RC-BOX BBS

On the hardware side there is a RC2014 homebrew 8-bit computer kit with a 7 MHz Zilog Z80 CPU, 64 KB RAM, RomWBW ROM module, CF-card module, RTC (real time clock) module, SIO/2 dual-serial module, 4x 7-segment LED module (for displying the BBS status) and WiFi module. This setup makes for a nice, CP/M 2.2 capable 8-bit machine that powers the bulletin board system. The picture above shows the actual system you connect to. You can also access a (restricted) CP/M command line which offers you the play a round of “Super Star Trek” if you so wish.

The 4x 7-segment LED is being used to display either the current time (when the system is idle), or the user number and action (when someone is logged in). The dots of the LED segments indicate the current action the user is performing (from left to right): “read message”, “write message”, “CP/M system” or “main menu” (so on the photo above, user #8 is currently at the main menu).

The SIO/2 serial I/O chip is clocked at 9600 bps (baud per second) and that baud rate is locked. So when you connect and the connection seems a bit slow, this is due to the serial connection of the machine not being faster.

It is also a single-user system, which is not uncommon for 8-bit systems. This means that an incoming connection will be dropped with a “BUSY” message if someone else is already logged in. In that case, simply try again a little later.