Anyone still using serial port modems or ISDN adaptors?

[olsen]

I am currently working hard to get a decent documentation for my Roadshow TCP/IP stack hammered out, tutorials and everything included.

Just right now I finished editing the chapter describing how one might use the PPP driver included to connect the Amiga to a dial-up Internet service, using a serial port modem or ADSL adaptor, and with a shudder felt like an old man to even remember how this stuff used to work

Now I am wondering whether fleshing out this particular chapter further will actually be useful. Setting up a working dial-up connection is very error-prone, and as these things go, if the setup doesn't immediately work for you, you are left to your own devices to figure out what went wrong. Given how many different things can go wrong, I could probably churn out oodles of "helpful" notes, but...

Are you still using your Amiga serial port to connect to the Internet? Or am I possibly wasting my time trying to get the Roadshow documentation right?

[dougal]

My god! Wow. I think the last time i used the Amiga's serial port with a modem was way back in 1995 - 1997 where i used to connect to BBS's using my humble A500 Plus.

I think i last used a dial-up to connect to the internet was around 4 or 5 years ago using a PC and a 56K modem because my ADSL was down for 2 days and my ISP gave me a temporary dial-up account.

[Karlos]

Are you still using your Amiga serial port to connect to the Internet? Or am I possibly wasting my time trying to get the Roadshow documentation right?

Nope, all my machines are plugged directly into the switch in my router.

[kolla]

Don't forget that "dialup" is also used to get online via cell phones, typically over bluetooth or serial/USB. For many amigas nullmodem is the only option, as there are no network cards around for them, I have used PPP over nullmodem (bluetooth wireless nullmodem) with my minimig quite recently.

[rockape]

Hi,

Yes my desktop A4000/PIV is still on Dia-Up.

This is my "back-up" Amiga if my Broadband goes down, which it has ... but rarely. (Good old BT)


I use UKU

See  http://www.uku.co.uk/

Quote

"Use of our internet service is free. Your telephone company will charge you local call rate - from just 1p per minute - while you are connected to our 0845 internet service.!


Beware !!!

The penny a minute tarrif was changed by BT to start at 7 PM week days as well as week ends.


Regards, Mick D.

PS.

I also use my sisters A1200 on Dial-Up when I visit my Mum, so 60 mins surfing, E-Mail and chat at the cheap rate = 60 pence.

[olsen]

Don't forget that "dialup" is also used to get online via cell phones, typically over bluetooth or serial/USB. For many amigas nullmodem is the only option, as there are no network cards around for them, I have used PPP over nullmodem (bluetooth wireless nullmodem) with my minimig quite recently.

The asynchronous serial PPP driver that's part of the package should be able to handle that just fine. It was part of the testing rig I constructed when I built the drivers, back in 2002.

From the feedback so far I am getting the impression that the PPP dial-up operations are still useful today, but are used very rarely, and typically by those who definitely know what they are doing

I was just getting worried about having to explain how PPP works, why you would want to avoid Van Jacobson compression (and what exactly that is in the first place), and all that pile of technical details which would have been spot on, and extremely relevant in 2001.

Looks like the basics will have to suffice, with the detailed technical reference text to take care of the pile of semi-obsolete details, for those inquiring minds who need to know

[scuzzb494]

Yes USRobotics Virgin Miami no problem Amiga 4000.... oh and telephone line.

[desiv]

I was online via serial last month, but it was using an external serial to ethernet adapter and using JRComm to connect to telnet BBSes.  ;-)

Yeah, I think you probably don't need to spend too much time on it, as those of us that still mess with serial pretty much know what we're doing or can help those who need it.

Then again, I'm so old and user-unfriendly, I remember thinking that "this new DNS thing" is a crutch and that if people can't remember the dotted quad, they didn't deserve to go to that site.  ;-)

desiv

[odin]

Better brush up on your memorising skills for IPv6 I guess ;-).

[desiv]

Better brush up on your memorising skills for IPv6 I guess ;-).

LOL...  :roflmao:
True!!!

desiv

[Thorham]

I know a guy who uses dial-up with his A1200 (his main machine).

[Amiduffer]

About 1 year ago, our office DSL service had a breakdown, and in order to get our morning update, I used my A3000, Term, and a 36k modem to phone into the system, download the file, and then use FinalWriter97 to print it.

[robo-ant]

Are you still using your Amiga serial port to connect to the Internet?

Yes.  I have only dial-up access at home.

Or am I possibly wasting my time trying to get the Roadshow documentation right?

IMHO, yes.  Those of us who still use serial modems have been doing so for ages and probably know our own way around enough to figure it out.

[marcfrick2112]

Only Dial-up here.. only miggy online is my 1200T w/ USR Sportster 56K (ooh, how un-impressive..)

I totally agree with robo-ant, those still using serial modems don't really need the help.....

Man, I remember calling a Methodist BBS on my C64, with a rockin' 300 baud modem.....:laughing:

[jsixis]

I went to ethernet a long time ago. I still have my US Robotics modem in case I ever move out in the stix again and like yourself the thought of getting that up and running is scary.