Collecting Amiga BBS Programs - Anyone got any or know of a source? reddit / bbs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kiwijimm · 2023-06-12 15:38 Hi All, For historical, entertainment and nostalgic reasons I am collecting Amiga BBS Software. I'd like to run and test as much as I can. I am interested in getting hold of full/icensed versions as long as they are either officially abandoned and release to the public (like DLG), abandoned but available (cracked, keys etc) and every effort has been made to contact the author (I am happy to do that) or even if they are still commercially available and I can purchase a license. I have the following: \- Zeus (full version) \- DLG Pro (full version) \- Xenolink (cracked, need to try to get in touch with the author) \- Paragon 2 (not sure of the status of this, haven't run the version I have yet!) \- 4d-BBS - DEMO \- MEBBSNet - DEMO \- FAME (not sure yet) \- AmiExpress - Via GitHub, not sure this counts! \- Excelsior (not sure of license) \- CNET (demo I think. I see the website is still up but can't buy it?) \- MaxsBBS (non-pro version) \- Falcon (full version I think! It was released as freeware I believe) I am aware of: [http://www.bbsdocumentary.com/software/](http://www.bb sdocumentary.com/software/) and I am using it as a resource. I'd really like to get hold of a complete version of: \- MeBBSNet \- Starlink (i.e. with the above the complete lineage of Paragon) \- 4DBBS (I used to run a 4d BBS, but I can't find my disks!) I'd also like copies of any manuals (scans or physicals). I have a complete Paragon disk set and manual (buried in my loft). But I'd love any other material people can point me at. Let me know if you have any of the above or know of a source. Thanks, James ​ ​ ​ ​ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kiwijimm · 2023-06-12 16:18 Some further info after some investigation... So Falcon BBS is what the call "demoware" and is slightly crippled out of the box. If anyone knows where I can get a key let me know. Also, once I have all this stuff compiled in Intend to document it and make it available (if possible and legally). Probably via a BBS as well as via the web Thanks, James ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Otherwise-Willow6904 · 2023-06-12 17:27 I think it is important we share these older programs. I'm doing the same thing with door games. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ten-oh-four · 2023-06-12 18:09 AmiExpress.co.uk has some downloads of licensed Amiexpress v4.12 I think. Also, search "essexx" on AmiNet and you can get system-express, which is my favorite Amiga BBS software of all! Daydream is also an excellent Amiga BBS available on AmiNet but I don't know if there's a valid registration anywhere. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kiwijimm · 2023-06-12 21:28 I agree. These programs were a huge part of my youth and influenced how I use computers today. I'd like to see them preserved and exhibited in some fashion. Hence I want to collect and test as many as possible then catalog how they work and why they were important. I will certainly share the results including a much of the software as possible ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kiwijimm · 2023-06-12 21:32 Awesome! I will check out DayDream and system-express. I have heard of DayDream but not familiar with System Express. Will add both to my list! I grew up in New Zealand and the most common Amiga BBS software as far as I recall was Paragon. Others that I used were Skyline, 4D (ran a 4D BBS for a while) and DLG Pro. Falcon and Maxes made appearances as well. Thanks, James ---------------------------------------------------------------------- RazorKitten · 2023-06-12 23:29 Log into Future World 2 (listed on the Cnet page) Send a note to K-Guide and he's the new owner will help you get a license I bet. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- bigfug · 2023-06-13 04:13 Zeus is not abandoned. I'm in negotiation to hopefully take it open source. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NuSkooler · 2023-06-13 04:23 I would love if you would check Xibalba for anything missing... And perhaps upload what's missing there 😆 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kiwijimm · 2023-06-13 05:48 Hi, Yes! I realised something is still happening with Zeus. We communicated earlier. Good luck with the negotiations , really hope it comes off! That would be great. Let me know if you need any help. Thanks, James ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kiwijimm · 2023-06-13 05:49 Hi, Thanks! I will try this! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kiwijimm · 2023-06-13 05:51 Hi, I will check it out and do that! A lot of the software i already have had been sourced from BBS’s people are doing a good job keeping this stuff archived Thanks, James ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kiwijimm · 2023-06-13 05:55 Also, I love what you are doing with Xibalba and making things available via gopher and nntp etc. I have fond memories of the pre-www internet and using gopher to discover some amazing treasures. And of course much like the internet of today is synonymous with the web, the internet of the early 90’s was all about Usenet. Keep up the good work! Thanks, James ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NuSkooler · 2023-06-13 15:45 Thanks, I love that people are getting some good feels from it! Def a labor or love ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard-Downer · 2023-06-13 16:50 That's great! I used to run a Zeus BBS, I looked into where it was these days and got nowhere. Excited to hear that it might be open sourced! Anywhere I should be to hear if/when it happens? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- crkrjak2001 · 2023-06-13 23:19 Has no one here heard of the [BBSDocumentary.com](https://BBSDocumentary.com) website? Here's a link to the Amiga section:[http://software.bbsdocumentary.com/COMMODOR E/AMIGA/](http://software.bbsdocumentary.com/COMMODORE/AMIGA/) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- bigfug · 2023-06-14 06:17 I visited some BBS friends in Sweden from back in the day a few months ago and one of them wrote "Adventurers of Rylween". I mentioned to him the messages I was getting about Zeus BBS and he went back, had a bit of a salvage, and was able to reverse engineer his own keyfile generator from looking at the 68000 assembler code (he's a clever old stick) and put it up on GitHub so anyone can create their own key: https://github.com/lagergren/rylween-regfile-generator The game archive is available there too. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- bigfug · 2023-06-14 06:20 I had an email from Neil yesterday and he's gradually working on it as time allows. I expect it to be some months off yet, but fingers crossed. I'll post the news here for sure (if Reddit still exists) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- vk3heg · 2023-06-14 10:32 The lineage of starnet: Starnet (Started on Atari) Paragaon (Amiga Port) Starnet (back to the original author, on Amiga) MeBBSnet (Sold by the original author, but still on amiga). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kiwijimm · 2023-06-14 10:35 Hi, Yes, I know about that page. I refer to it above in my original post. Its an excellent resource ---------------------------------------------------------------------- vk3heg · 2023-06-14 10:36 As Zeus is Amiga, it would be better talking about it on EAB (English Amiga Board), as that site won't go AWOL.... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kiwijimm · 2023-06-14 10:37 Yeah. It's quite a story! To be honest I didn't realise it started on the ST till I read the thing on the BBS documentary site. I originally thought Paragon was the first. Thanks, James ---------------------------------------------------------------------- vk3heg · 2023-06-14 10:37 A full archive of Fame BBS is on Aminet. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- vk3heg · 2023-06-14 10:44 I was a Paragon, then Startnet sysop back in the day. Didn't go over to MeBBSNet. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- kiwijimm · 2023-06-14 10:45 I was super envious of the Paragon Sysops. In my youthful eye's Paragon was the pinnacle of BBS software :-) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AirlineGlobal5918 · 2023-07-10 17:52 How about TransAmiga and Xenolink ? not sure of the current status of either. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [deleted] · 2023-08-15 14:12 [removed]