I Made a Discord Client for Vintage Macintosh (System 7 - OS 9)
Posted by SDogAlex@reddit | retrobattlestations | View on Reddit | 81 comments
I’m happy to announce the release of MacinCord, a native Discord client for Classic Macintosh, System 7 through OS 9, compatible with 68k and PPC.
Text messaging, voice chat, image viewing, file uploads, DMs, threads - all running on your vintage Macintosh through a relay server on your modern computer.
This is a for sale software with a 3-day trial. For more information, downloads, purchasing, bug reports & suggestions, please visit https://oldapplestuff.com/macincord/
Note about Discord TOS:
It is technically against TOS to use third-party clients, however, the app is coded to pull/match the current Discord build number and web headers so it looks as if it’s just being accessed from a modern web browser.
This, along with the fact there have been no reported bans for applications such as Discord Messenger, Ripcord and Discord Lite, makes me confident there will be no issues with using this application. Discord isn’t after people using clients that act like regular clients, they’re after the people using clients that enable spam and abuse.
More info about this is mentioned in the disclaimer on the store page.
Thanks everyone, enjoy!
FAMICOMASTER@reddit
Why was I not informed of this immediately? Now I gotta try this. OS 9 is my favorite operating system of all time, so this really works out for me and my G3. Actually, it might even give some life to my Quadra 950. Demands a RAM upgrade, it seems.
Additionally, I would wish for the ability to run this on a Plus (or more specifically SE), but I totally understand why that might not be in the cards.
The website lists OpenTransport 1.1 via Ethernet, wifi, etc. but has anyone tested this over homelab dialup?
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
I just got a homelab dialup setup! I’ll test and let you know.
For the Macintosh Plus, I’ll look into what can be done for making it compatible. Can the plus run 7.1 with OpenTransport? Given it has 4MB RAM?
FAMICOMASTER@reddit
Oh nice, me too! I have full v.92 capability. Hoping to get an upgrade to v.120 someday soon.
I think it can run 7.1 with 4 megs, sure. I have an SE FDHD myself
RevolutionaryDot5885@reddit
works on my powerbook 180, though it takes a few days to load all the messages..
DramaticProtogen@reddit
Paid lmao
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
I have reconsidered and it is now free with the relay open-sourced.
DramaticProtogen@reddit
Thanks, I've starred the repo. Really interesting project, I'll look through the code later to learn how it works
stochastyczny@reddit
Paid and supported is better than free and unsupported
kY2iB3yH0mN8wI2h@reddit
What makes you think it’s supposed if op is just taking your money 🤣
stochastyczny@reddit
I never thought a retro sub of all places would be full of ungrateful children
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
Literally me too man, like these computers aren’t cheap and you’re whining about $15 for a program that was hard to implement and didn’t exist for said computers? My time ain’t free people
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
If you even looked at my website you’d see I am currently supporting 3 vintage software solutions. Two free, this one paid. I have forums setup for bug reports, suggestions, and make my email public for 1:1 support.
And no, I’m not just “taking your money”, I’m selling a product that was pretty hard to implement given the limitation, with support for years to come.
You don’t know me, my thoughts, or my plans. Stop assuming, it makes you silly.
DramaticProtogen@reddit
there's no guarantee that this will stay supported and it's not open source so if it gets abandoned you can't fix it yourself
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
In the event I stop supporting it, yes, I would open source it. I plan to continuously support it for decades though.. that's kinda the point of keeping retro alive.
stochastyczny@reddit
It's true for all software. Do you buy software at all?
DramaticProtogen@reddit
Nope
stochastyczny@reddit
15 bucks is almost free, there aren't many good programs with price this low. Many software companies just switched to subscriptions only or subscription-based paid add-ons.
Ripcord is 20 but no updates since 2021. mIRC is 20.
DramaticProtogen@reddit
15 bucks is almost free for some people, but not for me :)
Another_mikem@reddit
So you want people to pay you to use a client banned by the TOS and risk their account? Look, it seems like you built something cool, but I can’t be the only one to be scratching my head at you trying to monetize something you shouldn’t be.
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
I have reconsidered and it is now free with the relay open-sourced.
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
I’ve done extensive research before monetization and come to the conclusion it’s safe to use third party clients that do not enable spam or abuse. Discord staff on X and Hackaday comments have said they only focus on spam/abuse clients. Monetization brings no extra risk. Be realistic, Discord isn’t gonna ban anyone for using a client on a 30 year old computer.
Another_mikem@reddit
And yet you appear to leave your customers in the cold according to your own terms (which is comical given the product you’re selling).
The fact is, you don’t know what discord is going to 1, 3, 6 months down the road. I agree that I don’t think they will look for users using a retro client, but it’s more likely to be some big ban hammer and they get caught up in it.
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
How could I not "leave customers in the cold" when it's up to Discord? I have no say over what they do...
I will change the terms to allow a refund if you prove your account was banned for using my software, but again, I really don't see this happening. I'm using my Discord account I've had since 2015 on it, I'm not worried at all. Check back with me in a year and I'll make sure to prove you wrong ;)
Another_mikem@reddit
So they still lose their account but might get their $15 back…. The question then becomes is their account worth $15 to do something niche.
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
And that’s completely up to the user. There was no option before, now there is. No Discord solution here wouldn’t violate TOS. No point arguing this any longer, obviously you are not interested, or just salty you can’t use it for free
Another_mikem@reddit
Yeah right, I’m upset I can’t get banned from discord for free 🙄
AppendixN@reddit
Relax, if you don't want to buy it, just don't.
$15 is a McDonalds meal these days. I appreciate the creator making this. I paid a lot more for software in the 1980s, and I'm not even talking about adjusted for inflation dollars.
Not everything on the internet is free. Scroll past if you don't like it.
(Just bought it, thanks u/SDogAlex )
Another_mikem@reddit
Or I can comment, because this is a reddit and I have concerns this is not beneficial to the retro community.
Had he chose to make a client to an open platform - that would be a completely different situation. However, he didn’t and here we are.
AppendixN@reddit
So make your own, then. Better to light a candle than curse the darkness, after all.
Another_mikem@reddit
What a weird thing to say….. even if I “made my own” it wouldn’t change the concerns I listed.
AppendixN@reddit
You're upset that it even EXISTS?
Another_mikem@reddit
What are you talking about? Who’s upset? It won’t be my account that gets banned or my $15 that evaporates into thin air. It is irresponsible and should be called out as such.
It’s also not me who will have to deal with discord if they decide to fire off a c&d.
nuudul2@reddit
yeah. i feel like the effort could have been better spent on making a decent irc, xmpp or matrix client instead. or another type of communications software.
Gammarevived@reddit
Making this paid is very petty, and I'm 100% sure is illegal.
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
I have reconsidered and it is now free with the relay open-sourced.
jrwil@reddit
Seriously, illegal in what way? I'm amazed at everyone downvoting a software developer charging for software
Morinth39@reddit
If you do not wish to pay the developer either don’t use it and/or make your own client?
Why must everything be free?
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
Not sure how $15 is petty when you've got no idea the work that went into this, especially with DAVE E2EE being required as of last month. Discord doesn't say anywhere that you can't sell software that uses their API, not sure how this is illegal in any sense. Discord has never sued a third-party developer.
Gammarevived@reddit
Ok sure I get it, but making people pay money to risk their account possibly getting banned in the future just doesn't seem right.
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
After the light of reading all these comments, I agree. I've decided to update the license to include a refund policy in the event your account is banned due to the use of my software.
lilmul123@reddit
I think it’s cool but charging for it is not smart. You’ve already admitted it’s against the TOS, and since you’re profiting off what is really someone else’s work, they could send you a cease and desist.
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
I have reconsidered and it is now free with the relay open-sourced.
jrwil@reddit
You build it! Then get back to us about that.
lilmul123@reddit
Okay? I certainty could, but I’m not interested enough to do it. And I definitely wouldn’t charge for it.
OP has said that he is an unemployed software engineer, and he is trying to make some money this way, but a project like this isn’t the right approach.
jrwil@reddit
Not the right approach ... if you built it. OP built it. Since you could build it, you can appreciate the effort it took. Maybe I don't understand how this profits off someone else's work. Can you explain?
lilmul123@reddit
To start, his effort presents itself as a different client which is expressly forbidden by the Discord TOS. They do not allow anyone to do this, and if they determine someone is doing it, they ban their account. Read the other stories of this happening to other Discord users who used alternative clients. Then on top of that, he’s trying to sell it. So not only is he doing something that is against the TOS, he’s trying to sell it, which legally monetizes their platform for OP’s benefit.
To be clear, I’m not against the TOS part. I figure no harm, no foul. If he makes this client and gives it away, it takes nothing from Discord. But OP didn’t create his own online chat server system, he’s making use of theirs, and so they would be well within their rights to take some kind of legal action.
jrwil@reddit
OK. There is concern this thing can get you banned from Discord. That's legitimate. Who gives a shit about Discord TOS? It's not the Pledge of Allegiance. People have different risk tolerance. OP purports to have an informed grasp of this risk, maybe the most informed on thread. Discord could send a cease and desist letter, OP probably would, and that's where it would end. That would mean a $550 million company put a boot on an indie developer making something for 35 people, and the joke would be on us. OP stakes reputation, and good for them. People deserve to be paid for their work. No one has to buy.
Satanicube@reddit
On top of that I’m not sure how well it compares but I know dosdude1’s Discord Lite already exists and is free. Haven’t used ir in a hot minute though but it worked fine on some of my OS 9 Macs last I remember.
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
As far as I'm aware, Discord Lite is for OS X, not OS 9. Discord Lite also does not support voice.
Satanicube@reddit
Yeah, I might be misremembering. It’s been a long time and I used it for like, a second before bouncing off because it was a neat novelty but I couldn’t see myself using it long term.
Another_mikem@reddit
Would probably make more money with a tip jar….
Content_Chemistry_44@reddit
Hmmmmmm, no source code available...
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
It is now
CrazyComputerist@reddit
This is absolutely amazing, but unfortunately I've had two Discord accounts banned in the past, which I am very confident occurred because of using Ripcord.
Both times I was banned, it was for something like "botting/suspicious usage", and it happened immediately following the leaving of a server, as if that action in particular triggered some sort of bug with Ripcord, which in turn triggered an automatic account ban.
Couple this with the fact that I never did anything otherwise suspicious or against the rules, and the fact that I had zero issues/bans before using Ripcord or since I stopped using Ripcord, and I'm extremely confident that using Ripcord was the cause. Maybe not directly, but at the very least because of a Ripcord-specific bug which by extension triggered an automatic account ban, which put me off of ever using a third-party client again.
carcenomy@reddit
Discord is a ridiculous thing, their support is non-existent but they're happy to take your money... send it back where it came, IRC still works fine.
TrannosaurusRegina@reddit
Or Matrix, if you want to actually use something near feature parity!
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
Very good to know, currently there is no implementation of joining/leaving servers and I'll make sure to leave that out.
Thanks for the kind words regardless, and definitely agreed with it being on Discord for disallowing third party clients. Pretty lame of them, especially if they don't have anything to do with spam/abuse
numberrJ@reddit
I'm once again reminded that no matter how cool a subreddit is, it is unfortunately still filled with redditors. OP this is tuff as hell and $15 is a fine price to charge
schenkzoola@reddit
I’m still not going to use discord but a cool implementation nonetheless.
Did you need to solve SSL timeout issues due to slow hardware? If so, what method did you use?
kY2iB3yH0mN8wI2h@reddit
You think vintages computers handle modern TLS??
schenkzoola@reddit
Not usually until you get into the pentiums. I was wondering if OP came up with something novel in that regard.
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
SSL is handled on a modern computer via a relay
kY2iB3yH0mN8wI2h@reddit
Deleting my post is an interesting way saying we run Reddit 😂🤣😂🤣😂
PhantomKernel@reddit
Vibe coded?
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
I wish it was that simple!
Slight_Walrus_8668@reddit
Neat. I built something like this in real basic a while ago called it Disclassic. Might finish it, thanks for reminding me
2kan@reddit
Cool but irc would have been better
cch123@reddit
Wow, insane :). Great job!
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
Thank you :)
RetroGameMaker@reddit
I love it when someone builds something useful on vintage computers. Bravo! This is elite
SDogAlex@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
FallenBehavior@reddit
I heard the boot ROM popped a capacitor. 👀
ciprule@reddit
I love the idea, it looks fantastic.
I’ve had issues using third party clients with discord, so I wouldn’t even give the trial a chance. It would make a fine chat terminal for the PowerBook I have on the desk, though…
King_Corduroy@reddit
Omg that's cool as FRICK
DamienCIsDead@reddit
This is awesome and I'd love to use it on my LC II, but I'm definitely not paying for something that is essentially a novelty, compounded with the non-zero percent risk of getting my account banned.
stochastyczny@reddit
I see nothing wrong with it if you mention that it's against TOS. I don't understand people who want software like this for free, we don't even have good (and native) options on Windows.
cryptocurrency_wife@reddit
this is pretty cool lol
IngsocInnerParty@reddit
This almost, almost makes me want to use Discord. Very cool.
Then-Adhesiveness-70@reddit
You could do one for Zulip
Lonely-Artist5371@reddit
Now Mac it mine btc
thebahle@reddit
Effin love this, so completely unnecessary and yet you created a masterpiece. I miss that series of Mac OS