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@nikhotmsk@vmst.io · 3d ago
#data_retention #computers #diy #storage
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@lorry@infosec.exchange · Mar 17, 2026

This one might be interesting to anyone interested in computer gaming history.

https://dec10.uknet.net

I spent the last couple of weeks finally finishing a project I started for Bletchley Park about 20 years ago. Recreating the original MUD and MIST on a mirror of the original Essex University system that finally closed in 1991.

Roy Trubshaw and Richard Bartle wrote the first online multi-user game (MUD) on Essex University’s DECSystem-10 in 1978 and it ran till I closed it in 1991. I diligently backed everything up so I could potentially recover it one day, but as far as I can see, all the DECSystem-10’s went to the great scrapyard in the sky, my backups were mostly stolen when my first museum was stolen, and I had huge issues recovering the Essex BCPL compiler to compile what I had left when I finally got a decent TOPS-10 emulator running on a VAX for Bletchley Park.

One good thing about being an unemployable whistleblower is free time, so I finally hunkered down to some 90 hour weeks and built a software replica of the Essex system I think reflects it well. It’s running on a KS10 not a KL10 but I had to let some things slip.

I put the latest known versions of MUD and MIST on it, and miraculously found ROCK too.

So, to meander to the point, if you want to see and relive exactly what online multi user gaming was like from 1978 to 1991, you can go to:

https://dec10.uknet.net

Or:

telnet telnet.dec10.uknet.net

(Port 2653 is available for ISPs that block 23)

And then follow the terse instructions from there.

In those days, you were generally faced with a “.” prompt and left mostly alone, so for authenticity, I will leave it at that.

I should note that although they were, in their day, wildly popular games with a relatively huge community, this is a museum peice in snapshot-form at the moment. But I will leave them up and running to see what happens and as a useful reference. I wasn’t going to, but Richard seemed happy to have MUD running, and former MIST players wanted it back, so…

Pop this a share if you know folks who might be interested.

** Update: New web client that works better.

** Another update - I added a telnet client.

Historically, the telnet connection is much more true to the traditional experience, where you were connecting to a working machine that didn’t care about the MUD Guests, so there were no pointers at all. Just rumour and hearsay :)

If any of you Unix/Security people notice I messed up something, please tell me. I left “^], !sh” open on the telnet link for about 2 minutes and nearly had a heart-attack once I spotted it :D

#history #digital #retrogaming #retrocomputing #games #mud #muds #mist #rock #computers #emulation #emulators #vms #tops10 #museum #history #bletchleypark #simh #essex #uk #computinghistory #36bit #engineering #Linux #Security

(don’t try this on a phone!)

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Boosted by Kevin Karhan @kkarhan@jorts.horse
@Moondancer@beige.party · 6d ago
US Pol, Digital Surveillance, OS Level Age Verification, Fascism Sensitive
There is literally a bipartisan effort by the US government and several state governments to push for OS level age verification. This WILL hurt minorities! This WILL hurt digital freedom! This WILL hurt children! This WILL hurt you! It's digital surveillance. It will be used to track you down, it will be used to to sell you, it will be used to spy on you, it will be used to prosecute you for things you do in private that don't hurt anybody. Call your representatives! E-mail them! Contact them however you can! Tell them to vote no! I don't care if it seems futile! The fascist state will not be defeated just by voting out Republicans! The fascist state is here! It is bipartisan! https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8250/text #PleaseBoost #OnlinePrivacy #DigitalPrivacy #Computers #Microsoft #Mac #MacOS #Android #iOS #Linux #BSD #Fascism #TechnoFascism
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In reply to
@syntaxseed@phpc.social · Mar 24, 2026
Bummer. 😭 #computers #hardware
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@TechDesk@flipboard.social · Apr 12, 2026
Turns out we’ve been selling our mouses (mice, mousse, mooses?) a bit short. Case in point: the middle mouse button. Most people only use it to scroll. But you can open links instantly in a new tab, close tabs, and so much more. PC World, which wisely only used the singular, offers up the details: https://flip.it/CTlprg #Tech #Computers #Devices #Technology
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@TechDesk@flipboard.social · Apr 06, 2026
Something to look forward to for Firefox fans. It’s called Project Nova, the web browser’s first redesign in six years. With the revamp, Firefox aims to distinguish itself from Chrome and Edge by offering control over AI features while maintaining its focus on privacy. Read more from PC World: https://flip.it/GY59jA #Tech #Firefox #Technology #Computers #Firefox #Mozilla
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@CultureDesk@flipboard.social · Mar 09, 2026
The Fn key arrived on computer keyboards in 1984 with IBM's PCjr — Fn stood for "function," since you would press it before other keys to modify their function. The PCJr didn't last, but the Fn key did, though its position and purpose shifted around. For his Unsung blog, @mwichary@mastodon.online writes about the history of the Fn key, and what the heck Apple is doing with it. "Okay, keyboard nerd. Relax. It’s just a modifier key. Why are you so worked up about it? If you don’t like it, don’t use it," he writes. "This matters to me and feels bigger than just Fn, because I know keyboards can help you use your computer in better ways than you might imagine." https://flip.it/CK3MyB #Technology #Tech #Design #Computers #History
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@brainsmatter__dup_34864@mastodonapp.uk · Mar 05, 2026
We have more #privacy controls yet less privacy than ever https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gj39zk1k0o #technology #computers #security #STEM #cybersecurity
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@indieauthornews@indieauthors.social · Feb 23, 2026
Free Fiction Monday: E-Male Gavin spends his morning reading the email of his ex-girlfriend, Stella. Thanks to a restraining order, he can’t approach her. So, the email has to do. Until it stops. Until Stella disappears from the world. Then Gavin must decide what to do next. “E-Male” is available on this site for one week only. You can […]… https://kriswrites.com/2026/02/23/free-fiction-monday-e-male/ #freefiction #FreeFictionMondays #Mysteries #computers #crime
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@intothewestaway@mastodonapp.uk · Feb 12, 2026
For those folks looking for programmable #sensors or #controllers or other devices that are easily customized, i recommend Phidgets. A 🇨🇦 company, based in #Calgary, #Alberta, that has been around for about 20 years. I have used it for sensor projects (heat and humidity) and a fun #RFID project. Huge library of projects available in a lot of languages (C, C#, Python, Java, and more). Lots of online support. Most devices are backwards compatible, but their have been new standards (e.g. RFID) which require reader up grades. Well made, inexpenaive. #Computers #IT https://phidgets.com/
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