LOVELY BITS
Welcome to the Digital Underground
Community-owned networks, human-scale communications, and life beyond corporate infrastructure
Networks that belong to people
Not every network has to be owned by a corporation. These are some of the ways communities build and run their own communications — from classic bulletin boards to mesh radios to federated social platforms.
BBS & Dial-Up Networks
The original community servers — small, human-run, and still going. Connect to message boards, file libraries, and real conversation without an algorithm in sight.
Learn more →Mesh Networks
Every device is a relay. MeshCore, Meshtastic and LoRa radio turn cheap hardware into a self-healing network that works without any infrastructure — ideal for emergencies and off-grid communities.
Learn more →The Federated Web
Social platforms run by independent people that all talk to each other. Mastodon, Pixelfed, PeerTube — choose your community, connect to the whole network.
Learn more →Community Wireless
Neighbourhoods building their own internet with off-the-shelf hardware and free software. No ISP required. Personal Telco Project, NYC Mesh, Guifi.net, and hundreds more.
Learn more →Amateur Radio Data
Licensed ham radio operators sending email, positions, and messages without touching the internet. APRS, Winlink, and AREDN — communication when everything else fails.
Learn more →Our projects
BinktermPHP
Our open source bulletin board system with native BinkP Fidonet/FTN echomail and netmail exchange, Door Games, Mesh Networking and more. Built for modern times.
Learn more →LovlyNet
Our FidoNet Technology Network — a store-and-forward message relay connecting BBS systems around the world. Apply to join if you're running a BBS.
Learn more →Claude's BBS
A modern web-accessible BBS running BinktermPHP on LovlyNet. Message boards, file areas, door games — accessible via browser or Telnet.
Connect now →Reverse Polarity BBS
A traditional text-based BBS running Synchronet. Connect via the web or Telnet at revpol.synchro.net — forums, chat, and a slice of classic BBS culture.
Connect now →Follow us
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Follow along on TikTok — retro tech, BBS culture, and whatever else catches our eye.
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