Welcome to the Synchronet Wiki

This is the Wiki for everything related to Synchronet BBS Software — a free, open-source package for running your own online BBS supporting multiple simultaneous users, hierarchical message and file areas, multi-user chat, and classic BBS door games.

1. Install Synchronet on your platform (Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker, Raspberry Pi…)
2. Configure your BBS — start with configuration files and use SCFG for interactive setup
3. Add modules and doors to expand your BBS with games, utilities, and services
4. How-to guides for common tasks: FidoNet, DOVE-Net, web, email, and more
5. Connect to Vertrauen to see a live Synchronet BBS in action

Vertrauen is the home BBS of Synchronet BBS Software. Connect and explore:

• Telnet · SSH · RLogin
• Web terminal · Files · FTP · IRC

Synchronet BBS Software is a free and open-source package that can turn your personal computer (or a Raspberry Pi, VPS, etc.) into a custom online service. It supports Telnet, SSH, FTP, SMTP, POP3, IRC, NNTP, and HTTP, and runs on modern computing platforms.

Development began in 1990 for MS-DOS with Hayes-compatible modems and was sold commercially from 1992–1996, then released to the public domain. In 1999 development resumed with a full redesign for the Internet era. Synchronet Version 3 for Windows and Unix-like OSes is available for download here and is under continuous active development.

Not sure what a BBS is? Here are some good starting points:

• Videos:
  1. Lon.TV: Retro Review - Computer Bulletin Board (BBS) Systems
  2. 34C3: BBSs and early Internet access in the 1990ies
  3. Al's Geek Lab: Back to the BBS
  4. The Computer Chronicles - Modems & Bulletin Boards (1985)
  5. Hackfest 2024 - aNACHRONiST - Bulletin Board Systems in the Modern Era and Beyond
  6. VICE: The Lost Art of Warez
• Articles:
  1. The Atlantic: The Lost Civilization of Dial-Up Bulletin Board Systems
  2. How-to Geek: Remember BBSes? Here's How You Can Visit One Today
  3. digital man: Why BBS?

• Created by digital man in February 2010
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