Re: More eBay madness

[Paul Guertin <pg@sff.net>]

mister_boffo@hotmail.com (Mister Boffo) wrote:

> On Wed, 03 Oct 2001 20:30:44 -0400, Paul Guertin <pg@sff.net> wrote:
> 
> >mister_boffo@hotmail.com (Mister Boffo) wrote:
> >
> >>  - Can I get on the Internet/web with [an Apple II]?
> >>     (Internet-very very hard with a unix shell. "What's that?")
> >>     (Web-forget it.)
> >
> >I object. If you've got a Unix shell on dialup, getting on the
> >Internet is just a matter of finding a serial card, a modem
> >and a comm program. Use mutt for email, trn for news, lynx for
> >web browsing, and telnet for everything else. On the Internet,
> >nobody knows you're using an 8-bitter.
> 
> Yeah, sure. Now explain this to JimBob Schmoe who wants to get his
> first computer from Goodwill.

I have. Well, the computer was an IBM PC-XT from my basement, not
an Apple II from Goodwill, but I have set up a computer-illiterate
person with an Internet connection, and explained the basics of
text-mode programs for email, news and web browsing in an afternoon.

A well-designed text-mode interfaces is just as easy to learn as a
GUI, contrary to a prevalent myth.

Paul Guertin
pg@sff.net