Access to Insight began in 1993 as a bulletin board system run by a volunteer with support from the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies.
As the internet grew in popularity compared to bulletin board services, ATI began to transition to a web-based format.
In March 1995 the website became ATI's primary electronic presence; the BBS service was discontinued before the end of the year.
ATI includes texts from the Pali Canon, many works published by the Buddhist Publication Society, and teachings translated from Thai by the Western-born Thanissaro Bhikkhu, abbot of the Metta Forest Monastery near San Diego, California, USA.
For example, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, although he does not have Internet access, proclaims it as a valuable resource,[3] and Pali scholar Bhikku Bodhi also recommends it.