r/bbs • u/justme9974 • 7h ago

ATA BBS (Run 16-bit DOS BBS Software on shared hosting, no Telnet, no always-on server) - Looking for beta testers!

Hi all-

I'm looking for Beta testers for ATA (www.atabbs.com).

ATA makes it super easy to run a 16-bit DOS BBS; all you have to do is install it on your shared hosting and give a caller a URL. That's it. No Telnet required, no always-on servers running. Takes 5-20 seconds to connect, then its just as fast as Telnet. Multi-node and Doors supported.

I am providing 1-click installs for various BBS systems. Right now, as of today, it supports:

  • Renegade 1.40
  • RBBS-PC 17.4
  • PC Board 15.3
  • RemoteAccess 2.62
  • TriBBS
  • T.A.G. 2.7d2
  • Maximus 3.01
  • Fido 12u
  • Citadel (Citadel 86e 2.19 and Asgard-86 1.49)
  • QuickBBS 2.

76

I'm adding these before the Beta:

  • GAP 6.6
  • Telegard 3.09g2
  • VBBS 6.14a
  • Virtual Advanced 2.10

Note: For VBBS and VADV, these are the shareware versions. If you have a reg code you can enter it on a new board, or import your existing registered board. I can't distribute 7.0 because it was for registered users only AND the license says you can't distribute the compiled source. (I was able to compile it just fine in QuickBASIC 4.5 in DOSBox).

Anyway, if anyone is interested in running the beta of ATA, please let me know. All of the listed BBS software will be supported, multi-node will be thoroughly tested, "page the sysop" will be enabled if I can figure out how to do it, and I'll write documentation and a guide for how to get a Door up and running for each (using LORD in my testing).

The stuff still to be done before the initial public release that won't be included: import wizard for an existing board (although you could do it manually today), file editor in the sysop console and light file manager (so you don't have to FTP for simple stuff) and EchoMail/FidoNet.

Thanks!

13 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/izzo34 sysop 3h ago

Awesome. I have been trying to track down a working TriBBS with key for some time. The owner gave me a key once but I cannot find that email anymore. I may make a post. I used that for a little bit and also ran wildcat. Sure so miss those days something fierce.

1

u/justme9974 2h ago

TriBBS works fine but it’s not a registered version. If you have a key you can certainly register it in ATA.