PETSCII

PETSCII is the character set Commodore built into its 8-bit computers, starting with the PET 2001 in 1977. It is based on an early version of ASCII, with extra characters added for drawing.

What makes it different

• Graphic characters right on the keyboard: lines, corners, blocks, card suits and shading

• Two character sets: upper case with graphics, or lower and upper case

• Control codes that clear the screen, move the cursor, switch on reverse video and, on the C64, change colour

Why it matters to a BBS

Because those codes are just characters, a Commodore BBS can send colour and pictures down a slow modem line as plain text, and the caller's machine draws them as they arrive. That is exactly what this board does. Every screen you see here is PETSCII.

PETSCII art

Artists still draw with these characters, and the demoscene holds PETSCII art competitions to this day.