On Mar 26, 2026 09:31am, NIGHTFOX wrote to MORTAR:

No, it can connect to, say, a BBS to download a QWK

packet. As a BBS

user, you can often download a QWK packet from a BBS to

use it with an

offline reader; SlyMail allows you to do that from

within SlyMail - It

can connect to a remote system via FTP or SSH, and that

system would

usually be a BBS, and it lets you select a QWK packet to

download, and

then read.

Therein lies the rub. Some systems (like mine) do not offer
a qwk/rep via ftp capability, so to some of us it would be a
worthless tool. Now if you could add in telnet with zmodem
ability that'd be best.

Just my $0.02 worth.
---
■ wcQWK 10.0 ≈ Over The Brink ª Grand Island, NY USA | brinkbbs.org

Re: RE: New offline QWK mail
By: Robert Wolfe to NIGHTFOX on Thu Mar 26 2026 02:35 pm

Therein lies the rub. Some systems (like mine) do not offer a qwk/rep via ftp capability, so to some of us it would be a worthless tool. Now if you could add in telnet with zmodem ability that'd be best.

Adding a built-in telnet client to SlyMail, with the ability to download files, seems like it could be a big task. I don't think SlyMail would be a worthless tool, as you could still use SlyMail for its offline QWK reader capabilities - That's what it is first, and I figured the built-in functionality to download via FTP/SSH would be an added convenience.

Nightfox

Hey Robert!

On Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:35:00 +0000, you wrote:

Therein lies the rub. Some systems (like mine) do not offer
a qwk/rep via ftp capability, so to some of us it would be a
worthless tool. Now if you could add in telnet with zmodem
ability that'd be best.

Can Multimail use telnet with zmodem? How about Bluewave?

It's just a "feature" of SlyMail since I believe FTP is the most common way to upload/download QWK/REP packets, it does not need to be used. You can download the QWK packet via telnet with zmodem yourself, and open the QWK packet with SlyMail once you have it, just like you would with Multimail or Bluewave (or probably any other offline QWK readers.

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm: because beating people up is illegal.
--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20260304
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (723:1/1)
ï¿­ Synchronet ï¿­ _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin)

Re: RE: New offline QWK mail
By: Robert Wolfe to NIGHTFOX on Thu Mar 26 2026 02:35 pm
Adding a built-in telnet client to SlyMail, with the ability to download files, seems like it could be a big task. I don't think SlyMail would be a worthless tool, as you could still use SlyMail for its offline QWK reader capabilities - That's what it is first, and I figured the built-in functionality to download via FTP/SSH would be an added convenience.

I'm replying to this with SlyMail. not sure what the above quote will look like, as it doesn't wrap on screen.

Couple suggestions:

an option to only show areas with new mail. and/or possibly highlight areas that have mail in the area list.

There's definitely some cursor wonkyness related to the wordwrap line above. If I put my cursor on the end of the
line (it cuts off at "big tas") the cursor shows up in the bottom right of the window. if I try to edit though,
the line splits.


I also saw a blank message from you in this area from earlier today. SlyMail showed it as a reply to some other
message, but when I tried to turn on headers, it showed most everything was blank. There was no "to" or "subject"
listed either. I wish I would have screenshotted it, but apparently I overwrote the qwk packet when I downloaded
the one containing the message I'm replying to now.

Also, that's something MM does, maybe when downloading a qwk packet, it can rename the older one (or the newer
one)?

Not sure if I'm being helpful or not :) None of these are complaints, just things I noticed. So far, it's pretty
kick-ass. I love the theming!


...When I die, I'm leaving my body to science fiction.

---
■ Synchronet ■ War Ensemble BBS - The sport is war, total war - warensemble.com

One more thing - the ability to download a qwk packet via ftp is great. But the ability to upload a rep packet
would be great too :) (I didn't see an option for upload)

...What's the speed of dark?

---
■ Synchronet ■ War Ensemble BBS - The sport is war, total war - warensemble.com

Re: Re: RE: New offline QWK m
By: DaiTengu to Nightfox on Thu Mar 26 2026 07:09 pm

Thanks for the reply. What version of SlyMail were you using? I released a version 0.52 this afternoon (March 26).

Nightfox

Re: Re: RE: New offline QWK m
By: DaiTengu to Nightfox on Thu Mar 26 2026 07:10 pm

One more thing - the ability to download a qwk packet via ftp is great. But the ability to upload a rep packet
would be great too :) (I didn't see an option for upload)

I added that in version 0.52, which was released today.

It sounds like you were using version 0.51 or 0.50? If so, that may explain some of the wrapping, quoting, and cursor wonkyness you mentioned. I'd recommend updating to the latest version and trying that out.

Nightfox

Re: Re: RE: New offline QWK m
By: DaiTengu to Nightfox on Thu Mar 26 2026 07:10 pm

One more thing - the ability to download a qwk packet via ftp is great. But the ability to upload a rep packet
would be great too :) (I didn't see an option for upload)

Also, SlyMail version 0.52 (which I released earlier today) has an option to upload a REP packet. :)

Nightfox

Hi Accession,
In a message to Robert Wolfe you wrote:

It's just a "feature" of SlyMail since I believe FTP is the most
common way to upload/download QWK/REP packets, it does not need to be
used. You can download the QWK packet via telnet with zmodem yourself,
and open the QWK packet with SlyMail once you have it, just like you
would with Multimail or Bluewave (or probably any other offline QWK readers.

I use that feature on your BBS every day. I wrote a program that:

1) Polls Fidonet and tosses those packets.
2) connects to your FTP site and downloads a QWK
3) Imports QWK into squish base.

When I close the offline reader it then:

4) Scans for any messages I wrote and if it finds them creates a REP
for those networks, or runs HPT scan etc for fidonet.
5) Sends fidonet mail if any.
6) Connects via FTP to your BBS and uploads a REP if it exists.

All done automatically so for me it's great since in the summer I operate
on limited bandwith when I'm in the woods.

So IMO if anyone wants to use offline mail a Synchronet BBS that's
configured to allow FTP is the perfect solution.

... Hell hath no fury like a bureaucrat scorned.


* SeM. 2.26 * paranoia: believing this tagline is about you.
---
■ Synchronet ■ _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin)

Looks fantastic, well done. Exciting to see more offline mail readers and BBS server packages enter the scene!
---

The one I am waiting for is the one that looks like its discord and
titan mail had a baby.

***wcTaglines: Go Indians! And take the Browns with you.
---
■ wcQWK 10.0 ≈ Inland Utopia * iutopia.duckdns.org:2323

Re: RE: New offline QWK mail
By: Robert Wolfe to NIGHTFOX on Thu Mar 26 2026 02:35 pm

Therein lies the rub. Some systems (like mine) do not offer
a qwk/rep via ftp capability, so to some of us it would be a
worthless tool. Now if you could add in telnet with zmodem
ability that'd be best.

MultiMail doesn't have telnet/zmodem either, that means MultiMail is worthless? --
digital man (rob)

Sling Blade quote #19:
Doyle: I can't so much as drink a damn glass of water around a midget
Norco, CA WX: 64.9°F, 74.0% humidity, 0 mph NNW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs ---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

On 3/27/2026 10:39 PM, DIGITAL MAN wrote to Robert Wolfe:

Re: RE: New offline QWK mail
By: Robert Wolfe to NIGHTFOX on Thu Mar 26 2026 02:35 pm

Therein lies the rub. Some systems (like mine) do not offer
a qwk/rep via ftp capability, so to some of us it would be a
worthless tool. Now if you could add in telnet with zmodem
ability that'd be best.

MultiMail doesn't have telnet/zmodem either, that means MultiMail is worthless?

not at all. I used Multimail back in the day.
---
■ wcQWK 10.0 ≈ Over The Brink ª Grand Island, NY USA | brinkbbs.org

Robert Wolfe wrote to DIGITAL MAN <=-

On 3/27/2026 10:39 PM, DIGITAL MAN wrote to Robert Wolfe:

Therein lies the rub. Some systems (like mine) do not offer
a qwk/rep via ftp capability, so to some of us it would be a
worthless tool. Now if you could add in telnet with zmodem
ability that'd be best.

MultiMail doesn't have telnet/zmodem either, that means MultiMail is

worthless?

not at all. I used Multimail back in the day.

MultiMail is probably the most widely used offline reader in use TODAY.



... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
■ Synchronet ■ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

Re: Re: RE: New offline QWK m
By: DaiTengu to Nightfox on
Thu Mar 26 2026 07:10 pm
I added that in version 0.52, which was released today.
It sounds like you were using version 0.51 or 0.50? If so, that may explain some of the wrapping, quoting, and cursor wonkyness you
mentioned. I'd recommend updating to the latest version and trying
that out.

Ok yeah, I was using 0.50. 0.52 seems better thus far. I'll see how the QWK download/upload stuff goe.
Still, it's pretty neat to have a new modern-esque QWK reader :)

...Power corrupts. Absolute power is kinda neat, though.

---
■ Synchronet ■ War Ensemble BBS - The sport is war, total war - warensemble.com

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Gamgee to Robert Wolfe on Sat Mar 28 2026 09:51 am

MultiMail doesn't have telnet/zmodem either, that means MultiMail is

worthless?

MultiMail is probably the most widely used offline reader in use TODAY.

Right. It was a rhetorical question. :-)
--
digital man (rob)

Breaking Bad quote #9:
"Cheesedick" - I know that one [word]. How about that? - Hank Schrader
Norco, CA WX: 83.8°F, 34.0% humidity, 8 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: RE: New offline QWK mail
By: Robert Wolfe to DIGITAL MAN on Sat Mar 28 2026 07:38 am

On 3/27/2026 10:39 PM, DIGITAL MAN wrote to Robert Wolfe:

Re: RE: New offline QWK mail
By: Robert Wolfe to NIGHTFOX on Thu Mar 26 2026 02:35 pm

Therein lies the rub. Some systems (like mine) do not offer
a qwk/rep via ftp capability, so to some of us it would be a
worthless tool. Now if you could add in telnet with zmodem
ability that'd be best.

MultiMail doesn't have telnet/zmodem either, that means MultiMail is worthless?

not at all. I used Multimail back in the day.

You can't complain about how other things are worthless to your bbs software when your software has had such a bad track record with several things.
The cost, the lack of development, and limitations have gone on for a very long Time with winserver.


--
"Before using Wildcat....This Company did not have a convenient way of
looking after some of the richest clients in the world...Now we do!"

President of BBS Sysop's Union +++ https://bbses.info/union
---
■ Synchronet ■ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Digital Man wrote to Gamgee <=-

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Gamgee to Robert Wolfe on Sat Mar 28 2026 09:51 am

MultiMail doesn't have telnet/zmodem either, that means MultiMail is worthless?

MultiMail is probably the most widely used offline reader in use TODAY.

Right. It was a rhetorical question. :-)

Oops, yes... I was in a hurry and thought I was replying to the other
guy, after his reference of having used it "back in the day"... ;-)



... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.52
■ Synchronet ■ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Gamgee to Digital Man on Sat Mar 28 2026 08:21 pm

Right. It was a rhetorical question. :-)

Oops, yes... I was in a hurry and thought I was replying to the other
guy, after his reference of having used it "back in the day"... ;-)

You did. :-)
--
digital man (rob)

This Is Spinal Tap quote #33:
Nigel Tufnel: Well, so what? What's wrong with bein' sexy?
Norco, CA WX: 78.0°F, 34.0% humidity, 8 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Tiny to Accession on Fri Mar 27 2026 06:23 am

All done automatically so for me it's great since in the summer I operate
on limited bandwith when I'm in the woods.

Off topic, but is cost an issue there? I heard something recently about Starlink service.. after signing up, there's some super cheap option that basically just keeps your account active and gives you a very throttled/slow connection, which I think is unlimited. The "mini" kit was recently on sale for around 200-250usd. Sounds like something I'd try if I was in the boonies.

---
■ Synchronet ■ TIRED of waiting 2 hours for a taco? GO TO TACOPRONTO.bbs.io

Hi Phigan,
On <Mon, 29 Mar 26>, you wrote me:

Off topic, but is cost an issue there? I heard something recently
about Starlink service.. after signing up, there's some super cheap

I don't really need a full internet connection when I'm relaxing. ;)

... Honk if you love peace and quiet!


* SeM. 2.26 * If Trump slaps a tariff on Canadian maple syrup... It's gonna ---
■ Synchronet ■ _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin)

Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Tiny to Phigan on Mon Mar 30 2026 05:45 am

I don't really need a full internet
connection when I'm relaxing. ;)

I would go as far as to say that an
internet connection actively sabotages
relaxation.


--Just Post, World Is A Fuck!--

This Quality Shit-Post Brought
To You Via Commodore 64 Ultimate

---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Tiny wrote to Phigan <=-

Off topic, but is cost an issue there? I heard something recently
about Starlink service.. after signing up, there's some super cheap

I don't really need a full internet connection when I'm relaxing. ;)

There's a lot to be said for sneakernet and QWK packets. Before I fly
anywhere, I'd download a qwk packet and respond at my leisure.



--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
■ Synchronet ■ .: realitycheckbbs.org :: scientia potentia est :.

Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Tiny to Phigan on Mon Mar 30 2026 05:45 am

I don't really need a full internet connection when I'm relaxing. ;)

...as opposed to a partial internet connection? I'm not sure what "full internet connection" means? :P

Nightfox

Off topic, but is cost an issue there? I heard something recently
about Starlink service.. after signing up, there's some super cheap

I don't really need a full internet connection when I'm relaxing. ;)

Might be more relaxing to *not* have one. ;)


* SLMR 2.1a * I was a tall person before I used PKZIP...!
---
■ Synchronet ■ CAPCITY2 * Capitol City Online

There's a lot to be said for sneakernet and QWK packets. Before I fly
anywhere, I'd download a qwk packet and respond at my leisure.

It was fun bbsing in a different country. I was calling bbses 5000 miles
away from home.


***wcTaglines: Bell announces, FREE call waitiØng“æØ*¥8>Ÿ
---
þ wcQWK 10.0 ÷ Inland Utopia * iutopia.duckdns.org:2323

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Matthew Munson to POINDEXTER FORTRAN on Mon Mar 30 2026 08:36 pm

It was fun bbsing in a different country. I was calling bbses 5000 miles away from home.

I only ever called a long-distance BBS once or twice, and it was a company's BBS, where I was looking for something (perhaps an updated driver or something, I don't remember for sure).

These days, though, I've heard the BBS scene is still popular in China, due to China's policy of censoring things online (people can go under the radar with BBSes, as China hasn't censored them yet, apparently). I've been curious to call some, though I don't read Chinese.

Nightfox

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Matthew Munson to POINDEXTER FORTRAN on Mon Mar 30 2026 20:36:00

There's a lot to be said for sneakernet and QWK packets. Before I fly
anywhere, I'd download a qwk packet and respond at my leisure.

It was fun bbsing in a different country. I was calling bbses 5000 miles away from home.

***wcTaglines: Bell announces, FREE call waiti¡ng"¡¡*¡8>¡

It is still fun. The message centers are still the most fun thing to enjoy on aBBS other than some of the 'door' games. Have fun with it!

Rixter,
telnet://ricksbbs.synchro.net:23
http://ricksbbsy.synchro.net:8080
IRC www.irccloud.com/irc/ricksbbs/channel/ricksbbs

---
■ Synchronet ■ themegabbs.ddns.net 6400

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Tiny on Mon Mar 30 2026 07:09 am

Tiny wrote to Phigan <=-

Off topic, but is cost an issue there? I heard something recently
about Starlink service.. after signing up, there's some super cheap

I don't really need a full internet connection when I'm relaxing. ;)

There's a lot to be said for sneakernet and QWK packets. Before I fly
anywhere, I'd download a qwk packet and respond at my leisure.

I can imagine an offline mail reader would be good for travel. If you HAVE to see the messages. Sometimes you cannot always be connected. What QWK program do you use? We had starlink here for about a year at 120.00 a month. It was ok. The spectrum cable ran a line out to the sticks here 5 years ago and 1gb service for 99.99 a month. I am very happy with it so far. We are in the mountains and whenever weather tanked so did the starlink and we had to use t mobiles mobile hotspot for back up and at best it was 10mbsp down and 1.8 up at best. Maybe it was mbps :) better than nothing. I think T-mobile was the worst one we used ever. The cable RARELY gives us issue and we just added a hotspot plan to our verizon phone account now for just in cases. I can see the QWK coming in handy for quick message grabs and sends during bad weather events or travel.
Rixter
telnet://ricksbbs.synchro.net:23
http://ricksbbs.synchro.net:8080
IRC www.irccloud.com/irc/ricksbbs/channel/ricksbbs

---
■ Synchronet ■ Rick's BBS telnet://ricksbbs.synchro.net:23

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Boraxman to Rixter on Tue Apr 07 2026 10:42 pm

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

It certainly shouldn't be and if/when it is, I'd blame the implementation, not the protocol.
--
digital man (rob)

Steven Wright quote #35:
If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work Norco, CA WX: 78.9°F, 42.0% humidity, 5 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Hi Boraxman,
In a message to Rixter you wrote:

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

I've never had a problem with zmodem over TCP. Over the years I've
run some pretty out there config's with virtual pc's, emulation,
various hacks to run x86 on arm etc etc. Also use a really old and
broken phone as my internet connection when in the woods and in umpteen
years of doing this I've only ever lost a QWK packet due to user error
never due to zmodem. (Sure sometimes, there are so many errors in the
download that it keeps restarting, but it does eventually complete!)

One protocol which is good for asynchronous transfer and "sometimes
on" connecctions is NNCP. It is based on UUCP, Unix-Unix copy, but incorporates encryption and can be mixed with over-the-wire transfers
and physical transfer

I will check NNCP out though as it sounds interesting.

... Photographers do it with a shutter.


* SeM. 2.26 * If Trump slaps a tariff on Canadian maple syrup... It's gonna ---
■ Synchronet ■ _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin)

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Tiny to Boraxman on Wed Apr 08 2026 05:28 am

Hi Boraxman,
In a message to Rixter you wrote:

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

I've never had a problem with zmodem over TCP. Over the years I've
run some pretty out there config's with virtual pc's, emulation,
various hacks to run x86 on arm etc etc. Also use a really old and
broken phone as my internet connection when in the woods and in
umpteen years of doing this I've only ever lost a QWK packet due to
user error never due to zmodem. (Sure sometimes, there are so many
errors in the download that it keeps restarting, but it does
eventually complete!)

One protocol which is good for asynchronous transfer and "sometimes
on" connecctions is NNCP. It is based on UUCP, Unix-Unix copy, but incorporates encryption and can be mixed with over-the-wire
transfers and physical transfer

I will check NNCP out though as it sounds interesting.

... Photographers do it with a shutter.

my experience over the past 27+ years of bbsing on the internet is some
people have problems with zmodem over tcp, and some dont. I have seen with my own eyes when people have problems. myself, i've never had a program. I probably have done more uploads and downloads than most people.


--
"Before using Wildcat....This Company did not have a convenient way of
looking after some of the richest clients in the world...Now we do!"


President of BBS Sysop's Union +++ https://bbses.info/union
---
■ Synchronet ■ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Digital Man to Boraxman on Tue Apr 07 2026 02:09 pm

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Boraxman to Rixter on Tue Apr 07 2026 10:42 pm

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

It certainly shouldn't be and if/when it is, I'd blame the implementation, n the protocol.
--
digital man (rob)

Steven Wright quote #35:
If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work Norco, CA WX: 78.9°F, 42.0% humidity, 5 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs

I've found it that way, more specifically, when using syncterm. Not sure of it is the syncterm implementation, but I think lrszrz has also had issues at times. It seems some BBS's causes issues, some dont.

zmodem wasn't designed for TCP, it was designed for a raw serial connection

---
■ Synchronet ■ MS & RD BBs - bbs.mozysswamp.org

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Boraxman to Rixter on Tue Apr 07 2026 10:42 pm

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

I've never had any problems with Zmodem.
When I call BBS's and download a file, or upload a file, I use Zmodem.

Denn

...T h i s t a g l i n e h a s b e e n u n z i p p e d .

---
■ Synchronet ■ the Outwest BBS - outwest.synchro.net - Home of BBSBASE 6.0

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Boraxman to Digital Man on Wed Apr 08 2026 11:46 pm

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Digital Man to Boraxman on Tue Apr 07 2026 02:09 pm

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Boraxman to Rixter on Tue Apr 07 2026 10:42 pm

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

It certainly shouldn't be and if/when it is, I'd blame the implementation, n the protocol.

I've found it that way, more specifically, when using syncterm. Not sure of it is the syncterm implementation, but I think lrszrz has also had issues at times. It seems some BBS's causes issues, some dont.

zmodem wasn't designed for TCP, it was designed for a raw serial connection

ZMODEM was designed for pretty much any streaming transmission medium, not explicitly "Raw serial connection". There's definitely nothing about TCP that gives ZMODEM any particular heartache. The issues, when I have seen them, have been more about asymmetry in buffer sizes and bandwidths between sender and receiver, but that can be addressed with the different modes (e.g. streaming versus not) that ZMODEM supports. ZMODEM can be run in a per-packet ACK mode similar to X/YMODEM if that's needed, but that's not usually the case (yes, even over TCP).
--
digital man (rob)

Rush quote #56:
His world is under anesthetic, subdivided and synthetic .. Digital Man
Norco, CA WX: 66.2°F, 72.0% humidity, 6 mph WSW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs ---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: MRO to Tiny on Wed Apr 08 2026 07:21 am

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Tiny to Boraxman on Wed Apr 08 2026 05:28 am

Hi Boraxman,
In a message to Rixter you wrote:

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

I've never had a problem with zmodem over TCP. Over the years I've
run some pretty out there config's with virtual pc's, emulation,
various hacks to run x86 on arm etc etc. Also use a really old and broken phone as my internet connection when in the woods and in
umpteen years of doing this I've only ever lost a QWK packet due to
user error never due to zmodem. (Sure sometimes, there are so many
errors in the download that it keeps restarting, but it does
eventually complete!)

One protocol which is good for asynchronous transfer and "sometimes on" connecctions is NNCP. It is based on UUCP, Unix-Unix copy, but incorporates encryption and can be mixed with over-the-wire
transfers and physical transfer

I will check NNCP out though as it sounds interesting.

... Photographers do it with a shutter.

my experience over the past 27+ years of bbsing on the internet is some people have problems with zmodem over tcp, and some dont. I have seen with own eyes when people have problems. myself, i've never had a program. I probably have done more uploads and downloads than most people.

--
"Before using Wildcat....This Company did not have a convenient way of looking after some of the richest clients in the world...Now we do!"

President of BBS Sysop's Union +++ https://bbses.info/union

PErhaps latency is an issue? I'm in Australia, so some American BBS's have a bit of a ping time. Perhaps that is an issue, timing...

---
■ Synchronet ■ MS & RD BBs - bbs.mozysswamp.org

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Boraxman to Rixter on Tue Apr 07 2026 22:42:10

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Rixter to poindexter FORTRAN on Mon Apr 06 2026 06:57 am

I can imagine an offline mail reader would be good for travel. If you HAV > > see the messages. Sometimes you cannot always be connected. What QWK prog > > you use? We had starlink here for about a year at 120.00 a month. It was > > The spectrum cable ran a line out to the sticks here 5 years ago and 1gb
service for 99.99 a month. I am very happy with it so far. We are in the > > mountains and whenever weather tanked so did the starlink and we had to > > mobiles mobile hotspot for back up and at best it was 10mbsp down and 1.8 > > best. Maybe it was mbps :) better than nothing. I think T-mobile was the > > one we used ever. The cable RARELY gives us issue and we just added a hot > > plan to our verizon phone account now for just in cases. I can see the QW > > coming in handy for quick message grabs and sends during bad weather even > > travel.
Rixter

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

One protocol which is good for asynchronous transfer and "sometimes on" connecctions is NNCP. It is based on UUCP, Unix-Unix copy, but incorporates > encryption and can be mixed with over-the-wire transfers and physical transf > f media.

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■ Synchronet ■ MS & RD BBs - bbs.mozysswamp.org

Thank you Boraxman. I will consider this information. Have a great day.

---
■ Synchronet ■ Enigma BBS -=- enigma-bbs.com

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Boraxman to MRO on Thu Apr 09 2026 11:03 pm

President of BBS Sysop's Union +++ https://bbses.info/union

PErhaps latency is an issue? I'm in Australia, so some American
BBS's have a bit of a ping time. Perhaps that is an issue,
timing...

yep that could be a problem. i've also known a few people with really low end computers and they ran tons of stuff in the background. those bbses had issues during file transfers when they were processing mail or whatever.


--
"Before using Wildcat....This Company did not have a convenient way of
looking after some of the richest clients in the world...Now we do!"


President of BBS Sysop's Union +++ https://bbses.info/union
---
■ Synchronet ■ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Boraxman to Digital Man on Wed Apr 08 2026 11:46 pm

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Digital Man to Boraxman on Tue Apr 07 2026 02:09 pm

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

I've found it that way, more specifically, when using syncterm. Not sure of it is the syncterm implementation, but I think lrszrz has also had

The latest 1.8RC2 of SyncTerm fixed an issue with ZModem.

Lonewolf
---
■ Synchronet ■ Fireside BBS, Home of Lone Wolf Software, AI-WX

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Lonewolf to Boraxman on Fri Apr 10 2026 02:11 pm

The latest 1.8RC2 of SyncTerm fixed an issue with ZModem.

And that particular issue was really just an extra delay at the end of a successful ZMODEM file upload (*from* SyncTERM to a server/BBS), while the receiver waited for the file "OO" (over and out) transmission from the sender (SyncTERM), and would timeout usually after just a few seconds, but not affecting the file transfer.
--
digital man (rob)

Sling Blade quote #4:
Doyle: wimpy-ass kids or mental retards.. she got one of each livin' with her. Norco, CA WX: 74.4°F, 55.0% humidity, 7 mph SSW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs ---
■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

I thought it wasn't so much TCP, but the fact it's quite often ZModem over Telnet over TCP.

In which case, there is overlap between ZModem control sequences and Telnet control sequences, and they interfere causing transfers to go whacky.

If the terminal client and board are Telnet-aware, it usually works really well.

The issues grow with "Wifi-232" modems, and Telnet-Fossil bridges, where the sides need to agree on how Telnet control sequences are to be escaped.

Cheers,
RetroSwim

--- Ezycom V2.15g1 01FD0295
* Origin: >> Pool's Open - The RetroSwim BBS (12:1/12)
■ Synchronet ■ AnsiTEX bringing back videotex but with ANSI

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Retroswim to Boraxman on Sat Apr 11 2026 04:53 pm

Howdy,

I thought it wasn't so much TCP, but the fact it's quite often ZModem over Telnet over TCP.

There are two issues with zmodem over networks (that I'm aware of), so it takes some thought to use them:

* Over telent - due to IAC control codes
* TCP window sizes, and one side being slower than the other.

IE: I've sometimes used telnet over a TCPser line, that is serial one side and TCP the other. When the sender (TCP) sends their last byte to a receive (slow link), they start a timer and explode when it hits a timeout (if they havent received a response from the remote).

The receiver however is slowly draining the TCP buffer and when they receive the last byte, they send their ACK, however the other end has long gone. Naturally this isnt always a problem the other way around (slow sending to fast).

As DM said, zmodem can be configured to ACK or wait to send the next block, and use block sizes can be limited to small, so that the ACK timer doesnt explode before the TCP buffer is drained.


...δεσ∩

---
■ Synchronet ■ AnsiTEX bringing back videotex but with ANSI

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Lonewolf to Boraxman on Fri Apr 10 2026 02:11 pm

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Boraxman to Digital Man on Wed Apr 08 2026 11:46 pm

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Digital Man to Boraxman on Tue Apr 07 2026 02:09 pm

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

I've found it that way, more specifically, when using syncterm. Not su of it is the syncterm implementation, but I think lrszrz has also had

The latest 1.8RC2 of SyncTerm fixed an issue with ZModem.

Lonewolf

Nice. I just upgraded to that version a few days ago.

---
■ Synchronet ■ MS & RD BBs - bbs.mozysswamp.org

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Retroswim to Boraxman on Sat Apr 11 2026 04:53 pm

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

I thought it wasn't so much TCP, but the fact it's quite often ZModem over Telnet over TCP.

In which case, there is overlap between ZModem control sequences and Telnet control sequences, and they interfere causing transfers to go whacky.

If the terminal client and board are Telnet-aware, it usually works really well.

The issues grow with "Wifi-232" modems, and Telnet-Fossil bridges, where the sides need to agree on how Telnet control sequences are to be escaped.

Cheers,
RetroSwim

I have had issues with ZModem over SSH over TCP when transferring within my home network, and it was escape sequences. The -e option to escape control characters fixes it.

That should be Zmodem over Screen over SSH over TCP!

---
■ Synchronet ■ MS & RD BBs - bbs.mozysswamp.org

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Boraxman to Lonewolf on Sun Apr 12 2026 11:18 am

Nice, thanks for confirming.
I have just started exploring Synchronet from a revived Fido setup.
Good to see this is still alive.

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■ Synchronet ■ Vertrauen ■ Home of Synchronet ■ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Boraxman to Rixter on Tue Apr 07 2026 10:42 pm

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Rixter to poindexter FORTRAN on Mon Apr 06 2026 06:57 am

I can imagine an offline mail reader would be good for travel. If you HAV see the messages. Sometimes you cannot always be connected. What QWK prog you use? We had starlink here for about a year at 120.00 a month. It was The spectrum cable ran a line out to the sticks here 5 years ago and 1gb service for 99.99 a month. I am very happy with it so far. We are in the mountains and whenever weather tanked so did the starlink and we had to mobiles mobile hotspot for back up and at best it was 10mbsp down and 1.8 best. Maybe it was mbps :) better than nothing. I think T-mobile was the one we used ever. The cable RARELY gives us issue and we just added a hot plan to our verizon phone account now for just in cases. I can see the QW coming in handy for quick message grabs and sends during bad weather even travel.
Rixter

Yes, but zmodem is a bit flaky over TCP sometimes.

One protocol which is good for asynchronous transfer and "sometimes on" connecctions is NNCP. It is based on UUCP, Unix-Unix copy, but incorporates encryption and can be mixed with over-the-wire transfers and physical transf f media.

Thanks! I will check it out!
Rixter
telnet://ricksbbs.synchro.net:23
http://ricksbbs.synchro.net:8080
IRC www.irccloud.com/irc/ricksbbs/channel/ricksbbs

---
■ Synchronet ■ Rick's BBS telnet://ricksbbs.synchro.net:23

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Nightfox to Matthew Munson on Tue Mar 31 2026 11:21 am

These days, though, I've heard the
BBS
scene is still popular in China, due
to
China's policy of censoring things
online (people can go under the
radar
with BBSes, as China hasn't censored
them yet, apparently). I've been
curious to call some, though I don't
read Chinese.

Interesting. Never heard of that before. Do you or anyone else have a tip on which Chinese BBS might be worth checking out? As for translation, that works pretty well these days with the usual tools.

I also do not think life in China is generally as bad as it is often portrayed.

And about freedom of speech - for example here in Germany things are not as shiny as they look. Especially online. You can get a visit from six police officers at 8 in the morning just because you posted a harmless joke about a politician. Not kidding. There was a pretty revealing CBS documentary about it. We even have a running joke: whenever you post something politically controversial (not the usual lifestyle left stuff) on social media, you add: I already have my bathrobe ready in case they knock for the morning house search. I am writing about it casually now, but it is actually awful.

Another example. A very well known German vlogger (ungeskriptet by Ben) was seriously told in an official letter that he had to check the truthfulness of his guest's statements live during the interview. And then also go through all his other 600 YouTube interviews afterwards and classify them. Sadly not an April Fools joke. That is Germany 2026. He is of course suing over it, and he will probably win (unless Germany wants to abolish freedom of speech entirely). But not everyone has the energy and the money to fight something like this the way he does.

Side note. And apart from the fact that this approach by the authorities goes directly against the constitution (keyword: no censorship), the idea of "the one single truth" obviously changes over time. We have seen that clearly in the last six years.

TL;DR - Even here in Germany, BBS are becoming more valuable if you want to speak your mind freely.



--------------------------------------
Snobsoft.de - Port:6401
The Commodore 64 BBS - since 1985
Tel:011494060943485 - 300 Baud 7N1

---
■ Synchronet ■ PartyBowlBBS - partybowlbbs.ddns.net

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Snobsoft to Nightfox on Wed Aug 05 2026 02:13 am

These days, though, I've heard the
BBS
scene is still popular in China, due
to
China's policy of censoring things
online (people can go under the
radar

It looks like this message you quoted from me got wrapped at a fairly narrow column width.. Are you using an unusual terminal width (less than 80 columns)? Also, it looks like you were using FSEditor, for what it's worth.

Interesting. Never heard of that before. Do you or anyone else have a tip on which Chinese BBS might be worth checking out? As for translation, that works pretty well these days with the usual tools.

I don't know of any Chinese BBSes; I've been somewhat curious to check out the Chinese BBS scene, but I never have. I imagine, as you said, I'd have to use a translater, and I just haven't bothered yet.

And about freedom of speech - for example here in Germany things are not as shiny as they look. Especially online. You can get a visit from six police officers at 8 in the morning just because you posted a harmless joke about a politician. Not kidding. There was a pretty revealing CBS documentary about it. We even have a running joke: whenever you post something politically controversial (not the usual lifestyle left stuff) on social media, you add: I already have my bathrobe ready in case they knock for the morning house search. I am writing about it casually now, but it is actually awful.

Interesting. I've heard similar things about the UK, where they now have laws where if you post something on social media that's considered even slightly controversial, even if it seems innocuous, you could have police officers coming after you for that. I've heard it's in the name of stopping "hate speech", but I have a feeling that may just be a cover for some kind of censorship they want to enforce. It makes me wonder why they'd want to do that.. I've been to the UK, and Germany too, and I think they're great places; I can see why people like to live there, though now I'd be worried about getting in trouble for posting something simple online.

There's a YouTuber I've been following on & off for the last few years, Feli from Germany, who is originally from Munich and lived in the US for many years (and also was granted a chance for green card or maybe US/dual citizen status), and she has since gotten married (to an American); they both moved to Germany several months ago (I think just for a year, at least for now), and they hadn't mentioned the issue with posting online there (though maybe they want to avoid trouble?).

Nightfox

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Nightfox to Snobsoft on Wed Aug 05 2026 01:33:13

Interesting. I've heard similar things about the UK, where they now have laws where if you post something on social media that's considered even slightly controversial, even if it seems innocuous, you could have police officers coming after you for that. I've heard it's in the name of stopping "hate speech", but I have a feeling that may just be a cover for

Don't forget, many bbs programs now have web-based access, and with that, a more public access (everyone if you use Google) issue. In canada here, laws have just been laid out that give up to 5 years in jail for hate comments. Germany and Britian have had this awhile now. Hate includes comments against the government etc as well. <sigh>

Bluesfyre
Central Ontario Remote Synchro
centralontarioremote.net:2323

---
■ Synchronet ■ Central Ontario Remote Synchro

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Bluesfyre to Nightfox on Wed Aug 05 2026 07:11 pm

Don't forget, many bbs programs now have web-based access, and with that, a more public access (everyone if you use Google) issue. In canada here, laws have just been laid out that give up to 5 years in jail for hate comments. Germany and Britian have had this awhile now. Hate includes comments against the government etc as well. <sigh>

That makes me a little nervous to think about. In such countries, I could see why a sysop might want to disable their BBS web server, although I'd wonder if access via telnet, SSH, etc. would end up falling under this law too.

That type of law feels like something that a government would do because they want to cencor and control people.. I wouldn't have expected it in countries like Germany, UK, Canada, etc..

Nightfox

Don't forget, many bbs programs now have web-based access, and with
that, a more public access (everyone if you use Google) issue. In canada here, laws have just been laid out that give up to 5 years in jail for hate comments. Germany and Britian have had this awhile now. Hate
includes comments against the government etc as well. <sigh>

I know I have to be careful as a tourist when I post when Im in the United Kingdom. They would rather police what people say on the internet than knife crime or if their females get "bothered" by certain people of a certain faith.

+ KO6GVD - Ontario, California - Winserver and WWIV BBS Operator

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbs>>>20ForBeers.com:1337

Re: Re: New offline QWK mail
By: Nightfox to Snobsoft on Wed Aug 05 2026 01:33 am

It looks like this message you
quoted
from me got wrapped at a fairly
narrow
column width.. Are you using an
unusual terminal width (less than 80
columns)? Also, it looks like you
were
using FSEditor, for what it's worth.

This is because of my Commodore 64 setup with 40 characters.
Can I also use a different editor, or how can I optimize this?

Here is more about the C64 stuff this is set up for:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naRN0SaqyRY

Interesting. Never heard of
that
before. Do you or anyone else
have
a tip on which Chinese BBS
might
be worth checking out? As for
translation, that works pretty
well these days with the usual
tools.

I don't know of any Chinese BBSes;
I've
been somewhat curious to check out
the
Chinese BBS scene, but I never have.
I
imagine, as you said, I'd have to
use a
translater, and I just haven't
bothered
yet.

Ok - then I will take a look myself for a Chinese BBS when I get the chance - I will report back here.

About freedom of speech -

for
example here in Germany things
are
not as shiny as they look.
Especially online. You can get
a
visit from six police officers
at
8 in the morning just because
you
posted a harmless joke about a
politician. Not kidding. There
was
a pretty revealing CBS
documentary
about it. We even have a
running
joke: whenever you post
something
politically controversial (not
the
usual lifestyle left stuff) on
social media, you add: I
already
have my bathrobe ready in case
they knock for the morning
house
search. I am writing about it
casually now, but it is
actually
awful.

Interesting. I've heard similar
things
about the UK, where they now have
laws
where if you post something on
social
media that's considered even
slightly
controversial, even if it seems
innocuous, you could have police
officers coming after you for that.
I've heard it's in the name of
stopping
"hate speech", but I have a feeling
that may just be a cover for some
kind
of censorship they want to enforce.

I have not really looked into England yet - but it seems to be the same to me.

BTW: Hate is a normal human emotion and of course not illegal. At least not in Germany. Actually. Right now authorities are massively violating the constitution. You can file a lawsuit against penalties (mostly imposed by district courts) and you will win. But which normal person has the money and the nerves to go through such a process? Exactly.

It
makes me wonder why they'd want to
do
that.. I've been to the UK, and
Germany too, and I think they're
great
places; I can see why people like to
live there, though now I'd be
worried
about getting in trouble for posting
something simple online.

If you have the correct opinion in Germany nothing happens - even if you become insulting in your wording.
If you do not have the correct opinion then even absolute trivialities can actually lead to a house search.
Even a well known journalist was recently affected by such a house search. Two police cars - they rang the bell at 8 in the morning.

It is clearly directed against voices critical of the government - the opposition. And now the twist - these authorities and institutions justify it "with the fight for democracy". Like from 1984. That they are doing the exact opposite, damaging democracy heavily with censorship and repression, should be obvious. The only question left is - do they know what they are doing - or are they really that dumb?

Because one thing is clear. Without freedom of speech there is no democracy.

There's a YouTuber I've been
following
on & off for the last few years,
Feli
from Germany, who is originally from
Munich and lived in the US for many
years (and also was granted a chance
for green card or maybe US/dual
citizen
status), and she has since gotten
married (to an American); they both
moved to Germany several months ago
(I
think just for a year, at least for
now), and they hadn't mentioned the
issue with posting online there
(though
maybe they want to avoid trouble?).

If you are politically aligned, then as said nothing happens.If not...

As a child of the 1980s I would never have thought that I would ever experience something like this in Germany.I grew up with freedom, and I learned that someone who has a different opinion is not an enemy. I was always interested in other opinions. In the 1980s we argued for nights and then had a beer together. Today, with certain topics, you become the enemy very quickly if you have a different opinion. So it has clearly become worse even in private life, especially in the last 6 years.



--------------------------------------
Snobsoft.de - Port:6401
The Commodore 64 BBS - since 1985
Tel:011494060943485 - 300 Baud 7N1

---
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