Josh Renaud
@kirkman.bsky.social
Husband to a Boliviana. Daddy. Emperor of the Renaud Empire. Lover of Atari, BBSes, retro tech, and Tolkien. Journalist at stltoday.com. The guy behind breakintochat.com.
Reposted by Josh Renaud
🕹️☎️
Some gaming history for your Thanksgiving week.
In the early 1990s, programmers writing online games for BBSes faced a LOT of constraints, from slow modems to extremely limited sound and graphics.
How did they work around those limitations?
(1/x) #retrocomputing #gamedev #retrogaming #bbs
Some gaming history for your Thanksgiving week.
In the early 1990s, programmers writing online games for BBSes faced a LOT of constraints, from slow modems to extremely limited sound and graphics.
How did they work around those limitations?
(1/x) #retrocomputing #gamedev #retrogaming #bbs
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
🕹️☎️
Some gaming history for your Thanksgiving week.
In the early 1990s, programmers writing online games for BBSes faced a LOT of constraints, from slow modems to extremely limited sound and graphics.
How did they work around those limitations?
(1/x) #retrocomputing #gamedev #retrogaming #bbs
Some gaming history for your Thanksgiving week.
In the early 1990s, programmers writing online games for BBSes faced a LOT of constraints, from slow modems to extremely limited sound and graphics.
How did they work around those limitations?
(1/x) #retrocomputing #gamedev #retrogaming #bbs
Reposted by Josh Renaud
Time to update the Kannons ‘N Katapults wiki @kirkman.bsky.social! KNK25 is here with multiplayer kastle wrecking action! The legendary game BBS Door game has been remastered! @a-net-online.bsky.social @hypernode.bsky.social #knkremastered #bbsdoor
November 30, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Time to update the Kannons ‘N Katapults wiki @kirkman.bsky.social! KNK25 is here with multiplayer kastle wrecking action! The legendary game BBS Door game has been remastered! @a-net-online.bsky.social @hypernode.bsky.social #knkremastered #bbsdoor
Reposted by Josh Renaud
4-5 in Webster, super wet already starting to melt a little. A Slushing if you will.
November 29, 2025 at 7:46 PM
4-5 in Webster, super wet already starting to melt a little. A Slushing if you will.
Reposted by Josh Renaud
About 6-7" of snow in my Ferguson yard! How's it looking in other parts of St. Louis?
#stlwx #snowmageddon #stl #noco
#stlwx #snowmageddon #stl #noco
November 29, 2025 at 2:57 PM
About 6-7" of snow in my Ferguson yard! How's it looking in other parts of St. Louis?
#stlwx #snowmageddon #stl #noco
#stlwx #snowmageddon #stl #noco
Reposted by Josh Renaud
Dry and 37 degrees up her North of Seattle right now. We lived in St. Louis from 1986- 1990. Miss the big snows you have. I don't miss the summer heat and humidity though. Stay warm.
November 29, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Dry and 37 degrees up her North of Seattle right now. We lived in St. Louis from 1986- 1990. Miss the big snows you have. I don't miss the summer heat and humidity though. Stay warm.
Reposted by Josh Renaud
Just went out to the back yard and measured: 4.5" (around south city)
November 29, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Just went out to the back yard and measured: 4.5" (around south city)
Reposted by Josh Renaud
About 5” in Kirkwood
November 29, 2025 at 3:20 PM
About 5” in Kirkwood
Reposted by Josh Renaud
4-5" here in south city, judging by how our bird bath looks!
November 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
4-5" here in south city, judging by how our bird bath looks!
About 6-7" of snow in my Ferguson yard! How's it looking in other parts of St. Louis?
#stlwx #snowmageddon #stl #noco
#stlwx #snowmageddon #stl #noco
November 29, 2025 at 2:57 PM
About 6-7" of snow in my Ferguson yard! How's it looking in other parts of St. Louis?
#stlwx #snowmageddon #stl #noco
#stlwx #snowmageddon #stl #noco
Reposted by Josh Renaud
Fractal turkey feathers t.co/kqCE1doTRE #mathchat #thanksgiving #turkeyday t.co/WBpYZvCI6n #fractals
November 27, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Fractal turkey feathers t.co/kqCE1doTRE #mathchat #thanksgiving #turkeyday t.co/WBpYZvCI6n #fractals
Reposted by Josh Renaud
🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from FPF!
We are thankful for the brave journalists and whistleblowers who put their lives on the line every day to bring truth to the public.
In the spirit of giving, please donate to help sustain our work in 2026:
We are thankful for the brave journalists and whistleblowers who put their lives on the line every day to bring truth to the public.
In the spirit of giving, please donate to help sustain our work in 2026:
Donate to Freedom of the Press Foundation
Support Freedom of the Press Foundation by donating today.
freedom.press
November 27, 2025 at 3:04 PM
🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from FPF!
We are thankful for the brave journalists and whistleblowers who put their lives on the line every day to bring truth to the public.
In the spirit of giving, please donate to help sustain our work in 2026:
We are thankful for the brave journalists and whistleblowers who put their lives on the line every day to bring truth to the public.
In the spirit of giving, please donate to help sustain our work in 2026:
Reposted by Josh Renaud
Some decided to break free of the limits of BBS technology by creating their own custom terminal programs ... front-end clients.
In 2020, I wrote a case study titled "A different way to play" looking at several of these computer curioisities.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(2/x)
In 2020, I wrote a case study titled "A different way to play" looking at several of these computer curioisities.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(2/x)
A different way to play: front-ends - Break Into Chat
This is the first installment in my series “A different way to play” about front-end clients for BBS door games. Silent. Simple. Social. I suspect that’s how many people remember BBS door games. In ou...
breakintochat.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Some decided to break free of the limits of BBS technology by creating their own custom terminal programs ... front-end clients.
In 2020, I wrote a case study titled "A different way to play" looking at several of these computer curioisities.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(2/x)
In 2020, I wrote a case study titled "A different way to play" looking at several of these computer curioisities.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(2/x)
Reposted by Josh Renaud
One of the better-known examples is "Pit Terminal," which added EGA graphics to classic combat game "The Pit."
(Surprisingly, though, the pixel art of the combat arena where most of the action happens is not much more detailed than the ANSI text version.)
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(3/x)
(Surprisingly, though, the pixel art of the combat arena where most of the action happens is not much more detailed than the ANSI text version.)
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(3/x)
A different way to play, part 2: Pit Terminal - Break Into Chat
This is the second installment in my series “A different way to play” about front-end clients for BBS door games. Pit Terminal James Berry’s The Pit was an action game in which players could fight eac...
breakintochat.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
One of the better-known examples is "Pit Terminal," which added EGA graphics to classic combat game "The Pit."
(Surprisingly, though, the pixel art of the combat arena where most of the action happens is not much more detailed than the ANSI text version.)
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(3/x)
(Surprisingly, though, the pixel art of the combat arena where most of the action happens is not much more detailed than the ANSI text version.)
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(3/x)
Reposted by Josh Renaud
In contrast, OOIITERM for Operation Overkill II didn't add pixel graphics, but it did enhance the experience with much faster ANSI menus, and cool SoundBlaster effects.
The modern-day terminal SyncTerm has built-in support for OOIITERM's special effects.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(4/x)
The modern-day terminal SyncTerm has built-in support for OOIITERM's special effects.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(4/x)
A different way to play, part 3: OOIITERM - Break Into Chat
This is the third installment in my series “A different way to play” about front-end clients for BBS door games. OOIITERM OOIITERM (also called “Overkill Ansiterm”) was a front-end for Operation Overk...
breakintochat.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
In contrast, OOIITERM for Operation Overkill II didn't add pixel graphics, but it did enhance the experience with much faster ANSI menus, and cool SoundBlaster effects.
The modern-day terminal SyncTerm has built-in support for OOIITERM's special effects.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(4/x)
The modern-day terminal SyncTerm has built-in support for OOIITERM's special effects.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(4/x)
Reposted by Josh Renaud
Meanwhile, GTERM for Land of Devastation added a high-resolution SVGA interface to the game.
In retrospect, I wish they had devoted less real estate to displaying inventory, and much more to the viewer that shows images of the game world.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(5/x)
In retrospect, I wish they had devoted less real estate to displaying inventory, and much more to the viewer that shows images of the game world.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(5/x)
A different way to play, part 4: GTERM - Break Into Chat
This is the fourth installment in my series “A different way to play” about front-end clients for BBS door games. GTERM GTERM was a front-end for Land of Devastation that enabled an SVGA-resolution in...
breakintochat.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Meanwhile, GTERM for Land of Devastation added a high-resolution SVGA interface to the game.
In retrospect, I wish they had devoted less real estate to displaying inventory, and much more to the viewer that shows images of the game world.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(5/x)
In retrospect, I wish they had devoted less real estate to displaying inventory, and much more to the viewer that shows images of the game world.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(5/x)
Reposted by Josh Renaud
TradeWars 2002 was so popular that it spawned an entire cottage industry of third-party helper programs.
One of those helpers, TWTerm, automated repetitive tasks so players could quickly build wealth. It wrapped a GUI around the ANSI text interface.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(6/x)
One of those helpers, TWTerm, automated repetitive tasks so players could quickly build wealth. It wrapped a GUI around the ANSI text interface.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(6/x)
A different way to play, part 5: TWTerm - Break Into Chat
This is the fifth installment in my series “A different way to play” about front-end clients for BBS door games. TWTerm I was never a very good TradeWars 2002 player. Sure I would trade, hunt for the ...
breakintochat.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
TradeWars 2002 was so popular that it spawned an entire cottage industry of third-party helper programs.
One of those helpers, TWTerm, automated repetitive tasks so players could quickly build wealth. It wrapped a GUI around the ANSI text interface.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(6/x)
One of those helpers, TWTerm, automated repetitive tasks so players could quickly build wealth. It wrapped a GUI around the ANSI text interface.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(6/x)
Reposted by Josh Renaud
Thieves' Guild for the Atari ST is my favorite example of a front-end for a BBS game.
It added pixel art, voice samples, and sound effects to what was normally a plain-text fantasy adventure.
I cannot overstate how cool the art is in this front-end.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(7/x)
It added pixel art, voice samples, and sound effects to what was normally a plain-text fantasy adventure.
I cannot overstate how cool the art is in this front-end.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(7/x)
My 7-year quest to play Thieves' Guild
This BBS game for the Atari ST featured a graphical front-end client with eye-catching pixel art and attention to the little details. It was worth playing to the end.
breakintochat.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Thieves' Guild for the Atari ST is my favorite example of a front-end for a BBS game.
It added pixel art, voice samples, and sound effects to what was normally a plain-text fantasy adventure.
I cannot overstate how cool the art is in this front-end.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(7/x)
It added pixel art, voice samples, and sound effects to what was normally a plain-text fantasy adventure.
I cannot overstate how cool the art is in this front-end.
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(7/x)
Reposted by Josh Renaud
Playing (and finishing) "Thieves' Guild" with its front-end was difficult, but a worthwhile adventure.
I loved it so much, I also interviewed its creators, recovered its source code and posted it on GitHub!
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(8/8)
I loved it so much, I also interviewed its creators, recovered its source code and posted it on GitHub!
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(8/8)
Paul Witte and Herb Flower, creators of Thieves’ Guild
Paul Witte and Herb Flower reminisce about creating their BBS door game for the Atari ST -- and its amazing graphical front-end client.
breakintochat.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Playing (and finishing) "Thieves' Guild" with its front-end was difficult, but a worthwhile adventure.
I loved it so much, I also interviewed its creators, recovered its source code and posted it on GitHub!
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(8/8)
I loved it so much, I also interviewed its creators, recovered its source code and posted it on GitHub!
breakintochat.com/blog/2020/09...
(8/8)
🕹️☎️
Some gaming history for your Thanksgiving week.
In the early 1990s, programmers writing online games for BBSes faced a LOT of constraints, from slow modems to extremely limited sound and graphics.
How did they work around those limitations?
(1/x) #retrocomputing #gamedev #retrogaming #bbs
Some gaming history for your Thanksgiving week.
In the early 1990s, programmers writing online games for BBSes faced a LOT of constraints, from slow modems to extremely limited sound and graphics.
How did they work around those limitations?
(1/x) #retrocomputing #gamedev #retrogaming #bbs
November 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
🕹️☎️
Some gaming history for your Thanksgiving week.
In the early 1990s, programmers writing online games for BBSes faced a LOT of constraints, from slow modems to extremely limited sound and graphics.
How did they work around those limitations?
(1/x) #retrocomputing #gamedev #retrogaming #bbs
Some gaming history for your Thanksgiving week.
In the early 1990s, programmers writing online games for BBSes faced a LOT of constraints, from slow modems to extremely limited sound and graphics.
How did they work around those limitations?
(1/x) #retrocomputing #gamedev #retrogaming #bbs
Reposted by Josh Renaud
@kirkman.bsky.social Figured you might appreciate that I have this.
November 25, 2025 at 11:55 PM
@kirkman.bsky.social Figured you might appreciate that I have this.
Reposted by Josh Renaud
Getting MS-DOS doors working with Linux, dosemu2, and Synchronet was a challenge for me. So when I finally got it working, I put my notes together. Hopefully it helps someone. #bbsdoors #synchronet www.bbswordle.com/dosemu2.html @kirkman.bsky.social @hypernode.bsky.social @a-net-online.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Getting MS-DOS doors working with Linux, dosemu2, and Synchronet was a challenge for me. So when I finally got it working, I put my notes together. Hopefully it helps someone. #bbsdoors #synchronet www.bbswordle.com/dosemu2.html @kirkman.bsky.social @hypernode.bsky.social @a-net-online.bsky.social
Reposted by Josh Renaud
James F. Conway, who as mayor of St. Louis from 1977 to 1981 fought to stem the exodus of residents and businesses from the city, died Tuesday.
Former St. Louis Mayor James F. Conway dies at 93
James F. Conway, who as mayor of St. Louis from 1977 to 1981 fought to stem the exodus of residents and businesses from the city, died Tuesday.
www.stltoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:59 PM
James F. Conway, who as mayor of St. Louis from 1977 to 1981 fought to stem the exodus of residents and businesses from the city, died Tuesday.
Reposted by Josh Renaud
A 155-unit apartment development is slated to replace the St. Louis Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America' headquarters in the Central West End.
More apartments coming to Central West End, this time at Boy Scouts building
A 155-unit apartment development is slated to replace the St. Louis Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America' headquarters in the Central West End.
www.stltoday.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
A 155-unit apartment development is slated to replace the St. Louis Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America' headquarters in the Central West End.
Reposted by Josh Renaud
🧵 The Winged Monkeys in Baum’s Oz weren’t followers of the Wicked Witch – they were compelled by the magical Golden Cap. Whoever wore it could summon them three times.
The Wicked Witch used it first, then Dorothy.
🐒🪽More Oz in the #publicdomain ⤵️
blog.archive.org/2025/11/17/t...
#Oz #Wicked
The Wicked Witch used it first, then Dorothy.
🐒🪽More Oz in the #publicdomain ⤵️
blog.archive.org/2025/11/17/t...
#Oz #Wicked
November 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
🧵 The Winged Monkeys in Baum’s Oz weren’t followers of the Wicked Witch – they were compelled by the magical Golden Cap. Whoever wore it could summon them three times.
The Wicked Witch used it first, then Dorothy.
🐒🪽More Oz in the #publicdomain ⤵️
blog.archive.org/2025/11/17/t...
#Oz #Wicked
The Wicked Witch used it first, then Dorothy.
🐒🪽More Oz in the #publicdomain ⤵️
blog.archive.org/2025/11/17/t...
#Oz #Wicked
Property taxes are rising across the region, but nowhere more than in a handful of neighborhoods in southeastern St. Louis, where residents have been shocked to receive statements with eye-popping increases in bills. From @kelseylandis.bsky.social and me.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
Some St. Louis residents are seeing huge spikes in property taxes. What happened?
Property taxes are rising across the region, but nowhere more than some south St. Louis neighborhoods. Residents there are getting eye-popping bills.
www.stltoday.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Property taxes are rising across the region, but nowhere more than in a handful of neighborhoods in southeastern St. Louis, where residents have been shocked to receive statements with eye-popping increases in bills. From @kelseylandis.bsky.social and me.
www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...
www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...