pybbsterm: Terminal emulator for calling BBSs.

Use cases (non-exhaustive)

• Explore terminal protocols.
• Connect to BBSs.

Highlights

• Python 3.8+ code.
• Built with pygame.
• Targets ANSI-BBS compatibility.
  • Already has great compatibility with a range of BBSs.
• cp437 translation.
• Multiple connectivity options.
  • EndpointTCP connects the terminal to a remote host:port.
    • Call internet-exposed BBSs.
  • EndpointReplay allows for playing stored logs.
    • Useful for debugging.
  • EndpointSerial attaches terminal to a serial port.
    • Null-modem direct connections.
    • Interface with modems, call remote computers.
    • Requires pySerial.
• Terminal font is settable.
• Multiple color schemes.
• Easy to use.
• MIT License. See LICENSE file.

Usage

• Ensure Python 3.8+, pygame 2.0+, pySerial 3.1+ are installed.
• Run pybbsterm.py -h for verbose usage help.
• Run pybbsterm.py -t bbs.erb.pw to connect to The Quantum Wormhole.
• Run pybbsterm.py --scheme help for list of available color schemes.
• Use of bitmap fonts is recommended.
  • Open Type Bitmap (.otb) fonts preferred
  • A good set is oldschool-pc-fonts found at: https://int10h.org
• Keyboard shortcuts
  • Alt-x will exit.
  • PrtScn and Shift-F12 will start/finish capture of incoming bytes into file.
  • Control +/- will integer-scale the output window.
  • Shift-Esc will close connection.
  • Shift-F1 to Shift-F4 will call functions specific to the endpoint.

Caveats

• File transfers are not yet implemented.
• Encoding is always cp437.
• Keyboard translation is still poor. A hardcoded UK layout is provided.
• ANSI-BBS specification isn't yet 100% implemented.

Author

Roc Vallès Domènech