From the Southern Amis Projects www.southernamis.com  ataribbs.ddns.net port 6502

There is still an active Atari BBS community out there. Independent sysops are keeping their boards running, callers are returning, and new users are discovering what these machines can do online. This project started with a simple question: could we make those BBSs easier to find and reach from FujiNet?

The original idea was a BBS shortcut in the FujiNet CONFIG menu, much like the Game Lobby. That led to a discussion with the FujiNet team and, eventually, a separate Atari terminal with an online BBS directory. We now have a working client, a FujiNet-hosted directory, and a CONFIG launcher that has passed our real hardware tests.

The CONFIG shortcut follows the familiar Lobby launch flow. This is the actual build, from the dally firmware release.

From the Gateway to direct connections

The first version launched the Atari BBS Gateway. The Gateway already gives callers one place to find participating Atari boards, and it remains available as another way to visit the community.

During review, FujiNet contributors asked for a separate terminal, a directory maintained through FujiNet, and direct connections to the listed BBSs. That became the direction for this client. The CONFIG discussion remains in PR #253, while terminal development now has its own home in fujinet-bbs-client.

The current client downloads a directory, displays the available boards, and connects to the hostname and port of the board you select. Normal directory calls go directly to that BBS. The program also retains a clearly labeled Gateway option if no usable directory can be loaded.

FujiNet Netcat Atari BBS Terminal

The terminal uses FujiNet's N: device to carry the connection and displays ATASCII on the Atari. Keeping the graphics and keyboard behavior familiar was a large part of the work. These boards have their own character, and an Atari terminal should let that come through.

The directory is paged, with up to eight selections on each screen. Choose a number to call a board, or move between pages to explore the list.

Testing on the Atari 400. This directory screen comes from our Southern Amis test setup; the available entries depend on the directory URL being used.

The directory controls are:

·       1–8: Call a BBS on the current page.

·       N / P: Next or previous page.

·       R: Reload the directory.

·       U: Enter another HTTPS directory URL for the current run.

·       C: Return to FujiNet CONFIG.

While connected, OPTION disconnects. When a session ends, the program offers L to return to the BBS list, R to reconnect, or C to return to CONFIG. A dropped connection should leave you with those choices instead of sending you into the Atari self-test screen.

After disconnecting from The Basement BBS, the terminal stays open and offers the next step.

Updating the online BBS directory

Mozz has set up the BBS directory service on the FujiNet website. The public BBS directory is available to browse, and the text endpoint instructions describe how software can request a list by platform and terminal type.

Our FujiNet build is configured to request the Atari ATASCII list. Each record uses this format:

BBS Name|hostname|port|active|ASCII,ATASCII

The client accepts active entries that include ATASCII support. That lets directory changes happen on the website without rebuilding the terminal or asking every caller to replace a disk image. It also gives other platform clients a directory format to work with.

The Southern AMIS edition uses our own hosted list. Both editions use the same terminal behavior, and the U command lets testers try another compatible HTTPS list without rebuilding the program. That URL change lasts for the current run. Macro support will follow allowing for safe storage of information on the users personal SD card used with their FujiNet. Also planned is the ability to save your own person BBS list but lets get the first version in the hands of the community.

What we have tested

Testing has covered directory loading and reloading, alternate URL entry, clearing the URL, and the Atari Delete key in the URL editor. We have also tested BBS connections, ATASCII display and input, disconnecting with OPTION, reconnecting, returning to the list, and returning to CONFIG.

V2 quiets the SIO sound during network operations. That change has been tested on real hardware, and the terminal is now much quieter while connected and moving data.

The latest CONFIG test build has also passed our hardware checks: launching the hosted client, loading the directory, calling a board, and returning to CONFIG. The proposed shortcut mounts the separate client from tnfs.fujinet.online, rather than putting a terminal inside CONFIG. Its integration is still being reviewed in GitHub PR #253.

Return to CONFIG means FujiNet's firmware-provided CONFIG; it does not restore a custom CONFIG ATR previously mounted from an SD card. The current terminal is focused on ATASCII. ASCII and other terminal modes are possible future work.

Try it and follow along

The Southern AMIS test XEX and ATR are being shared here for community testing. You can mount the XEX through FujiNet or boot the supplied ATR. Use the files attached to this forum post, and let us know which Atari and FujiNet firmware you are running when reporting a result.

Useful reports include the BBS you called, what you expected, what happened, and a photo or short video if it helps show the problem. Successful tests are welcome too, especially on different Atari models.

Follow development in the FujiNet BBS client repository. Questions and feedback can also be brought to the FujiNet community through its support page and Discord link.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, hosted, tested, or offered suggestions along the way. Thanks also to my friends, the independent Atari BBS sysops who keep these places alive.

The aim remains the same as when we started: help people find the Atari BBS community, make calling a little easier, and give these old machines another reason to stay switched on.

Amis - Southern AMIS Projects