If you are new to the process of Telnet and have never accessed a Telnet BBS system before, the following is a mini-tutiorial of how the Telnet process works and how to use a Telnet client.

Click here to see a list of Telnet client software 

Click here to see the Telnet BBS FAQ.

How do I access BBS systems on the Internet?

Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) have been around before the big push of the modern Internet. They were developed back when MS-DOS was king, mice weren't widely used (what's this point-and-click thing?) and when everyone knew what ANSI and high-ASCII meant.

Because BBS systems were developed before today's World Wide Web, the way you access BBS systems is different than most people are accustomed to.

Instead of using your web browser, most BBS systems are accessed by one of two ways - direct dial-up modem and via Telnet. This list deals with Telnet and that method will be explained here.

Telnet is the process of using a computer from a remote location. This is the equivalent of using a computer from the main console (keyboard) but you are at a different location and using the Internet as a transport of data from where you are now to where the computer is. Telnet has been used for many years - even before the World Wide Web.

To access a Telnettable BBS, you will need a Telnet "client". This client is a stand-alone program that is different from your web browser. For those who are using Unix or Linux, there is a built-in Telnet client in the command-line shell. For those of you who are using Windows 95 or higher systems, your software also has a built-in Telnet client. It isn't very good and you can download and install other Telnet clients that work a lot better.

Telnet syntax is very similar to that of the web. If you are on a Unix or Linux command line, type in the following commands:

telnet (host name) (ex: telnet bbs.dmine.net)
or
telnet (IP address) (ex: telnet 127.0.0.1)

Some systems integrate "telnet" into a menu prompt, which after execution will simply ask you to enter the host name or IP address.

Some systems also offer the ability to use RLOGIN for the same purpose as TELNET. I'd suggest you try TELNET first...

Most systems use telnet "port" 23. If no port is specified in the listings, more than likely it its port 23 and no special commands are needed. If there is a number beside the listing, you will need to use that port number. The syntax for these is:

telnet (host name) (port number) (ex: examplebbs.com 2002)

Windows 95 & 98 have built-in Telnet clients and can use the same commands as listed above - however the quality is aweful (no color, strange characters, etc). The Telnet clients in Windows NT/2000/XP do a fairly good job and operates about the same as the ones for Unix listed above.

For Windows users, we highly suggest you use a stand alone Telnet client. The best one we've seen so far is called mTelnet and can be downloaded for free at http://ozone.eesc.com. A comprehensive list of more Telnet clients is available at the Getting Connected page at The BBS Corner.

Other telnet clients for Windows operating systems include SyncTERM (also for *nix systems), PuTTY, NetTerm, and ZOC.

If you have any questions - please visit the Telnet FAQ page. If you need further help you may contact us.