Re: Getting a IIe online...

[spec@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article z008729b@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us (Martin Gruen) writes...
>
>  Talking to a friend of mine, she was annoyed that her funds to get her 
>into a PC didn't work out, and all she had was a lousy IIe, and how she 
>was told she couldn't get a modem or do email with it.  I set her 
>straight, but I'm not familiar with getting a IIe online (I went from a 
>II+ to a IIgs).
>
>  What kind of porting does it have in back 

    The only built-in ports on an Apple IIe are for a joystick/paddles
and inputs for casette storage, neither of use for telecommunications.

>or does it need an internal card or interface card for an 
>external modem?

    Yes.  You have two options though, the first would be a serial 
interface card which gives you an RS-232 port. The most common type
is Apple's Super Serial Card (SSC), although a handful of similar
boards were made (Applied Engineerings Serial Pro for example). If
you go this route, you'll also need a male-to-male DB25 straight-thru
cable, which should be available at most any computer shop. Any Hayes
compatible modem up to 9600 bps should connect to this setup (14.4k 
should work as well, but you may start losing characters).

    The other option is an internal Apple II modem card. Several
companies made them over the years, but the highest speed available
in this setup is 2400 baud. The advantage of an internal modem is it 
avoids the need for a serial card and cable.

>  I'm assuming that ProTerm 3.x would be the right piece of software.

    It's not the only option, but certainly the best. In order to run
ProTERM (any version) will require the Apple IIe is Enhanced, if not
your choice of terminal software will be much more limited. As well, 
the improved 80 columns firmware of the Enhanced IIe is a good idea if
your going to use a decent speed modem (the original firmware is rather
slow and could cause problems with screen updates). 

    I'd recommend at least a 2400 baud modem, this is usually fast
enough for working with e-mail and messages. You can pick up a used
external for something in the range of $5-$10.

Mitchell Spector
spec@vax2.concordia.ca