BBS Guide

What Is a BBS?

A BBS (bulletin board system) is a pre-web message board you connect to over telnet. It's all text, menus, ANSI art, and door games. Before the World Wide Web existed, this is how people talked to each other online. Dead Parrot BBS keeps that tradition alive — with a distinctly British comedy flavour.

Connect via Telnet

Host: bbs.deadparrotbbs.com
Port: 2323
Protocol: Telnet

From a command line:

$ telnet bbs.deadparrotbbs.com 2323

This works on Linux, macOS, and Windows (if telnet is enabled).

Recommended Clients

OS Client Notes
Windows SyncTERM Purpose-built for BBSes. Handles ANSI art perfectly. Best choice.
Windows NetRunner Another solid BBS terminal with good ANSI support.
Windows mTelnet Lightweight alternative. Gets the job done.
macOS SyncTERM Available via Homebrew or direct download.
macOS iTerm2 + telnet Use iTerm2 as the terminal, run the telnet command.
Linux SyncTERM Available in many distro repos or build from source.
Linux telnet Installed by default on most distros. Simple and effective.
Recommendation: SyncTERM is the best overall choice for any OS. It's designed specifically for BBS use and handles ANSI graphics, colours, and door games better than generic terminal programs.

Connect in Your Browser

No telnet client? No problem. You can connect to Dead Parrot BBS right here in your browser. Click "Connect" below to launch the terminal.

What's Inside Dead Parrot BBS

Message Areas

Discussion subs themed around British comedy and culture:

  • Monty Python & Friends
  • Douglas Adams & Hitchhiker's
  • Red Dwarf
  • Classic & Modern Britcoms
  • Ministry of Silly Chatter (general chat)

BBSLink Door Games

Classic online door games, playable directly from the BBS:

  • Legend of the Red Dragon (LORD) 4.06 — the classic RPG adventure
  • TradeWars 2002 (Gold) — interstellar trading and combat
  • Barren Realms Elite — multiplayer strategy
  • DoorMUD — text-based multiplayer dungeon

Events

We run occasional community events on the BBS:

  • Text-only trivia nights
  • Quote-guessing contests
  • "Episode of the Week" retrospectives

Easter Eggs

There are a few hidden surprises scattered around the BBS. We won't tell you what they are — that would defeat the purpose — but keep your eyes open.

Getting Started

  1. Connect

    Open your telnet client and connect to bbs.deadparrotbbs.com on port 2323.

  2. Create an Account

    Choose to create a new account. Pick a handle and password, and fill in the brief new-user questionnaire.

  3. Explore

    Navigate the menus, read messages, try a door game, and have a look around. Press ? at any menu to see available commands.

A Note About the BBS

Secret club note: The BBS is optional and a bit nerdy. It's perfect if you enjoy terminals, ANSI art, and old-school interaction. You're welcome in the community whether or not you ever log in.