OpenMandriva - Initial opinion

The Lunduke Journal remains 100% free from advertising… and, even more importantly, 100% free from all Big Tech influence.

And, because we never take a penny from any company, this is only possible thanks to you.

All of you amazing nerds showed tremendous support for The Lunduke Journal last month — grabbing Lifetime and standard subscriptions — meeting our necessary funding requirements for January… before January even started.

Mind. Blown.

This allows me to focus on new reporting — without needing to worry so much about funding and “business stuff” during the month. Which means more shows & more investigations. A massive win for all of us.

That also means that, this month, we don’t need to do a big “fundraiser”. Instead, we’re going to just send out this quick reminder of how absolutely critical your support is for the continued success The Lunduke Journal — the last bastion of truly independent Tech Journalism.

Seriously. Couldn’t do this without you.

Scroll down and take a look at the options. See if any jump out at you. Then give yourself a high five for making Tech Journalism that much more awesome.

Lunduke Journal Discounts

For the next 2 days (through Tuesday, January 14th), in addition to regular subscriptions, you can grab two limited discounts:

1. Discounted Lifetime Subscriptions (details below)

2. DRM-Free, MP4 Downloads for 2024 & 2025 (combined) for 55% off.

There many ways to support The Lunduke Journal. Choose the option that makes you smile. It’s all listed below.

Where to grab a Monthly or Yearly Subscription:

• Lunduke.Locals.com

• Lunduke.Substack.com

• Patreon.com/c/bryanlunduke

Lifetime Subscription Details:

• Pay once, full subscription for life (on Locals, Substack, or both).

• Available only until Tuesday, January 14th. Then the Lifetime Subscription option goes “back in the vault”.

• Can be purchased via Locals, Substack, or with Bitcoin. Scroll down for steps.

Where to buy a DRM-Free, MP4 video yearly download pass:

Want to be able to download every show The Lunduke Journal releases (and watch them on whatever device you like)? Yeah. You can do that.

• All 2024 Lunduke Journal Episodes (226 total videos)

• All 2025 Lunduke Journal Episodes (added throughout the year)

• Or both 2024 + 2025 MP4 options for 55% off.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Locals

The "World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription" is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal (with all the perks of subscription on Locals). For life.

New Lifetime Subscriptions are available, for $200, from now through January 14th. Then this option goes "back into the vault".

Here's how to grab one of these coveted bad boys for yourself:

1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

2. Select "Give Once".

3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Substack

You can also snag a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

3. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

If you would like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin discount)

And, finally, you can obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin. Save a few bucks with this option, as Bitcoin processing has fewer fees associated with it.

• Make sure you have a Lunduke.Locals.com account (a free account works just fine).

• Send $190 worth of Bitcoin (or more) to the following address:

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

• Email "bryan at lunduke.com" with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com.

Nice and easy.

Once again, thank you. The Lunduke Journal would not be possible without your support.

You rule.

-Lunduke

The House of Lunduke BBS is a 20 node, Telnet BBS (bbs.lunduke.com) focused on the golden age of DOS BBS gaming -- including TradeWars 2002 and Legend of the Red Dragon.

The BBS is free to use, & creating an account takes only a moment.  All new users are granted 2 hours of access to all games on the system (more than enough to get in your daily turns of every one of these classic games).

Current games on the BBS:

• TradeWars 2002 (aka TW2002)
• Legend of the Red Dragon (aka LORD)
• Legend of the Red Dragon 2
• The Pit
• Exitilus
• DoorMUD
• Barren Realms Elite

How to Connect

Accessing The House of Lunduke BBS is incredibly easy.  Simply point any Telnet client at "bbs.lunduke.com" on port 23 (the default Telnet port).

This means, on many systems, a simple:

telnet bbs.lunduke.com

Will, technically, work.

However, if you want to have the absolute best experience -- and see what BBSing was truly like back in the 1980s and 1990s -- you'll want to use a Telnet client capable of displaying ANSI color... specifically one tuned for BBSes.

The following Telnet clients are all recommended and work well with The House of Lunduke:

• Linux: NetRunner, SyncTERM, 
• macOS: MuffinTerm
• iOS: MuffinTerm
• Windows: NetRunner, SyncTERM

Once you have chosen your Telnet client, simply add "bbs.lunduke.com" to your address book and connect.  Or, from within some Telnet clients, you can also type "atdtbbs.lunduke.com" (no spaces).

Fun fact: "ATDT" is a command which tells an old-school modem to "tone dial this number".  The "AT" stands for "Attention", "D" stands for "Dial", and ending T stands for "Tone".  In the old days ATDT would be followed by a phone number... but, since we're connecting via Telnet, we now use a domain.

Or, if you want to get really old-school, it is possible to utilize DOSBox and an era appropriate terminal client (such as Telemate).

F.A.Q.

Q: What software does The House of Lunduke BBS run?

A: The core BBS software is known as Virtual Advanced (a successor to VBBS), a DOS-based BBS package that acheived some popularity during the early 1990s.  All of the games on the system (known as "Door games" in BBS terminology) also run on DOS -- and each is the most popular version (or the last version) of each.  A Telnet server handles incoming telnet connections -- which then interfaces with the DOS-based BBS software, using what is known as a FOSSIL driver.

Fun Fact: A FOSSIL driver is a serial interface driver -- which makes it easier to use a standard interface to multiple different communication devices (such as a type of dial-up modem or a Telnet connection).  FOSSIL stands for "Fido Opus SEAdog Standard Interface Layer".  Which is a fun name.

Q: What does "20 node" mean?

A: In "ye olden times", BBSes used modems and phone lines.  One person, at a time, could call a BBS on each phone line.  Each of these is a "node".  We are now living in the future -- and using Telnet instead of phone lines -- which means that, in theory, we could have a small mountain of people connecting at the same time.  However.  Since we are using 1980s and 1990s DOS software, jury-rigged to work with the modern Internet, some of those old limitations still apply.  20 nodes were chosen as that makes for an incredibly large BBS system... but not too difficult to manage.

Q: Why not use a more modern BBS server?

A: There are several "modern" BBS servers -- with many fancy benefits.  MysticBBS, Synchronet, and others.  The House of Lunduke BBS is not about being modern.  Or fancy.  It is about preserving a snapshot of a high-point in BBS gaming history.

I am abso-friggin-lutely gobsmacked.

If just two more people pick up Lifetime Subscriptions (or a handful of Yearly subscriptions), The Lunduke Journal will have hit our subscription and funding goal for next month!

That means -- if 2 of you amazing nerds jump in -- The Lunduke Journal won't need to worry about running any sort of promotion, sale, or fundraiser during the entire month of January (at least)!  Rad beyond words.

You nerds rule.

Want to help push us over 100% -- and keep truly independent Tech Journalism alive and rocking?  You can grab a discounted Lifetime Subscription until midnight tonight (Thursday, Dec 26th).  Scroll down and choose whichever option works best for you.

Those Lunduke Journal Lifetime Sub Details

• Lifetime Subscriptions for $200, via Locals or Substack.

• Lifetime Subscriptions for $190, via Bitcoin.

• Either for yourself or for a gift.

• Through December 26th.

All the details below. Or pick up a standard monthly / yearly subscription (via whatever subscription platform you prefer).  Everything goes directly towards that January goal — and keeping The Lunduke Journal confidently operating well into the future!

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Locals

The "World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription" is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal (with all the perks of subscription on Locals). For life.

Plus: They make a great, nerdy gift.

New Lifetime Subscriptions are available, for $200, from now through December 26th. Then this option goes "back into the vault".

Here's how to grab one of these coveted bad boys for yourself:

1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

2. Select "Give Once".

3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

Want to purchase a Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription as a gift for someone else? Here's how:

1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

2. Select "Give Once".

3. Enter "200" into the amount field.

4. Send an email to "bryan at Lunduke.com" with the subject "Lifetime Gift Subscription". Include the email address and / or Locals user name (if they have one) of the person you would like to gift the subscription to.

5. Lunduke will email you to confirm details.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription via Substack

You can also snag a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

3. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

If you would like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

The Famous Lifetime Subscription (with Bitcoin discount)

And, finally, you can obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin. Save a few bucks with this option, as Bitcoin processing has fewer fees associated with it.

• Make sure you have a Lunduke.Locals.com account (a free account works just fine).

• Send $190 worth of Bitcoin (or more) to the following address:

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

• Email "bryan at lunduke.com" with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com.

Nice and easy.

-Lunduke