Hey Cem!

What is the fastest/user friendliest way to participate in FidoNet
nowadays?

I am guessing whatever way you posted the above question.

Is downloading QWK packages still the way to go?

I sure hope not ... QWK sucks ... always has.

Any other more practical methods you use?

Speaking for myself, bash scripts are the most practical method. I prefer the one that created this fine and honourable response. I especially like the old english taglines. The random penguin matrix above the tagline is also a nice touch, as well as makes my msgs far more unique than method(s) that were ever deployed by any nodelisted fidonet sysop anywhere on this planet.

I am the best. :-)

Дуже груви,
Maurice

-o o- o- o- -o o- -o -o -o o- o- o-
(\ /) /) /) (\ /) (\ (\ (\ /) /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... Leorna hwæthwugu æt ðam wisran, þæt þu mæge læran þone unwisran.
Learn something from the wise, so you can teach the ignorant.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)

On Thu, 25 Dec 2025 13:09:50 -0800
"Cem Uzunoglu -> All" <0@45.105.1> wrote:

Hi all,
It's been a very long time away from the BBS scene. What is the fastest/user friendliest way to participate in FidoNet nowadays? Is downloading QWK packages still the way to go? Any other more practical methods you use?
--- SBBSecho 3.23-Linux
* Origin: 4d2 dot org // bbs.4d2.org // +1 541 442 4422 (1:105/45)

I'd say *this* (nntp) method is "easiest".

But most of the time, I use OpenXP (see https:/openxp.kolico.ca)

---
* Origin: news://news.fidonet.fi (2:221/360.0)

Maurice Kinal wrote to Cem Uzunoglu <=-

MK> I am guessing whatever way you posted the above question.
I used MultiMail with nvim editor on the linux terminal.

MK> I sure hope not ... QWK sucks ... always has.
The main thing here is I don't know if there is a way to sync my down/reply packets without going through the login process of a BBS.


... Direct from the Ministry of Silly Walks
=== MultiMail/Linux v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.23-Linux
* Origin: 4d2 dot org // bbs.4d2.org // +1 541 442 4422 (1:105/45)

Hey Cem!

On Fri, 26 Dec 2025 03:14:10 -0800, you wrote:

I used MultiMail with nvim editor on the linux terminal.

The main thing here is I don't know if there is a way to sync my
down/reply packets without going through the login process of a BBS.

* Origin: 4d2 dot org // bbs.4d2.org // +1 541 442 4422 (1:105/45)

Using the above address, it looks like they have their Synchronet FTP server open to the public, which is a good thing for QWK users:

$ ftp bbs.4d2.org
Connected to bbs.4d2.org.
220-4d2 dot org (bbs.4d2.org)
Synchronet FTP Server 3.20a-Linux Ready
220 Please enter your user name.
Name (bbs.4d2.org:):

Login with your username/password, and the QWK packet will be sitting in the main directory waiting for you to download (get BBSID.qwk). Then, when you have a reply packet, you can use 'put BBSID.rep' the same way. You can write a couple bash scripts to automate the process, if you wish.. but this will skip the steps needed to go through an entire login process to a BBS in order to download/upload your offline mail packets.

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20250409
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (1:154/10)

Hello Cem!

26 Dec 25 03:14, you wrote to Maurice Kinal:

I am guessing whatever way you posted the above question.

I used MultiMail with nvim editor on the linux terminal.

I sure hope not ... QWK sucks ... always has.

The main thing here is I don't know if there is a way to sync my down/reply packets without going through the login process of a BBS.

Hi. I can only speak about the servers I know that use Synchronet. I don't know how others do it.

If you have FTP access, you don't need to connect to the BBS. You can do it with curl, FTP, or LFTP.

Once you connect with your username and password, the BBS prepares the qwk package, and then you download it. You can create a simple script to automate the whole process.


--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20250409
* Origin: Citrick BBS citlmbbs.synchro.net (2:341/207.1)

Hello Maurice Kinal!

** On Friday 26.12.25 - 02:07, Maurice Kinal wrote to August Abolins:

Hey August!

Just keep in mind that more than 12 penguins is not compatible with
quoting. ;)

Yep. The below 100% legitimate penguin matrix fits perfectly in a msg
but will indeed screw up any attempt to properly quote back given the additional characters added by any quote method currently being deployed by fidonet msg-ing types. What a shame.

-o o- o- o- -o o- -o -o -o o- o- o-
(\ /) /) /) (\ /) (\ (\ (\ /) /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^

12. Those "fit" OK.

Twice over now. I see it could easily go thrice.

Thrice seems ok here.

o- o- -o -o -o -o o- o- -o -o -o -o -o o- o-
o- /) /) (\ (\ (\ (\ /) /) (\ (\ (\ (\ (\ /)
/) /) ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ... Fidonet 4K - Sweet Sixteen Penguins of the Apocalypse. -+- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
+ Origin: One of us @ (1:153/7001.2989)

Oops.. starting to get messy, like penguins usually are.

Maybe you can consider bringing in your penguins closer to each
other, eg:

-o o- o- o- -o o- -o -o -o o- o- o-
(\ /) /) /) (\ /) (\ (\ (\ /) /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^

--
../|ug

--- OpenXP 5.0.64
* Origin: (2:221/1.58)

Hey Alan!

I still think QWK or offline mail is the way to go.

I agree with offline mail but definetly *NOT* QWK ... or bluewave while we're at it. However given the lack of suitable client/server applications I can readily understand the attraction of multimail QWK / Synchronet ftp setup.

Personally I think the idea requires a total overhaul.

Дуже груви,
Maurice

o- -o -o -o o- o- -o o- o- -o o- o-
/) (\ (\ (\ /) /) (\ /) /) (\ /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... WARNING: Mixing perogies with LSD may cause a bad trip to Vegreville.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)

Hey Cem!

I used MultiMail with nvim editor on the linux terminal.

Excellent choice. nvim should have no issues with utf-8 but I can't say the same for either QWK or Bluewave honouring utf-8 characters. I honestly believe a new offline format is required.

Дуже груви,
Maurice

o- o- -o o- o- o- o- o- -o -o o- -o
/) /) (\ /) /) /) /) /) (\ (\ /) (\
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... Scyle monna gehwylc mid gemete healdan a wiþ leofne ond wið laþne.
Every man should act with moderation both to friends and foes.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)

Hey August!

Thrice seems ok here.

I figured it should ... or at least for 12 and under. The problem here is that 3 out of 4 systems I cuurrently have working are all 16.

Maybe you can consider bringing in your penguins closer to each
other

Maybe for 16 but then that would complicate the routine that creates the penguin matrix. Mind you for more than 16, things are going to get complicated since additional row(s) of penguins will be required. With 12 being the upper limit per row of penguins, this wouldn't require any respacing, but then would require 2 rows of penguins (12 + 4 = 16). Given enough penguins and the matrix starts resembling a QR code.

Дуже груви,
Maurice

-o o- -o -o -o o- -o -o -o o- o- -o
(\ /) (\ (\ (\ /) (\ (\ (\ /) /) (\
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... [Wif sceal] leohtmod wesan rune healdan, rumheort beon.
A woman should be cheerful, keep secrets, and have a generous heart.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)

Mike Powell wrote to CEM UZUNOGLU <=-

MK> I am guessing whatever way you posted the above question.
I used MultiMail with nvim editor on the linux terminal.

MK> I sure hope not ... QWK sucks ... always has.
The main thing here is I don't know if there is a way to sync my down/reply packets without going through the login process of a BBS.

--- SBBSecho 3.23-Linux

Looks like you are on a Synchronet BBS. You can log into the BBS to up/download packets but, if your sysop allows ftp access, you can also
set up ftp scripts to up/download your packets.

I, for example, use these when I can't access them with Golded.
As someone else already mentioned, there are a lot of uses and it's all a matter of taste.

======================
======================
#!/bin/sh

ftp -n server_ip server_port <<EOF
user "user_name" password
get YOUR_BBS_ID.qwk
bye
EOF

======================
======================

#!/bin/sh

ftp -n server_ip server_port <<EOF
user "user_name" password
put YOUR_RESPONSE.rep
bye
EOF

======================
======================

Get:
curl -u USERNAME:PASSWORD -O ftp://server_ip:server_port/YOUR_BBS_ID.qwk

Put:
curl --ftp-pasv -u USERNAME:PASSWORD -T RESPONSE.rep ftp://server_ip:server_port/

Citrick BBS citlmbbs.synchro.net telnet 2300 ssh 2424
Dedicated to all retro hardware.

=== MultiMail/Linux v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.33-FreeBSD
* Origin: Citrick BBS citlmbbs.synchro.net tel 2300 ssh 2424 (2:341/207)

Hello Maurice!

** On Friday 26.12.25 - 15:59, Maurice Kinal wrote to Cem Uzunoglu:

Excellent choice. nvim should have no issues with utf-8
but I can't say the same for either QWK or Bluewave
honouring utf-8 characters. I honestly believe a new
offline format is required.

No one seems to be interested in building a new offline packet
system.

Maybe a new packet system that supports some utf-8 and
integrated with a local message management database system
would be quite nice for people who are primarily interested in
just the echomail from any FTN-based system. Oh wait.. it
already exists - it's called OpenXP! :D

As for "supports some utf-8", it's primarily limited what the
DOS terminal [char sets or font seletion] system can do or not.

Oh.. another system that *does* claim to support a broader
implementation for utf-8 is WinPoint.

--
../|ug

--- OpenXP 5.0.64
* Origin: (2:221/1.58)

Hey Tanausu!

Yes, if you're not interested in network emails, NNTP is fine and
simple.

Why not a modified binkp transfer of BBS offline files instead? Why is everyone so set on making obsolete protocols of non-ftn messaging?

To be honest I am not interested in anything that doesn't account for FTN msg'ing, offline or otherwise. My stuff works 100% and currently uses scp to do transfers between points and the node.

"Little Mikey's Brain" doesn't require ANY abandonware. The only thing lacking is ye ol' hobby networking philosopy of olde.

Дуже груви,
Maurice

-o -o -o o- -o o- -o -o o- o- -o -o
(\ (\ (\ /) (\ /) (\ (\ /) /) (\ (\
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... Þæs ofereode, þisses swa mæg.
That passed away; so will this.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)

Hey August!

No one seems to be interested in building a new offline packet
system.

I've known that for decades now which is why I built my own without ANY abandoware and/or obsolete protocols. That is the main reason I can claim to be the best there is, and ever was, in all of fidonet, present and past. The future? I don't expect to live forever.

Дуже груви,
Maurice

-o o- o- o- o- -o -o o- o- o- o- o-
(\ /) /) /) /) (\ (\ /) /) /) /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... Druncen beorg þe ond dollic word.
Guard against drunkenness and foolish words.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)

Hey Alan!

I still think QWK or offline mail is the way to go.

I agree with offline mail but definetly *NOT* QWK ... or bluewave while we're at it. However given the lack of suitable client/server applications I can readily understand the attraction of multimail QWK / Synchronet ftp setup.

I generally use BW with BBBS although it also offers Hippo (dunno what that is), Omen, Text format and one other I forget now. It works well and generally looka better formatted than using the BBBS online message ediror as I am now.

Personally I think the idea requires a total overhaul.

It could use that but there isn't much going on in the way of development in Fidoland anymore. There was a time when FTN was the place to be but that is long gone now, unfortunately.

--- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-7
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757)

Hey Alan!

I generally use BW with BBBS

Last time messaging with BBBS I used lynx to it's web interface. That wasn't offlining though.

There was a time when FTN was the place to be but that is long gone
now, unfortunately.

As far as I am personally concerned, I plan to continue, which probably makes me best-er. :-)

Дуже груви,
Maurice

o- o- o- -o -o -o -o o- -o o- o- o-
/) /) /) (\ (\ (\ (\ /) (\ /) /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... A hafað longunge se þe on lagu fundað.
He ever has a longing who sets out on the sea.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)

There was a time when FTN was the place to be but that is long gone
now, unfortunately.

I said that wrong. I meant that FTN was the place to be for developers at one time. It's still a good place to be but there are few developers these days.

As far as I am personally concerned, I plan to continue, which probably makes me best-er. :-)

Yes, you can develop software yourself.

I don't have a programmer or developer bone in my body so I can't share any of that.

--- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-7
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757)

Hey Alan!

I don't have a programmer or developer bone in my body so I can't
share any of that.

Near as I can tell you don't require either.

I started doing fidonet way back when (DOS) before discovering linux. My main experience with development came from hacking before I knew what hacking was, first on VAX/VMS and later unix (solaris). My DOS hack was abandoned once I found slackware. Switching to linux was the smartest thing I've ever done. Back then there were zero ftn capable apps so I was forced to grow my own rather than do something foolish like running a BBS under dosemu or other such nonsense. That is when things like squish, jam, qwk, bluewave etc. went the way of the dodo bird for me.

As for programming software, the only thing I can think of worthwhile pursuing would be a ftn capable widec ncurses based user interface, which would make this more of a traditional DOS-think interface except with utf-8 compatibility. Personally I don't really need it but I have to admit it would be nice. Right now I am using vim as my offline editor which has no issues as far as utf-8 text is concerned.

Дуже груви,
Maurice

-o -o o- o- -o -o -o o- -o o- o- o-
(\ (\ /) /) (\ (\ (\ /) (\ /) /) /)
^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
... Leorna lare lærgedefe, wene þec in wisdom.
Learn lessons fit for learning, train yourself in wisdom.
--- GNU bash, version 5.3.9(1)-release (x86_64-pc-linux-gnu)
* Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)