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  • Retro BBS Setup

    From David Gonzalez@4:930/1 to All on Thursday, January 23, 2025 21:01:50
    Hi everyone!

    I’ve searched far and wide—Google included—but detailed info on this topic seems scarce. So, if you’re considering suggesting “just Google it,” let’s skip that part. 😉 Instead, if you know of any websites, guides, or resources that explain how to run the software I’m working
    with, I’d be incredibly grateful if you could share them.

    Here’s what I’ve got up and running so far:

    US Robotics 56K Fax External Modem: Currently figuring out how to passthrough the COM port.
    DOSEMU2: Fully operational on Ubuntu 24, running on a VM.
    Renegade (DOS version): Successfully launches as a door from Mystic
    BBS and works perfectly.

    Now, here’s what I’d like to achieve:

    Telnet: Mystic seems to have this covered for now.
    FrontDoor 2.20 ML: I’ve heard there’s a Telnet/BinkP-compatible version. Any thoughts or guidance on this?
    Fastecho, Allfix, or Internet Rex: I’m planning to set these up as
    part of the workflow.
    Ideally, Mystic would pass control of both Telnet and the modem (currently virtual) to FrontDoor. The idea is that FrontDoor would
    handle dial-up users and, just like in the old days, distinguish between
    a human caller (who gets passed to the BBS) and a mail call.

    This whole "dial-in access" project is really just a passion project for
    me. It’s a challenge I’ve set for myself, and while I’m not expecting anyone to actually call in, I’m hoping to replicate the experience using VoIP to mimic PSTN lines. It’s a bit of a nostalgic dream, but one I’m determined to make happen.

    Here’s where I need help:

    I’ve started working through FrontDoor’s setup—paths, configurations, etc.—and I’ll tackle Fastecho, Allfix, or IREX next. However, I’m unsure how to handle outgoing mail via BinkP, so user mail flows seamlessly over Telnet. Any advice on that?
    Is this even worth all the effort? I’m having fun with it, but I’d love to hear if anyone else has walked this path or has insights to share.

    If you’ve done something similar or have suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. This project is a labor of love, and every bit of advice
    helps. Let’s bring some retro magic back to life!

    Hasta la vista, baby!
    --
    Atentamente/Regards
    David G
    SysOp @SkyNet BBS (bbs.skynetbbs.com:20023)

    --- Mystic BBS/NNTP v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: SkyNet BBS Colombia bbs.skynetbbs.com:20023 (4:930/1)
  • From Alexander Grotewohl@1:120/616 to David Gonzalez on Friday, January 24, 2025 01:39:09
    On 23 Jan 2025, David Gonzalez said the following...

    Hi everyone!

    OMG HI

    Telnet: Mystic seems to have this covered for now.

    I LOVE MYSTIC

    This whole "dial-in access" project is really just a passion project for me. It’s a challenge I’ve set for myself, and while I’m not

    DIALUP!

    I’d love to hear if anyone else has walked this path or has insights
    to share.

    EVERY SINGLE ECHO YOU'VE POSTED THIS IN LOVES YOU

    /s

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi (1:120/616)
  • From Grant Weasner@1:138/397 to David Gonzalez on Thursday, December 11, 2025 21:39:01
    Re: Retro BBS Setup
    By: David Gonzalez to All on Thu Jan 23 2025 21:01:50


    This whole "dial-in access" project is really just a passion project for
    me. It’s a challenge I’ve set for myself, and while I’m not expecting anyone to actually call in, I’m hoping to replicate the experience using VoIP to mimic PSTN lines. It’s a bit of a nostalgic dream, but one I’m determined to make happen.

    If you’ve done something similar or have suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. This project is a labor of love, and every bit of advice
    helps. Let’s bring some retro magic back to life!

    Have you made any progress on this?

    I have tested setting up a wifimodem directly connected as serial port and getty is taking the call.

    I haven't attempted automated data transfers, upon login. I would need kermit/gkermit, ymodem, zmodem, ..etc.
    --- SBBSecho 3.20-Linux
    * Origin: Lunar Outpost - lunarout.synchro.net (1:138/397)
  • From Rob Swindell@1:103/705 to Grant Weasner on Sunday, December 14, 2025 15:05:16
    Re: Retro BBS Setup
    By: Grant Weasner to David Gonzalez on Thu Dec 11 2025 09:39 pm

    This whole "dial-in access" project is really just a passion project for me. It’s a challenge I’ve set for myself, and while I’m not expecting anyone to actually call in, I’m hoping to replicate the experience using VoIP to mimic PSTN lines. It’s a bit of a nostalgic dream, but one I’m determined to make happen.

    Have you made any progress on this?

    Justa head's up/observation: you quoted a message with UTF-8 content, but your message includes a CHRS line claiming to be "ASCII". I'm not sure if this might be an already-fixed bug in Synchronet or not, but ideally, that shouldn't be happening.
    --
    digital man (rob)

    Rush quote #32:
    Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more
    Norco, CA WX: 71.7°F, 59.0% humidity, 3 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
    --- SBBSecho 3.33-Linux
    * Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)