ZenCom 0.9.1

ZenCom 0.9.1: a fix release for Punter uploads.

Fixed

• Punter uploads to boards that skip the file-type phase. Some C64 boards (found on Particles) ask straight away for the data phase's 7-byte header, so the 8-byte file-type block never passed their check and the board answered BAD for ever (0 blocks sent). After four BADs on that block ZenCom now goes straight to the data. Boards that do the type phase are unaffected.
• Punter's file-type byte is now the standard one (1 = PRG, 2 = SEQ; was 0 and 1), both ways.
• Raw boards behind a bridge that reads telnet ($FF $FF arriving as one $FF): until a block gets through, ZenCom tries with and without $FF doubling.
• The in-call Punter nudge now reads "Punter: C=+D to download, C=+U to upload" (Punter opens with GOO in both directions, so it no longer claims the board is sending).

Tested

Uploaded to Particles BBS (a real C64 board) with ZenCom itself: ZENCOM, ZENCOM.XFR and ZENCOM.DOC, all accepted at their full size. On a C64 Ultimate: transfer tests 26/26 (XMODEM and Punter, both ways, byte for byte). Emulator tests 105/105, including a model of CCGMS's Punter receiver with internet delay.

On the disk (zencom-0.9.1.d64)

As 0.9.0: ZENCOM and ZENCOM.XFR (keep them together), a starter BBS list, READER, README, QUICKREF, LICENCE, and empty ZENCOM.CFG / .MAC / .PWD files. LOAD"ZENCOM",8 then RUN. Upgrading: replace both ZENCOM and ZENCOM.XFR; your list and settings files stay as they are.

Still untested on real 1541s, modem cartridges, user-port modems and NTSC machines: reports very welcome at zencom@neuroportal.net.

MIT licence. Copyright (c) 2026 Neuroportal.

ZenCom 0.9.0

ZenCom 0.9.0, the first public release of a telnet/BBS terminal for the Commodore 64.

ZenCom was built to make browsing and using BBSes as easy as possible, especially if you have never used one before.

On the disk (zencom-0.9.0.d64)

ZENCOM and ZENCOM.XFR (keep them together), a starter BBS list, READER (shows the manual on the C64), README, QUICKREF (one page to print), LICENCE, and empty ZENCOM.CFG / ZENCOM.MAC / ZENCOM.PWD files that say what each is for.

LOAD"ZENCOM",8 then RUN. On an Ultimate, CD to ZenCom's folder first (see README).

What it does

• ANSI-80 (80x24, colour, CP437 graphics, ANSI/VT100) and PETSCII-40, switched with F7
• Dialling directory with bookmarks, notes and per-board logins (C= N / C= P send them)
• Transfers: XMODEM (CRC, checksum, 1K both ways) and Punter, including Multi-Punter batch downloads. ZenCom picks the protocol and suggests the file name from the board's screen
• Macros (C= M, 1-8), pause, scroll-back (PETSCII), redial and auto redial, help on every screen
• Modems: SwiftLink-type (6551 at $DE00, including the Ultimate's modem emulation; 1200-38400), user port through the KERNAL (1200/2400), UP9600 (beta)

Tested

On a C64 Ultimate (PAL) with its modem emulation and SoftIEC, its 1541 emulation, and in VICE (PAL and NTSC, SwiftLink, true-drive 1541). Not yet tested on real 1541s, other drives, real modem cartridges, user-port modems or a real NTSC machine. Reports are very welcome: zencom@neuroportal.net

Known issues

• ANSI colour clash: two 80-column characters share one C64 colour cell (F3: monochrome)
• No UTF-8 (boards should send CP437 or PETSCII); scroll-back is PETSCII-only
• User-port modes and UP9600 untested on real hardware
• Logins (ZENCOM.PWD) and macros (ZENCOM.MAC) are stored as plain text: keep the disk to yourself

MIT licence. Copyright (c) 2026 Neuroportal.