Break Into Chat

Josh Renaud’s blog about BBS history, retro computing and technology reminiscences.

  • A different way to play, part 5: TWTerm

    A different way to play, part 5: TWTerm

    This is the fifth installment in my series “A different way to play” about front-end clients for BBS door games. TWTerm I was never a very good TradeWars 2002 player. Sure I would trade, hunt for the StarDock, and fight other players — but I was probably just cannon fodder for the serious players. (Check…

  • A different way to play, part 4: GTERM

    A different way to play, part 4: GTERM

    This is the fourth installment in my series “A different way to play” about front-end clients for BBS door games. GTERM GTERM was a front-end for Land of Devastation that enabled an SVGA-resolution interface with graphics, music, and sound effects.

  • A different way to play, part 3: OOIITERM

    A different way to play, part 3: OOIITERM

    This is the third installment in my series “A different way to play” about front-end clients for BBS door games. OOIITERM OOIITERM (also called “Overkill Ansiterm”) was a front-end for Operation Overkill II. Its purpose was to render the game’s interface instantly for users who had slow modems. It also offered optional SoundBlaster sound effects.

  • A different way to play, part 2: Pit Terminal

    A different way to play, part 2: Pit Terminal

    This is the second installment in my series “A different way to play” about front-end clients for BBS door games. Pit Terminal James Berry’s The Pit was an action game in which players could fight each other in gladiatorial combat. In the normal ANSI version of the game, the player character and his opponent are…

  • A different way to play: front-ends

    A different way to play: front-ends

    This is the first installment in my series “A different way to play” about front-end clients for BBS door games. Silent. Simple. Social. I suspect that’s how many people remember BBS door games. In our memories, we recall quaint multiplayer, turn-based, text games. They lacked sophisticated graphics, music, and sound effects — significant flaws for…

  • Tutorial: Telnet to a BBS using a terminal program in the Hatari emulator

    Tutorial: Telnet to a BBS using a terminal program in the Hatari emulator

    I’ve written in the past about my adventures telnetting to BBSes from terminal programs running inside the Hatari emulator. I’ve made some changes in my process and I thought it would be good to explain everything, step-by-step. It’s not for the novice, but it is rewarding.



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