Hello,

Is there a generally accepted limit on message size now in FidoNet?
Since we now can send uuencoded photos - limit can filter
out messages with uuencoded pictures. Uuncoded photo
can take 6Mb in uuencoded form easily.

To have some benefits from uuencoded files support, I set up local
APOD echo where special bot retrieves articles from Astronomy Picture
of the Day site and posts them to that echo.
Is anyone interested in this echo?

It looks like this in AfterShock: https://vdovichev.me/fidonet/fidonet-apod-echo.png
Image can be clicked and viewed in full resolution.

I'm not sure if it will be routable if there some message size limits.

P.S. I also set echo MARS with solly pictures from martian rover ;)

---
With best regards.
Anatoly, the Knight of the Truth Table.
--- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1
* Origin: Little Station BBS (2:385/180@fidonet)

Anatoly,

Is there a generally accepted limit on message size now in FidoNet?
Since we now can send uuencoded photos - limit can filter
out messages with uuencoded pictures. Uuncoded photo
can take 6Mb in uuencoded form easily.

...

I'm not sure if it will be routable if there some message size limits.

There has been a time when it was considered rude and/or unacceptable to send any kind of encrypted stuff over the net without prior arrangement if the node in question was not flying the ENC user-flag. In "ye olde daze" there were complaints about that.

P.S. I also set echo MARS with solly pictures from martian rover ;)

You mean like thisone?

https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_%28reep%29

Why would someone carry such an echo if the whole set of all the public Mars-rover pictures is more readily available straight from the NASA-site?

Enjoy the week-end ... yeah, I know, it's Thursday but when you're retired every day is like a week-end.

\%/@rd

--- DB4 - 20230201
* Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)

Hello Ward,

Anatoly,

can take 6Mb in uuencoded form easily.
I'm not sure if it will be routable if there some message size limits.

There has been a time when it was considered rude and/or unacceptable to send any kind of encrypted stuff over the net without prior arrangement if the node in question was not flying the ENC user-flag. In "ye olde daze" there were complaints about that.

Technically, encoding and encrypting are different things.

Uuencoding - a way to transfer binary files in systems which can transfer
only textual information. Anyone can decode and read.

Encrypting - transforming data (including textual) so that only very limited number of people can decrypt it and read.

Why would someone carry such an echo if the whole set of all the public Mars-rover pictures is more readily available straight from the NASA-site?

Hard to find on NASA-site, while here you get fresh pictures straight
into your FidoNet reader.

Enjoy the week-end ... yeah, I know, it's Thursday but when you're retired every day is like a week-end.

Retirement is what I'm most afraid of :-D

---
With best regards.
Anatoly, the Knight of the Truth Table.
--- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1
* Origin: Little Station BBS (2:385/180@fidonet)

Anatoly,

Technically, encoding and encrypting are different things.

Please do not entertain the thought that I entered this hobby just the other week.

My professional IT-involvement started Jan.12th 1973 ... that's like 53 years ago. Just sayin' ...

Enjoy the week-end ... yeah, I know, it's Thursday but when you're TV>WD> retired every day is like a week-end.

Retirement is what I'm most afraid of :-D

If you have no wife and no grand-children, you still have most of that time available to yourself ... but it is important to learn to answer any hint of a question with a firm "No !!".

\%/@rd

--- DB4 - 20230201
* Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)

Hi Tolik,

On 2026-08-06 09:25:37, you wrote to All:

Is there a generally accepted limit on message size now in FidoNet?

I think historically it was 16KB. Fidonews articles are still split up to be just smaller then that size for instance.
If you want to consider people running their fido software on older hardware and/or operating systems that is your limit. ;-)

I have my tosser configured for a 1 MB message size limit. But that is just me...


Bye, Wilfred.

--- FMail-lnx64 2.3.4.1-B20260520
* Origin: FMail development HQ (2:280/464)

On 2026 Aug 06 09:25:36, you wrote to All:

Is there a generally accepted limit on message size now in FidoNet?

there never really was... the spec says message bodies are unbounded... back in the 90s i semi-regularly tested one of my message posting tools with the entire 2+Meg nodelist by posting the nodelist in one message in FIDOTEST... the results were interesting and not really unexpected... i was kind of also low-key doing it to hopefully spur some more development of tossers and bbses to handle large messages...

any artificial limits on message size that were in place were mainly due to coders not taking the time to figure out how to swap overflow to disk storage, continue processing at a slower rate, and how to evict messages that simply could not fit in the availavle storage... all this while also processing mail for further distribution to other systems... leaf nodes generally have it easiest...

in the late 90s or early 00s, i do remember seeing a post by a coder talking about how he did figure out swapping so his system could process large messages... i forget which software it was, though... i want to say it was one that had bbs, tosser, and mailer all in one package but it was quite a while back and a lot of water has flowed under the bridges...

technical details: some systems had a stack size of 16k... that's all they could fit in memory at once... heap memory was not available... some systems also ran off multiple floppy drives and the operators had to swap disks for users so they could access files or messages that were on offline disks in a storage box... hard drives appeared and storage was easier to deal with... stack sizes also increased to 64k... then EMS and XMS memory access and yeah... there are still some older systems online for historic and nostalgic reasons... we don't hear about them very much these days... if there are any still connected to the net...

)\/(ark

"The soul of a small kitten in the body of a mighty dragon. Look on my majesty, ye mighty, and despair! Or bring me catnip. Your choice. Oooh, a shiny thing!"
... The ability to understand a question from all sides meant one was totally unfi
---
* Origin: (1:3634/12.73)

Hello Wilfred,

Is there a generally accepted limit on message size now in FidoNet?

I think historically it was 16KB. Fidonews articles are still split up to be just smaller then that size for instance. If you want to consider people running their fido software on older hardware and/or operating systems that is your limit. ;-)

Thank you for the relevant answer!
16KB. ZX Spectrum 48K? I have one! I do not believe that someone uses
this kind of hardware for echomail/netmail routing ;-)

Also I have to admit that I'm very addicted to old hardware. I'm doing my best not to start a storm in CLASSIC_COMPUTER echo.

I have my tosser configured for a 1 MB message size limit. But that is just me...

I think we should gently push this limit to at least 64^H^H16 megabytes.

Introduce max message size node can handle to nodelist?

Psst. I'm not uncovering my plans due to two reasons:
1. To prevent people from thinking I'm crazy
2. To avoid intstant expulsion from FidoNet :-D

---
With best regards.
Anatoly, the Knight of the Truth Table.
--- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1
* Origin: Little Station BBS (2:385/180@fidonet)

Hi Tolik,

On 2026-08-07 13:17:55, you wrote to me:

Is there a generally accepted limit on message size now in FidoNet?

I think historically it was 16KB. Fidonews articles are still split
up to be just smaller then that size for instance. If you want to
consider people running their fido software on older hardware and/or
operating systems that is your limit. ;-)

Thank you for the relevant answer!
16KB. ZX Spectrum 48K? I have one! I do not believe that someone uses
this kind of hardware for echomail/netmail routing ;-)

I don't know any either...

I have my tosser configured for a 1 MB message size limit. But that
is just me...

I think we should gently push this limit to at least 64^H^H16
megabytes.

How do you "push" such a thing? There probably is software out there that has hardcoded limits, that isn't maintained anymore...

Introduce max message size node can handle to nodelist?

Not usefull.

Psst. I'm not uncovering my plans due to two reasons:
1. To prevent people from thinking I'm crazy

Some people think that anyway. ;-)

2. To avoid intstant expulsion from FidoNet :-D

You can't be "expulsed" for plans! ;-)


Bye, Wilfred.

--- FMail-lnx64 2.3.4.1-B20260520
* Origin: FMail development HQ (2:280/464)

Hello Wilfred,

I have my tosser configured for a 1 MB message size limit. But that WvV>> is just me...

I think we should gently push this limit to at least 64^H^H16
megabytes.

How do you "push" such a thing? There probably is software out there that has hardcoded limits, that isn't maintained anymore...

It's 2026. Software is no longer a problem. Even for obsolete hardware.

Introduce max message size node can handle to nodelist?

Not usefull.

We can discuss this later, I need to do some analysis first.

Psst. I'm not uncovering my plans due to two reasons:
1. To prevent people from thinking I'm crazy

Some people think that anyway. ;-)

"Try the impossible" has been my motto for many years :-)

---
With best regards.
Anatoly, the Knight of the Truth Table.
--- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1
* Origin: Little Station BBS (2:385/180@fidonet)

Anatoly,

Also I have to admit that I'm very addicted to old hardware. I'm doing my best not to start a storm in CLASSIC_COMPUTER echo.

By my standards there hardly is anyone here who worked on classic computers. Even the first generation IBM/PC, Atari, Apple is not "classic", they are "too new".

I think we should gently push this limit to at least 64^H^H16 megabytes.

You can push as much as you want, but also watch out how much you break.

1:1/0 and 2:2/0 run on D'Bridge and it will barf/grunge such large messages.

My phylosophy ... If you can't say it in 16KB (that's the equivalent of 4 full printed pages without interline nor blanks) then write a book.

Introduce max message size node can handle to nodelist?

Such a flag will never make it.

\%/@rd

--- DB4 - 20230201
* Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)

Hello Ward,

Also I have to admit that I'm very addicted to old hardware. I'm doing my
best not to start a storm in CLASSIC_COMPUTER echo.

By my standards there hardly is anyone here who worked on classic computers. Even the first generation IBM/PC, Atari, Apple is not "classic", they are "too new".

Soviet Union was behind the West for about 10 years, so despite I started my "IT career" ~10 years later than you we probably have something in common.
I had some experiense with IBM System/360 clone (ES-1030) - right before its dismissing. Also had significant experiense with DEC PDP/11 clone and its descendants. DEC PRO 350 is my absolute favorite here: high resolution color graphics with hardware acceleration, up to two megabytes of RAM, 5MB hard drive. And this sound of airfield when you turning these computers on... may
be at some point of time I will make a port of AfterShock for DEC PRO 350.

Funny story: my friends from Akademgorodok (Academic Town) knew my passion for old computers and at some point of time asked me if I can save BESM-6
in my "museum" %-)

But indeed, I prefer home computers including homebrew ones.
"Never trust a computer you can't lift" :)

I think we should gently push this limit to at least 64^H^H16 megabytes.

You can push as much as you want, but also watch out how much you break.

The keyword is "gently" ;-)

1:1/0 and 2:2/0 run on D'Bridge and it will barf/grunge such large messages.

Thank you for the information!

My phylosophy ... If you can't say it in 16KB (that's the equivalent of 4 full printed pages without interline nor blanks) then write a book.

"One diagram costs a thousands words". I want to give you opportunity to
share your photos not only on Facebook ;-)

---
With best regards.
Anatoly, the Knight of the Truth Table.
--- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1
* Origin: Little Station BBS (2:385/180@fidonet)

�������ࠧ�� �ਢ������!

--- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1 * Origin: Little Station BBS (2:385/180@fidonet)

I'm glad you're still with us. Just in case, I'd like to remind you that in R50 (Russia), it's still impossible to buy the app on Google Play. Are there any alternatives for your former compatriots? ;)

--
����᪨� ����. ��७�� ���, Vladimir Fyodorov, �᪢���.
... �ய��� ������? ������� ������!
--- Hotdoged/2.13.5/Android
* Origin: Esquire Station (2:6035/3.2)

Hello Vladimir!

08 Aug 26 11:19, you wrote to Tolik Vdovichev:

--- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1 * Origin: Little Station BBS
(2:385/180@fidonet)

I'm glad you're still with us. Just in case, I'd like to remind you
that in R50 (Russia), it's still impossible to buy the app on Google
Play. Are there any alternatives for your former compatriots? ;)

Take a vacation to the beautiful banks of Kazakhstan? Well, just an option.

Yegor

--- GoldED+/LNX 1.1.5-b20260304
* Origin: (2:382/736)

Yegor,

--- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1 * Origin: Little Station BBS
(2:385/180@fidonet)

I'm glad you're still with us. Just in case, I'd like to remind you YG>VF> that in R50 (Russia), it's still impossible to buy the app on Google YG>VF> Play. Are there any alternatives for your former compatriots? ;)

Take a vacation to the beautiful banks of Kazakhstan? Well, just an
option.

I was going to suggest something similar but you beat me to it.

\%/@rd

--- DB4 - 20230201
* Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)

Vladimir,

I'm glad you're still with us. Just in case, I'd like to remind you that
in R50 (Russia), it's still impossible to buy the app on Google Play. Are there any alternatives for your former compatriots? ;)

Just a question out of lack of knowledge ... is Google Play totally out of bounds for R50/Russia or just this app?

\%/@rd

--- DB4 - 20230201
* Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)

�������ࠧ�� �ਢ������!

I'm glad you're still with us. Just in case, I'd like to remind
you that in R50 (Russia), it's still impossible to buy the app on
Google Play. Are there any alternatives for your former
compatriots? ;)

Just a question out of lack of knowledge ... is Google Play
totally out of bounds for R50/Russia or just this app?

In Russia, it's impossible to purchase any apps from Google Play. If the app is free, you can download and install it.

--
����᪨� ����. ��७�� ���, Vladimir Fyodorov, �᪢���.
... �ய��� ������? ������� ������!
--- Hotdoged/2.13.5/Android
* Origin: Esquire Station (2:6035/3.2)

�������ࠧ�� �ਢ������!

I'm glad you're still with us. Just in case, I'd like to remind
you that in R50 (Russia), it's still impossible to buy the app on
Google Play. Are there any alternatives for your former
compatriots? ;)

Take a vacation to the beautiful banks of Kazakhstan? Well, just
an option.

This is too complicated an option to pay a couple of dollars once :)

--
����᪨� ����. ��७�� ���, Vladimir Fyodorov, �᪢���.
... �ய��� ������? ������� ������!
--- Hotdoged/2.13.5/Android
* Origin: Esquire Station (2:6035/3.2)

Tolik Vdovichev wrote to Ward Dossche <=-

-+-
With best regards.
Anatoly, the Knight of the Truth Table.
-+- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1

Is this coming to us Mac users? Happy to beta test

Sean

... TCOB1: binkd.rima.ie or bbbs.rima-iot.eu

--- BBBS/LiR v4.10 Toy-7
* Origin: TCOB1 https://binkd.rima.ie (2:263/1)

Hello Vladimir,

I'm glad you're still with us. Just in case, I'd like to remind you that in R50 (Russia), it's still impossible to buy the app on Google Play. Are there any alternatives for your former compatriots? ;)

I will try to find a way, but cannot promise that it will happen anytime soon.

---
With best regards.
Anatoly, the Knight of the Truth Table.
--- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1
* Origin: Little Station BBS (2:385/180@fidonet)

Hello Sean,

-+-
With best regards.
Anatoly, the Knight of the Truth Table.
-+- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1

Is this coming to us Mac users? Happy to beta test

Yes, I’m just waiting for inspiration to go through all the circles of hell involved in publishing an app to the App Store.

And also need to find old or draw new application icon ;-)

---
With best regards.
Anatoly, the Knight of the Truth Table.
--- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1
* Origin: Little Station BBS (2:385/180@fidonet)

And also need to find old or draw new application icon ;-)

Make it a mermaid ...

--- DB4 - 20230201
* Origin: Many Glacier - Preserve / Protect / Conserve (2:292/854)

Tolik Vdovichev wrote to Sean Rima <=-

With best regards.
Anatoly, the Knight of the Truth Table.
-+- AfterShock/macOS 0.1.1

Is this coming to us Mac users? Happy to beta test

Yes, I??m just waiting for inspiration to go through all the circles of hell involved in publishing an app to the App Store.

Yes, I am about to push a weather app to the store, it is scary

And also need to find old or draw new application icon ;-)

LOl

Sean

... Pets were put on Earth to show that unconditional love is real

--- BBBS/LiR v4.10 Toy-7
* Origin: TCOB1 https://binkd.rima.ie (2:263/1)

�ਢ��, Tolik Vdovichev.
� ����, 09 ���. 2026 12:05, �� ��ᠫ Vladimir Fyodorov:

I'm glad you're still with us. Just in case, I'd like to remind you that
in R50 (Russia), it's still impossible to buy the app on Google Play. Are
there any alternatives for your former compatriots? ;)

I will try to find a way, but cannot promise that it will happen anytime soon.

You can try to enter a Russian app store like RuStore.

========
� �����, Embrace the Horizon!
--- ��� � ���業��!
* Origin: tenstyle_spb_station (2:5020/1146.136)

Hello, Tolik!

Sunday August 09 2026, Tolik Vdovichev wrote to Vladimir Fyodorov:

I'm glad you're still with us. Just in case, I'd like to remind
you that in R50 (Russia), it's still impossible to buy the app on
Google Play. Are
there any alternatives for your former compatriots? ;)

I will try to find a way, but cannot promise that it will happen
anytime soon.

OK, thank you. This is not an urgent question, HotdogEd works fine for me...

Sincerely yours, Vladimir Fyodorov, esquire.
... Necessity is the mother of invention
--- GoldED+/OSX 1.1.5-b20260425
* Origin: Esquire Station (2:6035/3.1)

in R50 (Russia), it's still impossible to buy the app on Google Play. there any alternatives for your former compatriots? ;)

I will try to find a way, but cannot promise that it will happen anytime soon.

I've been trying to buy this app in Australia too, but Google keeps telling my credit card is invalid for this purchase, despite them accepting it just fine for everything else... Not sure what the dealio is there.

--- tbbs/8ebc82c
* Origin: tbbs (3:633/420.1)

Hello Bob,

Monday August 10 2026 18:09, you wrote to Tolik Vdovichev:

I will try to find a way, but cannot promise that it will happen
anytime soon.

I've been trying to buy this app in Australia too, but Google keeps telling my credit card is invalid for this purchase, despite them accepting it just fine
for everything else... Not sure what the dealio is there.

Yep.. that is exactly the same thing happening to me as well :(

Mvh,
Alex.

---
* Origin: Rabarber > Skelleftea > Sweden (2:203/910)