Honeyterm Phoenix BBS Buffer from 1988 cassette

kolleykibber · 19:51, 24 January 21

I've rescued a Commstar Honeyterm buffer from an 1988 cassette. It has the Phoenix BBS list, which was the phone book of the day.

Can't find anything about it on the googles and I thought it was interesting, so I've copied the header in below. I'll post more if anyone else finds this kind of thing interesting too!

ċċ
T H E
....... .. .. ..... ........ .. .. ........ .. ..
=======|. ==| ==| ======|.========| ==| ==| ======== ==| ==|
==| =| ==| ==| ==| =|==| ===| ==| ==| ==| ==|
==| =| ==|...==| ==| =|==|..... ==|=| ==| ==| ==|.==|
======= ========| ==| =|======= ==| =| ==| ==| ====|
==| ==| ==| ==| =|==| ==| =|==| ==| ==| ==|
==| ==| ==| ==|....= ==|...... ==| ===| ..==|... ==| ==|
== == == ====== ======== == == ======== == ==

Wiltshire's Finest Telecommunications Host System

Sysop: Ade Truelove
Co-Sysop: Matthew Platts

Welcome to the PHOENIX, V21/V22/V23
Mon-Fri 18:00 - 08:00, Weekends 24 hours

- More - [C]ontinue, op, [N]onStop? cćććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććć

S W I N D O N C O M M S E N T H U S I A S T ' S M E E T

Come along to the 9th SWINDON COMMUNICATIONS ENTHUSIAST'S MEET
to be held ( as usual ) in the lounge of the GREAT WESTERN pub
in SWINDON, opposite the Railway Station.

Take this monthly opportunity to meet all those people you've
been sending abusive MBX's to on PRESTEL!

Your chance to say what you REALLY think of those Bulletin
Boards - to the Sysops' face!! Chances are, you'll meet the
Sysops of many of Wiltshire's fine BBS's.

The magic date is: 30th JULY 1988 - 7:30pm till Boot-out time!
==============
- More - [C]ontinue, top, [N]onStop? cćććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććć

Today is Tuesday, June 28, 1988.

The current time is 20:47

Celebrities born on this date ...
In 1491 Henry VIII of England. Don't lose your head over him.
In 1712 Jean Jacques Rousseau, social contractor.
In 1947 Patrick Kincaid, creator of this 'TODAY' file structure.

Events on this day in history ...
In 1820 The tomato is proved to be nonpoisonous.
In 1859 The first dog show is held, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England.
In 1918 In Hawaii, the first inter-island flight.
In 1919 The Treaty of Versailles, ending World War I, is signed.

- More - [C]ontinue, top, [N]onStop? cćććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććććć

The Following Bulletin(s) have been updated since your last call:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Would you like to view the Bulletin Menu? [y/n] y
ċċ Phoenix Bulletin Menu
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regulars 1 - List of other Bulletin Boards (Editor: Matthew Platts)
-------- 2 - Documentation for using the BBS List (Author: Matthew Platts)
3 - PHOENIX Hourly activity chart (Update: 8:30 am)
4 - PHOENIX Questionnaire results (Update: 8:30 am)
5 - PHOENIX Live Program Popularity Poll (Update: 8:30 am)
6 - PHOENIX List of files for Download (Update: 8:30 am)
7 - PHOENIX Top Twenty Downloads (Update: 8:30 am)
Wit's End 8 - An attack on Natural Childbirth (Author: Dave Barry)
--------- 9 - Public Enemy No. One (Author: Pete East)
10 - The tragedy of an on-line addiction (Author: Steve King)
11 - A guide to a man's personality... (Author: Jamie Thompson)
12 - The Sparrow's Tale (Author: Unknown)
13 - Lost Socks and other mysteries (Author: Jake Page)
14 - The REAL programmer (Author: Unknown)
15 - Coincidence? (Author: Unknown)
Game Play A - Power Struggle
--------- B - Trade Wars
C - Master Of The Universe (TW III)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You have been on for 2 minutes, with 28 remaining for this call.

Enter Bulletin # to Read, [L]ist Bulletin Menu, or [ENTER] to continue: 1
ċċ P H O E N I X B B S L I S T 29/06/88

Board Name Phone No Speeds Hours
------------------- --------------- ------------- -----------------------------
ABSOLUTE ACCESS 0425 471370 V21/22/22b/23 24hrs
ACADEMICS 021-705 9677 V21/22/22b/23 24hrs
ACORN SERVICE 0223 243642 V23v 24hrs
ACS BBS 01-591 6687 V21/23 10pm-9am
ADVANCE OPUS HULL 0482 28367 V21/22/22b/23 Fri: 10pm - Mon: 7am
AIRTEL 0342 717800 V21/22/22b/23 24hrs
AIX-386 (ACCESS) 0905 52536 V21/22/22b/23 24hrs
ALAN SOLOMON'S BB 0494 724946 V21/22/22b/23 24hrs
ALTERNATE REALITY 0352 85528 V21/23 11pm-8am
ALTERNATIVE REALITY 0959 76695 V21/23/23v 24hrs

Gryzor · 10:11, 25 January 21

Quote from: kolleykibber on 19:51, 24 January 21You have been on for 2 minutes, with 28 remaining for this call.

Damn, the stress!!

Very interesting indeed, please do share more!

By the way, saving the buffer... to tape? wow.

Bryce · 10:18, 25 January 21

Quote from: Gryzor on 10:11, 25 January 21
Damn, the stress!!

Very interesting indeed, please do share more!

By the way, saving the buffer... to tape? wow.

28 Seconds at a screaming 300baud! He has time to download an entire 1K in that time. What more would he need? Was he hoping to download the internet?!!

Bryce.

Gryzor · 10:19, 25 January 21

nah, that's minutes, not seconds, so he's got enough time to get all the mode 2 pr0n - the good stuff.

kolleykibber · 13:42, 25 January 21

Stress indeed, this was all pre the first phone bill, I think I had an idea that I wouldn't have the modem for much longer. Hence the cassette buffers!

Gryzor · 13:48, 25 January 21

Ah. When I first got online (Atari STFM) we had an analogue telephone line with NO time-based charging. A single low fee per phone call, no matter how long it was! I did have some buffers on disks, but didn't realise they'd hold any interest in the long term and never kept any... Not even from my early PC days, where I'd save all sessions on the HDD. Shame.

kolleykibber · 19:08, 25 January 21

Here's another - INFOTEL ROS, which was another CPC BBS. - 7th Feb 1988, for 3 minutes!

This one has a full list of Amstrad BBS's of the time.

-----------------------------------------------

WELCOME TO INFOTEL ROS (ROS V3.52)

W E L C O M E
CTRL-K TO SKIP
T O

___ ___ ____ ____________ __________ _________ _______ ___
/ / / | / / / _________/ / ____ / /__ ___/ / ____/ / /
/ / / | / / / /_____ / / / / / / / /__ / /
/ / / | / / / ______/ / / / / / / / ___/ / /
/ / / |/ / / / / / / / / / / / / /
/ / / /| / / / / /___/ / / / / /___ / /_____
/__/ /___/ |_____/ /__/ /_________/ /__/ /______/ /________/

ROS VER 3.52

A BULLETIN BOARD FOR AMSTRAD
PCW & CPC
MACHINE

SYSOP : MOHAMED SALLEH
OPEN : 24 HOURS
FOUNDED: 27TH OF MARCH, 1987

SPEED : 1200/75 AND 300/300
PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE...Ć

FIRST NAME> JONNY
LAST NAME> ĆLEEN

NAME NOT FOUND.

IF YOU ARE A NEW USER THEN ** W E L C O M E ** YOU WILL NOT HAVE FULL
ACCESS UNTIL I HAVE VALIDATED YOU. YOU HAVE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE TO SYSOP
IF YOU WANT TO BE VALIDATED. THANK YOU.

//**>>NOTE<<**\\
** DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A MESSAGE BEFORE YOU LOG OFF FOR VALIDATION **
OR I WILL NOT VALIDATE UNTIL YOU REQUEST TO DO SO

PLEASE ENTER ALL THE DETAIL OF YOUR COMPUTER AND MODEM. THANK YOU.

ARE YOU A NEW USER [Y/N]?> ĆYES
CAN YOUR TERMINAL DISPLAY LOWER CASE [Y/N]?> ĆYES
How many nulls do you need [0-9]? (Usually 0)> Ć0

Ěp This is being sent as Inverse Video. Ěq

Did this display itself correctly [Y/n]?> ĆNo
What Software do you use> Ćcommstrć ćar ć ć/honetć ćyterm
What type of MODEM/INTERFACE> Ćpace/modem 2000
What computer do you use> ĆAMSTRAD CPC464
and finally - what is your phone number> Ć

Your name is Jonny CLEEN, using commstar/honeyterm, pace/modem 2000, AMSTRAD CPC464
and your phone number is
Is that ALL correct [Y/n]?> ĆYes

Please select and enter a password of 4-10 characters
to ensure that no one else uses your name on the system.

Password (will NOT display as you type)> Ć
Please enter it again to double-check> Ć

Please remember your password.
It will be required for all future calls.

=======>>> INFOTEL ROS <<<=======
==>>37 Ennismore Gardens, London. SW 7 1 AF<<==
This Board telephone number 01-581-3376
Prestel Mbx : 011110014
Voice Tel: Day:2358033 ext 200
Running on PCW8512 + WS4000
Sysop : Mohamed Salleh
Running 24 hours 7 days a week

Welcome to INFOTEL ROS development of ROS
The Bulletin Board for CPC and PCW machine only

If you are not familiar with this system please do practice yourself for
a couple of minute and shout for me if you lost. I will interrupt your journey
if I am around to help you find the right passage. If you want the USER manual
you may download it from the LOGIN file area called ROS-USER.DQC. This is a
SQUEEZE file so have to unsqueeze first before editing. Go to file area and
download it or spool it to your disc by using 'T' to type on screen.

All the message which has not been read for more than 60 days will be deleted
automatically and also all the message which has been read but not deleted
will be deleted automatically after 30 days.

Press any key to continue...Ć

Thank you, Sysop.
Press any key to continue...Ć

The time is now 19:04 Sunday 7-Feb-88 and you are the 703th caller so far.

Please wait, building message base....
There are 98 Public messages and the newest message is No. 362

Sorry, JONNY, but no new messages addressed to you at this time.
Press any key to continue...Ć

Bulletin
--------
Latest ROS Update is on 4/2/88

I am intented to provide all the CP/M software which can be run on Amstrad
CPC or PCW but some software need a neccessary patching on the TERMINAL.
The program itself may provide an installation utility or you might have
to patch the terminal control code your self using debugger proggy like
Z8E.COM,DZ.COM, or SID.COM.

Due to limited disc capacity I can't put all the file at one go...So what
I did is I put various file almost every day or every 2 or 3 days. If there
is any specific file that you looking for please tell me and I will advise
you on which day I will put that file on if it is availabled.

CTRL-S (OR ALT S) to pause screen listings at any time
CTRL-K (ALT + K) to cancel or skip listings at any time

At the chevron > press '?' for MENU

User Guide (ROS-USER.DQC)

Press any key to continue...Ć

A user guide to use the ROS system is available for downloading. The file is
located in LOGIN file area called ROS-USER.DQC. It is about 18 K long.
You need to download the USQ.COM in the same area to UNSQUEEZE the file.
Syntax A>USQ ROS-USER.DQC A:
Output to A:
ROS-USER.DQC --> ROSUSR35.DOC

MESSAGE AREAS AVAILABLE:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
POST Leave Your General Message Here

FILE AREAS AVAILABLE : Due to limited storage on my PCW I have set the file
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ for downloading according to the days

TODAY availabled file is :-

A 0 100 REQST Your request file area
A 1 10 NEWIN ** File Uploads by Users **
M 0 0 LOGIN Document (New User-Only see 2 areas)
M 1 20 DAZZLESTA Dazzle-Star program (Z80 Debugger)
M 2 20 CPC A rare CPC utility program
M 3 20 DOCUMENT The NSWP, NULU and Z8E document
B 2 20 DATABASE Need terminal patching for Amstrad
Press any key to continue...Ć

B 3 20 CPM CP/M & CP/M+ PROGRAM
B 4 20 COMMS Communication programs
1 0 POST Main Message Area

**(Unvalidated User can only see 2 file areas i.e. LOGIN & NEWIN)**

****************
Main System Menu
****************
=====>> Routes <<===== =====>> Bulletin <<=====

<F> - Files (download area) - Back to Bulletin again
<M> - Go to Message area - Info of this Board
 - Go to Utilities section <O> - Other Amstrad BB's
<1> - MEX descriptions etc==*==
<2> - CPS8256,RS232 & Cirkit SIO
<G> - Goodbye/Exit

19 - Main Menu> Ć0

****************
Main System Menu
****************
=====>> Routes <<===== =====>> Bulletin <<=====

<F> - Files (download area) - Back to Bulletin again
<M> - Go to Message area - Info of this Board
 - Go to Utilities section <O> - Other Amstrad BB's
<1> - MEX descriptions etc==*==
<2> - CPS8256,RS232 & Cirkit SIO
<G> - Goodbye/Exit

19 - Main Menu> ĆO

[ Other BB runs on Amstrad or sopporting Amstrad ]

Name Baud Number Sysop Hours Runs On
-------------- ------- ------------ ----------- ---------- -------------
INFOTEL ROS 3/12 01 581 3376 Mohamed 24 HOURS PCW8512
LANGFORD-ROS 3/12 0462 700644 Ron Touw 24 HRS PCW8256
CPMUG ROS 3/12 0753 868196 Peter Catley 24 HRS EPSON QX10
BOOG BB 3/12 0252 626233 ? 24 HRS
ROS 3/12 0392 53116 Boyd Hitchcock 24 HRS EPSON
CHILTERN (PDSIG) 3/12 0767 50511 Alan Walker 24 HRS
LECONFIELD 3/12 0964 550745 ? 24 HRS
TUG 2 3/12 021 4441484 ? 24 HRS
AMSTRAD ARCADE 3/12 01 6096930 Alan Ross 9.30pm-8am CPC6128
AMSTAR 3/12 0403 732449 Phil Harling 24 HRS CPC6128
J.M.E. ROS 3/12 0603 485302 John Mortimer 6pm-8am PCW8256
WEST WORLD 1275v 01 6912627 Ashley Hay 24 HRS CPC6128
TAMSWORTH BB 300 0827 281713 Ken Menger 9pm-8am CPC664
FIDO 3/12 0636 703707 ? 24 HRS PC1512+30Mg
WOLVERHAMPTON 3/12 0902 745337 ? 24HRS PC1512+20Mg
LISBURN OPUS 3/12 0846 276183 John Kildea 9pm-12pm PC1512+20Mg
CHRONOS' LAIR 3/12 021 7445955 Colin Earl 9.30pm-7am PC1512+20Mg
BRISTOL PCW ROS 300 0272 711580 Andy Hardingham 8pm-8am PCW
TONI BOARD 3/12 0504 263779 Jerry Mallett 8pm-4am PC1640+20Mg
Press any key to continue...Ć

RBBS 3/12 0902 633303 M J Perkins 7pm-8am PC1512
KERNOW BB 3/12 0209 821031 Dave Randle

? PC1512
CYNOTEL BB 1275v 01 3462816 J Sinclair 9pm-8am CPC6128
A.L.A.N 300 0592 860313 S Mclafferty 9pm-8am CPC6128
BULLDOG v1.1 3/12 Offline Blane Bramble 2pm-6pm
WOMBLE BASE 3/12 01 9799606 Paul Mitchell 6pm-11pm BBC Master
EQUINOX Amstrad 3/12 0992 760329 Steve Dibble 10pm-8am CPC6128

-->Most of the BB here is scrolling 8 n 1 (80 coloumns)
unless it is stated with 'v' e.g 1275v means Viewdata
7 e 1 (40 columns)

END

****************
Main System Menu
****************
=====>> Routes <<===== =====>> Bulletin <<=====

<F> - Files (download area) - Back to Bulletin again
<M> - Go to Message area - Info of this Board
 - Go to Utilities section <O> - Other Amstrad BB's
<1> - MEX descriptions etc==*==
<2> - CPS8256,RS232 & Cirkit SIO
<G> - Goodbye/Exit

18 - Main Menu> Ć?

****************
Main System Menu
****************
=====>> Routes <<===== =====>> Bulletin <<=====

<F> - Files (download area) - Back to Bulletin again
<M> - Go to Message area - Info of this Board
 - Go to Utilities section <O> - Other Amstrad BB's
<1> - MEX descriptions etc==*==
<2> - CPS8256,RS232 & Cirkit SIO
<G> - Goodbye/Exit

18 - Main Menu> ĆFiles

File area: LOGIN Files: 11 Space used: 50k
5-1/4DSK.LBR 6k | BASIC1-1.UPG 1k | ITT2283 .DOC 1k | ROS-USER.DQC 17k
80TRACK .DQC 8k | CIRKIT .DOC 1k | LINEFEED.PRT 2k | USQ .COM 2k
AMSTRAD .DQK 4k | DART .DQC 6k | READ-PCW.DQK 2k |
0 uploads, 0 downloads to date.

=========================
* File Transfer Menu *
========Functions======== ===Info===

<F>ile directory listing <0> - Download Guide
<S>ize (filesize toggle) <6> - XRAS BB software
<D>ownload a file from ROS <7> - BB software list
pload a file to ROS <8> - KDS interface Emulator
<T>ype an ASCII or Squeeze file === EXIT ===
<N>ewin file descriptions
<L>ibrary - Open/Close .LBR file <C> - Change file area***
<A>rc - peek inside an .ARC file <M> - Go to Main Menu
<H>ex - Send file in HEX
<G>oodbye / Log off

18 - Files LOGIN> ĆGoodbye
Are you sure [Y/n]?> ĆYes
Do you have a message for the sysop [Y/n]?> ĆYes

Please leave your message to me for validation with this information:
0. Have you filled up all the question when you log in?
If no please enter it again here....
1. Where did you hear about this Board?
2. What is your interest in computing?
3. Would you like to help other users?

From: JONNY LEEN
To: SYSOP
Re: New user

To return to command mode, enter an empty line.
Ready for message entry...

1>

<C>ontinue <L>ist message <Q>uit <E>dit line <S>ave message

When editing a line, you can use Wordstar Ctrl key to move the cursor
along that line.

Edit command> ĆQuit

Message entry aborted, message not saved.

Log on : 19:04 Sunday 7-Feb-88
Log off : 19:07 Sunday 7-Feb-88
Time on : 3

Goodbye JONNY thanks for calling Infotel ROS and see you again
ĆPlease drop the line. Thank you.
[

ComSoft6128 · 19:58, 25 January 21

I remember this and it was running under CPM!

Gryzor · 08:39, 26 January 21

But what is the password! And why didn't you leave a message for the SYSOP!

kolleykibber · 22:11, 26 January 21

Quote from: Gryzor on 08:39, 26 January 21
But what is the password! And why didn't you leave a message for the SYSOP!

Ha, I agree, that was pretty rude of my 12 year old self!

News:

Honeyterm Phoenix BBS Buffer from 1988 cassette