This weekend I made several changes behind-the-scenes affecting the Darkrealms website and processing of mail for all downlinks.

It doesn't look like it on the outside, but Spinnaker was retired due to nonstop abuse from bots and generally affecting the BBS entirely. All of the custom programs I wrote for this were archived, not deleted, incase there is morbid curiousity of how one managed to run that into 2026.

The mail processing on Darkrealms was revised and cleaned up, "should" be
no problems with anyone linked here for mail. Custom programs and batch files were largely unchanged but a full round of testing was done anyway.

There is a possibility that I may shut down Usenet services due to nonstop random binary-posts in otherwise "normal" groups; there is no way to combat this unless I write a custom NNTP client and unfortunately I'm too busy for that now. If anyone wants to discuss taking that over, reach out via Netmail.

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Re: Major changes
By: Atreyu to All on Sun Jan 18 2026 09:59 pm

This weekend I made several changes behind-the-scenes affecting the Darkrealms website and processing of mail for all downlinks.

How does one update the description of an echo in the Z1BONE.NA file linked there these days?

The proper listing of the SYNCHRONET echo (e.g. from the distributed BACKBONE.NA file) should be:

SYNCHRONET Synchronet Discussion
--
digital man (rob)

Steven Wright quote #31:
The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
Norco, CA WX: 55.3øF, 65.0% humidity, 2 mph E wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

On 09 Mar 26 03:16:33, Rob Swindell said the following to Atreyu:

How does one update the description of an echo in the Z1BONE.NA file linke there these days?

One can simply ask... adding a "please" would be nice...

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

On Sun, 18 Jan 2026 21:59:17 +0000
"Atreyu" (1:229/426) <Atreyu@f426.n229.z1.fidonet> wrote:

There is a possibility that I may shut down Usenet services due to
nonstop random binary-posts in otherwise "normal" groups; there is no
way to combat this unless I write a custom NNTP client and
unfortunately I'm too busy for that now. If anyone wants to discuss
taking that over, reach out via Netmail.

Have you considered using NOCeM or limiting the size of posts to
non-binary groups?

I run my own news service so probably could. I always wondered how you
get news from usenet to FTN packets. I'd love to do something like that
but without having to import all the groups into my BBS. I have
341,652,230 articles and can't plonk them all into file bases.
--
End Of The Line BBS - Plano, TX
telnet endofthelinebbs.com 23
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)

On 09 Mar 26 15:43:58, Nigel Reed said the following to Atreyu:

Have you considered using NOCeM or limiting the size of posts to
non-binary groups?

Yes... I try not to carry binary-groups to begin with. But this does not stop spammers or idiots from posting binaries in non-binary groups which unfortunately I currently have no way of skipping the download of via NNTP.

They do get zapped here for the most part during the toss-cycle.

I run my own news service so probably could. I always wondered how you
get news from usenet to FTN packets. I'd love to do something like that
but without having to import all the groups into my BBS. I have
341,652,230 articles and can't plonk them all into file bases.

I wrote custom software which manipulates Vsoup and Soupgate plus a few
hooks in D'Bridge itself. Only what systems Areafix is what is downloaded.

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

On Mon, 9 Mar 2026 19:11:47 +0000
"Atreyu" (1:229/426) <Atreyu@f426.n229.z1.fidonet> wrote:

I wrote custom software which manipulates Vsoup and Soupgate plus a
few hooks in D'Bridge itself. Only what systems Areafix is what is downloaded.

I might be able to do something similar with Synchronet. Let me ponder
on it.
--
End Of The Line BBS - Plano, TX
telnet endofthelinebbs.com 23
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)

On 09 Mar 26 21:57:39, Nigel Reed said the following to Atreyu:

I might be able to do something similar with Synchronet. Let me ponder
on it.

I'm sure theres probably a bazillion better ways to do all this but its whats worked here for years.

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Re: Re: Major changes
By: Atreyu to Nigel Reed on Tue Mar 10 2026 00:42:22

I'm sure theres probably a bazillion better ways to do all this but its whats worked here for years.

I will take a look and see what I can come up with. If I can get it working, I'll let you know so if you do shutdown the usenet server then your customers will have a possible alternative.
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)

On 10 Mar 26 10:56:28, Nigel Reed said the following to Atreyu:

I will take a look and see what I can come up with. If I can get it working I'll let you know so if you do shutdown the usenet server then your custome will have a possible alternative.

No rush... They can all wait for an alternative to alt.sex.fetish.daleks.

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Re: Re: Major changes
By: Atreyu to Rob Swindell on Mon Mar 09 2026 09:30 am

On 09 Mar 26 03:16:33, Rob Swindell said the following to Atreyu:

How does one update the description of an echo in the Z1BONE.NA file linke there these days?

One can simply ask... adding a "please" would be nice...

Please let me know how one updates the description of an echo in the Z1BONE.NA file hosted the web page you advertised here.
--
digital man (rob)

This Is Spinal Tap quote #31:
Viv Savage: Quite exciting, this computer magic!
Norco, CA WX: 68.4øF, 57.0% humidity, 3 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

On 10 Mar 26 15:49:16, Rob Swindell said the following to Atreyu:

How does one update the description of an echo in the Z1BONE.NA file linke there these days?

One can simply ask... adding a "please" would be nice...

Please let me know how one updates the description of an echo in the Z1BONE file hosted the web page you advertised here.

One can politely ask the author of the list to do, even if he believes his description is much more accurate.

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Re: Re: Major changes
By: Atreyu to Rob Swindell on Tue Mar 10 2026 07:00 pm

On 10 Mar 26 15:49:16, Rob Swindell said the following to Atreyu:

How does one update the description of an echo in the Z1BONE.NA file linke there these days?

One can simply ask... adding a "please" would be nice...

Please let me know how one updates the description of an echo in the Z1BONE file hosted the web page you advertised here.

One can politely ask the author of the list to do, even if he believes his description is much more accurate.

Who is the "author" of this immature garbage that I should politely ask to correct?

SYNCHRONET Rob Swindell fetishistic worship forum

and why are you making this such a painful discussion?
--
digital man (rob)

This Is Spinal Tap quote #40:
Morty the Mime: Come on, don't talk back, mime is money, come on, move it. Norco, CA WX: 67.7øF, 58.0% humidity, 6 mph WNW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs --- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

On 10 Mar 26 16:09:59, Rob Swindell said the following to Atreyu:

Who is the "author" of this immature garbage that I should politely ask to correct?

SYNCHRONET Rob Swindell fetishistic worship forum

and why are you making this such a painful discussion?

If you're going to act like Walter Peck from Ghostbusters in asking for something out of the blue without saying the magic word, you'll get the Peter Venkman treatment... if a silly textfile is painful, maybe take a break?

The weather is very nice out for now... another blast of winter on its way but a sampling taste of a real good summer.

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Re: Re: Major changes
By: Atreyu to Rob Swindell on Tue Mar 10 2026 07:48 pm

On 10 Mar 26 16:09:59, Rob Swindell said the following to Atreyu:

Who is the "author" of this immature garbage that I should politely ask to correct?

SYNCHRONET Rob Swindell fetishistic worship forum

and why are you making this such a painful discussion?

If you're going to act like Walter Peck from Ghostbusters in asking for something out of the blue without saying the magic word, you'll get the Peter Venkman treatment... if a silly textfile is painful, maybe take a break?

I assumed there was an automated system, like the old ECHOMOD system, where an echo moderator (like myself) could update it. I didn't assume I had to ask an individual, presumably *you*, to actually hand-edit the file.

The file isn't painful but your attitude is. Apparently *you* "the author of the list?" feel justified in adding personal insults to the network's echolist, but *I*, who's name you included in this crassness, have to ask politely (with "the magic word") for you to fix it?

You clearly have a personal problem with me and I have no idea what I've ever done to you, so it's weird. Whatever dude - do whatever you want.
--
digital man (rob)

Rush quote #9:
One likes to believe in the freedom of ... baseball!
Norco, CA WX: 65.7øF, 61.0% humidity, 8 mph WNW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs --- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

On 10 Mar 26 17:33:04, Rob Swindell said the following to Atreyu:

The file isn't painful but your attitude is. Apparently *you* "the author o the list?" feel justified in adding personal insults to the network's echolist, but *I*, who's name you included in this crassness, have to ask politely (with "the magic word") for you to fix it?

Several times over the years people will ask me to do things without a scent of politeness or manners. I have a fetishistic fan-club of my own in Zone 2 over this very subject. Some have taken it upon themselves to "police" the production of the nodelist even though they have no clue how it really works.

But the silly list has no automated updates; just as theres no way for me to opt-out of the many automated applicants from your software because my email
is hardcoded in your scripts. Applicants I mostly cannot respond to because they do not follow your instructions. Its not "your fault" but I do recall getting somewhat of an immature-garbage reply when I asked you to fix this.

Just curious, in what way is my description insulting to you or your software? Where am I being personally insulting? It correctly reflects the content of the echo. People obsessively want-want-want from you without clearly reading the instructions. Do you get insulted over Jas Hud aka Professor Dipshit? If you farted, he will tell you what was served for dinner in your household.

Similar experience here; but if someone called my software echo the Nick Andre worship forum, thats absolutely hilarious and a badge of honor for me... and those who know me know its all silly and I never take it sooooooo seriously.

Hence what I wrote about enjoying the nice weather for the time being...

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Re: Re: Major changes
By: Atreyu to Rob Swindell on Tue Mar 10 2026 08:52 pm

On 10 Mar 26 17:33:04, Rob Swindell said the following to Atreyu:

The file isn't painful but your attitude is. Apparently *you* "the author o the list?" feel justified in adding personal insults to the network's echolist, but *I*, who's name you included in this crassness, have to ask politely (with "the magic word") for you to fix it?

Several times over the years people will ask me to do things without a scent of politeness or manners. I have a fetishistic fan-club of my own in Zone 2 over this very subject. Some have taken it upon themselves to "police" the production of the nodelist even though they have no clue how it really works.

That's not me.

But the silly list has no automated updates; just as theres no way for me to opt-out of the many automated applicants from your software because my email is hardcoded in your scripts. Applicants I mostly cannot respond to because they do not follow your instructions. Its not "your fault" but I do recall getting somewhat of an immature-garbage reply when I asked you to fix this.

I think you recall incorrectly:

-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Swindell <Rob.Swindell@vert.synchro.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2022 1:27 PM
To: Nick Andre <nandre@net229.org>
Subject: FW: FidoNet node number request

Hi Rob,

Can you please improve the script below so the SBBS Sysop understands that a > valid Email address is necessary for a proper response.

Sure, no problem. Thanks for the feedback,

-Rob
--
digital man (rob)

Sling Blade quote #9:
Doyle Hargraves: Morris here is a modern-day poet, kinda like in olden times. Norco, CA WX: 65.1øF, 62.0% humidity, 10 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

Re: Re: Major changes
By: Rob Swindell to Atreyu on Tue Mar 10 2026 16:09:59

SYNCHRONET Rob Swindell fetishistic worship forum

This looks highly unprofessional to me.
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (1:124/5016)

On 10 Mar 26 18:06:55, Rob Swindell said the following to Atreyu:

Can you please improve the script below so the SBBS Sysop understands that

a > valid Email address is necessary for a proper response.

Sure, no problem. Thanks for the feedback,

Yes and it hasn't worked... but maybe its the nature of the beast. Again not "your fault". People eager to use your stuff without reading your
instructions.

Anyhow moving forward I think I also suggested that maybe a pragmatic approach would be for your script to pull the nodelist from my site, parse it however and then auto-config your software so they can Netmail the appropriate NC or RC. But I did also consider that maybe that level of hand-holding still leaves the newcomer Sysop clueless about "how" these things really work.

I wrote something similar in the D'Bridge installer but didn't really go beyond that other than fill in the blanks of your uplink and things get auto configured right off the bat. It works flawlessly for most users.

Theres a sense of personal techie-satisfaction that comes with getting some silly mailer working and eventually getting a reply from the NC... without the handholding...

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)

Atreyu wrote to Nigel Reed <=-

No rush... They can all wait for an alternative to
alt.sex.fetish.daleks.

(...)

-- Sean

... We are born naked, wet, and hungry. Then things get worse.
--- MultiMail/Linux
* Origin: Outpost BBS * Johnson City, TN (1:18/200)

BY: Atreyu (1:229/426)

I will take a look and see what I can come up with. If I can get it working
I'll let you know so if you do shutdown the usenet server then your custome
will have a possible alternative.

No rush... They can all wait for an alternative to
alt.sex.fetish.daleks.

Hey, I get most of my better marriage pointers on that.


Mickey
centralontarioremote.net


...Music is the Eye to your Soul

--- WWIV 5.8.1.3688[Linux 6.12.73-22015]
* Origin: Mick's Remote WWIV Hangout - FidoNET (1:229/308)

On 11 Mar 26 21:15:46, Mickey said the following to Atreyu :

No rush... They can all wait for an alternative to
alt.sex.fetish.daleks.

Hey, I get most of my better marriage pointers on that.

Which part? The beep-boop foreplay in an English accent?

That movie Bridesmaids was on TV the other day... hilarious... the British actress who mooches off her roommate stole the show. "Well I can't get a
work permit can I? Shall I just prostitute? Put your American sausage in my English McMuffin?"

Nick

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (1:229/426)