Re: Apple II networking question

[mjmahon@aol.com (Michael J. Mahon)]

 wrote:Matthew Russotto

>In article <1gmybmn.vmpqv11gq885uN%email@DELETE_THIS.luddite.no-ip.com>,
>Simon Williams <email@DELETE_THIS.luddite.no-ip.com> wrote:
>>Eric Smith <eric-no-spam-for-me@brouhaha.com> wrote:
>>
>>> There is also a third network physical layer commonly used with Apple II
>>> and Macintosh computers, PhoneNet.  It is essentially LocalTalk over
>>> twisted pair telephone cable.
>>
>>I always thought that was LocalTalk... so what is the hardware
>>configuration for a _proper_ LocalTalk network?
>
>Shielded twisted pair with a 3-conductor round plug (one
>conductor unused).  Sometimes called DIN-3, I don't know if they
>really are.  The Localtalk boxes were self-terminating
>(mechanically removing the connectors connected up the terminator);
>PhoneNet required an extrernal terminator.

But making a big deal about the distinction of the mechanics of the
cable is bogus.  The hardware can't even tell the difference
between "PhoneNet" and "LocalTalk"--it's just a trademark and
connectorization distinction, not a technical difference.

-michael

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