Thomas Daniel Jennings (born 1955) is a Los Angeles-based artist and computer programmer, known for his work that led to FidoNet (the first message and file networking bulletin board system, or BBS), and for his work at Phoenix Software on MS-DOS integration and interoperability.

Work

In 1983, Jennings created the Fido program, which spawned FidoNet,

Aside from creating the protocol for networking BBSes, Jennings wrote the portable BIOS that led to Phoenix Technologies BIOS, contributing to on MS-DOS integration and interoperability; ran an early regional internet service providerThe Little Garden (later incorporated as TLGnet, Inc).

From 1988 until 1991, while he lived in San Francisco, Jennings was the publisher and co-editor, with Deke Nihilson, of Homocore, one of the earliest Queercore zines. The name came from the pages of J.D.s zine, and featured musicians and writers such as The Apostles, Steve Abbott, Donna Dresch, Larry Livermore, Daniel Nicoletta and G. B. Jones.

In 2002, Jennings was interviewed for the series BBS: The Documentary, released online (partial content) and to home video in DVD format (full content) in 2005.

Personal life

In a 1996 Wired article he was described as a "homo punk activist" and "anarchist".

References

  • "The Anarchist", by Paulina Borsook. Wired.com. (April 1, 1996)