AEGiS-MISC: (CS) Treading the Boards: AEGIS BBS - Fowler Bids Farewell With a look at His All-Time Favorites.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

(CS) Treading the Boards: AEGIS BBS - Fowler Bids Farewell With a look at His All-Time Favorites.

Computer Shopper - April 1997
Dennis Fowler (72241.1011@compuserve.com)

There aren't too many services run by a nun, so the AEGIS BBS is a place of distinction for that reason alone. More important, however, is that Sister Mary Elizabeth, SSE, has created a powerful source of information and comfort for all concerned about HIV and AIDS.

I like AEGIS (which stands for AIDS Education Global Information System) because it's a superb example of the good work that a BBS can do, because what it does is so valuable, and because it does it so well. It's the perfect foil to those who would characterize and ghettoize BBSs as the refuge of pornographers, software pirates, and crackers.

Supported by donations, AEGIS is free and open to all, and offers a mammoth amount of information; something like 340,000 text files that cover everything from resources to treatments. It draws on sources all over the world, including the Centers for Disease Control, the Public Health Service, and the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AMFAR). AEGIS also carries all of the Fidonet, HIVNet, and Usenet newsgroups regarding AIDS.

The service carries daily bulletins from the U.S. Department of Health, news items, the latest drug-test reports, treatment recommendations, and a wealth of supportive postings. For example, there's a well-written, realistic, and upbeat article directed at people who have just tested positive for the HIV virus.

AEGIS is now six years old. Since I first visited in 1994, it has gained telnet access (telnet:aegis.com) and added a Web site (http://www.aegis.com). Quick keyword searches of the material are available, both via dial-up (714-248-2836) and from the Web. Dialing up gets you access to the message conferences, which are not yet accessible from the Web. Handles are permitted on the dial-up side, and the Web site requires no login procedure, so anonymity is preserved. However, because of the nature of online systems, Sister Mary Elizabeth cannot guarantee privacy.

If you are concerned about AIDS and HIV, know someone who is, or simply want to see how a BBS can offer something of great value at no cost to those in need, check out AEGIS.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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