global menu:
No DOS Internet, or network apps are listed here- see other freeware lists.
TERMINAL PROGRAMS
Also see: Connect IDE and the DOS Navigator file manager (both include good integrated terminals).
1. QMODEM Test Drive- Excellent terminal program with script language, host mode.
* * * * * [added 06-19-99]
An excellent term program,"one of the smoothest." Includes great docs, an integral host mode, and an extensive script language.
Notes: 1) For fast Pentiums patch install.exe using bp7pat. 2) Ordinarily, qmodem uses the arrow keys for its scroll back feature - which can be annoying. Here is a fix (qmfix96b.zip , 11K)
"QMODEM 4.6 Test-Drive is licensed for individual personal use and evaluation for an unlimited time." Author: Mustang Software. (1994). Suggested by H. Schwartz, I. Smith; originally featured on Y. Bellefeuille's Best freeware for DOS list.
download qm46td-1.zip (372K)
and
download qm46td-2.zip (374K)
2. BananaCom- Easy to use terminal, z-modem transfers; now freeware.
untested [added 05-15-99]
Formerly shareware, this simple and stable text mode terminal received good reviews and achieved a high level of popularity among BBS's due to its easy set-up and user friendliness. Includes a dialing directory, ANSI emulation, scrollback buffer, text capture, and internal Z-Modem transfer protocol. Notes: Development has ended. May lock up with some Pentium II-based PC's.
Also available in these languages : French, Spanish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Portuguese, Indonesian, Polish, Hebrew.
Author: Paul Wheaton (1998) Home Page. ; sugg. by Bjorn Simonsen.
09-22-00: Found BananaCom's new web site, links updated.
download install.exe (165K)
3. Conex- Small terminal program with Zmodem & TCP/IP support.
unrated [updated 07-06-00]
"Conex seems to be the only terminal emulator that can send data to the port through init14 of the bios, thus allowing programs to make it mimic a telnet program."
Some features from the v7.1 documentation:
07-06-00: v7.5 (1998) added; Xmodem and Ymodem protocol have been implemented, other changes...see docs. (Thanks to Howard Schwartz and the author for obtaining the update).
download conex75.zip (95K)
or get the older but widely distributed conex71.zip (75K)
4. RBcomm- Small, memory efficient comm program with script support; uses external transfer protocols.
unrated [added 10-18-99]
From a user: "chiefly written for DESQview and blows away everything I've seen in almost every respect. It will run in DOS also....Configuration is a little involved, but not really hard. It uses an external xfer program (I'm using Texas Zmodem and getting consistent download speeds of 2200 cps on an 8088 at 19.2kb.) Another plus is that the ANSI/VT100 emulation doesn't screw up the screen every 10 seconds, but it's still a fast screen routine. Scripting, phonebooks, about everything imaginable...all this in a 33kb executable."
Author: Ralf Brown (1995). Home Page. Suggested by Steve Stocker.
download rbcom346.zip (120K)
5. Panther- Full featured terminal with script support.
unrated
I haven't tried this 1993 comm program but the feature list looks impressive, and it should handle fast modems. Developed primarily for accessing BBS's. I ran it through the auto-installation - which was a snap. I'll leave it to you to research how well it actually runs.
Features:
Author: Black Cat Software Factory, (1993)
download panther2.zip (345K)
6. Texas Zmodem- A very small ANSI terminal emulator with Zmodem file transfer support.
* * *
I used the "mini-terminal" component of this program quite a bit when accessing BBS's- it was one of the few available freeware comm programs with Zmodem support- now considered the most robust and frequently used transfer protocol on BBS's. Alas, now I only use it to "open up" my com port when Windows screws it up. TXZM is a very small program (33K) without script support, and I especially recommend it if you're short on diskspace. Author: Mike Dumdei (1994)
download txzm241.zip (43K)
7. Cyclone- Comm program with VT100 emulation, script support, Zmodem.
unrated
(Untested online). From India. Cyclone probably represents one of the smallest comm programs with a scripting language. VT100 emulation only (useful for Internet progs (Lynx, Pine) but not suitable for some BBS's.)
Nice features (culled from the documentation)
download cyclone.zip (109K)
8. COMTOOL- Tiny (3.6K) terminal program.
unrated
As its name suggests, COMTOOL's intended use is as a com/ modem tool rather than as a terminal program. But it can function as a simple TTY terminal. No file transfer capabilities. No built-in help- read the documentation. ASM source included. Author: K.H. Weiss. Germany. (1994)
download comtool.zip (8K)
OFFLINE MAIL READERS
For a comprehensive list of shareware and freeware Offline Mail Readers (for several platforms), see Jim Hanoian's offline readers pages.
1. NFX- Offline Qwk and Soup Mail read/ reply .
2. SLMR- Offline Qwk Mail read/ reply with mouse support.
3. OLX21td- Offline Qwk Mail read/ reply with mouse support.
4. ReadMail- Offline multi-format message reader/ creator.
ZMODEM PROTOCOL DRIVERS
(Also see: Texas Zmodem)
1. PDZM- Public domain Zmodem protocol.
2. CE-XYZ- File transfer protocol module (X, Y, Zmodem, and variants).
3. ZEST- Zmodem protocol module for EGA/VGA displays.
all unrated
I'm completely unfamiliar with the following BBS programs. No supporting applications listed here. For a comprehensive list of available shareware and freeware BBS programs see the BBS Corner.
1. Renegade BBS- A free and relatively easy-to-use BBS.
unrated
This is the only BBS listed here that I've attempted to run. One of its claimed strengths is ease of use, and I'd agree. Seems to be popular. There's a newsgroup (alt.bbs.renegade) dedicated to Renegade. Donationware. (1998)
For files and latest info see Renegade Site
2. Maximus- Full-featured BBS; free for non-commercial use.
unrated [added 6-24-98 updated 09-12-99]
A popular and complete BBS.
Free for non-commercial use. "You are a noncommercial user only if you are running Maximus as a private individual with no "sponsors" and only if your BBS is not making (or helping to make) a profit."
09-12-99: Y2K-compliant beta versions available (1-99).
For files and latest info see Maximus Support Site.
3. Telegard- Full-featured BBS.
unrated [added 6-24-98]
From the description file: "Full featured BBS software for beginners to experts alike! JAM and Squish format message bases, powerful file section w/file tagging, multinode support, full multilingual support, languages with text and key configs (>length, 255 colours, 100+ MCI codes), RIP support, powerful menus, scripts, doors and more!" (1996, gamma version 1998)
For files and latest info see the Telegard Home Page
4. Oblivion/2- BBS with powerful menuing system.
unrated [added 6-24-98]
"Whether you're a beginner or a veteran Sysop, Oblivion/2 can offer you what few other software packages can. Amazing expandability and flexibility, molding the look and feel of the software to any other software you might like (without their annoying qualities), and a simple, Sysop-friendly configuration. "- Oblivion/2 web page.
Note: Although Oblivion/2 is now freeware, you still need to use the Oblivion/2 serial number generator (a separate download) to register the latest version of the program (v2.30, 1995). Work on a new version is commencing (1998).
09-12-99: Y2K-compliant beta version available (8-99).
For files and latest info see the Oblivion/2 Home Page
5. Synchronet- Multi-node BBS.
unrated
"Synchronet BBS Software is a freely distributed program (with complete C source code - available soon) which can turn your DOS, Windows, or OS/2 machine into your own multi-line online service. Once a commercial application selling for as much as $499 (for a 250 node license), you can now use this great software for FREE for as long as it serves your needs - there are no "registration" or "licensing" fees of any kind. There is also no support (from the author) of any kind."
Although there is a newsgroup devoted to Synchronet (alt.bbs.synchronet) it is not on many news servers, and DejaNews doesn't archive it. Here is a Synchronet chat board which looks like a good place to converse with other "Synch-Ops." A win32 version is now (06-2000) available and is open source GPL.
For files and latest info see the Synchronet home page.
OTHER COM UTILS
pcAnywhere- Access and control your home/office PC from remote PC.
unrated [added 11-23-00]
pcAnywhere for DOS, a once-popular commercial application (now superseded by a Win32 version), is now available for free download from Symantec Corp.
Features:
Author: Symantec Corporation (1997).
Distribution: v5.04 (1997) is currently available as a free download from Symantec's web site (see product trialware page). In order to access the download link, you must complete a personal information form. No manual appears to be included with this distribution, however, there are FAQs, support documents, and sample scripts available on Symantec's support pages. Note that a Win3.1 version ("v2.0 for DOS") is also available as a free download.
Also see: DOSVNC- DOS VNC viewer.
BGFAX- FAX program (DOS, OS/2, Win32 versions).
unrated [added 07-05-00]
Package includes DOS, OS/2 and Win32 versions.
Author: B.J. Guillot (1997, 2000). Suggested by: tip from Surv-PC Forum.
See BGFAX Home Page for download files.
ADF- FOSSIL driver for BBS and FidoNet programs.
"ADF is a serial port FOSSIL driver for high speed modem users. Supports FIFO UARTs 16550, 16650 and 16750, 115200 bps, any port, any IRQ, any FIFO trigger level, FOSSIL rev level 5 and multitasking environments (such as Windows 3, Windows 95 and OS/2)." Notes: 01-00: former shareware program is now freeware.
Author: AnDan Software/ Anders Danielsson, Sweden (2000). AnDan Software Home Page.
download adf_150.zip (29K)
SERIAL- TSR serial port monitor, adjustable on-screen display.
* * * * * [added 10-07-99]
SERIAL is an excellent serial port monitor that displays the status of a designated COM port on screen (default COM1, upper right corner of display). Using hot key (default CTRL-ALT-S, but easily modifiable) the user can move the display anywhere on screen. After intitial loading, SERIAL can be invoked repeatedly from the command line with new/ changed options - you can even change which com port to monitor on the fly. Requires about 3.7K RAM, and includes options to disable and uninstall. Author: Bret Johnson. (1999) Also see: Other freeware programs by Bret Johnson.
SYNTAX: SERIAL [/ or -]option1 [/ or -]option2 ...
?,H,/?,/H HELP
/V Be VERBOSE (tell me everything) (default)
/Q Be QUIET (shut up unless there's an error)
/E ENABLE (Show the SERIAL port) (default)
/D DISABLE (Hide the SERIAL port)
/U UNINSTALL from memory
/T Show SERIAL only in TEXT screen modes (default)
/G Allow SERIAL to be shown in GRAPHICS screen modes
/K:Letter Change the HotKey to Ctl-Alt-{Letter}, default is Ctl-Alt-S
/1, /2, /3, /4 Show COM1(2,3,4) (default is COM1)
/P[:address] Show a specific port address (hexidecimal)
/R:n Put SERIAL at ROW #n (default is first row of screen)
/C:n Put SERIAL at COLUMN #n (default is last column of screen)
Notes: v2.02 released 9-99.
download seril202.zip (17K)
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© 1994-2001. Rich Green