akacastor

joined 1 year ago
sorted by: new top controversial old
TIL fingernails grow nearly 3-4 times faster than toenails in c/[email protected]
[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

steel wool socks keep the toenails in check

PCB making with laser printer toner in c/[email protected]
[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

When making PCBs with the toner transfer method, I've used photo paper intended for inkjet printers and printed (mirrored) on it with a laser printer. Then iron the paper (printed side down) onto the PCB. Some pressure is needed but not TOO much or fine traces will squish together. Soak the board with paper stuck to it in water and then the paper can be peeled off, leaving the toner transferred to the copper. Bits of stuck paper can be removed with gentle rubbing in the water with fingers or a soft toothbrush.

If the toner did not transfer well, it can easily be removed by cleaning with acetone, then repeat until successful. Key to getting a good toner transfer is to completely clean the copper first. I scrub with a scotchbrite pad and then clean with acetone and a paper towel, until completely clean and then don't touch the copper with your fingers (greasy greasy fingerprints). Any oils or dirt will make the toner not stick. Some paper is easier to remove from the copper after ironing on - there was a specific Staples SKU (inkjet photo paper in a red box) that I remember being particularly good. I believe the inkjet paper allowed the toner to transfer and release more cleanly, with less pressure and heat required. I also found I got a nice result using the same toner transfer method onto a block of wood (purely aesthetic, not part of a circuit haha).

Some people would use laminator machines to "iron" the toner onto the copper board - I have never tried it that way, but I guess if you get the pressure and heat dialed in it could be pretty consistent. I've had good success using an iron by hand, after a few tries to find good temperature and pressure to apply.

I've also milled PCBs, there are some benefits to milling, like you can drill holes at the same time. I think 2 sided PCBs are easier to mill than to etch. The limitation of milled (and etched at home) PCBs that I find most annoying is the lack of through-plated holes. This means you have to solder in wires, and solder to both sides of the board, for every via - it really adds some design limits and assembly time. Solder mask is another (optional) step, most people I know who make their own PCBs don't bother to use solder mask but it is available as UV-curable liquid.

Ordering PCBs is incredibly inexpensive these days. Oshpark is in the USA and a great place to get PCBs. There are places in China you can order from online like PCBway, I just priced out 5 PCBs of 100mm x 100mm, 2 layers, green solder mask, $5 + $20 shipping to Canada, delivery within a week.

Checking at a local hackerspace/makerspace is a great idea too, often there's people around who are making their own PCBs (or at least have in the past).

I've both etched (using the laser printer toner transfer method) and milled PCBs for through hole and surface mount parts, it was no problem etching a board for a TQFP 100 pin part (0.5mm pin spacing). I didn't push it further than that.

I’m in a park. The grass is being mown by a robot. in c/[email protected]
[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

It's too bad that the first things to be automated are the tasks that people don't mind doing, leaving the real shitty tasks to be done by people. Riding around on a lawnmower has to be one of the most enjoyable forms of manual labour. Now the robots get the good jobs and we're left with the backbreaking monotonous bullshit.

Another Millennium BBS * GRAND OPENING * in c/[email protected]
[–] [email protected] 0 points 4 months ago

Thanks for calling the BBS, it's great finding and talking to so many other people who enjoy this!

Another Millennium BBS * GRAND OPENING * in c/[email protected]
[–] [email protected] 0 points 5 months ago

Thanks for checking it out! It's great being part of the BBS community again. So many bits to tinker with.

Another Millennium BBS * GRAND OPENING * in c/[email protected]
2
Another Millennium BBS * GRAND OPENING * (lemmy.world)
submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
6 comments fedilink
 
------------------------
 Another Millennium BBS
------------------------

 * * * * * * * * * * *   
 *   GRAND OPENING   *    (still open
 *   April 20, 2024  *     other days!)
 * * * * * * * * * * *   

Canada: +1.587.67.31337
   USA: +1.949.59.31337
telnet: another.tel

Running Maximus BBS software in MS-DOS for an authentic 90s BBS experience, with local and fsxNet message areas, file areas, and door games.

USRstats, "modem stats" option on the main menu, provides information about your dialup modem connection to the BBS including baud rate and protocol information, error count, etc.

Buccaneer door game - roam the sea, loot treasure ships, but beware the Spanish Armada! Players active daily.

Astronomy Picture of the Day SIXEL format graphics in supporting terminals. (SyncTerm recommended)

AP Class World HQ - hand-crafted artisinal cracks and keygens for special nearly-lost wares.

Fast new user signup, real names not required.

There's never been a better time to call a BBS! Check out a few of our own favourites in the "List of BBSes" at the main menu.

=======================
Another Millennium BBS
=======================
Canada: +1.587.67.31337
   USA: +1.949.59.31337
telnet: another.tel
=======================

Hope to see you online!

Chris / akacastor (SysOp, Another Millennium BBS)

SuperBBS 1.17-3 KEYGENv2 by akacastor 2024-04-10 in c/[email protected]
[–] [email protected] 0 points 5 months ago

For anyone interested in seeing SuperBBS - there is a BBS 'The Lower Planes' at tlp.zapto.org (BBS on port 6502) that claims to be the only SuperBBS in the world.

SuperBBS 1.17-3 KEYGENv2 by akacastor 2024-04-10 in c/[email protected]
[–] [email protected] 0 points 5 months ago

Some other DOS BBS-related programs I cracked recently:

SuperBBS 1.17-3 KEYGENv2 by akacastor 2024-04-10 in c/[email protected]
[–] [email protected] 0 points 5 months ago

I'm using IDA for disassembly and DOSBox-X for debugging, still kinda learning the ropes in 16-bit DOS disassembly but am finding the right tools actually work pretty well, at least in a lot of cases.

I looked at the 386 version (32 bit) of the Blue Wave mail reader and IDA did a great job of decompiling the key check function - I was very impressed - I was even able to copy and paste parts of the code from the decompilation into a keygen. Too bad IDA doesn't decompile 16-bit code - I may have to look into Ghidra sometime for that.

The MS-DOS debugger (DEBUG) is also surprisingly useful and powerful, considering its humble stature as 'some old thing in the DOS directory'. ;) Using the DOSBox-X debugger has advantages, but the simple DOS DEBUG utility was enough to figure out a couple keygens too.

1
SuperBBS 1.17-3 KEYGENv2 by akacastor 2024-04-10 (lemmy.world)
 

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/14144651

I've been getting into cracking DOS software, focusing on BBS software, doors, utilities, etc. My latest project is a keygen (registration # and key file generator) for SuperBBS 1.17-3. I understand that, like a lot of BBS software, the source code and registration tools for SuperBBS were lost to time. You can download SuperBBS 1.17-3 from Jason Scott's BBS Documentary website: http://software.bbsdocumentary.com/IBM/DOS/SUPERBBS/

The keygen 'SBBSKEY2.ZIP' is available for download in file area 4 (cracks) of Another Millennium BBS, another.tel port 23.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SuperBBS 1.17-3 KEYGENv2 by akacastor 2024-04-10
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The SBBS-KEY keygen will generate a registration number to enter in CONFIG and
a .SCC file that must be placed in the SBBS directory.


You _MUST_ do _BOTH_ of:

1) Enter Sysop Name, BBS Name, and Reg # under Registration in CONFIG.

and

2) Place the generated .SCC file in your SBBS directory (where BBS.EXE lives).


The timestamp of the .SCC file cannot be altered!  SuperBBS includes the .SCC
file timestamp in its verification checks.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

usage: SBBS-KEY "Sysop Name" "BBS Name"

NOTE - don't forget the quotes around each name!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

example:

C:\CRACKS>SBBS-KEY "Sysop Name" "BBS Name"

                                        T H E       @         ############     
                                                  @ @           ####     ###   
   SuperBBS 1.17-3                                @@@            ###      #### 
KEYGENv2 by akacastor 2024-04-10               @@ @@@@ @@        ###       ####
                                             @@@   @@   @@       ###        ###
                                           @@     @@@@    @@     ###       ####
                                          @@     @@  @     @@    ###       ### 
 Place .SCC file in SBBS directory.      @       @@  @@      @   ###     ####  
                                         @      @@    @@     @@@@##########    
 NOTE: the .SCC file timestamp must      @      @@    @@  @@@@@@ ###           
       not be changed!                   @      @@    @@@@@@ @   ###           
                                         @     @@  @@@@@@    @   #M#           
                                         @     @@@@@@  @@    @   #t#           
Sysop: Sysop Name                         @@  @@@@      @@ @@    #M#           
  BBS: BBS Name                            @@@@@        @@@@     ###           
Reg #: 37603203                          @@@ @@@         @@      ###           
                                       @@@   @@ @@@@@@@@ @@@    #####          
SCC File: 917C5F7C.SCC                       @@           @@  #########        
SCC Date: 2024-04-10 00:54                  @@             @@                  
                                            @               @       C L A S S  
                   guess what... 1994, 2024, your shit's still getting cracked.
         it's just now more of a philanthropic move instead of an anarchist one

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1
SuperBBS 1.17-3 KEYGENv2 by akacastor 2024-04-10 (lemmy.world)
 

I've been getting into cracking DOS software, focusing on BBS software, doors, utilities, etc. My latest project is a keygen (registration # and key file generator) for SuperBBS 1.17-3. I understand that, like a lot of BBS software, the source code and registration tools for SuperBBS were lost to time. You can download SuperBBS 1.17-3 from Jason Scott's BBS Documentary website: http://software.bbsdocumentary.com/IBM/DOS/SUPERBBS/

The keygen 'SBBSKEY2.ZIP' is available for download in file area 4 (cracks) of Another Millennium BBS, another.tel port 23.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SuperBBS 1.17-3 KEYGENv2 by akacastor 2024-04-10
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The SBBS-KEY keygen will generate a registration number to enter in CONFIG and
a .SCC file that must be placed in the SBBS directory.


You _MUST_ do _BOTH_ of:

1) Enter Sysop Name, BBS Name, and Reg # under Registration in CONFIG.

and

2) Place the generated .SCC file in your SBBS directory (where BBS.EXE lives).


The timestamp of the .SCC file cannot be altered!  SuperBBS includes the .SCC
file timestamp in its verification checks.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

usage: SBBS-KEY "Sysop Name" "BBS Name"

NOTE - don't forget the quotes around each name!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

example:

C:\CRACKS>SBBS-KEY "Sysop Name" "BBS Name"

                                        T H E       @         ############     
                                                  @ @           ####     ###   
   SuperBBS 1.17-3                                @@@            ###      #### 
KEYGENv2 by akacastor 2024-04-10               @@ @@@@ @@        ###       ####
                                             @@@   @@   @@       ###        ###
                                           @@     @@@@    @@     ###       ####
                                          @@     @@  @     @@    ###       ### 
 Place .SCC file in SBBS directory.      @       @@  @@      @   ###     ####  
                                         @      @@    @@     @@@@##########    
 NOTE: the .SCC file timestamp must      @      @@    @@  @@@@@@ ###           
       not be changed!                   @      @@    @@@@@@ @   ###           
                                         @     @@  @@@@@@    @   #M#           
                                         @     @@@@@@  @@    @   #t#           
Sysop: Sysop Name                         @@  @@@@      @@ @@    #M#           
  BBS: BBS Name                            @@@@@        @@@@     ###           
Reg #: 37603203                          @@@ @@@         @@      ###           
                                       @@@   @@ @@@@@@@@ @@@    #####          
SCC File: 917C5F7C.SCC                       @@           @@  #########        
SCC Date: 2024-04-10 00:54                  @@             @@                  
                                            @               @       C L A S S  
                   guess what... 1994, 2024, your shit's still getting cracked.
         it's just now more of a philanthropic move instead of an anarchist one

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Making a PCB, using solder mask as etch resist. in c/[email protected]
[–] [email protected] 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Adding solder mask is an optional step. If you use an etch resist like toner or dry film, you have a functional PCB even without solder mask. The solder mask is the unnecessary step that can be skipped.

Using solder mask as an etch resist, you would have to scrape away the remaining mask in areas where you want exposed pads - you would either need another mask for this, or to manually scrape each pad, adding an unnecessary step.

Baud Day 3/12/24 in c/[email protected]
[–] [email protected] 0 points 6 months ago

Sounds like a great time, awesome to play a game to maximize the fun! Gonna have to keep an eye out for an active Exitilus game!

Should I get an NES, Master System; or an Atari 7800? in c/[email protected]
[–] [email protected] 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Speaking of Contra - there is a new Contra out March 12, 2024 (today! or tomorrow depending on timezone), Contra: Operation Galuga. I haven't played the game yet, but the trailer looks amazing!

1
Baud Day 3/12/24 (www.southernamis.com)
 

IT'S BAUD DAY 3/12/24

From the linked site:

Something that SysOps did when they advertised their BBS. Rather than write a BBS’ supported baud rates as “300/1200/2400”, they would write “3/12/24”. The reason for this abbreviation is probably due to how BBSs were advertised back in the day. Most BBSs were advertised in text files. Depending on the host computer, a text file may have 40 or 80 characters per line. So, space was a premium and dropping 6 characters from “300/1200/2400” made a big difference.

1
Sabryna napping in the window on a sunny fall day (lemmy.world)
 

The window sill has plenty of space and is a cozy spot, directly above the baseboard heater in the space behind the couch. This is one of her favourite spots.

0
View of Saanich peninsula with Mt. Baker in the background (lemmy.world)
 

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/5086078

View from Split Rock Lookout on the Malahat, Cowichan, Vancouver Island, looking east at Saanich peninsula with Mt. Baker in the background, Sep 14 2023.

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