Blue Wave Offline Mail Reader

A special note needs to be made here to this wonderful software. Blue Wave was one of the more popular offline mail readers used in Singapore back during the days of BBSes, before the Internet gained popularity. A BBS would configure a Blue Wave mail door for users to access. Through the mail door, users were able to select the discussion boards that they wish to download, including filters, etc. The mail door would then compile the mails into a mail packet for download.

Once the mail packet has been downloaded, the user can then read the mails and reply to them offline using the Blue Wave offline mail reader. Replies can be crafted and consolidated into a reply mail packet. This packet is uploaded to the BBS through the Blue Wave mail door.

The offline mail system meant that users do not need to stay online to read and reply their mail. For BBSes which had large mail traffic and limited phone lines (most BBSes operated only one phone line for remote access), Blue Wave allowed more users to exchange mail as users no longer need to hog the precious phone line to read and reply. It allowed BBSes like Lothlorien BBS to see mail traffic averaging 150 to 200 mails daily with a single dedicated phone line.

Sad to say, with the rise of the Internet, the mail door and offline mailer has lost its grounds, but the Blue Wave graphic shall remain part of the fond memories I have of my teenage years.

(Image source)