The following is pretty self explanatory... Jeff will be sending me the latest revision of RG, and different possible futures are being considered. From Jeff Herrings: Hello everyone. As I sit here, I find myself wondering if what I am about to say and do is perhaps either pre-mature or an honorable way to remember a great BBS software. The fact of the matter is, I have been thinking this for quite sometime now and regardless of how many times I think this thought, I find myself coming up with the same answer(s). When Cott Lang started Renegade BBS software, it was in my opinion as well as many others I am sure, ahead of its time for any independent programmer. Granted it might not have had a complex scripting language (PCB for one) nor did it have it's own sharing/multi-tasking routines (TBBS - The Bread Board System), however it did offer some of -the- best features with easily understandable configuration menus and at a price that just could not be beat (for free). Several years after Cott produced this fine software, he had made a decision due to numerous reasons (no reason to go over -any- of them again, no reason at -all-) to cease programming while he was still ahead (or not). At this time the persistence of Patrick Spence and Gary Hall paid off when Cott agreed to allow them to continue Renegade development. A few more years went on, while Patrick and Gary were hard at work ensuring updates were released, in which Renegade lived on. Unfortunately (and as you'll soon see it happens) due to time restraints and other things, the desire and opportunity for them to continue work on Renegade was noticeably decreasing. In my search for love of Renegade, I found there was no "Y2K" patch currently available and I wondered why (I later found of the time restraints and lacking desire). I emailed Patrick inquiring if my assistance could be offered to help a "Y2K" patch be released before far too long. He replied and at this time we worked out that I could then carry the torch, with the many responsibilities, headaches, thrills and sense of contribution that brought with it. I was to say the least absolutely thrilled that after -many- years of contributing third party software for in my mind the best BBS software of its kind, I could finally dive in and make updates and changes as I saw fit. Those changes of course were always either implemented or thought about with the best intentions in mind for all the Renegade BBS community. However, they say history repeats itself and that it does. I find now, more so in these past few weeks that I haven't the time nor desire to continue work on Renegade BBS. The desire is not due to countless number of emails (I am a bit glad I wasn't programming Renegade BBS during BBS prime days of existence) I have received with pestering questions asking the infamous "when is the next release, why are you taking so long, etc, etc." (notice, I did NOT say the inquisitive emails, those I have never minded what-so-ever), but instead that of respect for a once great BBS software (which in my mind personally, will always be great), overwhelming family occurrences (some related to the repercussions of the most recent incidents against our country, mind you my wife is active military and is as I type this in the middle of the ocean, where I do not know) and a hectic move/business status. So, out of respect for Renegade BBS (and those who contributed to it in the past and present), those who used or use it and for myself... as of today Sunday, October 7th, 2001 I bring the many chapters of Renegade BBS to a close. As always, I will continue to frequent BBS's via telnet and sometimes dial-up whenever time permits. Those SysOp's that see me on their BBS's know that I am usually on and off within a few minutes, though, I try to make the best of those minutes, let it be via participation or just nostalgic reasons. With that said, I wish to thank EVERYONE that has ever been a part and/or will continue to stay a part of the Renegade Community my best wishes in anything and everything you do BBS related or not. The time for me was enjoyable, very enjoyable time spent. Sincerely, Jeff Herrings PS - I will continue to keep my word to Patrick Spence and in turn Cott Lang by not offering the source code to anyone. I hope that you will only understand and accept this decision out of respect of both Patrick, Gary and myself giving our word to never make it public domain/source. PSS - I might add that even by the time I find that I am able to work on Renegade BBS (the completely re-vamped Windows/Unix flavor) other software suites that are currently available have such an edge, due to time of existence and time to devote, that if I were to have ever or would ever release this version, those other suites would have been one, two or quite possibly three steps ahead. This too was another, no matter how insignificant, reason to lay Renegade BBS to rest.