ENiGMA½

ENiGMA½ is an open-source bulletin board system (BBS) server that combines retro terminal aesthetics with modern networking capabilities. It functions as a community platform that supports various connection methods, including Telnet, SSH, and WebSockets, allowing users to interact via terminal emulators or web browsers. The software is designed for hosting community hubs, file bases, and message boards while maintaining the visual style of early computing.

The software is deployed as a Node.js application and is compatible with Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, macOS, and Windows. It manages user data, message areas, and configuration using an SQLite database and HJSON files. This allows system operators to host a centralized community server that remains accessible across different operating systems and client types.

Key features

• Native x86/DOS door emulation via v86 for running classic BBS games
• Support for ActivityPub federation and WebFinger for decentralized social networking
• Multi-protocol access via Telnet, SSH, and secure WebSockets
• Built-in BinkP/1.1 mailer for FidoNet Type Network (FTN) communication
• Support for CP437 and UTF-8 output with wide character support for CJK and Hangul
• Integrated Z-Machine interpreter for running interactive fiction
• File bases with full text search, tagging, and legacy modem protocol support
• Integration with IMAP and SMTP for sending and receiving internet mail
• Customizable menus and themes using HJSON and JavaScript mods

The architecture relies on a built-in web server for HTTP(S) tasks such as file browsing and temporary download URLs. It includes a full screen editor with ANSI art support, real-time cursor indicators, and a modernized view engine. To enhance user engagement, it features a gamified achievement system. The system also exposes message bases through Gopher and NNTP content servers, bridging the gap between legacy internet protocols and modern standards. For security, it implements PBKDF2 backed password encryption and supports two-factor authentication via one-time passwords.

This software is intended for system operators and retrocomputing enthusiasts who want to maintain a traditional BBS experience while utilizing modern server infrastructure.