It was almost entirely asynchronous. Most BBSes had only a single line, so you'd be the only one online (once you managed to get through). You'd read your mai

It was almost entirely asynchronous. Most BBSes had only a single line, so you'd be the only one online (once you managed to get through). You'd read your mail, check the latest forum messages, maybe make some posts, play your turns in the door games, and then... well, nothing would happen until you hang up and let other people have a chance. Maybe if the sysop was around you could have real-time text chat (in split screen). But it was mostly a much more delayed gratification than using the internet is today.