DCTelnet is a Telnet client for Commodore Amiga computers. It is easy to
use, lightweight, and reliable.
DCTelnet is ideal for accessing Telnet-enabled BBS systems on classic Amiga
hardware, and supports file transfers via ZModem.
More info/sources : https://github.com/bruno-frederic/dctelnet
Note: This release provides recompiled versions of DCTelnet including a
68000-compatible binary for classic Amiga systems (A500, A600, A2000), as
well as an optimized 68020 build.
DCTelnet was originally written by Zed. As of January 2026, the DCTelnet
1.5/1.6 releases available on Aminet target 68020+ CPUs only.
This new release also offers simplified installation and improved
documentation.
---
v1.7.1: fix for the installation script to ensure compatibility with
Installer v44 as found in AmigaOS 3.5 and 3.9.
The DCTelnet binaries and features are otherwise unchanged.
Thanks to VincentGR76 for reporting the issue.
---
## Features
- 68000 compatible (no 68020 required)
- ZModem upload & download using XPR libraries
- Fast and efficient design : DCTelnet access the bsdsocket API directly
- Address book with username & password entries
- Additional terminal emulations via XEM libraries
- User-definable screen modes, fonts & colour palettes
- Iconify support
- multiple simultaneous Telnet connections
- No MUI, ClassAct or ReAction required
- No telser.device required
---
## Requirements
- Kickstart / Workbench v2.00 (V36) or higher
- A TCP/IP stack: AmiTCP, Miami, UAE bsdsocket.library or compatible
- ReqTools library
---
## Installation
1. Install the ReqTools library, available on Aminet:
https://aminet.net/package/util/libs/ReqToolsUsr
2. Download the DCTelnet package either from Aminet:
https://aminet.net/package/comm/tcp/DCTelnet
or from https://github.com/bruno-frederic/dctelnet/releases
3. The DCTelnet archive includes an Installer script.
When available, using the *Installer* tool is the recommended
installation method.
---
### Manual installation
On older AmigaOS versions where the *Installer* tool is not present (for
example, pre-3.1.4 systems), DCTelnet can be installed manually. In this
case, copy the required files to their respective system directories:
- DCTelnet/Devs/ibmcon.device -> DEVS:
- Libraries from DCTelnet/Libs -> LIBS:
- Fonts from DCTelnet/Fonts -> FONTS:
The archive also includes an optional GlowIcons icon set, which can be used
as a modern replacement for the original icons if desired.
---
## How to use
Please refer to the included DCTelnet.guide documentation for detailed
usage instructions. The guide is in AmigaGuide format and can be opened
with MultiView on AmigaOS.
---
## Known Bugs
### Character display issues and font selection
If, after connecting to a BBS, some characters appear incorrect or garbled,
this is usually related to the selected terminal font. Make sure the font
matches the character set expected by the remote system.
Many PC-based BBSes require an ANSI-compatible font to properly display
line art and ANSI graphics. In such cases, select the bundled HyperANSI
font.
On Amiga-based BBSes, graphics are often designed for the classic Topaz
font. This is the case, for example, on Retro 32 BBS.
Important:
After switching the terminal font, quit DCTelnet and restart it before
reconnecting. This avoids the display issue described below and ensures
correct rendering.
### Connection stuck after changing settings (fonts, XEM, screen mode)
After changing certain display-related settings (such as the terminal font,
enabling the XEM library, or switching the screen mode) a subsequent Telnet
connection may appear to succeed, but no output is displayed. The status
remains *Connected*, while the terminal window no longer shows any data.
This issue has been observed both with the original DCTelnet 1.6 built in
2006-2008 and with recent recompilations.
Workaround:
After modifying any of these settings, quit DCTelnet and restart it before
reconnecting. Otherwise, the session may remain stuck in a connected state
with no visible output.
### Address Book may not be saved correctly
Changes made in the Address Book may not be saved correctly if fields are
validated using the mouse.
Workaround:
When editing Address Book entries:
- Press Enter after typing text in each field, especially the password
field
- Or move to the next field using Tab, then press Enter before leaving the
entry
### On AmigaOS / Kickstart 2.00 & 2.02
- The included xprzmodem.library fails to load on these OS versions.
- ReqTools 2.9a, available on Aminet (util/libs/ReqToolsUsr), also fails to
load.
An older version of ReqTools is required:
- ReqTools v2.2, available here:
https://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/amiga/system/libraries/ReqTools-2.2-user.lha
- Use the library found in the libs13/ directory (version 38.390).
- Copy reqtools.library to the LIBS: directory.
For troubleshooting, it is recommended to launch DCTelnet from the Shell in
order to see library initialization error messages.
---
## Build environment
As of January 2026:
- IDE: VS Code (on Windows)
- Compiler: SAS/C v6.58 under AmigaOS 3.2 (on WinUAE 6)
### Source code
All source code referenced below, including DCTelnet 1.5 / 1.6 and its
required third-party libraries, is publicly available on Aminet.
- Based on the DCTelnet 1.5 / 1.6 sources:
https://aminet.net/package/comm/tcp/dct16_src
The required third-party source code dependencies are also included:
- ReqTools 2.9 from https://aminet.net/package/util/libs/ReqToolsDev
- AmiTCP SDK 4.3 from https://aminet.net/package/comm/tcp/AmiTCP-SDK-4.3
- XPRotocol v2.001 from https://aminet.net/package/comm/term/xpr2001
- Xem 2.0 from https://aminet.net/package/comm/term/XEM2_0
---
## Credits
- DCTelnet was originally written by Zed.
- new 68000-compatible build by Bruno FREDERIC
- ReqTools is Copyright © Nico François and Magnus Holmgren
---
## License
This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License. See the
"LICENSE" file for details.
Notes:
- Credit must be given to Zed (original author) and Bruno FREDERIC in any
distribution, documentation, or About section.
- This license applies to the full source code, binaries, and
documentation.
|
aminet net>