Welcome!
If you found your way to this page on SysOpNet, you might be interested in BBSing.
It really is very simple, and a ton of fun! There is no demographic for a BBS user…old(seasoned), new, young, returning, male, female, pick a country or a race – BBSing is a conglomerate of anyone and everyone!
Here is what you need to get started:
1. A terminal client  *Recommended for starting out
| Clients | Windows | Linux | Mac/iOS | OS/2 | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| * Netrunner | X | X | |||
| * SyncTerm | X | X | X | ||
| * MuffinTerm | X | X (iOS) | |||
| mTelnet | X | X | |||
| Welly | X | ||||
| Qodem | X | X | X | ||
| ConnectBot (Android) | X | X | X | ||
| Ghostty | X | X | |||
| SuperPuTTY | X | X | |||
| ZOC Terminal | X | X | |||
| fTelnet – web-based | X | X | X | X | X |
| TERMinator (iOS) TERMinator (Android) | X |
Linux/Unix systems and Windows systems have a native built-in Telnet client program, which can be used to access to BBSes. Compatibility with ANSI graphics depends on your system and settings. No transfer protocols can be used. |
2. All of these telnet clients have excellent documents on getting started. Please visit their sites to learn more. In a nutshell, you pick a BBS, get their address (bbs.pwecksretreat.com, I know, a shameless plug), their PORT, in this case, 2332. Drop those two items into the telnet client, and connect!
3. Somewhere to go:
Telnet BBS Guide There are over 1000 BSS places to visit (yes, over 1000!) Once you become comfortable, you likely will chose one style over another. To get started, just pick any of them. Did I mention that most, if not nearly all, are free to join and participate in? FREEEEEEE!