BSDForAll – free chat, mail and shell accounts, built on OpenBSD

BSDForAll is a volunteer-run server in the IRCNow network. We give the free and open-source community the tools to talk, host and learn, and we run all of it on OpenBSD.

SYNOPSIS

Connect with any IRC client:

$ /server irc.bsdforall.org +6697

Port 6697 uses TLS. Plain connections are available on port 6667. No client installed? Use the web chat in your browser.

SERVICES

IRCTLS 6697: Chat with the whole IRCNow network through our server. irc.bsdforall.org, ports 6697 (TLS) and 6667
IRC bouncer: A ZNC bouncer keeps you connected while you are offline and saves your messages until you return. bnc.bsdforall.org
Shell accounts: Your own account on an OpenBSD system. Learn Unix, run your IRC client in a terminal, or keep a bot online.
EmailIMAP 993: An address at bsdforall.org that works with any mail app over IMAP, POP3 and SMTP, or in the browser. webmail.bsdforall.org; IMAP 993, POP3 995, SMTP 465 and 587 at mail.bsdforall.org
XMPP: Instant messaging with any XMPP client, plus a gateway that lets you join IRC channels from XMPP. xmpp.bsdforall.org
Web hosting: A personal website with HTTPS at yourname.bsdforall.org, published from your shell account.
BitlBeeTLS 8172: Reach other chat networks from your IRC client. bsdforall.org, port 8172 (TLS)

GETTING AN ACCOUNT

Connect to irc.bsdforall.org, or open the web chat.
Join our channel: /join #bsdforall
Say which service you would like. Our bot or a staff member will set it up and send you the details.

Accounts are free. Please register your nickname first, and read the terms of service.

IRCNOW

BSDForAll is one member of IRCNow, a federation of community-run servers. Its motto says it plainly: of the users, by the users, for the users.

Every member server shares the same network, the same terms and the same volunteer spirit, so an account here is also a doorway to the rest of the community.

IRCNow home: News, member teams and the full list of services across the network.
Minutemin Bootcamp: Beginner guides that walk you through OpenBSD step by step.
Source code: Software written and shared by IRCNow teams.
Terms of service: The rules every member agrees to, written in plain language.

ADMIN FORCES

Volunteers wanted

Become an OpenBSD system administrator.

Admin Forces is the IRCNow program that turns curious users into administrators. You follow a free course, then help look after real servers and real users, with experienced admins beside you.

Learn on live OpenBSD systems, not a classroom demo.
Work with the web server, mail, firewall and TLS tools described below.
Join a team and give back to the free-software community.

Read about Admin Forces → See the training course

WHY OPENBSD

OpenBSD is a free operating system known for security and correct, well-documented code. Almost everything on this server runs on its own base software: the web server, TLS proxy, mail server, name server and firewall each come with OpenBSD and each is set up from one short, readable configuration file.

That makes BSDForAll a good place to learn system administration. Volunteers train with the IRCNow admin course and help run real services for real users.

SUPPORTING US

BSDForAll is run by volunteers. Donations go towards hosting and hardware through IRCNow donations.

For sponsorship, partnerships or support, email support@bsdforall.org.