“Before GitHub, before forums, before the modern web—there was the Bulletin Board System (BBS). A world of raw, unfiltered creativity where sysops built communities with nothing but a modem, some ANSI art, and a passion for sharing code, files, and ideas. No corporate overlords, no bloated platforms—just pure, decentralized tinkering. It was the golden age of digital DIY.
Fast-forward to today: the web is dominated by monolithic CMS platforms and cloud databases. But what if we could recapture that BBS spirit—lightweight, portable, and open to all—using modern FOSS tools?
WordPress + SQLite: The Open-Source BBS Revival
- No MySQL? No problem. SQLite turns WordPress into a single-file powerhouse, perfect for self-hosted, low-overhead projects—just like a classic BBS.
- Portable & Offline-Friendly – Pack it on a USB stick, run it on a Raspberry Pi, or deploy it anywhere. No heavy dependencies, just freedom.
- Community-Driven – Plugins for forums, file sharing, and retro themes can make WordPress feel like a 2024 BBS, but with the power of PHP and modern web tech.
- Own Your Data – No lock-in, no bloat. Just you, your SQLite file, and the open web.
The BBS ethos was about hacking, sharing, and connecting—values that live on in today’s open-source culture. With WordPress and SQLite, we can rebuild that independent web, one lightweight node at a time.
#BBSrevival #OpenSource #WordPress #SQLite #DIYweb
Who’s ready to bring back the anarchic joy of the BBS era—but with modern FOSS flair? 🚀
Want More?
- Try the SQLite Integration for WordPress plugin
- Explore retro BBS-style themes
- Host your own lightweight “modern BBS” on a $5 VPS
Let’s code like it’s 1989—but with 2024 tools. 💾