In the spirit of holiday cheer and a nod to computing’s early days, CIRCL, the CERT for the private sector of Luxembourg, is delighted to unwrap two nostalgic gifts for tech enthusiasts. We are proud to announce the activation of our website in the venerable Gopher protocol, offering users a festive journey into the roots of the digital era at gopher://gopher.circl.lu.
But the holiday surprises don’t end there! In celebration of the season, CIRCL has introduced a Bulletin Board System (BBS) at bbs.circl.lu. Running on TCP ports 23, 64 (40 column PETSCII), and 128 (80 column PETSCII), this holiday-themed BBS is a nod to a bygone era when digital communities thrived on the simplicity of text-based interactions. Users can experience this festive blast from the past with modern terminal programs or, for those with a holiday spirit for retro hardware, on slightly older computers like Amiga 500 or even the classic C64.
The BBS at telnet://bbs.circl.lu not only echoes the aesthetics of vintage systems but also serves as a testament to the remarkable journey of computing. Screenshots showcase the compatibility of the system with classic terminals, inviting users to experience the convergence of holiday history and technology.
“We believe that understanding where we come from is vital in appreciating how far we’ve come,” said Sascha Rommelfangen at CIRCL. “By reviving technologies like Gopher and Bulletin Board Systems with a touch of holiday spirit, we pay homage to the pioneers of the digital age, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of computing.”
Adding to the festive spirit, CIRCL is proud to highlight that these initiatives are powered by open-source software. The Bulletin Board System is made possible by the use of SynchroNet, an open-source BBS package, while the Gopher server is driven by Gophernicus, an open-source Gopher server.
The Gopher protocol and BBS initiatives are not just about nostalgia; they underscore CIRCL’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive digital landscape. The systems are accessible to users with modern technology, as well as those seeking a festive journey down memory lane with vintage hardware.
To experience the retro charm and holiday magic firsthand, we invite you to visit gopher://gopher.circl.lu and telnet to telnet://bbs.circl.lu on TCP ports 23, 64, or 128. Embrace the past, celebrate the present, and witness the harmonious coexistence of computing’s yesteryears and today’s cutting-edge technology, all wrapped up in the festive spirit.
Note: Any misuse or abuse of the systems will be immortalized as indicators in one of the MISP (the Threat Sharing Platform) sharing community of CIRCL. Let’s keep the holiday cheer alive and respectful in the digital realm!
Access via retro computers
About CIRCL
CIRCL, the Computer Incident Response Center Luxembourg, is the national Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) for the private sector in Luxembourg. Committed to enhancing cybersecurity awareness and resilience, CIRCL provides expertise, services, and resources to assist organizations in safeguarding their digital assets. CIRCL (Computer Incident Response Center Luxembourg) plays a significant role in the field of cybersecurity, particularly in incident response and threat intelligence. Two of their notable contributions to the open-source community are the MISP and AIL projects.
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TLP:CLEAR information may be distributed without restriction, subject to copyright controls.
Revision
- Version 1.0 - TLP:CLEAR - First version - 23rd December 2023