Archive of ZXNet echo conferences

This section is dedicated to the echomail conferences of ZXNet, the largest non-commercial network uniting ZX Spectrum users across the former Soviet Union. It contains archives of conferences where users discussed programming, hardware, games, the demoscene, and everyday life.

ZXNet was founded in Moscow in the spring of 1995 on the basis of several independent BBS systems. The idea of объединing them into a single network with common standards was proposed by Alexey Ivanov (Alex Research), while the On-Line electronic newspaper, published by Dmitry Grigoriev, became the network's coordinating center. Automatic mail exchange with Fidonet was soon established, and ZXNet evolved into a full-fledged FTN network with its own address zone — 500 (for example, 500:95/462.53).

Over time, ZXNet expanded to dozens of cities across the former USSR, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Minsk, Lviv, Kharkiv, Tashkent, and many others. At its peak, the network connected around 2,000 modem users.

Regional segments often developed independently and implemented their own technical solutions. The best-known example was SPbZXNet, created in Saint Petersburg by Omega Group using Vicomm modems and its own software. Despite these differences, regional networks gradually became part of the overall ZXNet infrastructure.

ZXNet was built around a star topology with a central hub and regional nodes. In later years, the network expanded beyond dial-up connections by supporting Internet access and e-mail-based point systems.