I'm developing Offgrid Holdout BBS, a small two-node BBS for when you miss the internet feeling like it was made of places instead of feeds.
It's built to be small. Local message boards. Some games. No likes. No followers. No algorithms. No ads. No infinite scrolling. Offgrid Holdout runs Renegade 1.40, a modern-day BBS package in 2026 that still runs on DOS, while preserving the things that made BBSing worthwhile: conversation, persistent identities, local message boards, door games, and a community small enough that people actually get to know one another.
It all runs on MS-DOS 6.22, DESQview 2.8 on a 486DX2/66 86Box instance. Two nodes because it is using modem emulation on COM ports so that limits the node count.
The conversations won't have to revolve around anything in particular. Retro computing. Modern tech. Projects. The indie web. Music. Games. Life.
I have no ambitions to make Offgrid Holdout big. If I can attract 5-10 regular callers who recognize each other's handles and enjoy returning, I'll be happy. I just want there to be a place like this.
For now I'm seeking a handful of early-adopter users who are interested in helping shape the direction of the place rather than just dropping by once for nostalgia's sake. On a board this small, you'll actually make a difference.
Telnet: bbs.offgridholdout.org 2524 submitted by /u/Future-AI-Dude [link] [comments]