Maximus was rare among BBS software programs because it released in both DOS and OS/2 versions, often together. The documentation for Maximus 3.00 describes the software this way:

             Maximus is a flexible bulletin board package for the DOS and
             OS/2 operating systems. Maximus allows remote users to con-
             nect to the system by modem, read and write messages, par-
             ticipate in public conference areas, send and receive files,
             and much more.

             In addition to the standard message and file features found
             in most BBS programs, Maximus also includes:

             *  MEX, an extension language that combines the best elements
                of the C, Pascal and BASIC languages. MEX includes support
                for advanced language features such as structures, arrays,
                dynamic strings, and pass-by-reference function arguments.
                MEX can be used to customize and extend Maximus in an infi-
                nite number of ways.

             *  MECCA, an easy-to-use scripting language that can be used
                to colorize screens and add simple menus and prompts to
                display files.

             *  Support for RIPscrip graphics. Maximus can detect RIPscrip
                capabilities, automatically size menu output based on the
                terminal window size, display most internal prompts using
                RIPscrip graphics, and much more.

             *  Support for SM, a Presentation Manager LAN monitoring tool
                for OS/2. SM can be used to manipulate and examine multiple
                Maximus sessions running on remote workstations.

             *  Full support for CD-ROMs and other slow filesystems. Maxi-
                mus will copy files to a staging area before a transfer and
                it will only access the drive when absolutely necessary.
                Areas can also be specifically excluded from new files
                searches.

             *  A message tracking system for use in technical support en-
                vironments. Maximus can keep an audit trail of all messages
                in certain areas, assign "ownership" of messages to indi-
                viduals, and produce detailed reports regarding the status
                of various messages.

             *  Support for an unlimited number of message and file areas.
                Maximus also supports "divisions" for constructing multi-
                level message and file area hierarchies.^L