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.
#rcbox
+++ 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.
+++ 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
![Screenshot of the latest RC-BOX BBS bulletin (rc2014.ddns.net:2014):
Hit CTL-S or s to Pause; any key to Resume. Hit CTL-K or k to Abort.
BULLETIN 01/2025
* Connection issues:
Over the past few months I have witnessed some strange behavior with the system, 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 it seems that I have found a way to work around this issue.
* Re-structuring of Message Files:
After four years of operation, the GENERAL message file got close to its upper message limit. Since I didn't want to delete any of your previous messages, I decided to move them to the new ARCHIVE message file. There you can find all messages of the old GENERAL message board (2022-2025). Also, the MAKING, CODE&CO and ANNOUNCE message files have been dropped.
[Press a key]](https://files.mastodon.social/cache/media_attachments/files/113/978/634/564/044/851/original/bf88bf6e9259bb31.png)
+++ 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
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
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!
refining the full message scan by adding a "quiet scan" option and a nifty summary.
+++ 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.
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
I am currently doing some testing with #rc2014bbs and there is something strange here:
#rcbox #BBS runs on a Z80 CP/M system ( #rc2014 ) and I am using the CP/M file transfer tool KMD.COM to #transfer #files to and from the system via #xmodem (CRC and 1K - both possible).
This seems to work as long as the client machine up- or downloading files is an #8bit machine: a RC2014 with #Qterm works, a #Commodore64 with #CCGMS works - but as soon as I try to use #Syncterm or #Qodem or any other modern #Linux #terminal #program the transfers fail with either "error in header" or, more often, with "CRC error".
How is this possible?! 🤔
And for all you #rc2014 fans out there - here's a website I re-discovered while searching for something else.
I remember Lumir Vanek from my previous social media experience, the one that once was a bird. But I left there and lost contact.
Anyway - his website is a treasure of information and inspiration. And he even guides you through the process of connecting with #rc2014bbs #rcbox
cleaning up my cloud storage, I found this little clip of #rcbox #rc2014bbs in action. The setup is still the same, placed in the living-room cupboard next (and connected to) to the tv.
btw: speaking of my little #rc2014 #z80 based #bbs I think that it may be useful to upgrade the #romwbw version to 3.4
Still there, waiting for you ... ☎️ 💻
@mos_8502 @CommodoreSpence yes. I came to CP/M in late 2020 when I built my first #rc2014 kit and expanded it. Then I ran CP/M and learned about it. And then, only then, I understood why this OS is so legendary! I use it on a daily basis now. Even if it is just for checking for messages in #rcbox.
+++ SYSOP NOTICE +++ SYSOP NOTICE +++ SYSOP NOTICE +++
I am sorry to inform you that due to an unexpected technical issue, #rcbox #rc2014bbs had to revert to a backup from April 27th, loosing all messages beyond that date.
The #BBS is up and running again now. I'm sorry for this inconvenience!
+++ PRO TIP +++ PRO TIP +++ PRO TIP +++
When using an external power-supply for your #rc2014 make sure you are not in a hurry and grab the wrong one, routing 12V DC into a 5V DC circuitry. This will inevitably fry any #CFCard #esp8266 #PiPico #RAM #ROM and #Z80 chips on the system, requiring half a day of searching your lab for spare parts to get things up-and-running again (the 74xxx series chips all survived)!
EDIT: miraculously, the #esp8266 of the WiFi modem module also survived!!!
Still here, waiting for you!
"RC-BOX BBS" (Telnet: rc2014.ddns.net:2014), the world's first and (currently) only #rc2014 based telnet BBS !!
RC-BOX BBS #rc2014bbs had a small DynDNS hickup. We're back online now!
#rcbox
@Rog @fast_code_r_us not me, use the esp8266 for a WiFi modem on my #rc2014 based #rcbox #bbs 😇
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