Greetings all,

I'm throwing this out there to see if there would be any interest in a web based BBS. In other words, one that did not require a terminal program to connect to. I know there are currently web interfaces to Synchronet and Mystic, as an added layer, but those are not the main focus of these systems. I'm asking if there would be an interest in a system that's main focus is a browser interface. I've built a prototype of a http BBS I call RetroBoard that allows access with just a web browser and is centered around that. It also displays ANSI and RIP screens. I'm not trying to disrupt anything here, I'm just curious if anyone else has given this any thought? You can check it out at https://www.firesidebbs.com/home with any web browser.

Vince

---
þ Synchronet þ TeleGodzilla BBS/telegodzilla.com:50023

On 18 Sep 2025, Lonewolf said the following...

I'm throwing this out there to see if there would be any interest in a
web based BBS. In other words, one that did not require a terminal

i can't see using it. i LIKE using the terminal and the normal bbs interface. if i'm going to use a web browser, there i like using SMF or phpBB

It also displays ANSI and RIP screens.

this is neat though don't get me wrong. i just duno what the use case is, since we're ditching nostalgia for terminal stuff AND nostalgia for 90s-early 2000s forums

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: cold fusion - cfbbs.net - grand rapids, mi

Re: Web Based BBS
By: Lonewolf to All on Thu Sep 18 2025 04:32 pm

I'm throwing this out there to see if there would be any interest in a web based BBS. In other words, one that did not require a terminal program to connect to. I know there are currently web interfaces to Synchronet and Mystic, as an added layer, but those are not the main focus of these systems. I'm asking if there would be an interest in a system that's main focus is a browser interface. I've built a prototype of a http BBS I call RetroBoard that allows access with just a web browser and is centered around that. It also displays ANSI and RIP screens. I'm not trying to disrupt anything here, I'm just curious if anyone else has given this any thought? You can check it out at https://www.firesidebbs.com/home with any web browser.

That looks cool, though it looks like basically the same as what fTelnet does? fTelnet is a websocket-based telnet client made to be embedded into a web page; it's used on many Synchronet BBS web sites using ecwebv4 already (although I don't think fTelnet supports RIP). So I guess my response is, something like this already exists?

When I first read your message about a "web based BBS", I think that could be interpreted multiple ways. As far as message forums, online web-based message forum software exists as well.

I actually think it's cool that what you have supports RIP. Is that something that could be embedded into a web page and configured to connect to a BBS, similar to fTelnet?

Nightfox

---
þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Re: Web Based BBS
By: Nightfox to Lonewolf on Thu Sep 18 2025 02:19 pm

Re: Web Based BBS
By: Lonewolf to All on Thu Sep 18 2025 04:32 pm

I'm throwing this out there to see if there would be any interest in a web based BBS. In other words, one that did not require a terminal program to connect to. I know there are currently web interfaces to Synchronet and Mystic, as an added layer, but those are not the main focus of these systems. I'm asking if there would be an interest in a system that's main focus is a browser interface. I've built a prototype of a http BBS I call RetroBoard that allows access with just a web browser and is centered around that. It also displays ANSI and RIP screens. I'm not trying to disrupt anything here, I'm just curious if anyone else has given this any thought? You can check it out at https://www.firesidebbs.com/home with any web browser.

That looks cool, though it looks like basically the same as what fTelnet does? fTelnet is a websocket-based telnet client made to be embedded into a web page; it's used on many Synchronet BBS web sites using ecwebv4 already (although I don't think fTelnet supports RIP). So I guess my response is, something like this already exists?

When I first read your message about a "web based BBS", I think that could be interpreted multiple ways. As far as message forums, online web-based message forum software exists as well.

I actually think it's cool that what you have supports RIP. Is that something that could be embedded into a web page and configured to connect to a BBS, similar to fTelnet?

Nightfox

Gotcha, just FYI. The BBS reads ANSI and RIP files and converts them to HTML. In fact, the entire BBS is an 80X25 ANSI terminal simulator that produces pure HTML and not a canvas like fTelnet. So the termial window is 'active' so you can select menu options with a mouse or touch, unlike a canvas that is not active. So for instance, the Spiderman Main Menu is an .ANS file that is read and coverted to the HTML in the terminal window and the the menu options are added on top of that. The BBS is database driven from a config. So essentially it's a lot more than just a message forum, it a virtual ANSI/RIP terminal that creates ANSI and RIP buttons and menu options. Kinda hard to explain as it blurs the line between ANSI/RIP and HTML without doing it on a static web canvas.

Actually, each termial window can be any size, not just 80X25 and each window is a JavaScript object with events and methods that allow it to be written to with code such as...

terminal.setBackColor('black');
terminal.setForeColor('cyan');
terminal.gotoXY(25, 1);
terminal.printStr('@{BBSNAME}@ Message Menu');

A lot like the old C/C++ door kits like Open Doors back in the day.

I appreciate your honest feedback.

Vince

---
þ Synchronet þ TeleGodzilla BBS/telegodzilla.com:50023

Re: Web Based BBS
By: Lonewolf to All on Thu Sep 18 2025 04:32 pm

Greetings all,

I'm throwing this out there to see if there would be any interest
in a web based BBS. In other words, one that did not require a
terminal program to connect to. I know there are currently web
interfaces to Synchronet and Mystic, as an added layer, but those
are not the main focus of these systems. I'm asking if there would
be an interest in a system that's main focus is a browser interface.
I've built a prototype of a http BBS I call RetroBoard that allows

i checked it out and i dont think it is filling a need that sysops or users have.

Maybe i missed something. i also see that you have it swap out to
ftelnet for your doorgames. overall, it probably would be better to run a standalone instance of ftelnet.
---
þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Hello Vince!

** On Thursday 18.09.25 - 16:32, Lonewolf wrote to All:

thought? You can check it out at https://www.firesidebbs.com/home with any web browser.

Secure Connection Failed

An error occurred during a connection to www.firesidebbs.com.

SSL received a malformed Server Hello handshake message.

(Error code: SSL_ERROR_RX_MALFORMED_SERVER_HELLO)

The page you are trying to view cannot be shown because the
authenticity of the received data could not be verified.


This this out: https://mypoint.lovelybits.org

It is a live implementation of BinktermPHP v1.6.3 on Github

https://github.com/awehttam/binkterm-php

--- OpenXP 5.0.64
* Origin: Ogg's Dovenet Point (723:320/1.9)
* Synchronet * CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

Lonewolf wrote to All <=-

I'm throwing this out there to see if there would be any interest in a
web based BBS. In other words, one that did not require a terminal
program to connect to. I know there are currently web interfaces to Synchronet and Mystic, as an added layer, but those are not the main
focus of these systems. I'm asking if there would be an interest in a system that's main focus is a browser interface. I've built a prototype
of a http BBS I call RetroBoard that allows access with just a web
browser and is centered around that. It also displays ANSI and RIP screens. I'm not trying to disrupt anything here, I'm just curious if anyone else has given this any thought? You can check it out at https://www.firesidebbs.com/home with any web browser.

Interesting idea, and it looks good.

Not something that I would be interested in running here, though, just
to be honest...

My reasoning is the same as my reason for not running the web interface
for my Synchronet BBS. To me, a BBS is what I remember from the "good
old days", and should be accessed from a terminal program. I know many
don't agree with that, and that's OK, but that's what I believe. I want
a BBS to remain a BBS, even at the expense of "progress". Otherwise
it's just another web page, and that is common/boring. Sorry, but not
sorry. :-)



... If it weren't for Edison we'd be using computers by candlelight
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

Re: Web Based BBS
By: Ogg to Lonewolf on Thu Sep 18 2025 08:58 pm

Hello Vince!

** On Thursday 18.09.25 - 16:32, Lonewolf wrote to All:

thought? You can check it out at https://www.firesidebbs.com/home with any web browser.

Secure Connection Failed

An error occurred during a connection to www.firesidebbs.com.

SSL received a malformed Server Hello handshake message.

(Error code: SSL_ERROR_RX_MALFORMED_SERVER_HELLO)

The page you are trying to view cannot be shown because the
authenticity of the received data could not be verified.

Strange, maybe try clearing your browser's cache?

This this out: https://mypoint.lovelybits.org

It is a live implementation of BinktermPHP v1.6.3 on Github

https://github.com/awehttam/binkterm-php

That's a nice implementation by Claude!

Vince

---
þ Synchronet þ TeleGodzilla BBS/telegodzilla.com:50023

Re: Web Based BBS
By: MRO to Lonewolf on Thu Sep 18 2025 07:27 pm

Re: Web Based BBS
By: Lonewolf to All on Thu Sep 18 2025 04:32 pm

Greetings all,

I'm throwing this out there to see if there would be any interest
in a web based BBS. In other words, one that did not require a
terminal program to connect to. I know there are currently web
interfaces to Synchronet and Mystic, as an added layer, but those
are not the main focus of these systems. I'm asking if there would
be an interest in a system that's main focus is a browser interface.
I've built a prototype of a http BBS I call RetroBoard that allows

i checked it out and i dont think it is filling a need that sysops or users have.

Maybe i missed something. i also see that you have it swap out to
ftelnet for your doorgames. overall, it probably would be better to run a standalone instance of ftelnet.
---
þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

MRO, thanks for your feedback. It's really just a proof of concept that I wanted to tackle. It started as a way to display ANSI in a virtual terminal using pure html and JavaScript and just grew from there. I didn't want to use a html canvas like fTelent, I wanted to use an 80X25 grid (html table) I could stuff html codes into that are interpreted as ANSI by the browser. On the Door Games menu there is a door game written using the underlying home grown html/ansi terminal library called Shut The Box that shows how the library can be used to write doors and utils. This is the same library that powers the BBS. It certainly won't replace what we know as a traditional BBS, but it does somewhat mimic it without the need for dedicated terminal software.

Thanks again,

Vince

---
þ Synchronet þ TeleGodzilla BBS/telegodzilla.com:50023

Re: Re: Web Based BBS
By: Gamgee to Lonewolf on Thu Sep 18 2025 09:46 pm

Lonewolf wrote to All <=-

I'm throwing this out there to see if there would be any interest in a web based BBS. In other words, one that did not require a terminal program to connect to. I know there are currently web interfaces to Synchronet and Mystic, as an added layer, but those are not the main focus of these systems. I'm asking if there would be an interest in a

Interesting idea, and it looks good.

Not something that I would be interested in running here, though, just
to be honest...

My reasoning is the same as my reason for not running the web interface
for my Synchronet BBS. To me, a BBS is what I remember from the "good
old days", and should be accessed from a terminal program. I know many don't agree with that, and that's OK, but that's what I believe. I want
a BBS to remain a BBS, even at the expense of "progress". Otherwise
it's just another web page, and that is common/boring. Sorry, but not sorry. :-)

Haha, thanks for the feedback Gamgee. I actually feel the same way you do about BBSing. The nostalgia is part of it's appeal. Being in my 60's, I've been coding since the 80's and don't want to see the BBS go away anytime soon. This project was just a "could it be done and would anyone like it" project. Looks like the general consensus is that I should just stick to coding new doors like (AI-WX) for current BBS software. When I get a new door underway, I'll hit you up to beta test again.

Thanks,

Vince / Lonewolf

---
þ Synchronet þ TeleGodzilla BBS/telegodzilla.com:50023

Lonewolf wrote to Gamgee <=-

Re: Re: Web Based BBS
By: Gamgee to Lonewolf on Thu Sep 18 2025 09:46 pm

I'm throwing this out there to see if there would be any interest in a web based BBS. In other words, one that did not require a terminal program to connect to. I know there are currently web interfaces to Synchronet and Mystic, as an added layer, but those are not the main focus of these systems. I'm asking if there would be an interest in a

Interesting idea, and it looks good.

Not something that I would be interested in running here, though, just
to be honest...

My reasoning is the same as my reason for not running the web interface
for my Synchronet BBS. To me, a BBS is what I remember from the "good
old days", and should be accessed from a terminal program. I know many don't agree with that, and that's OK, but that's what I believe. I want
a BBS to remain a BBS, even at the expense of "progress". Otherwise
it's just another web page, and that is common/boring. Sorry, but not sorry. :-)

Haha, thanks for the feedback Gamgee. I actually feel the same way you
do about BBSing. The nostalgia is part of it's appeal. Being in my
60's,

I'm right there with ya! :-)

I've been coding since the 80's and don't want to see the BBS go
away anytime soon. This project was just a "could it be done and would anyone like it" project. Looks like the general consensus is that I
should just stick to coding new doors like (AI-WX) for current BBS software.

Haha, well it's your choice obviously, but I think a lot of BBS users
are keen to the nostalgia aspect as well. Not everybody, certainly, but
quite a few. New doors are always a welcome phenomenon!

When I get a new door underway, I'll hit you up to beta test again.

Hope it's soon, and please do! Very happy to help with that.

Thanks,
Vince / Lonewolf

Thanks,
Dan / Gamgee



... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

Re: Re: Web Based BBS
By: Gamgee to Lonewolf on Fri Sep 19 2025 10:42 pm

Haha, well it's your choice obviously, but I think a lot of BBS users are keen to the nostalgia aspect as well. Not everybody, certainly, but quite a few. New doors are always a welcome phenomenon!

The nostalgia aspect is a big reason why I'm running a BBS now. But I also think it's pretty cool that BBS software like Synchronet also includes the web server, FTP server, and such. We can still get the nostalgia but also integrate modern features.. And especially initially, I thought it was pretty cool that Synchronet supported things like being able to send a message to a user on another Synchronet BBS & such. I thought things like that are a cool way to keep BBSes like they are but include some fairly cool features that are made easy due to Synchronet being internet (and network) capable.

I guess the way I think of it is, what if BBSes continued to exist as they were but also continued to evolve? That's basically what we have with Synchronet & such. I don't think it's a static thing - but I definitely think the text-based experience should always be there.

Nightfox

---
þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com

Hello Lonewolf!

** On Friday 19.09.25 - 03:10, Lonewolf wrote to Ogg:

An error occurred during a connection to www.firesidebbs.com.

SSL received a malformed Server Hello handshake message.

(Error code: SSL_ERROR_RX_MALFORMED_SERVER_HELLO)

The page you are trying to view cannot be shown because the
authenticity of the received data could not be verified.

Strange, maybe try clearing your browser's cache?

I've sent you a message via email.



--- OpenXP 5.0.64
* Origin: Ogg's Dovenet Point (723:320/1.9)
* Synchronet * CAPCITY2 * capcity2.synchro.net * Telnet/SSH:2022/Rlogin/HTTP

Re: Web Based BBS
By: Lonewolf to All on Thu Sep 18 2025 04:32 pm

there would be any interest in a web
based BBS. In other words, one that
not require a terminal program to

I tried it from a mobile browser.. it
waits for you to press Esc twice but
there is nothing to bring up the mobile
keyboard... plus, even if it did, I'd
have to pray that CTRL-[ works because
there is no Esc key ;). Will have to
try it from a real desktop, I guess.

---
þ Synchronet þ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO TACOPRONTO.bbs.io

Nightfox wrote to Gamgee <=-

Re: Re: Web Based BBS
By: Gamgee to Lonewolf on Fri Sep 19 2025 10:42 pm

Haha, well it's your choice obviously, but I think a lot of BBS users are keen to the nostalgia aspect as well. Not everybody, certainly, but quite a few. New doors are always a welcome phenomenon!

The nostalgia aspect is a big reason why I'm running a BBS now. But I also think it's pretty cool that BBS software like Synchronet also includes the web server, FTP server, and such. We can still get the nostalgia but also integrate modern features.. And especially
initially, I thought it was pretty cool that Synchronet supported
things like being able to send a message to a user on another
Synchronet BBS & such. I thought things like that are a cool way to
keep BBSes like they are but include some fairly cool features that are made easy due to Synchronet being internet (and network) capable.

Yes, I get that, and although I choose to not utilize some of those
modern features, I'm also glad that they are there for those who want
to. That might even include me one day. ;-)

I guess the way I think of it is, what if BBSes continued to exist as
they were but also continued to evolve? That's basically what we have with Synchronet & such. I don't think it's a static thing - but I definitely think the text-based experience should always be there.

100% !


... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
þ Synchronet þ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

Greetings all,

I'm throwing this out there to see if there would be any interest in a
web based BBS. In other words, one that did not require a terminal
program to connect to. I know there are currently web interfaces to Synchronet and Mystic, as an added layer, but those are not the main
focus of these systems. I'm asking if there would be an interest in a system that's main focus is a browser interface. I've built a prototype
of a http BBS I call RetroBoard that allows access with just a web

Our charity group uses a commercial web forum/BBS package package called VBulletin..

... I know a good tagline when I steal one!

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Windows/64)
* Origin: Listen To: http://radio.klyntar.net

Re: Re: Web Based BBS
By: Robert Wolfe to Lonewolf on Tue Sep 23 2025 10:12 am

I'm throwing this out there to see if there would be any interest in a web based BBS. https://www.firesidebbs.com/home

Our charity group uses a commercial web forum/BBS package package called VBulletin..

I'll have to check that out, but FYI my RetroBoard is more than just a web forum, it's a full blown web based ANSI/RIP BBS package. Check it out sometime please.

Lonewolf

---
þ Synchronet þ TeleGodzilla BBS/telegodzilla.com:50023

Re: Re: Web Based BBS
By: Lonewolf to Robert Wolfe on Tue Sep 23 2025 03:17 pm

in a web based BBS. https://www.firesidebbs.com/home

Our charity group uses a commercial web forum/BBS package package
called VBulletin..

I'll have to check that out, but FYI my RetroBoard is more than just
a web forum, it's a full blown web based ANSI/RIP BBS package.
Check it out sometime please.

vbulletin is a bbs as in web bulletin board.

3 of us had our msg bases on the web with vbulletin using the nttp addon.
---
þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Re: Re: Web Based BBS
By: Robert Wolfe to Lonewolf on Tue Sep 23 2025 10:12 am

Our charity group uses a commercial web forum/BBS package package called VBulletin..

I think he's talking about something that hooks into FTN Networks or something. I've seen many attempts to do that over the years, and vbulletin even had a plugin about 15 years or so ago that you could use to do that (not easily, and text was horribly formatted).

I still run vbulletin on an old forum, but given a choice for a paid-for web forum, I'd go with Xenforo (by the original creators of vbulletin)

...Why risk a hangover? Stay Drunk!!

---
þ Synchronet þ War Ensemble BBS - The sport is war, total war - warensemble.com

Re: Re: Web Based BBS
By: DaiTengu to Robert Wolfe on Tue Sep 23 2025 12:25 pm

Our charity group uses a commercial web forum/BBS package package called VBulletin..

I think he's talking about something that hooks into FTN Networks
or something. I've seen many attempts to do that over the years,
and vbulletin even had a plugin about 15 years or so ago that you
could use to do that (not easily, and text was horribly formatted).

the vbulletin plugin, sometimes called the nntp vbulletin hack worked pretty good for me. another guy fixed it up but i dont think he shared it.
also there's some other attempts out there on github.


i'm not sure if his charity group would link to ftn.
---
þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Re: Re: Web Based BBS
By: MRO to DaiTengu on Tue Sep 23 2025 06:57 pm

Re: Re: Web Based BBS
By: DaiTengu to Robert Wolfe on Tue Sep 23 2025 12:25 pm

Our charity group uses a commercial web forum/BBS package package called VBulletin..

I think he's talking about something that hooks into FTN Networks
or something. I've seen many attempts to do that over the years,
and vbulletin even had a plugin about 15 years or so ago that you
could use to do that (not easily, and text was horribly formatted).

the vbulletin plugin, sometimes called the nntp vbulletin hack worked pretty good for me. another guy fixed it up but i dont think he shared it.
also there's some other attempts out there on github.

MRO,

I'll check it out and may incorporate something like it into my bbs message base.

Thanks,

Lonewolf

---
þ Synchronet þ TeleGodzilla BBS/telegodzilla.com:50023

Re: Re: Web Based BBS
By: Lonewolf to MRO on Wed Sep 24 2025 03:53 am

MRO,

I'll check it out and may incorporate something like it into my bbs
message base.

it's really old and if you run an older version of vbulletin you can count
on your attacks going up 500%

---
þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::