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No DOS Internet, network, or fax 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 scrool 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 (see home page) : French, Spanish, Dutch, Finnish, German, Portuguese, Indonesian, Polish, Hebrew.
Author: Paul Wheaton (1998); sugg. by Bjorn Simonsen.
download install.exe (165K)
3. 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)
4. FreeComm- Full featured terminal with script support (free but requires registration).
* * * * *
FreeComm is a free reincarnation of Delrina's now-defunct DOS terminal program (c. 1995). Easily the most feature-packed terminal on this page. It won't work after three sessions of use unless you register it.
...before you download it, you should know that the current owner of FREECOMM (SYMANTEC CORP) removed the file from their FTP site recently (8-97.) The BBS registration phone number included with the program no longer works. A reader called Symantec (11-97) and they provided her a registration key for FREECOMM, but also said they no longer support it. Looks like this fine program could be forced to die. So if you want to keep it, you'll have to make a voice call to Symantec to get a registration key (which is free of course). ZDNet recently added it to their collection (11-97)-maybe Symantec will get flooded with requests and do something charitable...
Features.
Available at ZDNet (890K)
5. Conex- Small terminal program with Zmodem & TCP/IP support.
(Untested online). Looks like a very good program. Some features from the documentation.
download conex71.zip (75K)
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.
(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)
8. COMTOOL- Tiny (3.6K) terminal program.
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)
OFFLINE MAIL READERS
For a comprehensive list of shareware and freeware Offline Mail Readers (for several platforms), see Jim Hanoian's OLMR page.
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
BBS PROGRAMS
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. For a very healthy list of BBS support programs see PACIFIC COAST MICRO.
1. Renegade BBS- A free and relatively easy-to-use BBS.
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 Official Renegade Site
2. Maximus- Full-featured BBS; free for non-commercial use.
unrated [added 6-24-98]
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."
For files and latest info see Maximus Support Site.
3. Telegard- Full-featured BBS.
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.
"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).
For files and latest info see the Oblivion/2 Home Page
5. Synchronet- Multi-node BBS.
"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."
For files and latest info see the Synchronet home page.
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