Trying out Software, question about Synchronet ...
reddit / bbs

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thatpragmaticlizard · 2020-03-26 05:57

So, from other posts I've made in /r/bbs ... yes, I'm going to write a
door that I started on long long ago provided my resolve holds long
enough.  To do this, I'm actually setting up 3 to 4 systems for
testing, but will only one BBS in production mode with the door in
"production" mode.

The systems I am going to be running (Ubuntu Linux 18.04 under a
docker container) are:

Mystic

Synchronet

Enigma1/2

WWIV -- (which was one of the most annoying pieces of compile I've had
to go through)

I tend to like Mystic but Synchronet seems to support more toolsets of
a modern age e.g. usable HTTP interface (not that's a big deal, but a
nice to have) and has generally more flexibility.  However, unless I'm
missing something, Synchronet has one problem that causes me to twitch
... a lot.  So, perhaps someone can shed some light on the fact that
it seems Synchronet limits passwords to 8 characters?  I know this was
all the rage back in the 80's (to have 4-8 character requirement) but
I tend to like pass phrases rather than passwords or at least longer
strings.

Is there a way to change this?  Each board software has plusses and
negatives (e.g. Mystic's reliance on Python 2 is a bit twitchy,
Syncronet's multiuser chat isn't as nice as Mystic's) but having such
a password limitation seems to almost be a stopper -- which for such
an advanced and solid piece of software is surprising.

Ultimately my community of users that I'm cultivating will vote on
this but if this password limit is a real (and unchangeable) thing, I
may have to drop it from the contention. :(  And I don't really want
to without at least getting this question answered.

Thank you for any information.  Back to testing and writing
Dockerfiles for me!

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dmine45 · 2020-03-26 22:03

I have never noticed that, but since it has its roots from the DOS
days, it doesn't surprise me. You may want to Rob Swindell about it
(Synchronet main author).

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thatpragmaticlizard · 2020-03-26 22:16

Yeah, it's no shock to me either as to why it exists, but it's
surprising that it's something that has continued to this day on
something with continued support.  I'll reach out and see if I can get
an answer from the source.  Thanks!