Just some info if anyone is interested on putting up a Synchronet BBS with Dosemu onto a rPi4.

Decided to write this little help file for anyone who may be wanting to put up a Synchronet BBS up on a
Raspberry Pi 4B.

First, the instructions on the Synchronet wiki for Raspberry Pi installation are good and got me real close
to getting a working system up. Unfortunately, the instructions were a bit outdated for my setup.


The output of uname for my setup is as follows:

$ uname -a
Linux rPi4-pi 6.18.50+rpt-rpi-v8 #1 SMP PREEMPT Debian 1:6.18.50-1+rpt1 (2026-09-11) aarch64 GNU/Linux

For this setup I attempted following the instructions on the wiki page. It ended in a failed
compile as the make looked for 'archive.h' which it could not find. Rather than try to find a way
to ensure the files it needed were actually there, I thought, 'The newer Raspberry OSes are just
a modification of a Debian Linux release, but, close to being an Ubuntu release' I figured I would follow
the Unix/Linux installation page instructions, which was exactly what I needed to do.

DOSEMU On a Raspberry Pi 4 with 64 Bit OS

Again, here, the wiki at https://wiki.synchro.net/howto:raspbian_install was a great place to
start, but, did not enable me to get a working DOSEMU setup. To get one up and working, I had to
modify what is stated in the wiki. Most of what follows is duplicated from the wiki:

First, add the public key

$ sudo curl -sS 'https:/keyserver.ubuntu.ccom/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0xebe1b5ded2ad45d6' | gpg --dearmor > /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/ubuntu-dosemu2-ppa.gpg

This step seems to be a challenge for some people so you may have to break it into a couple of steps
(this is what I used)

$ curl -sS 'https://keyserver.ubuntu.com/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0xebe1b5ded2ad45d6' | gpg --dearmor > /tmp/dosemupgp.txt
$ sudo mv /tmp/dosemupgp.txt /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/ubuntu-dosemu2-ppa.gpg

Second, create a source file

$ sudo echo "deb https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/dosemu2/ppa/ubuntu kinetic main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/dosemu2

(This caused issues with my setup as the newer apt program was looking for a different
extension and format for the file. I ended up creating a file named dosemu.sources in
my home directory using the following format and doing a 'sudo' copy:

Use your favorite text editor to create-

Types: deb
URIs: https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/dosemu2/ppa/ubuntu
Suites: noble
Components: main
Signed-By: /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/ubuntu-dosemu2-ppa.gpg

Notice - I used the noble Suite, rather than suggested kinetic Suite. The kinetic Suite gave me 'unsigned'
errors when doing an update, so I selected the noble Suite. The resolute and stonking Suites also gave me
errors. I did not try questing Suite.

Then I just copied the file -

$ sudo cp ~/dosemu2.sources /etc/apt/sources.list.d/dosemu2.sources

The rest just follows the wiki.)

Next, run apt update to make sure there are no issues

$ sudo apt update

Then install the DosEMU2 files

$ apt install dosemu2

A number of files will be installed.

(I will not include the Nelgin configuration instructions, as the wiki covers this.)

---
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Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on Raspberry Pi 4
By: John Richards to All on Mon Nov 02 2026 05:35 am

Just some info if anyone is interested on putting up a
Synchronet BBS with Dosemu onto a rPi4.

Decided to write this little help file for anyone who may be wanting
to put up a Synchronet BBS up on a Raspberry Pi 4B.

First, the instructions on the Synchronet wiki for Raspberry Pi
installation are good and got me real close to getting a working
system up. Unfortunately, the instructions were a bit outdated
for my setup.

hey, thanks for this. not many people nowadays share the knowledge.


--
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President of BBS Sysop's Union +++ https://bbses.info/union
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Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on Raspberry Pi 4
By: John Richards to All on Mon Nov 02 2026 05:35:44

Just some info if anyone is interested on putting up a Synchronet BBS with Dosemu onto a rPi4.

Super

First, the instructions on the Synchronet wiki for Raspberry Pi installation are good and got me real close
to getting a working system up. Unfortunately, the instructions were a bit outdated for my setup.

Why not just update the instructions on the wiki then? That's why it's a wiki, so people can update it.

(I will not include the Nelgin configuration instructions, as the wiki covers this.)

Glad my instructions work still :)

---
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Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on Raspberry Pi 4
By: John Richards to All on Mon Nov 02 2026 05:35 am

For this setup I attempted following the instructions on the wiki page. It ended in a failed
compile as the make looked for 'archive.h' which it could not find. Rather

It sounds like you missed the libarchive-dev package, listed on https://wiki.synchro.net/install:nix:prerequisites
--
digital man (rob)

This Is Spinal Tap quote #29:
I find lost luggage. I locate mandolin strings in the middle of Austin!
Norco, CA WX: 71.5�F, 44.0% humidity, 1 mph SE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
---
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nelgin wrote to John Richards <=-

Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on Raspberry Pi 4
By: John Richards to All on Mon Nov 02 2026 05:35:44

Just some info if anyone is interested on putting up a Synchronet BBS with Dosemu onto a rPi4.

Super

First, the instructions on the Synchronet wiki for Raspberry Pi installation are good and got me real close
to getting a working system up. Unfortunately, the instructions were a bit outdated for my setup.

Why not just update the instructions on the wiki then? That's why it's
a wiki, so people can update it.

I will, as soon as I figure out my way around the wiki better. Have been just playing
around with all this, but, am wanting to do a bit more, so teaching myself what I need to know. Retirement is getting way too boring. LOL.

(I will not include the Nelgin configuration instructions, as the wiki covers this.)

Glad my instructions work still :)

In your dosemu tar file, the readme refers to a file named scfg.txt, but,
the package contains no such file. It has a ".scfg.txt.un~", I imagine a VIM undo file,
but can't do anything with it.

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Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on
By: John Richards to nelgin on Mon Nov 02 2026 19:54:51

what I need to know. Retirement is getting way too boring. LOL.

Nobody likes a bragger ;)

In your dosemu tar file, the readme refers to a file named scfg.txt, but, the package contains no such file. It has a ".scfg.txt.un~", I imagine a VIM undo file,
but can't do anything with it.

Err. Let me take a look.

Version 1.2 03/03/2026 remove scfg.txt since example exists in
readme.txt

I should have removed it out of the file list and deleted the undelete files. I'll do that.

---
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nelgin wrote to John Richards <=-

Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on
By: John Richards to nelgin on Mon Nov 02 2026 19:54:51

what I need to know. Retirement is getting way too boring. LOL.

Nobody likes a bragger ;)

I'll be a member of that club, starting Thanksgiving Day. :-)



... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
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Digital Man wrote to John Richards <=-

Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on Raspberry Pi 4
By: John Richards to All on Mon Nov 02 2026 05:35 am

For this setup I attempted following the instructions on the wiki page. It ended in a failed
compile as the make looked for 'archive.h' which it could not find. Rather

It sounds like you missed the libarchive-dev package, listed on https://wiki.synchro.net/install:nix:prerequisites
--
digital man (rob)

I did install that once I did the regular Unix/Linux install. Nothing on the page
devoted to a Raspberry Pi install listed the Pre-requisites or told me to install
the libarchive-dev package. After I got it installed I was thinking that ensuring
the prerequisites got installed would have given me a clean install. Hindsight 20/20
LOL. When I go into the wiki to add mysuggestions, I will modify it to include this
and, possibly, modify the Raspberry Pi page to remind of the prerequisites.

BTW, thanks for all you do. Reminds of the old RBBS-PC and CP/M days when one needed to suggest/develop a solution to any problem reported. Never learned C, C++, or anything beyond BASIC, but, can figure out configurations and processes,
so I can help there.


... In other News . . . . I'm Gumby, dammit!
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nelgin wrote to John Richards <=-

Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on
By: John Richards to nelgin on Mon Nov 02 2026 19:54:51

what I need to know. Retirement is getting way too boring. LOL.

Nobody likes a bragger ;)

In your dosemu tar file, the readme refers to a file named scfg.txt, but, the package contains no such file. It has a ".scfg.txt.un~", I imagine a VIM undo file,
but can't do anything with it.

Err. Let me take a look.

Version 1.2 03/03/2026 remove scfg.txt since example exists in
readme.txt

I should have removed it out of the file list and deleted the undelete files. I'll do that.

(Palm to forehead)Duh! Guess I should also peruse any changes file when I install
these things. LOL.

... Computer Hacker wanted. Must have own axe.
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Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on
By: John Richards to Digital Man on Tue Nov 03 2026 04:19 am

I did install that once I did the regular Unix/Linux install. Nothing on the page
devoted to a Raspberry Pi install listed the Pre-requisites or told me to install
the libarchive-dev package.

Maybe you missed this from the page:
"Install all the prerequisites for Debian/Ubuntu for version 23.00 upwards then follow the instructions below"
--
digital man (rob)

This Is Spinal Tap quote #19:
Oh then, maybe it's not green. Anyway this is what I sleep in sometimes.
Norco, CA WX: 74.9�F, 38.0% humidity, 0 mph ESE wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs ---
� Synchronet � Vertrauen � Home of Synchronet � [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on
By: Digital Man to John Richards on Tue Nov 03 2026 11:55 am

Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on
By: John Richards to Digital Man on Tue Nov 03 2026 04:19 am

I did install that once I did the regular Unix/Linux install. Nothing on the page
devoted to a Raspberry Pi install listed the Pre-requisites or told me to install
the libarchive-dev package.

Maybe you missed this from the page:
"Install all the prerequisites for Debian/Ubuntu for version 23.00 upwards then follow the instructions below"

I went back and checked, and, you are correct. I did miss that, then made an incorrect statement. My apologies. Finding this old age stuff causes me to overlook steps in my impatience. I'll try to do better. No promises as I might forget. LOL.

---
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Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on
By: John Richards to Digital Man on Tue Nov 03 2026 05:04 pm

I went back and checked, and, you are correct. I did miss that, then made an incorrect statement. My apologies. Finding this old age stuff causes me to overlook steps in my impatience. I'll try to do better. No promises as I might forget. LOL.

No problem. We have plenty of mistakes or old/missing information in the wiki, so I'm always keen to get feedback and double-check if/where corrections need to be made.
--
digital man (rob)

Rush quote #43:
Summers going fast nights growing colder children growing up old friends, older Norco, CA WX: 62.8�F, 76.0% humidity, 8 mph W wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
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Re: Re: Synchronet and DOSEMU2 on
By: Gamgee to nelgin on Tue Nov 03 2026 08:25:11

Retirement is getting way too boring. LOL.

I'll be a member of that club, starting Thanksgiving Day. :-)

I qualify, but I'm hanging on for another year to build up coffer a bit.

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