Hotline-like BBS client/server reboot for the 2020s? reddit / bbs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 13_0_0_0_0 · 2022-12-29 20:21 I was huge into BBSs in the 80s, starting when only 300 baud was available and there was only 1 BBS in my metro area. A decade later I got into Hotline a little. I really liked the more app-centric client concept. The clients and servers seem mostly defunct and unmaintained for many years, including the open source hxd variants. Lately I was daydreaming about a reboot of the effort using modern technologies. Specifically: * REST client/server protocol over TLS with JWT (JSON Web Token) authentication * IRC, Jabber, or some other modern-ish backend text based chat mechanism * WebRTC or SIP for voice/video * A subset of HTML or CSS for navigation presentation (kind of how Reddit allows for a certain level of customization) * Webdav (or maybe just regular http post/get) for file storage and retrieval. * Distributed decentralized trackers (with opt-in) * Server-in-a-box Docker containers using Docker Compose * Clients written for smart devices. * Web clients * Architected such that text-only clients can still ssh in and use many of the services. * Ability to gateway into external data. RSS feeds for example, or maybe more esoteric things like Ham Radio APRS or X.25 packet networks. * Games and doors? I know we have a plethora of systems out there that cover some/most of this (Discord, Stack, Mastodon, Matrix, Teams, other various social media platforms, etc). I'm mostly just thinking out loud and seeing what the community here thinks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- grenadeselfie · 2022-12-29 21:11 sshhhh, bbs people are hibernating until the next nostalgia wave. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 13_0_0_0_0 · 2022-12-29 22:49 Understood. Maybe I'll plan ahead and work on bringing back 110 baudot teletype instead. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PaulLee420 · 2022-12-29 23:16 I, and also MeaTLoTioN, still have KDX Hotline servers up and running right now. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 13_0_0_0_0 · 2022-12-29 23:25 Holy shit. I might have to hop back on his bbs and find out more. I haven't been on there in a while, it's quantum wormhole right? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- PaulLee420 · 2022-12-29 23:26 Yea, his is QW and mine is 2o fOr beeRS. He has a KDX Hotline ansi with information that displays when you login. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- dmine45 · 2022-12-29 23:27 That sounds really cool, but would this be something an average person would set up on their own? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 13_0_0_0_0 · 2022-12-29 23:29 Oh hell I know your board. QW and 20 for beers were like the main two boards I was "calling" a year ago. Time to get back in. Cheers! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 13_0_0_0_0 · 2022-12-29 23:32 I think the Docker containers would make something like that easy. Or maybe something even simpler like an Electron app with sqlite DB. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- SpitfireTN · 2022-12-30 02:08 A BBS will always be run on a personal computer and not on the web!! That is how I run my 3 boards. [www.rofbbs.com](https://www.rofbbs.com) just tells you about them, but you will have to use a terminal to connect via telnet or dial-up. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [deleted] · 2022-12-30 07:14 [deleted] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- lucidphreak · 2023-02-03 14:20 if KDX had of kept going it could have been so freaking amazing... what a serious letdown that whole scene was/is... beautiful software. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ForceProper1669 · 2023-10-16 06:07 > I run my 3 boards. > >www.rofbbs.com > > just tells you about them, but you will have to use a termina Unfortunately, KDX really started right when Bittorrent did... Bittorrent was like a bullet to the head of the entire Hotline/KDX style server/client system. Too many servers were complete NAZIS. BANNED people because you didn't say hi on login even when you were a regular uploader... I still have some people that I hold grudges from , from the early 2000s... I hate torrents when they first came out.. but later ultimately loved them . They completely removed the community aspect of everything, and turned it into what it really should be, efficient mode of transportation for files. Perhaps the most efficient. The community aspect sounds great and all.. but is shit. that Is why it died. Too many assholes who think power is fun and like to fuck with people. Private trackers do the same thing.. but at least you are not relegated to only that with torrents. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Kaizenism · 2023-11-28 12:34 I want something like this so much! I've dreamed of building something like this too.