So today, clrghouz passed a valiant milestone (for me), for a project that I started many years ago. The first commit was in Mar 2019. It now services on average a 100 systems daily - not including the few that are trapped in the network block because they are polling it every minute or two and havent realised yet.

It's holding a little over 1.3m messages across multiple networks with 150 users (although about 1/3 are no longer about), and it's all running on a Raspberry Pi CM5. I'm constantly surprised that this little board runs clrghouz as well as it does.

When I started the project, I had many ideas (still do), and a number of folks (mainly in fidonet) were discouraging my ideas - some still do. A few thought it was a wasted effort, and some laughed at the idea to support new packet formats and exchange methods. One person had a "visceral reaction" and thought it was "techno-dick nonsense". They also called it a Rube Goldenberg contraption which I had a little chuckle at. Hopefully now, I can claim that clrghouz has been run in, field tested by many users, and can handle the workload of our little hobby.

Like many who come back to the scene, they have come back with many ideas for this little hobby of ours - and some have implemented their ideas (love reading about new BBSes) and some have about faced because of those discouraging folks. Anybody who reads the detractors, I want to implore you to continue your efforts, if anything for your own curiosity, benefit and/or enjoyment. There are many folks here who will appreciate your efforts above and beyond those that detract it.

I hope to see more people bring new ideas and software to this hobby, while maintaining the history that brought us here. And if you need any help or have ideas, I'd be happy to explore them with you.


...����
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)

On October 14 2026, deon wrote:

So today, clrghouz passed a valiant milestone (for me), for a project
that I started many years ago. The first commit was in Mar 2019. It
now services on average a 100 systems daily - not including the few
that are trapped in the network block because they are polling it
every minute or two and havent realised yet.

It's holding a little over 1.3m messages across multiple networks with
150 users (although about 1/3 are no longer about), and it's all
running on a Raspberry Pi CM5. I'm constantly surprised that this
little board runs clrghouz as well as it does.

When I started the project, I had many ideas (still do), and a number
of folks (mainly in fidonet) were discouraging my ideas - some still
do. A few thought it was a wasted effort, and some laughed at the idea
to support new packet formats and exchange methods. One person had a "visceral reaction" and thought it was "techno-dick nonsense". They
also called it a Rube Goldenberg contraption which I had a little
chuckle at. Hopefully now, I can claim that clrghouz has been run in, field tested by many users, and can handle the workload of our little hobby.

Like many who come back to the scene, they have come back with many
ideas for this little hobby of ours - and some have implemented their ideas (love reading about new BBSes) and some have about faced because
of those discouraging folks. Anybody who reads the detractors, I want
to implore you to continue your efforts, if anything for your own curiosity, benefit and/or enjoyment. There are many folks here who
will appreciate your efforts above and beyond those that detract it.

I hope to see more people bring new ideas and software to this hobby, while maintaining the history that brought us here. And if you need
any help or have ideas, I'd be happy to explore them with you.

...����
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)

I appreciate what you setup, it allowed me to jump back into the bbs
scene with very little effort to join different networks without needing
to worry about tons of different applications and setup. It just works
and I really appreciate it.

... The Adventure BBS (HTTPS://BBS.OURBIRDHOUSE.CA)

--- The Adventure BBS http://bbs.ourbirdhouse.ca
* Origin: The Adventure BBS (21:3/254.0)

So today, clrghouz passed a valiant milestone (for me), for a project
that I started many years ago. The first commit was in Mar 2019. It now services on average a 100 systems daily - not including the few that are trapped in the network block because they are polling it every minute or two and havent realised yet.

Woot! Congrats on the milestone! I for one love the idea, and you were so helpful in getting me all setup for fsxNet. You did a great job with this, its a great service for a lot of us, and it is much appreciated!

|08[|07K|08N1GHT|07S|08HAD0W] |08[|07https|08://|07www|08.|07boneyard|08-|07bbs|08.|07com|08]

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Windows/64)
* Origin: The Boneyard @ boneyard-bbs.com:8073 (SSH:8074) (21:3/248)

So today, clrghouz passed a
valiant milestone (for me), for a
project that I started many years
ago. The first commit was in Mar
2019. It now services on average a
100 systems daily - not including
the few that are trapped in the
network block because they are
polling it every minute or two and
havent realised yet.

Congrats on the milestone and thanks for all the hardwork you've put in!


--- NE BBS v2.07 (linux; x64)
* Origin: NE BBS - nebbs.servehttp.com:9223 (21:3/193)

On 14 Oct 26 20:42:36, Deon said the following to All:

it was a wasted effort, and some laughed at the idea to support new packet formats and exchange methods. One person had a "visceral reaction" and thoug it was "techno-dick nonsense". They also called it a Rube Goldenberg

It was then, and still is now. But if you want to be a flamboyant Richard Simmons mailman so be it. Keep doling out Point addresses to Sysops who cannot take the time to join a network properly and have them believe your a central clearing house savior for all FTN. You can bullshit your users all you want.

But please do not bullshit the rest of us with distoring "Facts" in the form
of you instigating unsolicited nonsense directed at me in 2021.

Once upon a time I had never heard of a Deon nor did I care to, but one day
you made your introduction in the form of trolling me out in public over D'Bridge not working to your expectations. A silly mailer that has worked
for many hundreds of users and runs ZC2 and now ZC1 all of the sudden MUST
be broken because it did not work for you and your weirdo setup.

Not one polite introduction, not one email, no Netmail, not one hint of manners... just unsolicited unpleasant fart aroma from the land down-under and you wanted to argue with me even after I suggested Netmail or other means.

Some of us indeed watched with amusement as you trotted off to the FTSC where you attempted to shove your unoriginal ideas down the throats of others, pondering why "nothing" gets done. You took your ball and left when you were reminded that the FTSC does not invent standards nor does it enforce any.

In the short span of 2018 to 2021 some of us got to know enough of you, enough to form an opinion, one of which you know what it was, one which will never change thus which results in you shamelessly promoting yourself constantly.

If I'm going to be living in your head rent-free, I'll consider donating to whatever mental-health foundation raises funds for people like you.

Atreyu

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (21:1/176)

On 14 Oct 2026, TheWebExpert said the following...

I appreciate what you setup, it allowed me to jump back into the bbs
scene with very little effort to join different networks without needing to worry about tons of different applications and setup.

It looks like you're in Ontario as well. If you did want to fill out one or two more applications:

Fidonet:
https://www.nrbbs.net/net229app.txt

Micronet:
https://minftn.net/MININFO.ZIP


Thanks,
Jay

... Alligators don't make phone calls but a croc'll dial

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Northern Realms (21:3/110)

Hey Deon,

You are doing an amazing job. If any of this retro stuff is going to survive, it needs to interface with new technology, and Clrghouz is a AAA rated way of doing it. Plus you've been so generous with your time for me on my current project and last 2 projects, too. Thanks Deon, you are doing a lot for the scene and vintage tele-communications! :) Keep up the good and valuable work, and congrats on the milestone.


Randers

On 14/10/2026 20:42 deon said...

So today, clrghouz passed a valiant milestone (for me), for a
project that I started many years ago. The first commit was in Mar
2019. It now services on average a 100 systems daily - not including
the few that are trapped in the network block because they are
polling it every minute or two and havent realised yet.

It's holding a little over 1.3m messages across multiple networks
with 150 users (although about 1/3 are no longer about), and it's
all running on a Raspberry Pi CM5. I'm constantly surprised that
this little board runs clrghouz as well as it does.

When I started the project, I had many ideas (still do), and a
number of folks (mainly in fidonet) were discouraging my ideas -
some still do. A few thought it was a wasted effort, and some
laughed at the idea to support new packet formats and exchange
methods. One person had a "visceral reaction" and thought it was "techno-dick nonsense". They also called it a Rube Goldenberg
contraption which I had a little chuckle at. Hopefully now, I can
claim that clrghouz has been run in, field tested by many users, and
can handle the workload of our little hobby.

Like many who come back to the scene, they have come back with many
ideas for this little hobby of ours - and some have implemented
their ideas (love reading about new BBSes) and some have about faced because of those discouraging folks. Anybody who reads the
detractors, I want to implore you to continue your efforts, if
anything for your own curiosity, benefit and/or enjoyment. There are
many folks here who will appreciate your efforts above and beyond
those that detract it.

I hope to see more people bring new ideas and software to this
hobby, while maintaining the history that brought us here. And if
you need any help or have ideas, I'd be happy to explore them with
you.

...����
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too?
(21:2/116)

--- Krystal BBS Software
* Origin: Dumpster Dive - Victoria, Australia (21:3/256)

Re: Re: Clrghouz
By: Atreyu to Deon on Wed Oct 14 2026 11:58:52


===
Tim (kk4qbn)
+o kk4qbn.synchro.net
--- SBBSecho 3.38-Linux
* Origin: kk4qbn bbs - kk4qbn.synchro.net - chatworth ga usa (21:3/259)

Re: Re: Clrghouz
By: kk4qbn to Atreyu on Wed Oct 14 2026 07:53 pm

Howdy,

Re: Re: Clrghouz
By: Atreyu to Deon on Wed Oct 14 2026 11:58:52

===
Tim (kk4qbn)
+o kk4qbn.synchro.net

Not sure if you realised, and I think I've seen it a couple of times, but your message body is empty. I'm guessing you are using an external editor, but it might not be actually storing your message...

Anyway, thought I'd let you know.


...����
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)

--- Randers Said ---

You are doing an amazing job. If any of this retro stuff is going to survive, it needs to interface with new technology, and Clrghouz is a AAA rated way of doing it. Plus you've been so generous with your time for me on my current project and last 2 projects, too. Thanks Deon, you are doing a lot for the scene and vintage tele-communications! :) Keep up the good and valuable work, and congrats on the milestone.

--- Randers Done ---

My sentiments exactly. Thanks for doing what you do.

-esc
--- ViSiON/3 v0.9.4/Linux
* Origin: gEMENON (21:3/237)

Re: Re: Clrghouz
By: deon to kk4qbn on Thu Oct 15 2026 11:24:13

deon wrote:

Not sure if you realised, and I think I've seen it a couple of times, but your
message body is empty. I'm guessing you are using an external editor, but it might not be actually storing your message...

Yeah, I am using a different message editor from what I'm used to and the keypress sequences are different, When/If I mess up when quoting I try to back out of it, Muscle memory kicks in and I end up saving a blank message, and my BBS fires it off before I have a chance to delete the message. I need to get into the settings and fix it to where it waits at least a minute or so before processsing. I'm sure it can be done.

Anyway, thought I'd let you know.

Thanks!


===
Tim (kk4qbn)
+o kk4qbn.synchro.net
--- SBBSecho 3.38-Linux
* Origin: kk4qbn bbs - kk4qbn.synchro.net - chatworth ga usa (21:3/259)

kk4qbn wrote to deon <=-

Yeah, I am using a different message editor from what I'm used to and
the keypress sequences are different, When/If I mess up when quoting I
try to back out of it, Muscle memory kicks in

I started writing HTML for a blog of mine and am using nano (it's on a
shell account, I'm using alPINE/nano for email) and I'd forgotten how
convenient it is for formatted text - except I keep hitting escape to
get to command mode and typing :wq! to exit... Didn't realize vim had
gotten under my skin.

In the DOS/Windows world, I still use Wordstar ^K key bindings.



... Remove ambiguities and convert to specifics
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
* Origin: realitycheckBBS.org -- information is power. (21:4/122)

Not sure if you realised, and I think I've seen it a couple of times,

but your

message body is empty. I'm guessing you are using an external editor,

but it mi

ght not be actually storing your message...
Anyway, thought I'd let you know.
...����
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too?

(21:2/116)

hopefully that's not the case with my pcboard offshoot.

--- LunaBBS v1.00 Beta
* Origin: Over The Brink - The Home of LunaBBS (21:5/105)

Re: Re: Clrghouz
By: ROBERT WOLFE to DEON on Thu Oct 15 2026 01:22 pm

Howdy,

Not sure if you realised, and I think I've seen it a couple of times,

but your

message body is empty. I'm guessing you are using an external editor,

but it mi

ght not be actually storing your message...

hopefully that's not the case with my pcboard offshoot.

Looks like it is working OK.

You might want to add a PID to your exported messages to show its Luna...


...����
--- SBBSecho 3.37-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)