCA—a language focused on display elements, allowing changes to colors, menu construction, user input processing, and file management to facilitate interaction with BBS door applications.
- MEX—added in version 3.0 (1995), this Turing-complete language draws from concepts in C, Pascal, and BASIC. It supports functions, data structures, arrays, and string manipulation, enabling sysops to create sophisticated programs that improve user engagement.
See also
- Squish – the main mail format utilized by Maximus and the Fidonet mail tossing tool responsible for its processing
- List of BBS software
Further reading
- Analysis of version 1.02 featured in PC Magazine (September 10, 1991), p. 260 continuing at p. 267