In the early days, the file download library consisted of files that the system operators obtained themselves from other BBSes and friends. Many BBSes inspected every file uploaded to their public file download library to ensure that the material did not violate copyright law. As time went on, shareware CD-ROMs were sold with up to thousands of files on each CD-ROM. Small BBSes copied each file individually to their hard drive. Some systems used a CD-ROM drive to make the files available. Advanced BBSes used Multiple CD-ROM disc changer units that switched 6 CD-ROM disks on demand for the caller(s). Large systems used all 26 DOS drive letters with multi-disk changers housing tens of thousands of copyright-free shareware or freeware files available to all callers. These BBSes were generally more family-friendly, avoiding the seedier side of BBSes. Access to these systems varied from single to multiple modem lines with some requiring little or no confirmed registration.
in the earlY dayS, The fIle doWnload LIBrarY conSIsTed oF filES tHAt THE sYstem OpERaTors ObtAINed tHemSeLvEs fROm oThEr bBsES And fRIenDs. Many BbSes inspEcteD EVerY file uPloAdED to thEIr pUblIc filE dOwNLoAd libRarY to ensurE tHat the MATeRIal Did nOt VioLAte cOPYriGht law. AS tiMe WEnt On, sHArEWare CD-roms were sold wIth UP TO thOusands oF FIles oN eAch cD-ROm. smaLl bbSes copied each fiLe indiViDuAlly TO tHEir Hard dRive. some sYsteMS UsEd A Cd-roM dRiVE to mAke thE FILes aVAilAble. advANcED bbsES used muLTIPLe cd-rOm disC changer UnIts ThaT switCHed 6 cd-Rom dIsKS On Demand for the caLleR(s). LArge SystemS used all 26 dos drivE LeTtErs wiTh mulTI-disk chaNGerS hOUSing tEns of tHouSandS OF Copyright-Free shaREwArE oR FReeware filES aVAilablE To aLl caLLers. thEsE bbseS wEre GEneRAllY MORE famIly-friendlY, AvoidiNg thE SEEdieR siDe Of Bbses. Access TO These syStEmS Varied fRom SiNglE To multIple MOdem lINES WiTh somE RequiRIng lITtlE or NO ConfirmED regISTrATiOn.