Commodore Fidonet Info

Submitted by Gaelyne on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 14:32.


CBM Fidonet Information

NOTE: The information below may be well out of date.

Fidonet is a different Network from the Internet. Many Bulletin Boards (BBS's) around the world carry Fidonet echos, which are conferences dealing with particular individual subjects.

If you are a Commodore enthusiast, you will find a lot of Commodore support in the following echos:

  • CBM - Commodore Computer Conference
  • CBM-128 - Commodore 128 Computer Conference
  • CBM-GEOS - Commodore GEOS Computer Conference
  • CPMTECH - For all C/PM users, regardless of platform.
  • CLASSIC_COMPUTER - Cross Platform Computing, Classic Computers,
    Emulators.

If your local BBS carries Fidonet messages but doesn't offer the above conferences, ask your sysop to carry them. I've listed them above as the actual "Fidonet Echo Tags" that your sysop would
need.

If you're a Homestead Plus Member, the CBM Fidonet echos are available in our newsgroups.

CLASSIC_COMPUTER

This is the best place to ask about transferring files from one computer platform to another (such as if you want to move files to or from a Commodore to an IBM compatible), or for learning how you can use other types of files on your computer. For instance, GIF files are not native to the Commodore computer, but there ARE viewers and ways to use or create these files with the C64/128. Lately the discussions have been about using older model computers (including Commodore, Adam, Amiga, XT and AT computers).

A wonderful source of information for those interested in Clasic Computers is Matt Robert's Computer Recycling site.

I'm the moderator of the CLASSIC_COMPUTER echo, and would enjoy and appreciate your participation.

Commodore Offline Mail Readers

One of the nicest things about most Fidonet BBS's is that you can download and read the messages in the conferences you follow (such as any of the above) offline. This involves using an offline mail reader such as QWKRR for the C128, QWKie for the C64, or CRR for the C128 in C/PM mode.

Offline Mail Reading News

Until recently many that would have enjoyed using an offline mail reader on the C= were stopped because the BBS they accessed only offered PKZIP 2.04g, which couldn't be dissolved on the Commodore. This has changed recently, as Errol Smith has created an unzip program that dissolves PKZip 2.04g files on the C64. It's in beta testing now, and if you want to check it out, you can find it at http://www.ros.com.au/~errol/64.html

The friendliness of the the CBM echos just can't be beat.

Come and join us!

Telnet to a Commodore-Friendly Fidonet BBS

Would you like to read the messages from a genuine Fidonet BBS? Check out the BBS's listed below.

Also, give these Web BBS's a try:

http://www.juge.com
http://twww.staffnet.com/echos/content.html-ssi