Retro-Dial

Retro-Dial (or R-Dial) is a text-only online chat service accessible via telnet, which was created in 2008 as a safe and anonymous alternative to modern social networks. Retro-Dial stations are privately owned, independently operated servers, each with its own users and sysop. Similar to the Bulletin Board Systems popular in the 1980s and 1990s, Retro-Dial promotes a smaller, more localized and tight-knit online community. Due to privacy concerns on social networks, Retro-Dial does not require any personal information to participate other than a username (or "handle"), does not save any conversations on the system (public or private), and nothing on a station is accessible by any search engines. As the service is text-only, and no images or other files can be transferred or displayed, malware is not a concern.
Based on the Diversi-Dial "CB Simulator", which was a popular chat service in the 1980s and early 1990s, Retro-Dial uses a similar "retro-style" interface which simulates a single station with 7 modem lines which users can call into and chat with each other. These lines can also be used by sysops to connect to other stations, allowing users on one station to chat with users on other stations. The primary function of the service is a real-time forum for conversation, although other functionality such as private e-mail is accessible by users. New users (or "guests") are usually given limited time on a station, and only have access to basic public chat in a single channel. Once a user is given their own account, they gain access to other functionality such as private messaging, multiple chat rooms (or "channels"), and station-based private e-mail.
The Retro-Dial software is fully compatible with Diversi-Dial software, so R-Dial stations and D-Dial stations can connect to or "link" with each other. Currently, there are several Retro-Dial stations active within the United States. A list of active stations can be found on the official Retro-Dial website or on the Retro-Dial chat service home station, CarrierSync, accessible via telnet.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu