RelayNet: The Specialized E-mail Exchange for PCBoard BBS
In the era before the modern internet, Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) served as the primary hubs for digital communication. Among these, RelayNet emerged as a specialized e-mail exchange network designed specifically for systems running PCBoard software. While smaller in scale than its contemporaries, RelayNet provided a streamlined way for high-end BBS operators to exchange messages across different geographic locations.
The Foundation of RelayNet and RIME
RelayNet operated using a specific communications protocol known as RIME (RelayNet International Mail Exchange). Development of RIME began in 1988, centered around a master hub in Bethesda, Maryland, owned by psychiatrist Bonnie Anthony, and a subordinate hub in The Bronx, New York, owned by her brother, Howard Belasco. A significant contribution to the software's evolution was made by Kip Compton, who was a high-school student during the development phase.
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By 1990, the network had grown to include more than 200 bulletin board systems. While it shared a similar purpose and technological foundation with FidoNet, RelayNet differed in its addressing system; it utilized names for its nodes rather than the numeric address pairs employed by FidoNet.
The PCBoard Connection
The trajectory of RelayNet was inextricably linked to PCBoard, a software package created by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) based in Salt Lake City, Utah. PCBoard was positioned as a premium, relatively expensive BBS system. Because of its cost, it was primarily adopted by larger, multi-line systems.
These larger systems favored PCBoard for its stability and efficient behavior when operating from a common file server. However, this market dynamic meant that the user base consisted of a small number of large systems rather than a vast multitude of small ones. Consequently, RelayNet typically maintained a membership of only a few hundred boards, resulting in lower overall traffic compared to FidoNet.
Network Structure and Evolution
Because it lacked the massive scale of FidoNet, RelayNet did not develop a global organizational infrastructure. Instead, it evolved into a collection of smaller regional networks. Notable examples included:
- NANET (hosted by Canada Remote Systems)
- RoseNet (hosted by Rose Media)
- QuebecNet
- FINET
- Smartnet
- Intelec
- ILink
- U'NI-net
- Friendsnet
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While RelayNet software was eventually ported to other BBS systems—such as RBBS, GAP, EIS, QBBS, and Wildcat! BBS—it struggled to gain traction outside of the PCBoard ecosystem. Most of these other systems already offered robust FidoNet support, leaving RelayNet primarily popular only among PCBoard and RBBS-PC users.
Key Facts
- Primary Protocol: RIME (RelayNet International Mail Exchange).
- Core Software: Specifically optimized for PCBoard by Clark Development Corporation.
- Addressing: Used node names instead of numeric address pairs.
- Scale: Exceeded 200 systems by 1990.
- Key Figures: Founded by Bonnie Anthony and Howard Belasco, with development help from Kip Compton.
- Closure: The network and its central BBS, Moondog, closed on August 15, 2007.
| Feature | RelayNet | FidoNet |
|---|---|---|
| Addressing System | Node Names | Numeric Address Pairs |
| Primary Software | PCBoard | Software Agnostic |
| Network Scale | Smaller (Few hundred boards) | Larger (Global infrastructure) |
| Traffic Volume | Lower | Higher |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was RelayNet?
RelayNet was an e-mail exchange network used by Bulletin Board Systems (BBS), specifically those running the PCBoard software, to communicate via the RIME protocol.
How did RelayNet differ from FidoNet?
Unlike FidoNet, which used numeric address pairs, RelayNet used names for its nodes. It also had a smaller user base and less global infrastructure because it was primarily limited to the premium PCBoard software.
Who were the founders of the RIME protocol?
RIME was established starting in 1988 by Bonnie Anthony in Bethesda, Maryland, and her brother Howard Belasco in The Bronx, New York, with software contributions from Kip Compton.
Which BBS software supported RelayNet?
While it was designed for PCBoard, it later appeared for RBBS, GAP, EIS, QBBS, and Wildcat! BBS, though it remained most popular on PCBoard and RBBS-PC.
When did RelayNet shut down?
Don Barba, the owner of the RIME network and the Moondog BBS, announced the closure of the network and its software on August 1, 2007, with the official shutdown occurring on August 15, 2007.