The internet has gotten so much attention that no one ever seems to mention the BBS anymore. Write letters and articles to your local papers about the BBS community and get them interested in giving it some media. Second, support your local BBSes by calling them and if they are worthy, even donating to them. Third, encourage your local BBSes to hook up to the internet so they are accessible through the world wide web. Many sysops are afraid to do this because they do not understand how to go about doing so.
Internet access is a survival issue for local BBSes now.
If the internet is like a super highway then we have to construct on and off ramps to the local BBSes to provide access for the majority of online users. People want a BBS which will also be an internet provider for them. I think this is a hollow pipe-dream and that those sysops are simply deluding themselves and will in the end discover their folly in not adapting to the changing needs of their users. In fact, If I were to speculate on BBS trends here are my predictions for the 1998 to year 2000 period. Traditional BBS use will continue to decline.