Why not just use Synchronet or Mystic?
Both are pretty easy to learn and set up.
https://x-bit.org/spitfire/Coolness, thanks.
Re: 90s bbs software
By: Jcurtis to NIGHTFOX on Sun Jul 06 2025 04:33 am
there are BBS software packages like Synchronet that run on Linux
What would a user friendly BBS look like. Probably something like linux
I'd probably disagree.. I think BBS packages make the BBS experience more u friendly than Linux would. I've never seen a BBS just using Linux as the "B software"..
Nightfox
I've used a public unix or two, and while theere is the
same functionality, it was not as nice as the BBS. Some
of the communication mechanisms were quite awkward.
The only real advantage I can see was multitasking
What does a BBS do. Files. Messages. Chat. Maybe doors. 26 letters and 10 function keys give you 36 modeless meanings. And there's always two letter commands if you need more.
Not all BBS user interfaces use command letters - have you not seen a lightbar-driven interface (e.g. lbshell for Synchronet)?
Not all BBS user interfaces use command letters - have you not seen a
lightbar-driven interface (e.g. lbshell for Synchronet)?
IDK what that is. Was it around in the 90s? I'm only interested in text interfaces. Not GUI if that's what it takes.
A lightbar interface is something that shows a menu with a selected option highlighted, and you can choose an option from the menu by moving the selected
item up/down with the arrow keys and pressing enter (usually).
Not all BBS user interfaces use command letters - have you not seen a lightbar-driven interface (e.g. lbshell for Synchronet)?
IDK what that is.
Was it around in the 90s?
I'm only interested in text interfaces. Not GUI if that's what it takes.
A lightbar interface is something that shows a menu with a selected option
highlighted, and you can choose an option from the menu by moving the
selected
item up/down with the arrow keys and pressing enter (usually).
That's how Borland's C++ 3.1 integrated environment works. I never knew the moving green bar was called a "light" bar. A green light. Means go. Imagine that. Yes it was around in the 90s. Not sure how it would work remotely with a BBS, client side or server side. No matter. My interest is limited to text command interface design.
A "lightbar" is a highlighted menu option that is moved around with arrow keys, sometimes called a "matrix menu".
text (and typically ANSI for color and cursor positioning over typical BBS interfaces, e.g. serial lines and modems).
the quote selection window in SlyEdit
the quote selection window in SlyEdit
IDK anything about your program. If you have a sales pitch hit me with it.
the quote selection window in SlyEdit
IDK anything about your program. If you have a sales pitch hit me with it
That's irrelevant to the conversation..? I was simply giving you an example o
what a lightbar is in a text-based BBS context..
Haven't looked at it yet. I wanted an overview first. But if it's
not for DOS never mind.
if it's not for DOS never mind.
It's for QNX. Just forget the whole thing, you won't like it anyway.
I've used a public unix or two, and while theere is the
same functionality, it was not as nice as the BBS. Some
of the communication mechanisms were quite awkward.
A menu may be faster but mode context is still not user friendly. When "A" means one thing on the message menu and something else on the file menu, it's awkward for ordinary people. They will leave and savant designers are too smart to understand why.
What does a BBS do. Files. Messages. Chat. Maybe doors. 26 letters and 10 function keys give you 36 modeless meanings. And there's always two letter commands if you need more.
The only real advantage I can see was multitasking
I'm not saying linux is a better BBS. I'm saying BBS designers of the 90s failed.
* SLMR 2.1a *
BBS designers of the 90s failed.
Have you actaully heard people complain that there is an issue with menus on a
BBS, and have they said they've not come back from it?
You seem to be talking about what *may* happen, but is this based on actual observation?
Have you actaully heard people complain that there is an issue with menusa
on
BBS, and have they said they've not come back from it? You seem to be
talking about what *may* happen, but is this based on actual observation?
The crowd is long gone. Only a tiny population remain. Their view is skewed by various psychological factors. They don't prove anything.
BBS user interface could be improved, but who has the time. Might be fun but I don't.
A "lightbar" is a highlighted menu option that is moved around with arrow keys, sometimes called a "matrix menu".
text (and typically ANSI for color and cursor positioning over typical BBS interfaces, e.g. serial lines and modems).
Sounds like heavy traffic when the user holds down an arrow key to cycle rapidly through the matrix. Seems better suited for client side code, like Borland's integrated environment.
necessarily a GUI thing, and is used in some BBS things. I'm pretty sure it existed in the 90s.
BBS designers of the 90s failed.
Have you actaully heard people complain that there is an issue with menus a
BBS, and have they said they've not come back from it?
You seem to be talking about what *may* happen, but is this based on actua observation?
The crowd is long gone. Only a tiny population remain. Their view is skewed by various psychological factors. They don't prove anything.
BBS user interface could be improved, but who has the time. Might be fun but I don't.
* SLMR 2.1a *
Trying to update the BBS user interface to get more people to use it, is like trying to modernise the horse-drawn carriage, to make it more appealing to people.
These things are quaint curiosities. I did look at seriously using a BBS for a small personal network with others, to chat and message, but it just didn't make sense to use that instead of Internet based technologies like IRC and NNTP or Mastodon, Matrix, etc.
Re: 90s bbs software popularityI have both setup also. I am trying to figure out how to get fido net and all of the other message groups on it. I'm sure I am over complicating it, same thing with trying to get doors installed. I am also trying to change the login and log screens but no luck yet! hahah I just need to sit down with it for a while to figure this stuff out.
I have both setup also. I am trying to figure out how to get fido net and al of the other message groups on it. I'm sure I am over complicating it, same thing with trying to get doors installed. I am also trying to change the
Re: 90s bbs software popularityI have both setup also. I am trying to figure out how to get fido net and all of the other message groups on it. I'm sure I am over complicating it, same thing with trying to get doors installed. I am also trying to change the login and log screens but no luck yet! hahah I just need to sit down with it for a while to figure this stuff out.
i'm in the upper midwest. the bbs softwares we ran were a few odd ones, and then renegade, iniquity, telegard, RA, and tbbs. oh a few really popular vadv bbses.
have a ton of BBS Warez including fully registerd BBS Software
doors , utils and miscs on my board if your intrested in playing
around with some of the older warez
uh, pretty sure most of them came from me. i'm on your bbs and i see them right now
Re: 90s bbs software popularity
By: MRO to BRoKeNMiND on Thu Aug 21 2025 07:44 pm
uh, pretty sure most of them came from me. i'm on your bbs and i see them right now
You might have a copy of them but most likly they did not come from
you but it's possible I might have grabbed something from your board
at one time or another. I lost a lot of stuff a few years ago and
have downloaded a bunch from synchronet boards and from friends
from back in the day.
I haven't tried setting up fido, I have set up many Doors
though. have you looked into bbslink.net ?
... The only good MAC is a Big Mac.
| Sysop: | DaiTengu |
|---|---|
| Location: | Appleton, WI |
| Users: | 1,066 |
| Nodes: | 10 (0 / 10) |
| Uptime: | 179:41:14 |
| Calls: | 13,708 |
| Files: | 186,949 |
| D/L today: |
777 files (216M bytes) |
| Messages: | 2,416,072 |
