I just noticed some existing user trying to log into #rcbox #rc2014bbs but being unable to remember their password.

In this case, feel free to contact me here on #Mastodon so I can reset it for you.

#bbs

+++ SYSOP NEWS +++ SYSOP NEWS +++

As you may remember, RC-BOX BBS - the world's first and (currently) only RC2014 based BBS - has been struggling with connectivity issues.

The good news: I have finally been able to successfully mitigate these.

Some background info: in October last year, I decided to do some maintenance on the system, updating my WiFi modem firmware and replacing the SC132 serial I/O module (using a 6.144 KHz crystal for a fixed 9600 bps) with its cousin, the SC110 serial I/O module which features a CTC chip so it can dynamically set any baud rate.

Turns out that while the module is techincally 100% okay, it sometimes locks up when being used with the BYE.COM program for CP/M.

I think this has to do with BYE.COM setting the CTC to the selected bps during initializiation (which happens after each hangup). For some reason, this often works but occasionally causes the SIO/2 to lock up.

Sometimes, without any reason, BYE.COM would drop into an +++ATH loop although no one was connected, not being able to actually perform the AT command.

It took me weeks to finally realize this, because I was so sure the problem originated from the Zimodem firmware and because the issue only showed up occasionally. It was very annyoing to debug.

So as a result of this finding, I've put the SC132 with the fixed 9600 bps back into the system. Since then, no more of these issues occurred.

As always, you can find all info on how to connect to RC-BOX BBS in my profile info.

P.S.: so now I think the problem originates from the BYE.COM code. But since everything is working properly again, I don't have the desire to dig into the BYE.ASM code any time in the future. There are other projects that I'd like to go on with first.

#rcbox
#bbs
#rc2014
#rc2014bbs
#retrocomputing
#newretro
#z80

I think I fell victim to this very simple #BASIC #game that I found on the #internetarchive - it's called #Chase but it's also known as #Robots and you can find it here:

https://archive.org/details/kilobaudmagazine-1977-02/page/n49/mode/2up?view=theater

You can also play it on #rcbox #rc2014bbs - just exit to the CP/M console and type CHASE (note: the game only accepts uppercase characters)

Out there, in the worrying world of today is a little #Zilog #Z80 computer with a mere 64KB of #RAM and running the #1970s CP/M operating system.

This little machine is connected to the #intertubes and it's serving a #singleuser #bulletinboardsystem for you, the worrying souls of #yesteryears to visit.

Take a break from today, connect like it's 1985 - here on RC-BOX BBS, the world's first and (currently) only #rc2014 based bulletin board system in the world!

Check out the #alttext or my #profile info for information on how to connect.

#bbs
#rc2014bbs
#rcbox

+++ Sysop News +++ Sysop News +++

So I'm still investigating the connectivity issues I witnessed with #rc2014bbs and here are my current findings:

1.) while the telnet listener of the #Zimodem firmware is no longer open on port 2014, the #wifi of the #esp8266 itself is still active and the reserved ip is responding to ping requests.

2.) once the firmware gets reset via ATZ it sometimes restarts /re-opens the listener on port 2014

3.) the listener dies a few hours after initial powerup of the system

4.) my memory may be failing me but those issues began somewhere around autumn last year when I updated the firmware to version 3.7.1

As a result of these findings, I have reverted the firmware on the esp8266 to Zimodem version 3.6.5. It's not an official release - I checked it out using the corresponding commit hash.

The BBS was powered up with that version yesterday at 09:00 am and it is still running about 24 hours later, which was never the case with the 3.7.1 version of the firmware. I've also noticed a few other glitches not being present with the 3.6.5 version.

It is still a little too soon to call the problem solved, but there's movement here.

Also keep in mind that RC-BOX BBS (the world's first and - currently - only #rc2014 based #bbs) is using a wifi connection so other sources of influence may also have an effect on connectivity (although they never were *that* worse before 3.7.1).

+++ Another Sysop News +++ Another Sysop News +++

Aside from (hopefully) working around the recent connectivity issues with RC-BOX BBS, I've also purged the "General" message file and moved all existing messages to a new "Archive" message file. It's read-only but it cotnains all the posts to "General" from july 2022 - january 2025.

Also, the "Making", "Code & Co." and "Announce" message files have been dropped as they have never been used.

As always you can find the telnet address of the BBS in the ALT-Text or my profile here on #oldbytesdotspace

#rcbox
#rc2014bbs
#bbs
#rcbbs
#rc2014

+++ Sysop News +++ Sysop News +++

Over the past few months I have witnessed some strange behavior with RC-BOX BBS (the world's first - and currently only - RC2014 based BBS) where the Wifi modem would loose connection over night and not restore it properly. As a result the BBS was unreachable.

I'm still trying to figure out what exactly happens but may have found a workaround.

As always you can find the telnet address of the BBS in the ALT-Text or my profile here on #oldbytesdotspace

#rcbox
#rc2014bbs
#bbs
#rcbbs
#rc2014

Season's Greetings - Ho! Ho! Ho!

RC-BBS the world's first and (currently) only RC2014 based Bulletin Board System wishes you happy holidays!

Connection information can be found in the #Alt #Text and on my profile page.

#rcbox
#rc2014bbs
#rc2014
#bbs
#cpm80
#rcbbs
#seasonsgreetings

Yay! 🥳

Fixed an annoying bug in my #rcbbs #code which led to heavily fragmented text output when listing message headers.

this was a PITA for so long and the eventual fix for this was just one line of code .. *doh*

fix is already out on the "production" system #rc2014bbs so no more cluttered / fragmented message headers ... 👍

I guess this doesn't happen too often: someone used a #Brother EP 44 thermal typewriter to connect to #rcbox #bbs - I love it when users get creative!

#rc2014
#rc2014bbs
#bbs
#thermaltypewriter

... just your friendly reminder that we're still online 24/7 ...

.oO(...and we're damn cool as well!)
😎

RC-BOX BBS - the world's first (and currently only) bulletin board system to run on *real* RC2014 hardware and the CP/M operating system !!

P.S.: the connection information for RC-BOX BBS can be found in my profile info or in the alt-text of the screenshot below. Millenials remember: use #telnet, not a wbbrowser ... *chuckle* 😇

#rc2014bbs
#bbs
#rc2014
#retrocomputing

It´s the little things that make your day as a #SysOp ... 😊

#rc2014bbs
#bbs

@BlackICEBBS @linda ... and #rc2014bbs has gotten a nice, new message scan ...

refining the full message scan by adding a "quiet scan" option and a nifty summary.

#retrocoding
#hitechc
#rcbox
#rc2014bbs
#rcbbs
#rc2014
#bbs

+++ SYSOP NOTICE +++ SYSOP NOTICE +++

RC-BOX BBS has been updated and now includes an optional full message scan during login.

That way, you can easily scan all subject files (boards) for new messages to you.

The original RBBS 4.1 implementation did not have that feature, requiring you to manually select each message file. I found that annoying so I changed it.

As always, you can find the connection information for RC-BOX BBS in my profile.

#rcbox
#rcbbs
#rc2014
#rc2014bbs
#bbs

... working on making #rc2014bbs #rcbbs a better experience for my users ... let's hope I get to work this new hack out ...

It is wonderful to see videos like this. An #RC2014 via original CRT terminal connected to a bulletin board that is hosted on another #RC2014 on the other side of the planet! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SUqY9DLg9g&t=78s

#BBS #RCBox #rc2014bbs

Two 512K ROM / 512K RAM modules for #rc2014 - the upper one is the official design by @rc2014 while the lower one is the very last of its kind sold by RottenSnow on #Tindie three years ago.

Feeding my spleen today as I replaced the 512K ROM / 512K RAM module of #rc2014bbs (until now this has been the red "RottenSnow" design) so all of the modules of the BBS hardware are now the same blue-ish color.

Don't worry though: the red one goes into my workstation as the one I use with that urgently needs a new sets of RAM / ROM sockets due to heavy ROM rotation over the past few years.

+++ COMMERCIAL BREAK +++

🎶 "Sometimes you wanna go
Where everybody knows your name
And they're always glad you came
You wanna be where you can see (ah-ah)
Our troubles are all the same (ah-ah)
You wanna be where everybody knows your name ..." 🎶

RC-BOX BBS #rc2014bbs - the world's first and (currently) only #rc2014 based bulletin board system #bbs on this planet. Open 24/7!

Running CP/M 2.2 #cpm and #rcbbs (forked and highly customized #RBBS 4.1), connected to the modern world via a #WiFiModem and a 9600 #baud serial line.

RC-BOX BBS - we are looking forward to your visit!

A typical #RetroComputing sunday with my #Commodore64 - first, testing #xmodem #CRC #file #transfer to #rc2014bbs and then checking out #QLink (the "reloaded" system). Unfortunately, there aren't that much services active there (anymore?!), except the community boards.