
                  Running DOS BBSs under OS/2      (Fidonet)

                 Saturday, 16-Oct-1999 to Friday, 22-Oct-1999

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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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)
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