Software & Source Code

Downloads

Hermes 4 beta, every classic version from v2.2 through v3.5.10, external program collections, FidoNet integration, developer headers, and complete source code. Everything is free.

Current Release

Hermes 4 Beta

The modern reimagining of Hermes BBS — a native application for Apple platforms with real-time chat, forums, file sharing, ANSI terminal, and 68K emulation. Free beta, no registration required.

Hermes Server

macOS · Apple Silicon

The BBS engine. Run your own board — manages users, forums, email, chat, files, and external programs. Includes a native sysop dashboard.

Version 0.1.0 (build 24)
Date March 5, 2026
Requires macOS 13+, Apple Silicon
Format .zip
Download for macOS

Hermes Terminal

macOS & iOS

Connect to any Hermes board (or any Telnet BBS). Pixel-perfect ANSI terminal with native chat panels, file transfer progress, and BBS favorites.

Version 0.1.0 (build 24)
Date March 5, 2026
Requires macOS 13+ / iOS 18+
Format .zip (macOS) · TestFlight (iOS)
macOS iOS — Soon

Beta software — expect rough edges. No account or payment required.

Classic Software

Hermes v2.2

The original Hermes BBS — the culmination of the original author's vision (1993). Requires a Motorola 68000-based Macintosh or an emulator. Distributed as-is for historical and educational purposes.

Hermes v2.2

Serial number requirement removed

A special build with the serial number copy protection removed — runs without registration. This is the easiest way to try Hermes v2.2 today.

Author AOC Software (Will Price)
Requires System 6–Mac OS 9, 68000+ CPU
Format .zip
Download v2.2

Hermes v2.2 (Original)

With serial number copy protection

The original distribution as shipped in 1993, with the RSA serial number system intact. Requires a valid serial number to operate — see the open-sourced serial number tools to generate one.

Author AOC Software (Will Price)
Requires System 6–Mac OS 9, 68000+ CPU
Format .sit (StuffIt archive)
Download v2.2 Original
Hermes II Era

Legacy Versions

After Will Price sold Hermes in 1993, development continued through several owners as Hermes II. These later versions added TCP/IP telnet support, FidoNet integration, Python-based externals, and more. All require a 68K Mac or emulator.

β

Hermes II v3.5.10b3

~2003 · Last public release · Beta

The final version distributed by Michael Alyn Miller. Added Python-based externals via a new External Development System, plus X/Y/Z-Modem download support over TCP/IP. Includes Leech 2000.

Developer Michael Alyn Miller
Format .sea.hqx (BinHex)
Download v3.5.10b3

Hermes II v3.5.9

~2001 · Last stable release

The last official stable release. A major milestone — the first Hermes version with TCP/IP telnet support, enabling connections over the internet. Also added integrated FidoNet support, up to 50 nodes, and Y2K fixes.

Developer Michael Alyn Miller
Format .sea.hqx (BinHex)
Download v3.5.9

Hermes II v3.2.1

~1997 · Arachnoware era

Released during Bill Dolinar's ownership (Arachnoware). Continued the Hermes II line with refinements to the 3.x architecture. Modem-based connections only — predates TCP/IP support.

Developer Bill Dolinar (Arachnoware)
Format .sit (StuffIt)
Download v3.2.1

Hermes II v3.1.1

~1995 · First Hermes II release

The first publicly released version under the Hermes II name, developed by Robert Rebbun and David Woodall for Lloyd Woodall (Computer Classifieds). Introduced the 3.x architecture with chat rooms and expanded external API.

Developer Computer Classifieds
Format .sit (StuffIt)
Download v3.1.1
Games & Utilities

External Programs

Externals were the lifeblood of a BBS — games, utilities, and tools that ran inside the BBS environment. Hermes had a thriving external ecosystem across all versions. Each collection below is a single archive of all known externals for that version.

v2.2 Externals

60+ programs

The largest collection. Includes Blackjack, Checkers, Chess, Hangman, Slots, HerTris, ANSI Doodle, H:UX, sysop utilities, and dozens more.

games sysop tools file mgmt
Download

v3.1 Externals

16 programs

Updated for the Hermes II 3.x external API. Mostly games — Blackjack Pro, HerTris, Taipan, Othello, Video Poker, Merchant, BattleRoom, and more.

games adventures
Download

v3.5 Externals

9 programs

The final external collection. Includes Blackjack Pro v1.3.1, Snake, Leech 3.5, TakeStock, Cups, and Slycrel.

games leech
Download
Networking

FidoNet Integration

FidoNet was the store-and-forward messaging network that connected BBSes worldwide. Hermes II 3.5.9+ used a dedicated tosser external and a custom build of Massimo Senna's Formula1 mailer. Both components are required for a complete FidoNet installation.

FidoNet External

v1.0b1 · Tosser

Handles inbound/outbound EchoMail and NetMail processing. Includes built-in ARC and ZIP decompression. Replaced Hermes II's earlier Generic Import/Export system. Requires Hermes II 3.5.9b2 or later.

Download FidoNet 1.0b1

Formula1 Mailer

v1.19r5 · by Massimo Senna

The modem-based mailer component. Originally written by Massimo Senna, this custom build was modified by Michael Alyn Miller to interface with the Hermes FidoNet external via AppleEvents.

Download Formula1 1.19r5
For Developers

External Development Headers

Write your own Hermes externals. These header files define the external program API — the interface between the BBS and external applications like games and utilities. Available for both Pascal and C.

v2.2 External API

Pascal headers · THINK Pascal

The original external API header from Will Price's Hermes. Defines the shared data structures and callback interface used by all v2.2 externals. Part of the open-source HermesBBS repository.

View on GitHub →

v3.1 External API

Pascal & C headers

Extended API headers for the Hermes II 3.x external interface. Available in both THINK Pascal (HermHeaders.p) and THINK C (HermHeaders.h). Adds chat room integration and expanded callbacks.

Download Headers
Open Source

Source Code

The complete Hermes v2.2 source is on GitHub under the MIT license — THINK Pascal, THINK C, and 68000 assembly. Including the serial number copy protection system with full RSA cryptographic source.

cyphers/HermesBBS

MIT License

Complete Hermes v2.2 source — THINK Pascal, THINK C, resource files, documentation, and the newly open-sourced serial number system.

THINK Pascal · THINK C · 68K ASM
View on GitHub →

Serial Number System

Open-sourced February 2026

RSA public-key cryptography with 256-bit keys, hand-rolled BigInt with 68K assembly, cooperative multitasking integration, and anti-tamper mechanisms.

RSA Crypto · BigInt · Anti-Tamper
View Source →

System Requirements

Hermes 4 Beta

Server
  • ▸ macOS 13 Ventura or later
  • ▸ Apple Silicon (M1 or later)
  • ▸ Network access for incoming connections
Client
  • ▸ macOS 13+ or iOS 18+
  • ▸ Apple Silicon (Mac) or any supported iPhone/iPad
  • ▸ Network access to reach a BBS host

Classic Hermes v2.2

  • ▸ Macintosh with Motorola 68000 or later CPU
  • ▸ System 6 through Mac OS 9
  • ▸ Or: any 68K Macintosh emulator (Mini vMac, Basilisk II, SheepShaver)
  • ▸ StuffIt Expander to decompress the archive