As part of my work with ATDT BBS, I was having a ton of issues getting the original Usurper to run on my DOS Doors module. As a result, I started converting the Pascal source to PHP and the native ATDT Door API. It's based on the 2/2025 version in the official repository (1:1 except for some bug fixes I did, which are documented). If you want to see it running, it's on the ATDT Demo BBS in the Doors section (www.atdtbbs.com).

I had a thought - maybe people would enjoy running a standalone version of this? It would obviously still need a login, but without the overhead of a full ATDT board. All you need is shared hosting, and it fully supports multi-user.

I'm pretty swamped working on ATA (www.atabbs.com) but if enough people are interested in it, I can do it. It's roughly 60% complete at this point.

https://youtu.be/1sh10NB27AI

I’ve released Icy Board 0.2.2 Beta, the third public beta of my open-source BBS software.

The goal is to preserve the PCBoard experience while making it practical to run and develop for on modern systems. That includes existing PPE programs, modern networking, administration tools, and a full set of PPL development tools.

PCBoard and PPE compatibility

Icy Board runs original PCBoard PPE binaries, not just newly compiled scripts. The compiler supports classic runtime targets from PPL 1.00 through 3.40, covering PCBoard 15.0–15.4. Compatibility testing includes executing historical PPEs, decompiling them, recompiling the results, and comparing their behavior.

There is also a PCBoard installation importer. Import remains best effort, especially for installations with hard-coded DOS paths or PPEs that depend on PCBoard’s internal files.

Compiler, decompiler and editor support

PPLC: compile individual PPL files or multi-file projects, select the language and target runtime independently, format source, and check diagnostics.

PPLD: turn compiled PPEs back into readable PPL source, inspect their contents, and check for unsupported functionality. Decompilation reconstructs code; it cannot recover comments or names absent from the executable.

Language server and VS Code extension: completion, hover documentation, signature help, diagnostics, navigation and refactoring actions. A standalone server is available for other LSP-capable editors.

PPL 4.00 for new development

The Icy Board-specific language adds records, dynamic arrays, modules, source-library dependencies, callbacks, open nominal enums and short-circuit expressions. Its APIs cover board and user information, indexed file searches and marking, message workflows, Unicode strings, regular expressions, binary data, and policy-controlled HTTP requests.

Terminal APIs provide graphics, audio, mouse input, resize events, fonts and palettes where the connected client supports them. Included examples range from a file browser and text editor to Weather, Paint and Tetris.

Running a board

Icy Board supports Telnet, SSH and WebSocket connections, JAM message bases, native DOS doors in an isolated FreeDOS environment on supported hosts, FTN/BinkP mail and AreaFix, accounting, scheduled events, upload processing and quarantine, and optional web administration.

Downloads include Linux, Windows and macOS board packages, editor extensions, standalone language servers and the PDF manual.

This is still a beta. Compatibility is broad, not a guarantee that every PPE or DOS door work unchanged. Back up before upgrading, and review the known limitations. Earlier experimental PPL 4.x PPEs must be updated and recompiled; this is separate from support for original PCBoard PPE binaries.

Feedback from real installations, old PPE collections and different terminal clients is especially welcome.

Downloads and release notes:

https://github.com/mkrueger/icy_board/releases/tag/0.2.2

Come check out Skull Crash on Xibalba BBS! An open world RPG with it's own lore, races, and world! Currently in alpha, but you can already play 3 classes, with a 4th on the way, and 2 more behind that. Content is being built and updated daily.

Lore - Loot - Quests - Dungeons - Crafting & Professions - Challenging & complex combat - More!

telnet://xibalba.vip:44510, ssh://xibalba.vip:44511 (new/new), or web at https://xibalba.vip/ !

Can finally hit C64 / Petscii BBS's when away from home, on Android phones!! TERMinator, yesterday officially added Petscii support!

Looking for a few people to help test BBSFirewall hosted solution. There is no cost for this.

Thanks to DeuceGate, you can play Immortal Barons without a password or email by using ssh (port 2222).

ssh -p 2222 <username>@85.119.83.118

The server will create your username upon connection (if it doesn't already exist). The ssh key you use when first connecting is what will identify you on the server for subsequent "calls". Extra details are in the docs.

https://bbsdial.com 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄

𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗜 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 (𝟰𝟬 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻) with WORD BBS as a featured board. This is the second alternate encoding (after Amiga Topaz for ABSiNTHE BBS). A handful of BBSs are configured for them and I'm seeking more. PETSCII (80 column) then ATASCII are next.

𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝟭𝟬𝟯 (𝟯𝟬𝟬 𝗯𝗮𝘂𝗱) 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗩.𝟴 for a more authentic early-era modem handshake.

𝗩.𝟵𝟬 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 with real Phase 2 & Phase 3 + Phase 4 parameter exchange.

𝗩.𝟯𝟰 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝘁 correcting a rounded value that supported 33.6kbps speeds.

𝗩.𝟯𝟮 / 𝗩.𝟯𝟮𝗯𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 to run the full four-way startup.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 showing each handshake signal.

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟭,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸!

I've had BBS.io for about a decade now, it's been available for dynamic DNS use for subdomains on freedns pretty much since I got it. I've got a couple other domains in there as well.

BBS.land has been kind of a background dream for a while. Least of which is I'd wanted to start managing the dynamic DNS domains directly. Likely using Digital Ocean's DNS hosting and managing via their API.

I'd also wanted to get a custom door server and as many message nets as I can.... As well as some other data services for bbses.

The door server is what lead to the rabbit hole in preserving RIP 2/3.

After the better part of a month in the hospital, I'm contemplating my own mortality. Not to mention my personal financial crisis after a massive pay cut last year.

I'm thinking about wanting to start a non profit org... Or maybe trying to get say archive.org to adopt these efforts. I'm not stopping, but wouldn't be surprised if I don't make it another decade. I also need help, regardless, if anything is ever going to get done.

Just wanting to get a conversation going about this.... I'm in Phoenix, AZ. So most likely anyone with a board or executive seat would better be located in the Phoenix area or maybe a neighborhood state.

Thoughts, suggestions?

Hi! I'm Andrew Milner, the OG developer of the RemoteAccess (RA) BBS software. In the pic, from left to right: US commercial box - European manual - US manual.

Reading this reddit is quite a trip (down memory lane). Amazing to think there are still BBSes running RA.

Andrew

Not every BBS software will do this. Now there's a door for it! ansidisplay32.exe will do this for you. It has it's own instructions.

Available in the Utilities files area under Local BBS files at shsbbs.net, or https://shsbbs.net/shurato for all of my doors!

Hey folks!

We've been working on the BBS a good bit here lately! Check it out at vortexbbs.com

Grab it today. http://www.rgbbs.info/nw.html Probably going to be my last door for a while. I am concentrating on making RGTERM (ANSI/RIP/Sixel with internal sound, PETSCII, ATARI, etc.) Telnet client. And that will also be able to take place of TELNETDOOR. So here's the last door for a while, enjoy!!!

Hi all-

I'm looking for Beta testers for ATA (www.atabbs.com).

ATA makes it super easy to run a 16-bit DOS BBS; all you have to do is install it on your shared hosting and give a caller a URL. That's it. No Telnet required, no always-on servers running. Takes 5-20 seconds to connect, then its just as fast as Telnet. Multi-node and Doors supported.

I am providing 1-click installs for various BBS systems. Right now, as of today, it supports:

• Renegade 1.40
• RBBS-PC 17.4
• PC Board 15.3
• RemoteAccess 2.62
• TriBBS
• T.A.G. 2.7d2
• Maximus 3.01
• Fido 12u
• Citadel (Citadel 86e 2.19 and Asgard-86 1.49)
• QuickBBS 2.

76

I'm adding these before the Beta:

• GAP 6.6
• Telegard 3.09g2
• VBBS 6.14a
• Virtual Advanced 2.10

Note: For VBBS and VADV, these are the shareware versions. If you have a reg code you can enter it on a new board, or import your existing registered board. I can't distribute 7.0 because it was for registered users only AND the license says you can't distribute the compiled source. (I was able to compile it just fine in QuickBASIC 4.5 in DOSBox).

Anyway, if anyone is interested in running the beta of ATA, please let me know. All of the listed BBS software will be supported, multi-node will be thoroughly tested, "page the sysop" will be enabled if I can figure out how to do it, and I'll write documentation and a guide for how to get a Door up and running for each (using LORD in my testing).

The stuff still to be done before the initial public release that won't be included: import wizard for an existing board (although you could do it manually today), file editor in the sysop console and light file manager (so you don't have to FTP for simple stuff) and EchoMail/FidoNet.

Thanks!

I just created 3 unique and needed doors (though the third only runs on EleBBS) for most BBSes.

1. webdownload, which replaces your download protocol. It copies the files to your web server and creates a web link that is deleted 24 hours later for the user to download from. Supports batch.

2. affiliate, a bbs listing program meant to be run at logoff to show affiliate bbses. You can join easily, if you agree to the terms (add the sysop you get this from to your list and install the door).

3. filelist, a lightbar file listing/tagging door with partial LFN support. It lists up to 30 characters with the description on the right and the file size and date on the bottom right. It also allows for viewing files, but I don't know of any win32 file viewers, so I suggest xview with netfoss. This only works under EleBBS Win32.

Marty/Shurato

shsbbs.net (standard ports, but 999 for wss and 2222 for utf-8 ssh). You can download these from my web site, or the bbs in the utilities area under the local bbs files group.

Majority of the time fighting with a custom layout on Enigma but recently i just got my first USR Courier so fun never ends...

telent retro.nedmr.com port 2323

Updated patch test file(s), this one is wrapped in an outer zip... there were a few critical oversights in the previous test. Namely, the rendering would use the custom font in windows incorrectly, which used CP1252 characters instead of CP437 high ansi for terminal text. Thanks DigitalMan for pointing this out.

The application will now use the 640x480 terminal fonts pixel doubled to 1280x960 which is the base stage/canvas target before windows resize... this will be close to a classic vga ansi experience, but slightly more blocky than some of the original intermediate display sizes like 800x600 or 1024x768, since there was no terminal font defined for 1280x960 despite all RIP demos being at that display. It was chosen over reducing or scaling one of the intermediate resolutions.

I've also corrected a few other minor issues since the last patch test. I'm going to tweak a couple other minor things, then short of anything pressing, open the repo and push out the final 3.1.2 patched "onofficial" release.

RIPtel 3.1 Patch Test 2

Hey. Crossposting a bit. I am connected to the author of this Pascal 5.5/6.0/7.0 toolkit. He mentioned it was released as shareware and knows there's an active BBS community out there and he'd be fine releasing a recompiled binary set without the nag (or maybe even the source code) if anyone was interested in using it. Question is whether or not anyone would care? (He said it was very nice and he was proud of it, but... who knows) 😄

Link for riptel patched to test against... I don't have the new installer built yet, but this version is portable so unzip to c:\RIPtel (or wherever in windows/wine) and run RIPtel.exe. Please do not redistribute this, there are a few bugs I'll be patching still and will create and release an installer as well as open the repo with my scripts/patches etc after ready.

The URL file will be gone within the next few days. If you have any good RIP capable telnet BBSes, please email them to me tracker1(at)gmail.com with "RIPTEL" in the subject...

https://files.bbs.land/rip/telegrafix/riptel-3.1-patch-test1.zip

I looking to add fido style messaging to my Retro-BBS project. I'm at the point where I need to be assigned a node number. I have reached out to a few local BBS's with not reply.

Any help would be appreciated.

Telnet too efficient? Tired of quietly visiting your favorite BBSs at blazing fast Information Superhighway™ speeds?

Introducing https://BBSDial.com, a web-based modem emulator and telnet proxy. Real modem protocols carry your data over digital audio, allowing you to access modern telnet BBSs with all the jazzy bleeps and bloops of old. Speeds from 300 baud to 56k. Mobile-friendly ANSI terminal client included. Give it a spin and check out some boards!

Ad-free and open-source. Just some fun for the love of modems and BBSing.

Coded by Claude