Eric Green, co-creator of ICE BBS from Bayou Telecommunications, has just released ICE BBS v1.1 under the GNU General Public License. This move effectively makes ICE BBS open source. Anyone can now download, study, and modify the code—just don’t claim it as your own.
The release brings renewed attention to one of the most beloved Commodore BBS systems of its time. With ICE BBS now available under a free software license, the door opens for updates, bug fixes, and even new features from the retro community.
Download the Complete Package
The full ICE BBS release includes two disk images and a scanned PDF manual. Everything is available from Commodore.Software, a well-known archive for Commodore applications and documentation.
This generous release ensures users and developers have everything they need to get started. Whether you’re looking to set up a test system or dive into the source code, it’s all there.
Why ICE BBS Still Matters
Originally praised for its performance and ease of use, ICE BBS carved out a solid reputation among Commodore users. It ran efficiently, didn’t require complex setup, and offered reliable multi-user capabilities. Now that ICE BBS is open source, developers can examine the internals, improve functionality, and even port it to other 8-bit platforms.
Enthusiasts might explore new integrations or revive ICE BBS for use with modern retro projects.
A Gift to the Community
Releasing ICE BBS as open source reflects a broader trend in retro computing. Developers are sharing code not just for preservation, but to encourage innovation. These open releases allow the community to build on original work while honoring its history.
By choosing the GNU GPL, Eric Green ensures ICE BBS remains free for everyone—forever.
