Help test a new 2019 BBS package... reddit / bbs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-10-30 00:52 I have had a small handful (54) help me test - and now, I am opening up the existence to reddit: www.exchangebbs.com ^ That URL is a Web Telnet session using Websockets and HTML5 Canvas - looks nice, and works (still debugging a few ANSI features). Anyway it will default to connecting to PBBS - a BBS package I am writing from scratch... it started out as a NEW PCBOARD until people complained about it benefiting from the name since I was not Clark Development, nor worked at Clark Development. So, now we just call the code Professional BBS. This is written entirely in Modern Pascal (tutorial.modernpascal.com) script engine, and will be released open source - in hopes to inspire others to hack the code and make their own TCP based BBS package. *** THIS IS A PRE-ALPHA TEST CYCLE *** So there may be the occasional glitch, however, it has been tested pretty much since August 2019. I just need more testers - to feel confident in releasing the Alpha release to a handful of Sysops, and then I can officially start the Beta Cycle. I will keep it short - there will be more posts to follow as we unveil the 20+ Door games (in ANSI mode). And once we finish the design of the HTML5 Canvas 2D Game protocol - which is my ultimate goal... bridge BBSing and HTML5. ;-) Cheers/Best Regards/Thanks/Peace Out! Etc.... Ozz ---------------------------------------------------------------------- myself248 · 2019-10-30 02:14 Holy crap, a new BBS in 2019. What's next, a CRT factory? ;) Seriously this is awesome. I've been wondering what a modern reimagination of the BBS concept might look like. I've been thinking HTML and RSS, but there's certainly room for more ANSI goodness too! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- RealDeuce · 2019-10-30 03:44 If it's written from scratch, why does it have a 1998 copyright date? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ebookit · 2019-10-30 04:48 I randomly got a ymodem receive through various parts of the BBS like entering city and entering a message without a full line editor. Then line noise. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-10-30 06:20 Because that is when I first started writing the code... I did it in my spare time back then... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-10-30 06:21 I am working on ANSI underscore support right now in the terminal. Then unicode support - at which point, I think I will be dangerous enough to introduce streaming images. ;-) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-10-30 06:24 Sorry I am confused. YModem works when you select it on a BBS that has file download (and YModem-G support). Once of the problems with YModem is there are different implementations, however, YModem-G everyone seems to have done the same. If you were online when I happen to bounce the server (eg during your message to me) I apologize. I am trying to work on the terminal and not the BBS itself... but, if someone IM's me a typo - I jump right on the server and fix it ASAP. [sorry about that!] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AzuelZorro102 · 2019-10-30 12:47 Nice, registration went smoothly. What is this BBS for? What does it do? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- cwstephenson71 · 2019-10-30 20:45 Is there a Linux version? I run a few BBSes, and would like to give it a go. The New Frontier ][ BBS frontierbbs.net:23 (ssh:222) The Amiga Frontier BBS frontierbbs.net:8888 (ssh:8889) The WWIV Frontier BBS frontierbbs.net:2333 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Android8675 · 2019-10-30 21:04 That's a clean looking BBS, commands are a bit numerous, but maybe I'm just so used to SynchroNet these days it just seems that way. Can't wait to see more. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Android8675 · 2019-10-30 21:06 Everything, and nothing. Pretty much what BBSs have done since the dawn of CPU cycles. (Right now it's just a test, so it's a bit limited, but I imagine eventually it'll be something like [this](http://synchro.net). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [deleted] · 2019-10-30 21:10 [deleted] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AzuelZorro102 · 2019-10-30 21:22 Well gee. I know its a test but its good to know what you're aiming for ;3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Android8675 · 2019-10-30 21:31 I think it'll be a base for making your own extensions (mods if you will), sounds like they are using "Modern PASCAL", haven't played with PASCAL since 95, but I guess it's still a thing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AzuelZorro102 · 2019-10-30 21:33 And here's where i feel out of place because i'm just a dumb 20 year old with no knowledge of programming or the late 90's ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Android8675 · 2019-10-30 21:36 Well in your defense I'm a 48yo father who really doesn't have much of a grasp of any coding save for some rudamentary HTML5 and JavaScript that I've picked up by deconstructing other peoples code. I lived through it, and am seriously behind the curve. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AzuelZorro102 · 2019-10-30 21:48 I know what you mean. Tech is advancing so fast even i'm having trouble keeping up. Do you know if there are any sort of BBSes for music sharing? I know it's old-fashioned but it would be a nice throwback. A really big throwback. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-10-31 01:53 Actually this is going to be (the terminal) the communications layer to a game server technology we have been working on for 2 years now. The BBS aspect allowed me to test the message base code - via implementing BinkP for Fidonet. The protocols, XModem/YModem and ZModem were coded to work over TCP in environments that are not 100% true error free (WISP, CDMA in patrol cars, etc). And of course, I love BBSing, and have found a couple of ANSI artists who are still active... What dos it do? Right now, the "B"ulletins system also drives a Web Blog server. The "M"essage system drives a couple different Web Forums. BBSing was the introduction to many of today's innovations. Multinode Chat (evolved into #twilight, which became IRC publically in the early 90's). Goal of this is - proof of concept, and releasing the source to help teach others how this worked/works. :-) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-10-31 01:58 PBBS and Modern Pascal's CodeRunner work on: Windows 32bit Windows 64bit Linux 32bit Linux 64bit Mac OSX 32bit (have not made a 64bit build, due to an error in my xcode interface) Raspberry Pi 32bit We have pre-alpha builds on my Mac (main development platform), a couple Pi2 and Pi3 machines, and that public site is on a server in Texas. Per exchangebbs.com - the goal is to be a terminal to any and all BBS systems that are still out there... as time permits I try to add another 10 to 15 systems each day... when I remember to do it. I have a list of almost 600 systems. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-10-31 02:00 Thank you! The menus were based upon PCBoard that I was cloning per request - until a few BBS people got feathers in a ruffle about me calling my product PCBoard 16 - so I renamed it last month to PBBS (Professional BBS v16)... and still cleaning the menus into smaller digestible sections as you mention. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Android8675 · 2019-10-31 02:04 Friend runs a music stream off his bbs. I don’t know how integrated it is, but he’s running Synchronet. [realitycheckBBS](http://realitycheckbbs.org/) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-10-31 02:06 SCI space D - is font selection per xterm, syncterm. Per the pre-CONNECT strings, those are actually IAC commands for those connecting via true-blue Telnet clients. Changing them to char-by-char mode instead of string mode, etc. I am glad that you enjoyed it - and I appreciate everyone who has taken a minute to kick the tires! We are doing our first Alpha install Saturday in Netherlands, and the following week (after debugging install headaches) in Canada... then I start the "ß"eta cycle and implementing sound and hopefully 24bit PNG image support for games. All in other ANSI standards (Chicken Protocol for example supports images, and ctx). Thanks for letting me know you used qodem! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [deleted] · 2019-10-31 03:03 [deleted] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- YserviusPalacost · 2019-10-31 12:40 Wow, while I havent had a chance to check this out, I can tell it's very impressive and a labour of love, from which, you've obviously learned (and are learning) a ton regarding this "old" technology, its protocols, and its nuances. I do have to admit, though, that when I saw the URL, I immediately imagined a Microsoft Exchange to Fido/DOVE/QWK bridge... ... and I was like, "I know what I'm doing at work today..." 😁 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-11-01 03:48 Thank you for your *detailed* test! Actually, I introduced in January if I send UTF8 character 3 times, when I do CSI 6n, your terminal will reply either 4;1 (you rendered UTF8) or 10;1 (you are only CP437). Allowing PBBS to autodetect UTF8 is needed instead of CP437 - because if I asked that to a normal user - they would be totally lost and leave. I have shared with Rob (Synchronet author) and Apam (I think WWIV author) and a couple others. It works great - allowing me to use my CP437->UTF8 mapping or just push raw CP437 characters. ;-) iTerm2 and kitty (love the fact you knew wtf I was talking about!) Sometimes I feel like I am the only person who reads *ALL* of the specs I can get my hands on. I am avoid RIP, NAPLPS, SVG, etc. due to performance and lack of tools for all platforms. I am looking to simply use VTX's CTX.TXT file (its on github) to push sprites and sound using CSI ... _ sequences. (But thats later in the year) :-) Thanks for the share (images in terminals)! Ozz ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-11-01 03:49 LMAO! When I got the domain and shared with my team, they all asked basically - who in their right mind wants Fidonet pouring into their Exchange box? :-D ---------------------------------------------------------------------- iheartbaconsalt · 2019-11-01 06:05 Hmm..the web site just times out for me. Halloween night. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- lucidphreak · 2019-11-04 22:15 SSH? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-11-04 23:12 Sorry just noticed reddit has mail - normal reader not poster. That is possible, I was trying to get ready for the next morning - we installed the software in The Netherlands as our first Alpha site. I appreciate your feedback - please come try again. Thanks! Ozz ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-11-04 23:13 No. I am not going that direction with the code. Instead, we are going to go TLS based connections. As PBBS is built with OpenSSL so I can do all kinds of security tricks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- iheartbaconsalt · 2019-11-04 23:14 Oooh! Allright! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- lucidphreak · 2019-11-06 18:23 when dialing a remote c64 bbs that uses petscii graphics will it somehow translate? im assuming not, and yes I am asking before I try it... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NuSkooler · 2019-11-09 03:28 I've been following this on and off on FB, first time trying it. Looking nice! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-11-26 04:53 Thank you for your feedback ... we are currently working on revamping the terminal to support even more amazing features - and yes, there will be a desktop version of the terminal early next year (with same features). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-11-26 04:55 Actually, the software is capable of translation to PETSCII - however, it is not automatic, it is a menu prompt that can be enabled by the operator. Due to the fact we have *many* of these prompts - once tested, I turn them off in the setup program - otherwise you would spend 20 minutes answering questions before you got to the login ;-) FYI, Currently we support 153 fonts (different platforms, different code pages, and dynamic UTF8 also). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- lucidphreak · 2019-11-28 11:43 WOW WTF!!!! That was VERY refreshing.... ALMOST felt like a scene board... What software is it based off of? I could “feel” a few different BBS software packages - sync, celerity, OBV, mystic.... What is involved in registering the software for ones own use? Regardless of whatever you hacked this from - great effort!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-12-10 23:53 Thank you very kindly... I have two different Artists working on graphics for the base product ~ Legacy Krew and an Independent. On discordapp - find ProBBS Server ~ the official name for the software and support Wiki will be announced Christmas. The core BBS and engines are $FREE$ No Hack - 100% from scratch! It is like a node.js or PHP solution, called CodeRunner from Modern Pascal (my "day job")... 100% scripted in Pascal. We have stress tested at 50,000 concurrent test sessions. Originally I was cloning a BBS my father bought for me in 82/83 to learn to code. Then last year, I was asked to re-write PCBoard ~ so I started that direction, until a couple BBS authors got ruffled that I was using the name PCBoard. (Yet, I own one of the few legal source licenses for PCB). Since then, it was renamed to Professional BBS ~ then ProBBS (but sounds too much like ProBoard ~ so I have a new domain and wiki and setup in the works). ExchangeBBS.com is just going to be a Terminal Site ~ and eventually have to 1400+ BBS systems I have collected as connection destinations. Plus ExchangeBBS is running my fork of fTelnet with more ANSI sequences and Fonts specifically for Games. PS. I am working on "Alpha-3" for a release this week ~ if you join us on Discordapp.com - you will have access to the Alpha! A3 is 100% .MNU driven from connection to disconnect ~ allowing every operator to tweak his/her BBS without touching a line of code ... of course the BBS is Open Source and Interpreted - so hackers/coders/moders will have the opportunity to roll-up their sleeves and apply their flavor to the product. Setup is my main focus right now. It has an installer - like doing apt-get. ~ Cheers! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- lucidphreak · 2019-12-11 16:09 so will this bbs soft be scene based/styled right out of the box? hopefully you say yes... lol... also, will file transfers be based on links/ftp or zmodem? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- lucidphreak · 2019-12-11 22:20 i dont see anything in the discord app for your discord server nor do i find it via google. an invite link perhaps? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2019-12-27 10:59 Yes, Legacy Krew are currently working on the ANSI graphics for end to end. (and I am trying to be patient and wait ~ so I am porting different BBS doors to the next release). File Transfer Protocols are being developed. Right now, with my CON/X Terminal ~ you can click a link like your browser does, or you can click the Download YModem-G button. I do YModem-G first, as it is geared towards TCP ~ it assumes the communications layer is doing error checking, so it simply PUSHES as fast as possible at 1kb bursts. I am working on a variant that I call FAFP Protocol (Fast as F Possible)... and it auto-detects just like ZModem. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ozznixon · 2020-02-14 01:17 2020 Status Update... okay, the product is installed on 6 different Alpha test systems. Each tester brings a different talent to the table to help make the product better. Today Feb 13th - I release the 6th round of the Alpha build, had a couple challenges with Windows 10. However, works great. A6 introduces my Tosser and FTN Mailer (BinkP Compatible) that I have been running for 2 years... becoming a little more user friendly. The roadmap for A7, focus on the setup program, add any tweaks requested from the A-Team. Along with possibly a Full Screen Editor for the message area. After A7, I strictly focus on the file areas \~ as that is the main area I have not focused on. (At which point, I think we are ready to show off the new PolySynth sound support, images, Windows/Mac like graphics support, and maybe RIP to SVG graphics. Ozz aka SqZ