Re: Ethernet Modems

["Terry Olsen" <tolsen64@hotmail.com>]

I have had my BBS online using the method you talk about.  I even wrote my 
own program to bridge the serial port and the telnet port.  See 
http://fire.prohosting.com/tolsen64/ .  Although they took my downloadable 
files offline, the information is there.  Also look at 
http://boycot.no-ip.com/boycotbbs/

Two problems I have with the software solution (at least in windows, I don't 
know how to program in Linux) is that you can't do file transfers.  This 
device will allow file transfers.  Also, it won't depend on another computer 
running all the time to make the connection.  If you want to see a bbs 
online using a router, check out tloc.antsinthepants.com running on port 
9999.  File transfers work great on this system.

And as for the cost...how many tanks of gas was a USRobotics 9600HST modem 
back when it was $400 for the modem and $.89 for a gallon of gas???  It was 
just a hobby back then also...


> $150! Hmm. Let's see. You can buy an old '486 computer with an ethernet 
> card
> and a serial port for, say, $10? You could run Linux or even good ole' DOS
> on it (makes it harder because it doesn't have native networking built in,
> let alone TCP/IP). Connect your old Apple II to the PC with a NULL modem.
> And what's left to do is write a small Linux or DOS program that takes
> commands and data from the serial port and does all what the above does.
>
> It might even be done as a small application that runs under Windows on 
> your
> main computer, using your main Internet connection. A small background
> application that runs in the taskbar together with your other 
> applications.
> It will hardly eat any system resources (CPU power, memory).
>
> You could buy a lot of Apple 2's for $150 :). It's still just a hobby. 
> $150
> buys me 4 full tanks of gasoline.
>
> PeterV
>
>