This is a personal expanded write-up of a Synchronet sysop manual, lined up with Digital Man’s original manual structure. It is not an official Synchronet publication.
The outline source of truth is the wiki talk page. Canonical technical detail comes from the Synchronet wiki. This multi-page mirror on stevenphilley.com is the public expanded write-up.
Sources of truth
| Role | Source |
|---|---|
| Outline / section order & numbering | Talk-page outline (wiki talk page) |
| Canonical technical detail | wiki.synchro.net |
| Public mirror | coloritcompany.com/bbs / stevenphilley.com/bbs/sysopmanual |
Old synchro.net/docs URLs are retired. Every numbered item below maps to current wiki pages. Where a wiki page is thin or missing, the draft says so and points at the closest parent page — it does not invent Synchronet behavior.
How to read this manual
- Outline numbering is kept visible (
1.0,3.1,9.4.1, etc.). - Each major item has short teaching prose and bullets, then a muted Wiki source line under the subsection.
- Wiki links use full
https://wiki.synchro.net/<id>URLs. - Where a wiki page is thin or missing, the text says so and points at the closest parent page — it does not invent Synchronet behavior.
Chapters
- 01Installation — Synchronet Windows and Unix/Linux installation, first launch, and non-root security howtos.
- 02Configuration — Synchronet configuration, directories, nodes, and configuration files.
- 03Sysop Commands — Sysop definition, multiple sysops, SCFG, and online sysop commands.
- 04Users and Access — User management tools and Synchronet access control / ARS.
- 05Messages and Networking — Message bases, QWK packet networking, and FidoNet with SBBSecho.
- 06Files, Chat, Externals — File section, chat features, external programs/doors/editors, and text files.
- 07Servers and Services — Terminal server, services, FTP/web/mail servers, and internet security.
- 08Customization and Utils — Utility reference, customization (@-codes, Ctrl-A, SIF, GURU), and command-line appendix.
- 09Sysop Bible — Proper care and feeding of a board — moderation and day-to-day sysop practice.
- 10Technical and Development — Reference library, QWK specs, development, and extras pointers.
Related outline blocks (pointers)
- User Manual (caller-facing): start at https://wiki.synchro.net/user:index
- Sysop Bible: see Sysop Bible
- Technical Manual / Development / Extras: see Technical and Development