Hotline software combines FTP, IRC, and News style protocols into is own proprietary protocol and software package.

Latest news on the Hotline:

The original owners, Hotline Communications Inc, went out of business several years ago. A new group of people bought the remnants and formed a new company, HotSprings Inc. They have continued development of the hotline software and released a new version of the Hotline Client and Server, which can be downloaded below.

Update 12/29/2007:  Thanks to a reader, I've fixed the links to download the Hotline software below.  Issue was a .htaccess redirect problem.  Downloads have been restored.

Update 08/21/2007:  Hotsprings Inc. appears to have gone under.  I have occasionally seen the official server (hlserver.com) online.  I am unaware of who is the owner or if the company has transferred ownership to a new entity.  As for the status of their client, I am unaware of any official versions that have been released, other than the source code. 

Where can I download the software?

You can download the client and server software from this site:

Where can I find documentation?

Hotline Communications created documentation for their client and server software. Note that the documentation is out of date, but some of the information should still be relevant.

What servers should I check out:

Check out HotSpring's official server at: hlserver.com. You can get the most recent hotline software from there. They also have tutorials for the client and server to help you get started. If you set up your own Hotline server, send me some e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Nailbat.com Hotline Server

Status: DOWN
Formerly known as Audi0phile Central Inc.

Nailbat.com Hotline Tracker

Status: UP
Please point your clients and servers to tracked.nailbat.com or hotline.kicks-ass.net or saddle.dyndns.org or pltracker.dyndns.org.
There is NO password to register servers on the tracker.
This tracker supports Hotline servers only! Please point your KDX servers elsewhere.

By accessing the tracker, you agree to the tracker terms of service here.

Hotline Related Links

For a complete listing of Hotline trackers, visit Tracker-tracker.com. They have a complete list of Hotline trackers, the status of the tracker, and servers listed on them. This site also has a file searching tool which will search Hotline Servers for what you want.

Once you get your server up, check this site out for easy editing of user profiles in Linux using the GTK+ user interface.

hcadmintool is another program to edit your hotline accounts, view logs for windows.

Do you have a hotline server and an IP address that changes (i.e. dynamic IP address)? And is a static IP address from your ISP too much money? Then you need to use DynDns service. Their service binds your IP address to like yourname.dyndns.org. Very good so your users always know your server's address.

Check out Hotline Netstrangler. It allows server admins to bandwidth manage uploads and downloads. For PC, Mac, and Linux/Unix admins.

MHXD is the conglomeration of several Unix/Linux clones of the official Hotline software. The MHXD package includes a server, client, and tracker for those using linux or unix. I have used MHXD in the past and have found it very stable and updated frequently. Definately not for someone who is not somewhat linux savvy.

Alternative windows hotline tracking software. Many improvements over the original hotline tracker software. Runs on Windows 2000/XP only.

Another company is making a download-only client like Hotgrabber, called HotFind and PitBull. Check them out here.

Haxial is a file sharing app similiar to Hotline written by the infamous Adam Hinkley, ex employee of the original Hotline company. Check it out.

Salon.com did an interesting article back in 1999 about Hotline Communications, file sharing, and the community.

Salon.com continued their article about Hotline here. The story talks about Adam Hinkley and his fight against the company he founded.

Check out this site for an archive of the original Hotline software mailing list. See how Hotline was shaped.