• Using AI for coding

    From Mike Powell@86:100/18 to ALL on Fri Feb 20 10:17:58 2026
    Is anyone using an AI product for coding with any success?

    I ask this question after two recent incidents:

    (1) I was searching google for answers to an issue compiling an older, abandoned FOSS C project... I am not fluent in C... and wound up
    interacting with Gemini. It got me on the right track in the sense that we fixed the compile error (caused by compiler and library updates) and got it running.
    (2) reading about and using Claude's BBS, which was apparently written with
    the assistance of AI.

    In my personal case, I found that Gemini was good up to a point, but had trouble remembering what we were working on after a while -- after we got
    into the weeds about squashing some memory leaks. We got sidetracked a little and then it completely forgot what we were doing. It also hallucinated
    some.

    However, after interacting with Claude's BBS and seeing what it looks like,
    I have a very old C project (DOS!) that I wouldn't mind running by some
    other AI product to see if it could help me fix a nagging bug. I also have a few other ideas I wouldn't mind trying out.

    So I am wondering if anyone has had success with AI, which AI, free or
    paid, and maybe if it is some AI that you are hosting yourself (and, if so,
    is it linux based?)?

    Thanks!


    * SLMR 2.1a * Shh! Be vewy qwiet! I'm hunting wuntime ewwows!
    --- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (86:100/18)
  • From Uber-Geek@86:100/10 to Mike Powell on Sat Feb 21 15:28:24 2026
    Is anyone using an AI product for coding with any success?

    I've had success with a few AI products depending on the use.

    Gemini - I use this mostly for brainstorming ideas and help with things like writing docker scripts. My work pays for the Plus version so it tends to keep things on track and doesen't get lost after a while. I also have the paid version personally for my homelab and general questioning. So far it's remembered things from three months ago providing I keep the particular chat focused on topic.

    GitHub CoPilot - I use this in Visual Studio Code and most of the time I'm just hitting tab and correcting variables. It can predict 90% of what I'm about to type out, which saves a ton of time when adding small features to a web app.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: The Phantom BBS - bbs.phantombbs.info (86:100/10)
  • From Matthew Asham@86:400/16 to Mike Powell on Sat Feb 21 10:05:51 2026
    BinktermPHP which Claude's BBS uses was written from scratch using Claude. It was given a tonne of latitude and I wouldn't be surprised if it could handle an older DOS based app. I'd say give it a try!

    (I say that as someone who helped resurrect an old 90s IRIX based BBS game using MAME without the assistance of AI. Based on what I've seen of Claude working with older technologies I probably could have saved a tonne of time on that project).

    Matthew

    Is anyone using an AI product for coding with any success?

    --- BinktermPHP v1.8.2
    * Origin: Claude's BBS - https://claudes.lovelybits.org (86:400/16)
  • From Mike Powell@86:100/18 to UBER-GEEK on Sun Feb 22 10:24:39 2026
    Is anyone using an AI product for coding with any success?

    I've had success with a few AI products depending on the use.

    Gemini - I use this mostly for brainstorming ideas and help with things like writing docker scripts. My work pays for the Plus version so it tends to keep things on track and doesen't get lost after a while. I also have the paid version personally for my homelab and general questioning. So far it's remembered things from three months ago providing I keep the particular chat focused on topic.

    That might be where my issue arose... I was using it for "free" and so it
    got forgetful. It'd have been nice if maybe it suggested that "hey I can remember better if you pay for me." :D

    Thanks for the input. Good to know the pay version is not forgetful!


    * SLMR 2.1a * Politics n. Poly "many" + ticks "blood sucking insects"
    --- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (86:100/18)
  • From Mike Powell@86:100/18 to MATTHEW ASHAM on Sun Feb 22 10:24:39 2026
    BinktermPHP which Claude's BBS uses was written from scratch using Claude. It
    was given a tonne of latitude and I wouldn't be surprised if it could handle a
    older DOS based app. I'd say give it a try!

    OK, I will when I get time. BTW, did you use the free version or the pay version? I am actually not adverse to paying for a version so long as it
    is easy to cancel once I am done with a project.

    It was actually logging in and seeing your BBS in action that made me
    wonder if AI might be of assistance with the old source code I have. ;)

    (I say that as someone who helped resurrect an old 90s IRIX based BBS game using MAME without the assistance of AI. Based on what I've seen of Claude working with older technologies I probably could have saved a tonne of time on
    that project).

    IRIX as in the former SGI OS/platform? Wow, I am surprised it even had any
    BBS games coded for it. I always think of it as a professional-grade
    platform that cost too much (at the time) to be used for leasure
    activities. I have noticed it is becoming a platform for some hobbiest
    now, which is nice.

    Thanks for the input, and in advance for the additional questions!

    Mike

    * SLMR 2.1a * War is God's way of teaching us geography.
    --- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (86:100/18)
  • From Matthew Asham@86:400/16 to Mike Powell on Sun Feb 22 07:45:42 2026
    OK, I will when I get time. BTW, did you use the free version or the pay version? I am actually not adverse to paying for a version so long as it is easy to cancel once I am done with a project.

    It's very easy to cancel and you can do so in advance. I have been using the Pro version.

    It was actually logging in and seeing your BBS in action that made me wonder if AI might be of assistance with the old source code I have. ;)

    :)

    IRIX as in the former SGI OS/platform? Wow, I am surprised it even had any BBS games coded for it. I always think of it as a professional-grade platform that cost too much (at the time) to be used for leasure activities. I have noticed it is becoming a platform for some hobbiest now, which is nice.

    Yes it was on the old SGI professional graphics workstation. I think it was an Indy2 we had it running on. I don't recall the reasons for needing it at the time but I think it was capacity related. Too long ago to remember the details.

    Thanks for the input, and in advance for the additional questions!

    Good luck with your efforts! Happy to answer any questions to help out.

    Matthew

    --- BinktermPHP v1.8.2
    * Origin: Claude's BBS - https://claudes.lovelybits.org (86:400/16)
  • From Mortar@86:200/30 to Mike Powell on Mon Feb 23 10:18:40 2026
    Re: Re: Using AI for coding
    By: Mike Powell to UBER-GEEK on Sun Feb 22 2026 10:24:39

    It'd have been nice if maybe it suggested that "hey I can remember better if you pay for me." :D

    It probably forgot.
    --- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - telnet endofthelinebbs.com (86:200/30)
  • From Mortar@86:200/30 to Mike Powell on Mon Feb 23 10:33:23 2026
    Re: Re: Using AI for coding
    By: Mike Powell to MATTHEW ASHAM on Sun Feb 22 2026 10:24:39

    IRIX as in the former SGI OS/platform? Wow, I am surprised it even had any BBS games coded for it. I always think of it as a professional-grade platform that cost too much (at the time) to be used for leasure activities.

    Games were on computers long before the microcomputer era. One of the most popular games found on mainframes was Star Trek and its variants. Of course they were all text based.

    There's some interesting YT vids on computer game history.
    --- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - telnet endofthelinebbs.com (86:200/30)
  • From Mike Powell@86:100/18 to Matthew Asham on Mon Feb 23 13:08:56 2026
    It's very easy to cancel and you can do so in advance. I have been using the Pro version.

    OK so you are not stuck in for a year. That is good. ;)

    --- BinktermPHP v1.8.2

    Does BinktermPHP use JAM message bases or some other format? Just wondering if you had to have a tosser created just for it, or if you can run other things like fmail or hpt with it?

    Mike
    --- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (86:100/18)
  • From Mike Powell@86:100/18 to Mortar on Mon Feb 23 13:12:09 2026

    Games were on computers long before the microcomputer era. One of the most popular games found on mainframes was Star Trek and its variants. Of course they were all text based.

    There's some interesting YT vids on computer game history.

    I knew there were, but it sounded like this particular game was a BBS door, which I would find odd to be on an IRIX machine (or a mainframe).

    IIRC, some early versions of Rogue may have started on much larger machines before being ported to the PC. Even mainframe and UNIX admins needed something to pass the time with. ;)

    $$
    --- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (86:100/18)
  • From Matthew Asham@86:400/16 to Mike Powell on Mon Feb 23 10:23:15 2026

    OK so you are not stuck in for a year. That is good. ;)

    Nope, I've been paying monthly.

    Does BinktermPHP use JAM message bases or some other format? Just wondering if
    you had to have a tosser created just for it, or if you can run other things
    like fmail or hpt with it?

    Neither, it uses a postgres database and its own native packet processor. It currently wouldn't work with third party tools beyond whatever comes in via binkp.

    I've been considering switching it over to a BSO style layout for use with binkd et al but I suspect I'll leave it as is and develop mail processing robots over time to work with it.

    That may change if I ever make it act as a boss node but for that kind of thing - right now - I'm just using binkd and hpt on a different system.

    Matthew

    ... Never underestimate the bandwidth of a station wagon full of tapes

    --- BinktermPHP v1.8.2
    * Origin: Claude's BBS - https://claudes.lovelybits.org (86:400/16)
  • From Mike Powell@86:100/18 to MATTHEW ASHAM on Tue Feb 24 10:14:27 2026
    That may change if I ever make it act as a boss node but for that kind of thing
    - right now - I'm just using binkd and hpt on a different system.

    Thanks for the input on that. The web interface is very impressive.

    Mike


    * SLMR 2.1a * I'm heavily armed, easily bored, and off my medication.
    --- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (86:100/18)
  • From Mike Powell@86:100/18 to MATTHEW ASHAM on Wed Feb 25 09:47:15 2026
    That may change if I ever make it act as a boss node but for that kind of
    thing
    - right now - I'm just using binkd and hpt on a different system.

    I did have one other question... does BinkleyTermPHP have its own web
    server, or is it something you have running with Apache (or some other
    server package)?

    Mike

    * SLMR 2.1a * I have a speech impediment ... my foot.
    --- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (86:100/18)
  • From Matthew Asham@86:400/16 to Mike Powell on Wed Feb 25 07:37:40 2026
    I did have one other question... does BinkleyTermPHP have its own web server, or is it something you have running with Apache (or some other server package)?

    It does not include a web server. I'm running with Apache and a Caddy frontend for auto SSL.

    Matthew

    ... Real sysops read logs for fun

    --- BinktermPHP v1.8.3
    * Origin: Claude's BBS - https://claudes.lovelybits.org (86:400/16)
  • From Mike Powell@86:100/18 to MATTHEW ASHAM on Wed Feb 25 15:51:42 2026
    I did have one other question... does BinkleyTermPHP have its own web server, or is it something you have running with Apache (or some other server package)?

    It does not include a web server. I'm running with Apache and a Caddy fronten
    for auto SSL.

    Makes sense, why reinvent the wheel? ;)

    Mike

    * SLMR 2.1a * Press any key to continue. No, not THAT one!
    --- SBBSecho 3.28-Linux
    * Origin: Capitol City Online (86:100/18)
  • From Matthew Asham@86:400/16 to Mike Powell on Wed Feb 25 14:10:31 2026

    Makes sense, why reinvent the wheel? ;)

    Heh.

    Well... it does have a telnet daemon and now a gemini protocol daemon that's somewhere between gopher and a web server, so i guess we all pick the wheels we want to reinvent <g>

    ... Even a stopped clock, keeps the right time twice a day

    --- BinktermPHP v1.8.3
    * Origin: Claude's BBS - https://claudes.lovelybits.org (86:400/16)