Steve Richardson

My name is Steve Richardson (aka Ford Prefect, Hotblack) from the
Worcester area BBS scene ('86-'93).  I'd like to recognize the people and
systems that changed my life:  My uncles Bruce and Derek, over whose
shoulders I caught my first glimpse into the BBS world. My parents, who
spent what little they had to get me a computer and a modem.  Dragon's
Lair, the first BBS through which I made a "real-life" friend, with whom I
would later spend countless hours hacking the Nitelite BBS software.  The
Broom Closet, where I had an epiphany about multi-user systems and online
culture.  I met countless friends through Broom Closet, some of whom I am
still close with. Minority BBS, where I learned to never get involved in
religious arguments in an online forum, but otherwise where I had a lot of
great online discussions.  Mithril Hall, which was my introduction to the
more political and business aspects of running a BBS, as well as where I
talked with most of my online friends after The Broom Closet faded away.
Lastly, GweepNet IV BBS, which bridged the gap from the old-school BBS
world and what would become its surrogate - public access unix systems.  
When I first logged on to GweepNet IV in high school, I had little idea
that I would later become friends with the people that ran it when I went
to college, and even less of an idea that I'd end up running a part of it
that's still online today over ten years later (http://www.gweep.net/).  
Greetz go out to John Smith (RA), Rock (o), Stix, Wipeout, Wheelman,
Tefler, Master Dragon, Jingle Bells, Threnody, Delay, Jer, Mute, Crimson,
Android.  +++ATH~~!#$NO CARRIER