A Journey from BBS Innovations to Tandy Enthusiasm Brings Mike Sly Back to the Retro Computing Scene
In the world of retro computing, the past often has a way of coming full circle. This month, the vintage computing community welcomed back a familiar face from the early days of bulletin board systems (BBS). Michael Sly, a Tandy enthusiast and co-creator of one of the first known instances of instant messaging and group chat in the BBS realm, has returned to the spotlight as he joins the Vintage is the New Old (vitno.org) team as a writer.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
For many, the name Michael Sly might not ring a bell, but for those who’ve been part of the retro computing world for decades, his contributions are nothing short of groundbreaking. Four decades ago, Michael Sly, along with his co-conspirator Bill Martens, wrote and implemented the first known instance of Instant Messaging and Group Chat communication capabilities on an IBM 370 computer, running a flavor of BASIC that allowed for multiple files to be open simultaneously and full multi-user capabilities.
Their innovation led to the creation of the Email II system, a pioneering project that transformed the way people communicated across multiple schools and school districts. This was no small feat, especially considering that Mike and Bill were still students at Carl Brablec High School in Roseville, Michigan, at the time.
Mike’s passion for computing extended beyond the school walls. He was also running a BBS from his home on a TRS-80 Model III computer, laying the groundwork for concepts that would later become integral to the BBS scene. Having access to TRS-80 Model III and IV machines at Brablec High School allowed him to test many of these new BBS concepts created at home during normal class activities furthering the amount of time dedicated to the project.
Back to the Future: Mike Sly at vitno.org
Now, four decades later, Michael Sly is returning to his roots in the world of retro computing. He’s in the process of reassembling his vintage computer collection, and he’s eager to share his knowledge and experiences with the community once more. To that end, he has joined the team at Vintage is the New Old (vitno.org) as a writer, where he will cover a wide range of Tandy-related topics.
Mike’s return to the vintage computing scene is a testament to the enduring allure of classic technology and the passion of enthusiasts who keep it alive. His journey from BBS innovations to Tandy enthusiasm comes full circle, and we can’t wait to see what insights and stories he’ll bring to the community.
So, let’s all extend a warm welcome to Mike Sly (msly) and wish him the best as he embarks on this new adventure with vitno.org. His expertise and experiences promise to enrich the world of retro computing, and we’re excited to have him back in the fold.
Stay tuned to Vintage is the New Old for Mike’s contributions about some of the exciting and new developments in the Tandy realm of the retro computing universe. The past may be history, but in the world of vintage tech, it’s alive and thriving.
