Running DOS BBSs under OS/2 (Fidonet) Saturday, 16-Oct-1999 to Friday, 22-Oct-1999 +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ From: Steve Hayes 15-Oct-99 17:41:17 To: All 17-Oct-99 00:15:02 Subj: Can one still buy a real modem? * Crossposted from: COMMS (Fidonet) I went to buy a new computer, and found when I looked at the documentation that it had been fitted with a Bill Gates Mickey mouse modem, that only works under Windows. I asked them to replace it with a real modem, and they then said that they could only give me an external modem. I don't really want an external modem - for one thing, they are more expensive, and for another thing I don't want yet another rat's nest of wires on my desk. But is what they say true? That one can no longer get internal modems - only ther Mickey Mouse ones that only work with Bill Gate's software? I want to run a BBS under OS/2, and perhaps later under Linux, and so I see no point in buying a crippled modem. What do other people who use OS/2 or Linux or even DOS do? Does everyone nowadays have external modems? Keep well, Steve Hayes E-mail: methodius@bigfoot.com shayes@dunelm.org.uk WWW: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/steve.htm ... BBSs for genealogy: http://www.geocities.com/7783/bbs1.htm --- WtrGate v0.93 Unreg * Origin: Unisa Editorial, Pretoria, Gauteng, RSA 27-12-429-8641 (5:7106/20) 772/1 +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ From: John Donohue 17-Oct-99 20:47:05 To: Steve Hayes 18-Oct-99 14:15:03 Subj: Can one still buy a real modem? SH> I went to buy a new computer, and found when I looked SH> at the documentation that it had been fitted with a SH> Bill Gates Mickey mouse modem, that only works under Windows. SH> I asked them to replace it with a real modem, and they SH> then said that they could only give me an external SH> modem. SH> I don't really want an external modem - for one thing, SH> they are more expensive, and for another thing I don't SH> want yet another rat's nest of wires on my desk. Take the modem and run.... SH> But is what they say true? SH> That one can no longer get internal modems - only ther It's getting harder SH> Mickey Mouse ones that only work with Bill Gate's SH> software? You're supposed to say "Thank you, Bill! For telling me where I can go today" :-( SH> I want to run a BBS under OS/2, and perhaps later under SH> Linux, and so I see no point in buying a crippled modem. SH> What do other people who use OS/2 or Linux or even DOS do? SH> Does everyone nowadays have external modems? Yes. (I use external modems with all of the above) Since Hayes went under, and USR was bought by 3Com, the choices are a lot more limited then they used to be, at least in terms of anything even remotely consumer priced. --- Maximus 2.02 * Origin: McAllen Memorial Library FidoNet (1:397/5258) 260/10 +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ From: Stephen Shoesmith 18-Oct-99 18:52:00 To: Steve Hayes 20-Oct-99 14:20:12 Subj: Can one still buy a real modem? -> I went to buy a new computer, and found when I looked at the documentation -> that it had been fitted with a Bill Gates Mickey mouse modem, that only -> works under Windows. -> -> I asked them to replace it with a real modem, and they then said that they -> could only give me an external modem. -> -> I don't really want an external modem - for one thing, they are more -> expensive, and for another thing I don't want yet another rat's nest of -> wires on my desk. -> But is what they say true? Not at all. I've just recently picked up a USR/3Com V.90 modem (internal) and as far as PCBoard and OS/2 are concerned, the modem works just like the USR Sportster V.34/V.FC 28.8 that I replaced (after 5 years of loyal bbs service I might add). I didn't have to install any drivers under OS/2. Just set the jumpers for the IRQ and COM port and go. The only complaint I have with the new boards is that highest com port setting you can get using the jumpers (i.e. not PNP) is COM2. But that can be solved either by taking the jumpers off the pins and configuring it using PNP (blech) or going with a USR Courier internal. But USR/3Com, Xoom, Practical Peripherals, and many other modem manufacturers still offer modems with on board UARTS. I.e. they don't need a special driver to run them. I would suggest telling the person who sold you your computer that he doesn't know what he is talking about. --- Stephen E. Shoesmith SysAdmin, MetroPlex Communications - Free Access To Information - 401.739.8118 Email: sysadmin@mtrplx.com or lone_wierdo@ids.net Fidonet: 1:323/1212 * Origin: MetroPlex - Warwick, RI - 401.739.8118 (1:323/1212) +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ From: Vince Coen 20-Oct-99 01:02:01 To: Steve Hayes 22-Oct-99 00:35:18 Subj: Can one still buy a real modem? Hello Steve! Friday October 15 1999, Steve Hayes writes to All: SH> I went to buy a new computer, and found when I looked at the SH> documentation that it had been fitted with a Bill Gates Mickey mouse SH> modem, that only works under Windows. SH> That one can no longer get internal modems - only ther Mickey Mouse ones SH> that only work with Bill Gate's software? There are still quite a few and one of the biggest is still the ex USR and now 3Com Courier. SH> I want to run a BBS under OS/2, and perhaps later under Linux, and so SH> I see no point in buying a crippled modem. SH> What do other people who use OS/2 or Linux or even DOS do? Many use the one above. SH> Does everyone nowadays have external modems? I must admit I prefer externals as they are easier to reset without turning off the PC and also for seeing the status lights (which for me is handy when you have multi line BBS etc). The Courier also works with OS/2 and Linux. Vince --- Maximus v3.01/GoldED/2 2.50+#10UK3 under OS/2 * Origin: Air Applewood; OS/2 Gateway to Essex +44-1279-792300 (2:257/609) 260/10 +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ From: Clive Brown 21-Oct-99 21:19:20 To: Steve Hayes 22-Oct-99 08:23:00 Subj: Can one still buy a real modem? Hello Steve! 15 Oct 99 17:41, Steve Hayes wrote to All, about Can one still buy a real modem?: SH> What do other people who use OS/2 or Linux or even DOS do? I use a Courier V.Everything under OS/2. SH> Does everyone nowadays have external modems? Yep! Regards Clive --- GoldED 2.50+ * Origin: Medway Sanitorium BBS, Strood, Kent +44-1634-710972 (2:440/601) 260/10 +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ From: Chris Martin 17-Oct-99 06:42:20 To: Steve Hayes 22-Oct-99 14:26:10 Subj: Can one still buy a real modem? Once upon a time, out on MARS. While reading the mail, wispering this: SH> * Crossposted from: COMMS (Fidonet) SH> I went to buy a new computer, and found when I looked at the documentation SH> that it had been fitted with a Bill Gates Mickey mouse modem, that only wor ks SH> under Windows. SH> I asked them to replace it with a real modem, and they then said that they SH> could only give me an external modem. SH> I don't really want an external modem - for one thing, they are more SH> expensive, and for another thing I don't want yet another rat's nest of wir es SH> on my desk. SH> But is what they say true? Absolutely NO! Zoom, and many others still offer internal modems that are NOT "Winmodems", and offer the jumpers or dip switches to configure them. Your dealer is way behind the times, or is only in it for the buck$. The manual config modems ARE slightly more expensive than the Win-Modems, since they have their own processors on the board, and do not use the CPU to emulate them. It is amazing how much manufacturing cost can be saved by having the OS and the CPU do most of the work... :) Chris Martin, marsbbs@gte.net * WCE 2.1G1/2419 * Me, indecisive? I don't think I am, do you? --- ViaMAIL!/WC4 v1.30 * Origin: From an Echo heard on MARS. Call to be transported. (1:219/308) 260/10 +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ +============================================================================+