Re: Simple Questions from non-Apple ][ user

[dcrutch@iglou.iglou.com (Dan Crutcher)]

schroede@eagle.sangamon.edu (Ray Schroeder) writes:

>(they have no time during the school day to get on line).  It happens
>that each of the schools has a number of Apple ][ computers gathering

What kind of Apple IIs? I will assume Apple IIe's (enhanced). Your 
choices will be limited if they are not enhanced (you can tell by booting 
them up. If the first splash screen says "Apple //e" they're enhanced; if 
it says "Apple ][e" they're not). If it's an Apple ][ or ][+ (pre-IIe) it 
gets a little more difficult to find good and actively-supported software.

>1)  What is a good cheap communications software program that will run
>on the Apple ][?  How much does it cost (approx)?   Where can I get it?

ProTerm (current version is 3.1) is the best choice. About $90. TIC (Talk 
is Cheap) is reliable; I think it's about $40 or $50. There are some 
freeware/shareware telecom programs for the IIe, but I don't know enough 
about them to recommend. Maybe someone else will.

>2)  I guess that one must use an external modem?  Any advice on a
>decent, cheap external modem for this purpose?  How much?  Where?

There are internal modems (Datalink, by Applied Engineering, is one), but 
you would do better to go with external. You should be able to find 2400 
bauds for $50 to $75. Any Hayes-compatible should do. Supras work well. I 
have a Packard-Bell 2400 that does fine.

>3)  I understand that a special cable is required to get to the serial
>port on Apple ][ machines.  What is the cable?  How much does it cost?
>Where can I get it?

There is no serial port on Apple IIe's. They need a Super Serial Card 
(Apple brand or clone), which then provides a port. The cable is a 
standard serial-to-modem cable for a II. The Apple IIGS _does_ have a 
serial port built and would use a different cable, if you happen to have 
any of those.

For parts and information, call AllTech at 800-995-7773 (cheaper) or 
Quality Computers at 800-777-3642 (more comprehensive).

Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask for more help.



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