• Telegram users soon?

    From Carol Shenkenberger@1:275/100 to All on Sat Oct 31 11:10:27 2020
    I just told August 'yes' to allow linking to a software called 'Telegram'. It's a smartphone/tablet saavy crosslink.

    Maurice, it would be interesting to see what some of your coding looks like on their end! I know little more about it as of yet. I get the impression all I needed to do was say 'yes'.

    xxcarol
    --- SBBSecho 2.11-Win32
    * Origin: SHENK'S EXPRESS, shenks.synchro.net (1:275/100)
  • From Maurice Kinal@1:153/7001.2989 to Carol Shenkenberger on Sat Oct 31 11:56:35 2020
    Hey Carol!

    it would be interesting to see what some of your coding looks
    like on their end!

    All I did was to port binkd to Android by using a native clang that is part of a bash enviroment for Android. That way I could just port my fidonet bash scripts to there with some slight modifications. All in all it looks and behaves like a normal ncurses based terminal program just like mom used to make. Also I used vim for Android as the editor but I imagine others could be ported. I did try to port micro emacs using clang without success but if needed I could try again. I forget the exact issue it was having.

    Bottomline is that no special gateway is/was needed given that binkd for Android works just fine.

    I know little more about it as of yet.

    I've seen a few tests here and there. More or less looks to be working from what I see here. Personally I would just stick with normal operating procedures.

    Life is good,
    Maurice

    ... Don't cry for me I have vi.
    --- GNU bash, version 5.0.18(1)-release (x86_64-motorshed-linux-gnu)
    * Origin: Coffin Point - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001.2989)
  • From Richard Miles@1:3634/24 to Carol Shenkenberger on Sat Oct 31 16:05:40 2020
    On 31 Oct 2020, Carol Shenkenberger said the following...

    I just told August 'yes' to allow linking to a software called
    'Telegram'. It's a smartphone/tablet saavy crosslink.

    Nice. Since I only get to log into be board once or twice a week I've been keeping up with a few echoes that way. What that really means is that I lurk and rarely post on TG instead of here...

    -=>Richard Miles<=-
    -=>Captain Obvious<=-
    -=>bbs.shadowscope.com<=-

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Windows/32)
    * Origin: Shadowscope BBS | shadowscope.noip.us | Temple, GA (1:3634/24)
  • From Charles Pierson@2:221/6.21 to Maurice Kinal on Sat Oct 31 15:03:42 2020
    Hello, Maurice Kinal.
    On 10/31/20 11:56 AM you wrote:

    Hey Carol!
    it would be interesting to see what some of your coding looks
    like on their end!
    All I did was to port binkd to Android by using a native clang
    that is part of a bash enviroment for Android. That way I could
    just port my fidonet bash scripts to there with some slight modifications. All in all it looks and behaves like a normal
    ncurses based terminal program just like mom used to make. Also I
    used vim for Android as the editor but I imagine others could be
    ported. I did try to port micro emacs using clang without success
    but if needed I could try again. I forget the exact issue it was
    having. Bottomline is that no special gateway is/was needed given
    that binkd for Android works just fine.

    It does. And there are a couple of point programs for Android that work, but have some issues.
    But not everyone has the scripting/coding ability to make their own.
    Telegram isn't Android specific, nor would I honestly recommend it as a primary method for communicating on Fido.
    It's meant to be a quick, convenient way to connect with Fidonet while you're away from your primary method.
    Perhaps also, a way to introduce people to Fidonet that might not know about it, in a way that is more familiar to them, a group messaging program.
    It won't be something everyone would want to use. I don't think that it's meant to be.

    I know little more about it as of yet.
    I've seen a few tests here and there. More or less looks to be
    working from what I see here. Personally I would just stick with
    normal operating procedures. Life is good, Maurice ... Don't cry
    for me I have vi. --- GNU bash, version 5.0.18(1)-release (x86_64-motorshed-linux-gnu) * Origin: Coffin Point - Ladysmith
    BC, Canada (1:153/7001.2989)

    --
    Best regards!
    Posted using Hotdoged on Android
    --- Hotdoged/2.13.5/Android
    * Origin: Houston, Tx (2:221/6.21)
  • From Maurice Kinal@1:153/7001 to Charles Pierson on Sat Oct 31 22:23:03 2020
    Hey Charles!

    that binkd for Android works just fine.

    It does. And there are a couple of point programs for Android
    that work, but have some issues.

    I believe that a point approach with binkd for contacting and exchanging pkt's with the mothership (bossnode) is the way to go with mobile single user devices. Currently I have 3 wireless APs working (hostapd) x86_64's that have working binkd at their disposal that can/could give access to the broader fidonet network. They are definetly potential access points for Android and iOS based devices.

    It won't be something everyone would want to use.

    Like me for instance? I am not a fan of so-called smart devices ... to say the least. Also the 10.1" tablet I was using for testing had a battery go bad on it and I am not keen to replace it given the cost. I'd rather buy a new one ... if indeed I feel a need to port and test fidonet apps on a crippled single user system such as Android.

    Having said that, it looks to be doable. I was using termux for Android to provide the bash enviroment for Android. I am unsure if a similar strategy could be deployed on iOS.

    Life is good,
    Maurice

    ... Don't cry for me I have vi.
    --- GNU bash, version 5.0.18(1)-release (x86_64-lmbrain-linux-gnu)
    * Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)
  • From Maurice Kinal@2:280/464.113 to Maurice Kinal on Sat Oct 31 23:08:03 2020
    Hallo Maurice!

    I was using termux for Android to provide the bash enviroment
    for Android. I am unsure if a similar strategy could be
    deployed on iOS.

    According to a quick search the answer is probably yes. There is a version of termux that runs on iOS at their online store but I am not going to confirm that it works since I don't have anything to install it on. Also everyone and their dog within reach of the wireless access points in this neck of the woods all use Android based devices, mostly smartphones. If I am not mistaken there is at least one Xbox successfully connecting but I seriously doubt it is interested in doing fidonet over the wireless networks.

    Het leven is goed,
    Maurice

    ... Huil niet om mij, ik heb vi.
    --- GNU bash, version 5.0.18(1)-release (x86_64-motorshed-linux-gnu)
    * Origin: Little Mikey's EuroPoint - Ladysmith BC, Canada (2:280/464.113)
  • From Charles Pierson@1:229/426.67 to Maurice Kinal on Sat Oct 31 19:22:22 2020
    Hello, Maurice Kinal.
    On 10/31/20 10:23 PM you wrote:

    Hey Charles!
    that binkd for Android works just fine.
    It does. And there are a couple of point programs for Android
    that work, but have some issues.
    I believe that a point approach with binkd for contacting and
    exchanging pkt's with the mothership (bossnode) is the way to go
    with mobile single user devices.

    I agree. For the various issues that the two point programs that I have found for Android, it is a good way to connect to Fidonet and other FTN style networks.

    Currently I have 3 wireless APs working (hostapd) x86_64's that
    have working binkd at their disposal that can/could give access to
    the broader fidonet network. They are definetly potential access
    points for Android and iOS based devices.

    I had to look some of that up. It turns out I actually knew what it all was, I just don't always know the actual terminology.

    If I am understanding correctly, that set up could act like a server to connect to with a mobile device to connect to Fidonet?

    It won't be something everyone would want to use.
    Like me for instance? I am not a fan of so-called smart devices
    ... to say the least. Also the 10.1" tablet I was using for
    testing had a battery go bad on it and I am not keen to replace it
    given the cost. I'd rather buy a new one ... if indeed I feel a
    need to port and test fidonet apps on a crippled single user
    system such as Android.

    I'm currently communicating here with a 5.5" (I believe) phone. This application HotdogEd, has a Point provider and and NNTP provider packages. Both allow for multiple addresses. Functionally, I connect easily on wifi or mobile data. The only problems connectivity wise I've noticed are in the program itself switching from Ipv6 to Ipv4.

    But it mostly does what I need it to do.

    I do know of some people who don't like the point idea for various reasons, but are interested in QWK style message applications. So I'm looking into that idea as well.

    I haven't seriously done anything with program code in years, so those lines and other crazy ideas I have are long term projects.

    All that being said, this Telegram project is something that does work, not only on phones and tablets, but computers as well.

    Having said that, it looks to be doable. I was using termux for
    Android to provide the bash enviroment for Android. I am unsure
    if a similar strategy could be deployed on iOS.

    I don't know much of anything dealing with iOS.

    I've tried various terminals on Android, but it only showed me how much I don't know.


    --
    Best regards!
    Posted using Hotdoged on Android
    --- Hotdoged/2.13.5/Android
    * Origin: Houston, TX (1:229/426.67)
  • From Charles Pierson@1:229/426.67 to Maurice Kinal on Sat Oct 31 19:39:16 2020
    Hello, Maurice Kinal.
    On 10/31/20 11:08 PM you wrote:

    Hallo Maurice!
    I was using termux for Android to provide the bash enviroment for
    Android. I am unsure if a similar strategy could be deployed on
    iOS.
    According to a quick search the answer is probably yes. There is
    a version of termux that runs on iOS at their online store but I
    am not going to confirm that it works since I don't have anything
    to install it on. Also everyone and their dog within reach of the wireless access points in this neck of the woods all use Android
    based devices, mostly smartphones. If I am not mistaken there is
    at least one Xbox successfully connecting but I seriously doubt it
    is interested in doing fidonet over the wireless networks.

    I'd agree that it's likely possible with iOS as well.

    I can't speak for your neighbors of course, but I'm the type of lunatic that would attempt connecting to Fidonet with a game console, if only to see it be done.

    But I'm also the guy that would run a BBS on a Tablet or phone if I could.

    --
    Best regards!
    Posted using Hotdoged on Android
    --- Hotdoged/2.13.5/Android
    * Origin: Houston, TX (1:229/426.67)
  • From Maurice Kinal@1:153/7001 to Charles Pierson on Sun Nov 1 00:45:01 2020
    Hey Charles!

    For the various issues that the two point programs that I have
    found for Android, it is a good way to connect to Fidonet and
    other FTN style networks.

    Agreed. All that is really needed is a text editor for creating posts and/or replies and (un)packer to deal with raw pkt's. Something along the line of an offline reader except it would use the FTN formatting to keep it perfectly in sync with ftn practices.

    If I am understanding correctly, that set up could act like a
    server to connect to with a mobile device to connect to Fidonet?

    Not like a server but instead an actual real server. At the moment they both are used by local devices to connect with the internet without any interference from their regular provider. So far none have taken it to the fidonet level - other than my 10.1" Android tablet that used termux and my extra-special bash scripts - to actually send msg's via the access point's binkd. I did post a few msg's in this echoarea not that long ago.

    but are interested in QWK style message applications

    I will ALWAYS pass on QWK. The offline idea is what attracts me but instead keeping to text messages for posting/reading/replying purposes and then tacking the crappy msg headers when creating the outbound pkt for the bossnode. That way no gateways for conversion(s) are needed. So far this has worked best at this end.

    Life is good,
    Maurice

    ... Don't cry for me I have vi.
    --- GNU bash, version 5.0.18(1)-release (x86_64-lmbrain-linux-gnu)
    * Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)
  • From Maurice Kinal@1:153/7001 to Charles Pierson on Sun Nov 1 01:38:57 2020
    Hey Charles!

    I'm the type of lunatic that would attempt connecting to Fidonet
    with a game console, if only to see it be done.

    You're too far for my antennas. I think we need a satellite link. ;-)

    Life is good,
    Maurice

    ... Don't cry for me I have vi.
    --- GNU bash, version 5.0.18(1)-release (x86_64-lmbrain-linux-gnu)
    * Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)
  • From Charles Pierson@1:229/426.67 to Maurice Kinal on Sat Oct 31 21:57:05 2020
    Hello, Maurice Kinal.
    On 11/1/20 12:45 AM you wrote:

    Agreed. All that is really needed is a text editor for creating
    posts and/or replies and (un)packer to deal with raw pkt's.
    Something along the line of an offline reader except it would use
    the FTN formatting to keep it perfectly in sync with ftn
    practices.

    That's something that I would like to see in the Android options. More modular, to use a different text editor or a tagline manager or things like that.

    If I keep this up, I'm going to wind up planning an entire BBS solution system for Android devices in my head.

    Some of it seems relatively easy, if my programming abilities were up to speed.

    Right now I've been finding whatever source codes I can to study and try to figure out what is what.

    If I am understanding correctly, that set up could act like a
    server to connect to with a mobile device to connect to Fidonet?
    Not like a server but instead an actual real server. At the
    moment they both are used by local devices to connect with the
    internet without any interference from their regular provider. So
    far none have taken it to the fidonet level - other than my 10.1"
    Android tablet that used termux and my extra-special bash scripts
    - to actually send msg's via the access point's binkd. I did post
    a few msg's in this echoarea not that long ago.

    I think I understand that now. It's not something that I've thought of before, but it is interesting.

    but are interested in QWK style message applications
    I will ALWAYS pass on QWK. The offline idea is what attracts me
    but instead keeping to text messages for posting/reading/replying purposes and then tacking the crappy msg headers when creating the outbound pkt for the bossnode. That way no gateways for
    conversion(s) are needed. So far this has worked best at this
    end.

    I always liked the offline mail format. But when I was using it, I never really considered the technical aspects of it.

    --
    Best regards!
    Posted using Hotdoged on Android
    --- Hotdoged/2.13.5/Android
    * Origin: Houston, TX (1:229/426.67)
  • From Charles Pierson@1:229/426.67 to Maurice Kinal on Sat Oct 31 21:58:38 2020
    Hello, Maurice Kinal.
    On 11/1/20 1:38 AM you wrote:

    Hey Charles!
    I'm the type of lunatic that would attempt connecting to Fidonet
    with a game console, if only to see it be done.
    You're too far for my antennas. I think we need a satellite link.
    ;-)

    Indeed. Kind of defeating the purpose. :-)

    --
    Best regards!
    Posted using Hotdoged on Android
    --- Hotdoged/2.13.5/Android
    * Origin: Houston, TX (1:229/426.67)
  • From Maurice Kinal@1:153/7001 to Charles Pierson on Sun Nov 1 13:45:00 2020
    Hey Charles!

    That's something that I would like to see in the Android
    options. More modular, to use a different text editor or a
    tagline manager or things like that.

    Check out MultiMail. It also can handle both QWK and Bluewave formats. The only thing it lacks is the MSG format which would have made it perfect but it can be configured for different editors. From sysop's point of view it will require additional software to handle the conversions in order to make it usable on a fidonet node.

    Right now I've been finding whatever source codes I can to study
    and try to figure out what is what.

    That is always a good strategy. If you find anything interesting please speak up.

    I always liked the offline mail format.

    Which one? Personally I'd pick the MSG format and save everyone a ton of grief.

    Life is good,
    Maurice

    ... Don't cry for me I have vi.
    --- GNU bash, version 5.0.18(1)-release (x86_64-lmbrain-linux-gnu)
    * Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)
  • From Charles Pierson@1:229/426.67 to Maurice Kinal on Sun Nov 1 11:04:12 2020
    Hello, Maurice Kinal.
    On 11/1/20 1:45 PM you wrote:

    Hey Charles!
    That's something that I would like to see in the Android options.
    More modular, to use a different text editor or a tagline manager
    or things like that.
    Check out MultiMail. It also can handle both QWK and Bluewave
    formats. The only thing it lacks is the MSG format which would
    have made it perfect but it can be configured for different
    editors. From sysop's point of view it will require additional
    software to handle the conversions in order to make it usable on a fidonet node.

    I actually have been looking at MultiMail. It's source code is readily available. I was looking more in a standard matter uploading and downloading packets over Telnet. They only problem with that is that I've only found one Terminal program in Android so far that handles XYZ modem type file transfers, fTelnet, which I haven't yet been able to get to work properly on my phone. But it is one of several mental projects.

    I think the basic functionality relatively speaking would be easy enough to port to Android. The main issue I think will be the user interface.

    Right now I've been finding whatever source codes I can to study
    and try to figure out what is what.
    That is always a good strategy. If you find anything interesting
    please speak up.

    So far, I'm looking at MultiMail, and a point software called JEDpoint. I have no familiarity with JEDpoint itself, but it's source is Java, which many Android apps are written in.

    I think my main problem is I'm jumping around with ideas, and really, I need to focus on one at a time.

    I always liked the offline mail format.
    Which one? Personally I'd pick the MSG format and save everyone a
    ton of grief.

    ahh, I misspoke. Not so much the format itself. More the functionality. Between QWK and BW as a user, I didn't really have a preference.

    --
    Best regards!
    Posted using Hotdoged on Android
    --- Hotdoged/2.13.5/Android
    * Origin: Houston, TX (1:229/426.67)
  • From Maurice Kinal@1:153/7001 to Charles Pierson on Sun Nov 1 18:05:52 2020
    Hey Charles!

    I actually have been looking at MultiMail. It's source code is
    readily available.

    I am guessing clang would be best for porting in this particular case. I haven't tried it on android but I am guessing clang would be best for porting it.

    I've only found one Terminal program in Android so far that
    handles XYZ modem type file transfers

    File transfers to what/where? Last time I heard about attemping xyz transfers was around 20 years ago.

    Life is good,
    Maurice

    ... Don't cry for me I have vi.
    --- GNU bash, version 5.0.18(1)-release (x86_64-lmbrain-linux-gnu)
    * Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)
  • From Charles Pierson@1:229/426.67 to Maurice Kinal on Sun Nov 1 12:50:18 2020
    Hello, Maurice Kinal.
    On 11/1/20 6:05 PM you wrote:

    Hey Charles!
    I actually have been looking at MultiMail. It's source code is
    readily available.
    I am guessing clang would be best for porting in this particular
    case. I haven't tried it on android but I am guessing clang would
    be best for porting it.

    I'll have to look into that.

    Another item on the list.

    I've only found one Terminal program in Android so far that
    handles XYZ modem type file transfers
    File transfers to what/where? Last time I heard about attemping
    xyz transfers was around 20 years ago.

    In this particular case, transferring QWK or BlueWave packets. Using a Telnet connection with a BBS, like has been done for decades.



    --
    Best regards!
    Posted using Hotdoged on Android
    --- Hotdoged/2.13.5/Android
    * Origin: Houston, TX (1:229/426.67)
  • From Maurice Kinal@1:153/7001 to Charles Pierson on Sun Nov 1 19:22:27 2020
    Hey Charles!

    I haven't tried it on android but I am guessing clang would
    be best for porting it.

    I'll have to look into that.

    Actually clang++. I forgot that the MultiMail source is c++ rather than straight c. I still haven't tried it due to the lack of a suitable platform.

    In this particular case, transferring QWK or BlueWave packets.
    Using a Telnet connection with a BBS, like has been done for
    decades.

    Nothing like that around this neck of the woods and hasn't been since the mid to late 1990's. I know since I was the last standing fidonet node back then. Since then I have been doing what I am doing and none of it involves telnet with xyz modem. That never made sense to me at the time.

    Life is good,
    Maurice

    ... Don't cry for me I have vi.
    --- GNU bash, version 5.0.18(1)-release (x86_64-lmbrain-linux-gnu)
    * Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)
  • From Charles Pierson@1:229/426.67 to Maurice Kinal on Sun Nov 1 20:45:33 2020
    Hello, Maurice Kinal.
    On 11/1/20 7:22 PM you wrote:

    Hey Charles!
    I haven't tried it on android but I am guessing clang would be
    best for porting it.
    I'll have to look into that.
    Actually clang++. I forgot that the MultiMail source is c++
    rather than straight c. I still haven't tried it due to the lack
    of a suitable platform.

    Good to know. Another new thing to learn about.

    In this particular case, transferring QWK or BlueWave packets.
    Using a Telnet connection with a BBS, like has been done for
    decades.
    Nothing like that around this neck of the woods and hasn't been
    since the mid to late 1990's. I know since I was the last
    standing fidonet node back then. Since then I have been doing
    what I am doing and none of it involves telnet with xyz modem.
    That never made sense to me at the time.

    I know of several people that use Telnet and QWK readers. It might not be fancy, but it works for people.

    --
    Best regards!
    Posted using Hotdoged on Android
    --- Hotdoged/2.13.5/Android
    * Origin: Houston, TX (1:229/426.67)
  • From Maurice Kinal@1:153/7001 to Charles Pierson on Mon Nov 2 04:26:15 2020
    Hey Charles!

    I know of several people that use Telnet and QWK readers. It
    might not be fancy, but it works for people.

    Excellent. Too bad it isn't working on your phone then. ;-)

    Life is good,
    Maurice

    ... Don't cry for me I have vi.
    --- GNU bash, version 5.0.18(1)-release (x86_64-lmbrain-linux-gnu)
    * Origin: Little Mikey's Brain - Ladysmith BC, Canada (1:153/7001)
  • From Charles Pierson@2:221/6 to Maurice Kinal on Fri Nov 6 14:29:40 2020
    Hello, Maurice Kinal - Charles Pierson.
    On 11/2/20 3:26 AM you wrote:

    Hey Charles! CP> I know of several people that use Telnet and QWK
    readers. It CP> might not be fancy, but it works for people.
    Excellent. Too bad it isn't working on your phone then. ;-)

    This is true. Hopefully, that can change.

    --
    Best regards!
    Posted using Hotdoged on Android

    ---
    * Origin: nntp://news.fidonet.fi (2:221/6.0)
  • From Maurice Kinal@2:280/464.113 to Charles Pierson on Fri Nov 6 15:37:58 2020
    Hallo Charles!

    might not be fancy, but it works for people.

    Excellent. Too bad it isn't working on your phone then. ;-)

    This is true. Hopefully, that can change.

    That depends. I found a 7" tablet that has been abandoned and after installing termux on it I see why it was abandoned. It's an older 32-bit version of Android running on a 64-bit cpu. What a stupid idea that was/is. Anyhow no upgrades for it so whatever works is all that will ever work. I haven't bothered putting any fidonet stuff on it and I am not sure I ever will since it will be an exersize in futility. Mind you that hasn't stopped me in the past which explains why I am still here ... in fidonet that is.

    Het leven is goed,
    Maurice

    ... Huil niet om mij, ik heb vi.
    --- GNU bash, version 5.0.18(1)-release (x86_64-motorshed-linux-gnu)
    * Origin: Little Mikey's EuroPoint - Ladysmith BC, Canada (2:280/464.113)
  • From Charles Pierson@1:229/426.67 to Maurice Kinal on Fri Nov 6 11:15:12 2020
    Hello, Maurice Kinal.
    On 11/6/20 3:37 PM you wrote:

    Hallo Charles!
    might not be fancy, but it works for people.
    Excellent. Too bad it isn't working on your phone then. ;-)
    This is true. Hopefully, that can change.
    That depends. I found a 7" tablet that has been abandoned and
    after installing termux on it I see why it was abandoned. It's an
    older 32-bit version of Android running on a 64-bit cpu. What a
    stupid idea that was/is.

    That is strange. Honestly, I've not payed enough attention to the details of Android OS to pay attention to 32-bit 64-bit versions.

    Anyhow no upgrades for it so whatever works is all that will ever
    work. I haven't bothered putting any fidonet stuff on it and I am
    not sure I ever will since it will be an exersize in futility.
    Mind you that hasn't stopped me in the past which explains why I
    am still here ... in fidonet that is.

    I believe that there are methods beyond the standard updates for the OS. Actually, there would have to be, considering there are images available of various versions of Android to use in VM environments.

    It's also possible to install Linux on tablets.

    I've read articles describing how to do both on some Nook Color readers that I have that aren't supported anymore.

    For the average end user, those aren't likely good options. You've got to have some technical know how, and could potentially make the device unusable.

    However, I still see viable options for Fidonet access through smartphones and tablets for people that don't write their own code, using existing software ported to another OS. (Android)

    There are some existing programs already, but they haven't had updates in 3 years. So the proof of concept is there, it's just a matter of doing it.

    Which for myself, is going to take some time. I have to reacquaint myself with programming in general, understand the protocols involved in the software, and learn to successfully convert it into something functional on Android.



    --
    Best regards!
    Posted using Hotdoged on Android
    --- Hotdoged/2.13.5/Android
    * Origin: Houston, TX (1:229/426.67)
  • From Maurice Kinal@2:280/464.113 to Charles Pierson on Fri Nov 6 17:27:17 2020
    Hallo Charles!

    That is strange. Honestly, I've not payed enough attention to the
    details of Android OS to pay attention to 32-bit 64-bit versions.

    It isn't all that strange since most (all?) of the linux distributions got suckered into running 32-bit on 64-bit cpus. Then it was both 32-bit AND 64-bit compatibilty at the same time which I notice is still an issue with some. Personally I just went with straight 64-bit once I determined that mixed mode was far too painful to be useful. That was around 15-ish years ago. I believe Android has recently given up the 32-bit stuff as well and uses aarch64 for all their current development. I did that with raspberry-pi just for fun but stuck with standard linux software and didn't bother with any of the GUI stuff.

    It's also possible to install Linux on tablets.

    Good luck with that. I've heard all sorts of horror stories about that. Same with chromebooks including the x86_64 based ones.

    For the average end user, those aren't likely good options.

    Agreed. None of them care anyhow so it really isn't an issue.

    So the proof of concept is there, it's just a matter of doing it.

    I've been doing that for over 20 years now. I am using a modified MSG format which definetly makes it easier to remain compatible with most fidonet software. It would be nice to see some upgrades to the MSG format but as is it has been doable.

    successfully convert it into something functional on Android.

    From what I've witnessed thus far, running a bash terminal in termux has so far been the best idea. Also it matches what I've been doing for the past 20 years or so with fidonet so compatibilty isn't a problem here. I think the same strategy could successfully be applied to iOS although I am not going to be the one to find out.

    Het leven is goed,
    Maurice

    ... Huil niet om mij, ik heb vi.
    --- GNU bash, version 5.0.18(1)-release (x86_64-motorshed-linux-gnu)
    * Origin: Little Mikey's EuroPoint - Ladysmith BC, Canada (2:280/464.113)