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Worldgroup and The Major BBS are turn-key Internet services products that offers a web server, e-mail server, file transfer server, message forums, live chat, profiles, and more out of the box in a single, easy to install and administer package. The product supports modem dial-in as well as telnet to an ANSI-based terminal mode, web browser to HTML-based pages, or even a Windows-based client.  The product was known as The Major BBS from 1984-1995 (v2 through v6.x). The Major BBS v2-v5 were DOS only. Major BBS v6 and Worldgroup v1 were DOS and Linux, and Worldgroup v2 was DOS-only. Worldgroup v3 was initially DOS and Windows 32-bit, with v3.1 and 3.2 being Windows 32-bit only. The product is known once again as The Major BBS, with version 10.0 (as it will be the tenth release of the platform), is currently in beta testing.

Worldgroup v3.2 runs on Windows 32-bit operating systems (NT through 11) is free and available with community support on The Major BBS Restoration Project.

The latest version is The Major BBS v10.0, which will be compiled using the latest compilers on Windows 10/11 and Linux. It will remain 32-bit (for now) to provide compatibility with the Worldgroup 3.2 system. 

Installation Instructions - Worldgroup 3.2

1. Download the Worldgroup 3.2 Installer and patched-galtlcw.zip files listed below.
2. Unzip the installer somewhere and run the installation. Don't install to C:\Program Files\Galacticomm\Worldgroup Server; make it go to C:\WGSERV instead. You'll need an activation code – Contact the project to get a free code. Be sure to setup the IP address the same as one of the IPs in your Windows configuration.
3. Once you're installed, start the BBS, verify its working, then shut it down.
4. Open regedt32 and change the following values:
   1. Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, SOFTWARE, Galacticomm, Worldgroup Server, CurrentVersion (if Galacticomm is not under SOFTWARE, choose Wow6432Node first, then Galacticomm, Worldgroup Server, CurrentVersion)
      Change useConsoleWindow and set the value to 1 - this will use the legacy console from the DOS versions that gives a lot more information
   2. Select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, SOFTWARE, Btrieve Technologies, Microkernel Workstation Engine, Version 6.15, Settings
      Change Max Files to 1000 (hex, it's 4096 decimal), and change Max Handles to 1000 (hex, it's again 4096 decimal). Ensure Max Locks is ff (255)
5. Unzip the DLL file from patched-galtlcw.zip into the BBS directory (C:\WGSERV), overwriting the old GALTLCW.DLL
6. Start it back up and you can even try to connect it to WorldLink – the address is worldlink.themajorbbs.com (put that as the 'phone number' in the WL dialer module on the BBS). Note: WorldLink's name is changing to MajorLink to coincide with the switch back to the name The Major BBS for version 10 and later. There is an updated patched-galtlcw coming for that, as well.

Installation Instructions - The Major BBS v10

The Major BBS v10 is similar to the above, except you'll want to install to C:\BBSV10. It will include the MajorLink teleconference and the upgraded multi-port SMTP, RLogin, and Telnet server modules out of the box, so you won't have to install those.

Downloads

Here are the latest installation packages, modules, and utilities you'll need to get started.

There are many more downloads and documentation in the Files Section of The Major BBS Restoration Project!