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  • Unix BBS software

    From The Wanderer@86:400/14 to All on Tue Jan 27 08:26:06 2026
    Hello all!

    Running a BBS on a Unix system is a pretty cool endeavour, and it's pretty amazing that there's actual choices out there. However, in my travels recently I haven't noticed a good list of 'current' systems that run in Unix(-like) environments, so I was wondering if anyone is keeping tabs on the current goings-on?

    I am aware of the following:

    synchronet, MBSE, wwiv, mystic, enigma 1/2, citadel/UX, and Lightweight BBS

    Is anyone aware of how many more there are that have at least some sort of current development happening on them? I should mention that I am aware that one can use an emulator to run software for DOS and other systems - that's not what I'm referring to here.
    --- SBBSecho 3.35-Linux
    * Origin: Yak Station - We do a lot 'o' yakkin'! (86:400/14)
  • From Khronos@86:200/46 to The Wanderer on Tue Jan 27 12:17:33 2026
    The Wanderer wrote to All <=-

    Hello all!

    Running a BBS on a Unix system is a pretty cool endeavour, and it's
    pretty amazing that there's actual choices out there. However, in my travels recently I haven't noticed a good list of 'current' systems
    that run in Unix(-like) environments, so I was wondering if anyone is keeping tabs on the current goings-on?

    I am aware of the following:

    synchronet, MBSE, wwiv, mystic, enigma 1/2, citadel/UX, and Lightweight BBS

    Your list looks pretty complete.


    === MultiMail/Linux v0.52
    --- SBBSecho 3.35-Linux
    * Origin: telnet://cwshack.ddns.net:2330 (86:200/46)
  • From Sean Dennis@86:100/1 to The Wanderer on Tue Jan 27 12:12:49 2026
    The Wanderer wrote to All <=-

    Is anyone aware of how many more there are that have at least some sort
    of current development happening on them? I should mention that I am
    aware that one can use an emulator to run software for DOS and other systems - that's not what I'm referring to here.

    The only *NIX software I know of that is under active development is MBSE and Synchronet.

    -- Sean

    ... I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me.
    --- MultiMail/Linux
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (86:100/1)
  • From The Wanderer@86:400/14 to Sean Dennis on Tue Jan 27 09:46:13 2026
    Re: Re: Unix BBS software
    By: Sean Dennis to The Wanderer on Tue Jan 27 2026 12:12 pm

    The only *NIX software I know of that is under active development is MBSE and Synchronet.

    Out of the ones I listed, the only one that is tough to get a real read on is Mystic. I believe all the rest have code updates this year, which seems like a good sign.
    --- SBBSecho 3.35-Linux
    * Origin: Yak Station - We do a lot 'o' yakkin'! (86:400/14)
  • From Sean Dennis@86:10/1 to The Wanderer on Tue Jan 27 13:15:40 2026
    Hello The,

    27 Jan 26 09:46, you wrote to me:

    Out of the ones I listed, the only one that is tough to get a real
    read on is Mystic. I believe all the rest have code updates this year, which seems like a good sign.

    Mystic can be difficult as its author doesn't seem to communicate updates much from what I can see but I could be very wrong.

    Andrew is the lead developer of MBSE and I help out occasionally but my main job is working on updating the documentation (something I am behind on doing).

    Rob Swindell and company are very good about updates with Synchronet.

    -- Sean

    ... "Relax! I'm only here for your hamster!" - Death
    --- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20240209
    * Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (86:10/1)
  • From Mike Powell@86:100/18 to THE WANDERER on Thu Jan 29 08:35:41 2026
    I am aware of the following:

    synchronet, MBSE, wwiv, mystic, enigma 1/2, citadel/UX, and Lightweight BBS

    There was talisman. The original developer stopped working on it but
    someone else picked it up. Not sure how recent the most recent development
    on it has been though.

    Mike


    * SLMR 2.1a * This space for rent, just ask you sysop for info...
    --- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (86:100/18)
  • From Mortar@86:200/30 to Mike Powell on Thu Jan 29 10:58:43 2026
    Re: Unix BBS software
    By: Mike Powell to THE WANDERER on Thu Jan 29 2026 08:35:41

    Not sure how recent the most recent development on it has been though.

    According to the Talisman site, the current version is 0.54 and it came out 8/1/24.
    --- SBBSecho 3.35-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - telnet endofthelinebbs.com (86:200/30)
  • From Mike Powell@86:100/18 to MORTAR on Fri Jan 30 09:17:43 2026
    Not sure how recent the most recent development on it has been though.

    According to the Talisman site, the current version is 0.54 and it came out 8/1/24.

    That is too bad. It is a neat BBS package that had some potential. I ran
    it on an RPi for a while.

    Mike

    * SLMR 2.1a * Save the kids! Trade them for valuable prizes!
    --- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (86:100/18)
  • From Mortar@86:200/30 to Mike Powell on Fri Jan 30 14:51:28 2026
    Re: Unix BBS software
    By: Mike Powell to MORTAR on Fri Jan 30 2026 09:17:43

    That is too bad. It is a neat BBS package that had some potential.

    If it does what you want it to do, that's all that matters.
    --- SBBSecho 3.35-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - telnet endofthelinebbs.com (86:200/30)
  • From The Wanderer@86:400/14 to Mortar on Fri Jan 30 13:07:34 2026
    Re: Unix BBS software
    By: Mortar to Mike Powell on Fri Jan 30 2026 02:51 pm

    That is too bad. It is a neat BBS package that had some potential.
    If it does what you want it to do, that's all that matters.

    Except for the risk of running abandonware on things that are connected to the internet.

    (This in no way implies that actively-developed programs are
    guaranteed to be safe, but the likelihood is greater and you have someone you can report issues to).
    --- SBBSecho 3.35-Linux
    * Origin: Yak Station - We do a lot 'o' yakkin'! (86:400/14)