on 03 Feb 2026, CloudDancer said...

Yep. That's why I'd like to start with what most Mystic BBSs use nowadays (that's where some of you come in with ideally letting me know your top
5 or so mods that you do use) ... Once the main how-to is written, and basic say top 10 mods are on the website/wiki, I or someone can jump
into maintaining this further and adding more things as the time goes on.

Seems reasonable. I don't really have any good suggestions since I pretty much make all of my own mods. I guess mRC counts, although I'm running an old release right now. I need to get that updated. :P

True, some collateral damage is OK. I think everyone should (for their
own sanity) be running at least a48 or ideally a49 (as per my little experience this past few months) :)

I think it probably is. I mean, the issue there is how easy it would be to update given people's different skillsets and whatnot. You can't quantify that too much, unless it literally just takes changing a line or two of code. ;)

Three years ago when I started Silfen Path BBS they were relatively up-to-date-ish, but this past December, it felt harder to follow. That's why I'd love to do this "how-to" project.

Given that g00r00 has been gone for quite a while now, perhaps that won't be a problem going forward. :/

Oooh! That does sound cool.

Anyways, after I'm back from my family ski-trip this weekend (just in
PA, not really Aspen or some such, hehe), I'll get started ... I do love writing documentation so this should be fun! I may just base it on DokuWiki too, or some such "shared" model, so you can plug into it whenever you feel like and write about mods and more.

Who knows when I'll start on mine, so we could simply link or otherwise mention to each other's docs for filling those gaps. Don't let my vague plans stop you from covering those topics in yours, if you're so inclined!

|07j |15A C K |07p |15H L A S H |07!
|08[https://jackphla.sh]

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: d i s t o r t i o n // d1st.org (911:1423/0)

on 03 Feb 2026, Exodus said...

Please don't. If you can't setup a BBS without a hand holding video,
you don't need to run a BBS.

While I agree on one hand, there are people coming back to the hobby who haven't run or even used a BBS in 30+ years. That, and there are so many flavors of BBS software out there. Setting up and modding Mystic is fairly simple for those of us who ran similar softs like Renegade and Iniquity back in the day, but for people who ran something wildly different like Wildcat or PCBoard or something, a lot of these concepts are pretty foreign.

|07j |15A C K |07p |15H L A S H |07!
|08[https://jackphla.sh]

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: d i s t o r t i o n // d1st.org (911:1423/0)

While I agree on one hand, there are people coming back to the hobby who haven't run or even used a BBS in 30+ years. That, and there are so many flavors of BBS software out there. Setting up and modding Mystic is fairly simple for those of us who ran similar softs like Renegade and Iniquity ba in the day, but for people who ran something wildly different like Wildcat

BBS SOFTWARE NAME GOES HERE.DOC file ... Thats how I learned. There was nothing in 1993 to tell you any different. Print it out and read it in the bathroom.

... Wife: A slave who demands to be set on a throne 

--- Renegade v1.40/DOS
* Origin: The Titantic BBS Telnet - ttb.rgbbs.info (911:1724/0)

on 04 Feb 2026, Exodus said...

BBS SOFTWARE NAME GOES HERE.DOC file ... Thats how I learned. There was nothing in 1993 to tell you any different. Print it out and read it in the bathroom.

Yes, I remember doing the very same thing.

But guess what, old man yelling at a cloud, this isn't 1993 so we have tools like YouTube videos now! :P

|07j |15A C K |07p |15H L A S H |07!
|08[https://jackphla.sh]

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: d i s t o r t i o n // d1st.org (911:1423/0)

Exodus wrote to Clouddancer <=-

Please don't. If you can't setup a BBS without a hand holding video,
you don't need to run a BBS.

What I needed the most? An unused laser printer in a corner of the office where I worked. I printed out the Maxumus, Squish and FrontDoor manuals one weekend and pored over them. Good times.

There is a lot to be said for at least getting over the hump of accepting callers and getting some FTN working on your own, so you understand the underpinnings.


--- MultiMail/DOS v0.52
* Origin: realitycheckBBS.org -- information is power. (911:1415/0)

jp!,

Given that g00r00 has been gone for quite a while now, perhaps that
won't be a problem going forward. :/

Where did he go? Anyone know him personally? Love what he's done over the years, but it'd be awesome to see him return to the scene a bit ;) Especially as nowadays it is getting a bit hotter, too.

Who knows when I'll start on mine, so we could simply link or otherwise mention to each other's docs for filling those gaps. Don't let my vague plans stop you from covering those topics in yours, if you're so
inclined!

Ofc. ;)

|15C|13l|05oud|15D|13a|05ncer
|08 @ 911:1614/0 .. 21:3/226 .. 1:226/20 .. 46:1/117 .. 1337:3/224

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: -= bbs.silfenpath.com | Columbus, Ohio (USA)=- (911:1614/0)

* Origin: d i s t o r t i o n // d1st.org (911:1423/0)
Yes, I remember doing the very same thing.

But guess what, old man yelling at a cloud, this isn't 1993 so we have too like YouTube videos now! :P

ahhahaha True I guess. :( haha

... If You Don't Think Women Are Explosive... Drop One.

--- Renegade v1.40/DOS
* Origin: The Titantic BBS Telnet - ttb.rgbbs.info (911:1724/0)

What I needed the most? An unused laser printer in a corner of the office where I worked. I printed out the Maxumus, Squish and FrontDoor manuals on weekend and pored over them. Good times.

When I bought FD 2.20c.mL I got a bound copy of the docs, good times there from JoHo. Sad I remember sending an international money order for like $250 hoping it would make it there and I would get the program. That was a lot of money for a 15 year old. :)

... If it's glowing, don't eat it...

--- Renegade v1.40/DOS
* Origin: The Titantic BBS Telnet - ttb.rgbbs.info (911:1724/0)

(and maybe even a YouTube video companion to it)... Paul/Avon's videos

Please don't. If you can't setup a BBS without a hand holding video,
you don't need to run a BBS.

I disagree - we often answer the same Mystic, Synchronet - even RG on MetroNet - BBS questions every single year from several new to BBSes folk.

I think utilizing fsxNet, MetroNet, *ftn's and even YT videos if they exist is great. I've scrubbed the internet for old forum posts from g00r00 and reached out to MANY sysops while learning BBS softwarez.

Its fine - however you get there, build it. New sysops r0ck, daddio!



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (911:1503/0)

BBS SOFTWARE NAME GOES HERE.DOC file ... Thats how I learned. There was nothing in 1993 to tell you any different. Print it out and read it in the bathroom.

Dude; when I ran Telegard 3.17(??) I remember printing out ALL the documentation in a 3-ring binder! It was so helpful; I had tabs on the various sections... wonderful. :P

I'd of ordered an actual d0x book if TG sold one... my dot matrix printouts were glorious, tho!



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (911:1503/0)

Where did he go? Anyone know him personally? Love what he's done over the years, but it'd be awesome to see him return to the scene a bit ;) Especially as nowadays it is getting a bit hotter, too.

I believe he had some family issues... don't want to speculate, but think divorce or serious health issues w/ a partner/family member.

He's always popped in and out over the years - but this 18mo+ absence is a bit long, even for g00, IMO.

He will pop back in - hopefully... and I THINK (hope?) he'd of handed the code off if there was some serious thing where he could NEVER come back to Mystic over. Barring the worst, I think we're OK - and he'll come in and work on a50 sometime in the future... we can hope, anyway. :P

I have several requests - like an external Message/File Base/Conference editor that can batch change/manage Areas/Conferences much better. I'm pushing the Mystic File system to the maxx w/ almost 6000 File Areas and 100+ Conferences. :P I need m0re!



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (911:1503/0)

on 04 Feb 2026, CloudDancer said...

Where did he go? Anyone know him personally? Love what he's done over the years, but it'd be awesome to see him return to the scene a bit ;) Especially as nowadays it is getting a bit hotter, too.

He's just been taking breaks, disappearing and reappearing for quite a few years while now, though he's been gone for quite a while at this point. I'm sure (I hope) he'll reappear. There's a number of people who probably consider him a friend or close to it, myself included, but I don't know anyone who was *that* close to him - I think he always kept a bit of separation between the BBS world and his personal life. For the record, I don't think he's polled Zer0net in about 11 months.

|07j |15A C K |07p |15H L A S H |07!
|08[https://jackphla.sh]

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: d i s t o r t i o n // d1st.org (911:1423/0)

on 04 Feb 2026, Exodus said...

ahhahaha True I guess. :( haha

Ha! Don't feel bad, I yell at clouds a lot too! :)

|07j |15A C K |07p |15H L A S H |07!
|08[https://jackphla.sh]

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: d i s t o r t i o n // d1st.org (911:1423/0)

on 04 Feb 2026, paulie420 said...

I'd of ordered an actual d0x book if TG sold one... my dot matrix printouts were glorious, tho!

Man, I had a shitty inkjet at the time and to save ink and paper I'd print my BBS manuals out in economy mode - super tiny font, super light. That shit was a challenge to read, and because I never bound them, they'd usually be all out of order and scattered within a few months. :/

|07j |15A C K |07p |15H L A S H |07!
|08[https://jackphla.sh]

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: d i s t o r t i o n // d1st.org (911:1423/0)

on 04 Feb 2026, paulie420 said...

I believe he had some family issues... don't want to speculate, but think divorce or serious health issues w/ a partner/family member.

He's always popped in and out over the years - but this 18mo+ absence is
a bit long, even for g00, IMO.

He will pop back in - hopefully... and I THINK (hope?) he'd of handed
the code off if there was some serious thing where he could NEVER come back to Mystic over. Barring the worst, I think we're OK - and he'll
come in and work on a50 sometime in the future... we can hope, anyway. :P

Yeah, I think that's all pretty accurate - I do believe he had some personal stuff, though I thought it was mostly behind him before he last disappeared, and last I heard he was working a ton. I also agree that I'd think he'd probably open source it if he was ready to give it up for good, though hopefully he just gets some sort of inspiration and comes back in full force again.

|07j |15A C K |07p |15H L A S H |07!
|08[https://jackphla.sh]

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: d i s t o r t i o n // d1st.org (911:1423/0)

Re: Re: Latest Mytic Mods, etc.
By: jack phlash to paulie420 on Wed Feb 04 2026 07:15 pm

Man, I had a shitty inkjet at the time and to save ink and paper I'd print m BBS manuals out in economy mode - super tiny font, super light. That shit wa a challenge to read, and because I never bound them, they'd usually be all out of order and scattered within a few months. :/

HP Laserjet 4050 - those things were workhorses. I was working at a law firm where every page was charged back to clients - except for one lone 4050 in the server room. I printed every manual, every .doc file I had.
--- SBBSecho 3.33-Win32
* Origin: realitycheckBBS.org -- information is power. (911:1415/0)

On Tue 3-Feb-2026 4:57p, |11Jack Phlash|03 chirped to |11Clouddancer|08:|03

|10JP|08>|02 I've recently been tossing around the idea of writing a howto guide along|03
|10JP|08>|02 those lines for Mystic, but it would be strictly about|03 |10JP|08>|02 modding/customization, not general setup/configuration. The plan would be|03
|10JP|08>|02 to pair that with a new setup I was thinking of releasing as a theme|03
|10JP|08>|02 (itself something of an update of an older release.) While I'm sure I'd|03
|10JP|08>|02 miss some things that I wasn't required to do for that particular setup,|03
|10JP|08>|02 it would give me tons of opportunities to demonstrate most of the core|03
|10JP|08>|02 features.|03

Yes, this would be really wonderful.. I certainly have no idea how to
even install a mod much less find them. Just no documentiontion out
there at all....

|10Xpilot

|16|15- |16|10|16|13"You're the moron that's been invading my turf?!" -Acid Burn|16
--- CNet/5
* Origin: aBSiNTHE BBS absinthebbs.net:1940 (911:1919/0)

Hey Paulie420!

On Wed, Feb 04 2026 20:22:56 -0600, you wrote:

I disagree - we often answer the same Mystic, Synchronet - even RG
on MetroNet - BBS questions every single year from several new to
BBSes folk.

If we didn't answer those questions on BBS/FTN every year, and instead pointed people to the.. web, how much less conversation would there be.. on BBSes? ;)

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm, because beating people up is illegal.
--- SBBSecho 3.36-Linux
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (911:1262/700)

Hey Jack!

On Wed, Feb 04 2026 21:12:08 -0600, you wrote:

his personal life. For the record, I don't think he's polled Zer0net
in about 11 months.

Agreed. I think his last poll here for anything was like March or April of last year. Hope everything's okay, and hope he finds his way back at some point.

Regards,
Nick

... Sarcasm, because beating people up is illegal.
--- SBBSecho 3.36-Linux
* Origin: _thePharcyde telnet://bbs.pharcyde.org (Wisconsin) (911:1262/700)

on 05 Feb 2026, Xpilot said...

Yes, this would be really wonderful.. I certainly have no idea how to even install a mod much less find them. Just no documentiontion out
there at all....

Well, most BBS mods come with *some sort* of documentation to explain how to install and use them, but they usually assume a fairly high level of familiarity with the BBS software so your mileage may vary quite a bit there.

|07j |15A C K |07p |15H L A S H |07!
|08[https://jackphla.sh]

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/25 (Windows/32)
* Origin: d i s t o r t i o n // d1st.org (911:1423/0)

I believe he had some family issues... don't want to speculate, but t divorce or serious health issues w/ a partner/family member.

Yeah, I think that's all pretty accurate - I do believe he had some personal stuff, though I thought it was mostly behind him before he last disappeared, and last I heard he was working a ton. I also agree that
I'd think he'd probably open source it if he was ready to give it up for good, though hopefully he just gets some sort of inspiration and comes back in full force again.

Hopefull its about that time... :P



|07p|15AULIE|1142|07o
|08.........

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2024/05/29 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 2o fOr beeRS bbS>>20ForBeers.com:1337 (911:1503/0)