Welcome to C3BBS, the CCC Event BBS!

This BBS (Bulletin Board System) was created as part of the efforts of the retronetworking community which happens to run a retronetworking assembly at CCC events, the same group also behind the c3isdn on-site ISDN/POTS networks at Chaos events.
C3BBS should enable older hackers to re-visit some of the BBS days of the 1980s and 1990s, as well as provide an idea about what BBSs were all about to the younger generation who has never used them back in the day. We're using Synchronet BBS, one of the few BBS packages that are still under active maintenance and development in 2024. Synchronet doesn't just offer the authentic experience of BBSs decades ago, but offers integration and interfacing with a variety of more modern communications systems and protocols.

How to access C3BBS?

Via modem or ISDN dial-up

Due to the fact that a public PSTN or ISDN network does no longer exist, and Modems (let alone ISDN-TA) can not be easily used over most VoIP, you have the following two options to actually dial into C3BBS using legacy analog modems or ISDN terminal adapters:
  • Within the OCTOI community-operated TDM-over-IP overlay ISDN network at +49-30-1234-3333. THIS IS NOT A NUMBER IN THE PUBLIC TELEPHONY NETWORK
  • locally at CCC events where an on-site ISDN/POTS network is provided.
    At 38C3, C3BBS can be reached at extension 919898 (ANSI-BBS, RIP), 919889 (PETSCII-40) or 919890 (PBETSCII-80)

Via SSH or telnet

You can reach the BBS via SSH or telnet on the respective standard port numbers at c3bbs.retronetworking.org/
Make sure you're using an ANSI-BBS or RIPterm compatible terminal program. On modern operating systems, SyncTERM is likely a good (open source) choice.
There is another telnet interface for PETSCII-40 on TCP port 64, and one for PETSCII-80 on TCP port 128.

Via NNTP[s]

You can access (only) the message areas of the BBS via NNTP or NNTPS on the respective standard port numbers at nntp://c3bbs.retronetworking.org/

Via gopher

You can access (only) the message areas of the BBS via gopher on the respective standard port number at gopher://c3bbs.retronetworking.org/

Via HTTP[s]

You can access (only) the message and file areas of the BBS via http(s) on the respective standard port numbers at c3bbs.retronetworking.org

Via the browser based telnet client below

Thanks to fTelnet, you can also log into the BBS directly from the browser-based telnet client below.