It’s too bad that the first things to be automated are the tasks that people don’t mind doing, leaving the real shitty tasks to be done by people. Riding around on a lawnmower has to be one of the most enjoyable forms of manual labour. Now the robots get the good jobs and we’re left with the backbreaking monotonous bullshit.
I’m using IDA for disassembly and DOSBox-X for debugging, still kinda learning the ropes in 16-bit DOS disassembly but am finding the right tools actually work pretty well, at least in a lot of cases.
I looked at the 386 version (32 bit) of the Blue Wave mail reader and IDA did a great job of decompiling the key check function - I was very impressed - I was even able to copy and paste parts of the code from the decompilation into a keygen. Too bad IDA doesn’t decompile 16-bit code - I may have to look into Ghidra sometime for that.
The MS-DOS debugger (DEBUG) is also surprisingly useful and powerful, considering its humble stature as ‘some old thing in the DOS directory’. ;) Using the DOSBox-X debugger has advantages, but the simple DOS DEBUG utility was enough to figure out a couple keygens too.
For anyone interested in seeing SuperBBS - there is a BBS ‘The Lower Planes’ at tlp.zapto.org (BBS on port 6502) that claims to be the only SuperBBS in the world.
This is an idea that entered my mind. The traditional way is applying some etch resist like toner or dry film, etching away the copper and then adding solder mask before populating the board with components....
Adding solder mask is an optional step. If you use an etch resist like toner or dry film, you have a functional PCB even without solder mask. The solder mask is the unnecessary step that can be skipped.
Using solder mask as an etch resist, you would have to scrape away the remaining mask in areas where you want exposed pads - you would either need another mask for this, or to manually scrape each pad, adding an unnecessary step.
Most of these BBSes are accessible via telnet - there are many options for telnet, but typically for BBSes you want a terminal that supports ANSI colours and IBM-PC characters (CP437). A recommended terminal program for Win/Mac/Linux is SyncTerm: syncterm.bbsdev.net
I am not very familiar with the A800 but there are a lot of wifi networking adapters and the such these days for all kinds of systems, many of them emulate modems so they are well-suited to interfacing with a BBS. “RS-232 wifi modem” as search terms gives a bunch of options.
Also useful for old computers: theoldnet.com provides ways to use computers from the 1990s online today to access some websites etc.
I haven’t played Exitilus, searching just now I see The Realm of Serion BBS has it, sounds like fun! Right now I am just a few days into my first game of LORD, after saying “maybe I’ll play a game of that someday” since the 1990s. :)
Speaking of Contra - there is a new Contra out March 12, 2024 (today! or tomorrow depending on timezone), Contra: Operation Galuga. I haven’t played the game yet, but the trailer looks amazing!
This is so cool to see posted here! I’m the guy that broke my usual don’t-post-on-reddit rule to share a keygen for Buccaneer. It really is a fun game, too, even if it can be a bit brutal (this is the third day in a row my ship got sunk!).
There continues to be a thriving community of BBS users and sysops, there is a mix of new software and mods along with the old (there are CBBS systems operating - that is the original BBS software created in the late 1970s!). The fsxNet echomail network is great, linking a lot of active BBSes together and with good conversation and lots of help for retro-tech issues and projects.
If you’re interested in playing Buccaneer online, The Fool’s Quarter BBS has the game online. Another interesting BBS to check out is 20 For Beers reachable via telnet at 20forbeers.com:1337.
Telnet BBS Guide has over a thousand BBSes listed, most are accessible by telnet. Syncterm is a great terminal program for BBS use, with Linux/Mac/Windows versions available. Other telnet clients can be used, but many BBSes use ANSI and CP437 and not UTF8. (other BBSes use other standards like ATASCII or PETSCII, Syncterm supports many of these.)
There are a bunch of interesting BBSes, one I’d recommend is 20 For Beers, connect to it at 20forbeers.com:1337. Plenty of great ANSI art and active message areas and a huge file collection too. I also recommend checking out the fsxNet message areas, they are shared across many BBSes and have an active community.
bbno$ - it boy - music video shot in Cowichan, Vancouver Island
YouTube: bbno$ - it boy (official music video)...
I’m in a park. The grass is being mown by a robot. (lemmy.world)
We thought the rider fell off or something and it was going to crash. Then it turned and kept mowing. Park Roomba!...
I can't help looking through the window on the way to work (lemmy.world)
Another Millennium BBS * GRAND OPENING *
------------------------...
SuperBBS 1.17-3 KEYGENv2 by akacastor 2024-04-10
cross-posted from: lemmy.world/post/14144651...
Making a PCB, using solder mask as etch resist.
This is an idea that entered my mind. The traditional way is applying some etch resist like toner or dry film, etching away the copper and then adding solder mask before populating the board with components....
Baud Day 3/12/24 (www.southernamis.com)
IT’S BAUD DAY 3/12/24...
Should I get an NES, Master System; or an Atari 7800?
Saving a Buccaneer
Found via: hackers.town/…/112046696080448828...
Three auto theft convictions should mean three years in prison: Poilievre (www.ctvnews.ca)
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says repeat car thieves should not be allowed to serve their sentence 'in their living room watching Netflix.'
[OC] Lighter Refraction (lemmy.world)
The reflected and refracted sunlight of a car’s window looked like a flame, so I put a lighter underneath....