+++
title = "Index"
author = ["John Goerzen"]
slug = "index"
tags = ["public"]
draft = false
+++

## Welcome to Open Kermit!

Open Kermit is home to the continuing development of [C-Kermit](ckermit), a
communications package.  It has a text UI, a portable [scripting
language](scripting) (similar in concept to the shell, but with built-in
screen-scraping automation like expect and built-in file transfer), an
implementation of the Kermit file transfer protocol protocol, network client and
server, serial port interface, [BBS client](ckermit/bbs), and more.  Kermit runs
on hundreds of platforms, from the long-dead computers of the 1970s, pocket
calculators of the 1990s, and  modern desktop and mobile OSs.

Kermit has been around since 1981.  Open Kermit is the third project to continue Kermit in that time.  Kermit began at Columbia University, then there was the Kermit Project.  After the retirement of one of Kermit's founders after 44 years, Open Kermit is carrying it forward.  For more, see [Kermit history](history).  Somewhat uniquely, the websites for all three projects remain online, offering a snapshot into the history of Kermit.

Here are some starting points:

- [Getting Kermit and Downloads](downloads), including links to Github source and binaries.  This will guide you to downloads for both modern and historical platforms.
- [Documentation](doc)
- [Getting Started: Intro and Tour](ckermit/intro)
- [Support and Forum](support)
- [History and Mirrors](history)
- [Contributing](contributing)

As its name implies, you are invited to [contribute to Open Kermit](contributing).

Open Kermit is managed by [John Goerzen](https://www.complete.org/john-goerzen/).