How to Connect
Two ways in. Same BBS.
The Exchange runs on a single backend. SSH and web are just two doors into the same room. Same users, same chat, same mail, same boards, same event bus. A message sent from SSH appears instantly for a user on the web, and vice versa.
SSH (Terminal)
ssh bbs.boremaj.net
That’s it. You’ll get a login prompt. Create an account on first connect — no email required, no verification, no phone number. Just pick a handle and a password.
Works with any SSH client:
- macOS / Linux:
ssh bbs.boremaj.netfrom the terminal - Windows: OpenSSH (built into Windows 10+), PuTTY, Tabby
- Mobile: Termius, Blink Shell, Prompt
What you get: The full terminal experience. ANSI art, animated transitions, keyboard-driven navigation, the way BBSes were meant to look. 80x24 or larger — the BBS adapts to your terminal size.
Web Browser
https://bbs.boremaj.net
Point your browser there. You’ll get a terminal emulator (xterm.js) running the same BBS — same screens, same chat, same mail, same door games. No SSH client needed.
Works on:
- Desktop: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge — any modern browser
- Mobile: Works on phones and tablets. The terminal scales to your screen.
- The web client uses WebSocket for real-time updates — same event bus as SSH
What’s the Difference?
Nothing meaningful.
| Feature | SSH | Web |
|---|---|---|
| Chat | ✓ | ✓ |
| ✓ | ✓ | |
| Message Boards | ✓ | ✓ |
| File Archive | ✓ | ✓ |
| Door Games | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANSI Art | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time Updates | ✓ | ✓ |
| User Scripts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyboard Input | Physical keyboard | Browser input |
| File Transfers | SCP/SFTP | Download links |
| Works on Mobile | Needs SSH app | Native browser |
SSH gives you the authentic terminal experience — the one your fingers remember from the 90s. Web works from any device, including your phone, without installing anything. Use whichever you prefer. Switch between them freely. Your session follows you.
Account Creation
- No email required
- No phone number
- No personal information
- Pick a handle and password — that’s your identity
- Your data stays on the BBS. It’s not sold, harvested, or analyzed.
System Requirements
- SSH: Any SSH client. No special setup. Supports modern crypto.
- Web: Any browser with JavaScript. WebSocket support for real-time updates.
- Terminal size: 80x24 minimum. The BBS scales up to 132x50+ if your terminal supports it.
First Time?
Type help after login for a command reference. Type ? on any screen for context help. The SysOp is friendly.
Welcome to The Exchange.