# Introduction ENiGMA½ is a modern from scratch BBS package written in Node.js. # Quickstart TL;DR? This should get you started... ## Prerequisites * [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) version **v4.2.x or higher** * :information_source: It is suggested to use [nvm](https://github.com/creationix/nvm) to manage your Node/io.js installs * **Windows users will need additional dependencies installed** for the `npm install` step in order to compile native binaries: * A recent copy of Visual Studio ([Visual Studio Express](https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/products/visual-studio-express-vs.aspx) editions OK) * [Python](https://www.python.org/downloads/) 2.7.x ## New to Node If you're new to Node.js and/or do not care about Node itself and just want to get ENiGMA½ running these steps should get you going on most \*nix type enviornments: ```bash curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/creationix/nvm/v0.31.0/install.sh | bash nvm install 4.4.0 nvm use 4.4.0 ``` If the above completed without errors, you should now have `nvm`, `node`, and `npm` installed and in your environment. ## Clone ```bash git clone https://github.com/NuSkooler/enigma-bbs.git ``` ## Install Node Modules ```bash cd enigma-bbs npm install ``` ## Generate a SSH Private Key To utilize the SSH server, a SSH Private Key will need generated. This step can be skipped if desired by disabling the SSH server in `config.hjson`. ```bash openssl genrsa -des3 -out ./misc/ssh_private_key.pem 2048 ``` ## Create a Minimal Config The main system configuration is handled via `~/.config/enigma-bbs/config.hjson`. This is a [HJSON](http://hjson.org/) file (compiliant JSON is also OK). See [Configuration](config.md) for more information. ```hjson { general: { boardName: Super Awesome BBS } servers: { ssh: { privateKeyPass: YOUR_PK_PASS enabled: true /* set to false to disable the SSH server */ } } messageConferences: { local_general: { name: Local desc: Local Discussions default: true areas: { local_music: { name: Music Discussion desc: Music, bands, etc. default: true } } } } } ``` ## Launch! ```bash ./main.js ``` ENiGMA½ does not produce much to standard out. See below for tailing the log file to see what's going on. ### Points of Interest * Default ports are 8888 (Telnet) and 8889 (SSH) * Note that on *nix systems port such as telnet/23 are privileged (e.g. require root). See [this SO article](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16573668/best-practices-when-running-node-js-with-port-80-ubuntu-linode) for some tips on using these ports on your system if desired. * The first user you create via applying is the SysOp (aka root) * You may want to tail the logfile with Bunyan: `tail -F ./logs/enigma-bbs.log | ./node_modules/bunyan/bin/bunyan` # Advanced Installation If you've become convinced you would like a "production" BBS running ENiGMA½ a more advanced installation may be in order. [PM2](https://github.com/Unitech/pm2) is an excellent choice for managing your running ENiGMA½ instances. Additionally, it is suggested that you run as a specific more locked down user (e.g. 'enigma').