THE BBS

TO2026 BBS.

A community board like those of the 1980s, entered through the machine: forums, private messages, chat, files and games, by keyboard, on a true 80 by 30 ANSI terminal. There are no images: the server sends text, and even the logo is made of characters it downloads into the machine. The BBS itself is in French.

BBS home screen: the TO2026 logo and the menu of six sections.
The home screen. Each section opens with its letter.

How to get in

  1. Open the machine: /en/machine, then insert the BASIC 2026 cartridge and power on.
  2. Start the terminal: click the floppy icon in the menu, then double-click the Bbs icon on the desktop. You can also choose BASIC 2026 and type RUN "BBS".
  3. Read without an account: forums, approved files, the chat and the directory are open to everyone.
  4. Take part: on the home screen, press L to sign in with ProAdmin, then choose a nickname. It is what others see, never your name.

The keys

KeyEffect
M F J C A ?On the home screen: messages, files, games, chat, directory, help
1 to 7Opens the line with that number
↑ ↓ EnterSelects a line, then opens it
RGoes back
TabMoves to the next input field
F3Publishes or sends a message
F4Leaves an input field or the chat

The sections

The list of six forums.
Forums. Six rooms, from the Thomson lounge to the memory of the TO and MO.
An open topic and its actions.
Read and reply. R replies, C quotes, ! reports a message to the Sysop.
Private messages.
Private messages. From the forums, P opens your mailbox and E writes to a nickname. They are not encrypted.
The chat room, with a sample message.
Chat. A live room, Enter sends. Lines are removed after 30 days.
The four file categories.
Files. T downloads, U uploads. An upload appears once the Sysop approves it.
The list of games and demos.
Games. L starts a program from the system disk. RUN "BBS" brings you back.
The BBS directory.
Directory. The known boards, / to search.
The help screen.
Help. All of this, inside the terminal. The preferences are there too.

Your data

Your public messages can be read by everyone. In the preferences, My account deletes your account once you type EFFACER. Details are on the Privacy page. These screenshots come from a test account.

Open the machine