[Coco] Internet/BBS connectivity via Coco1

[Derek]

I use a program called internetmodem to do what your talking about. You run the software on the Windows PC side, hook up the coco with a null modem cable to your PC's serial port. You can run a standard terminal software on the coco and telnet out to telnet bbs's, telnet MUD games using your coco. It will work with any older computer as long as it has a serial port and terminal software. Done the same using an Apple IIe , Atari St and Amiga. 

The software is freeware and can be found here

http://174.45.237.10:6502/Software/



 
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On Sunday, December 29, 2013 5:44 PM, Chris Oliver <chris.w.oliver at me.com> wrote:
 
All,

I am new to this list, and am very glad and humbled to be able to interact with such a storied group of Coco enthusiasts. The 4K Coco1 was my first computer -- back in 1983 when I was 11 years old.  It introduced me to gaming and programming -- and opened up a whole new world for me, which eventually led to my studying Computer Science in college and taking jobs since then with Sun Microsystems, SAP, and Apple.  When I turned 40 a couple of years ago, I wanted to reclaim some Coco nostalgia -- so I
 began piecing together a vintage system.  As things like this often go, my Coco collection has taken on a life of its own -- and I'm now getting to the point where I'm trying to find fun ways of integrating the old with the new, and getting the Coco to work within the structure of today's technology.

So in that vein: My question is about Internet and BBS connectivity options for the Coco.  It sure would be neat to be able run a Lynx-like browser on the Coco -- but also be able to connect to real or simulated BBS's that might still be out there on the Internet today.  And it would be *especially* neat to be able to do this using as much original hardware/software as possible.  Here is a listing of some vintage items that I have on-hand:

- Coco1 16K -- field upgraded (by me) to 64K
- Multi-Pak Interface
- Modem 1B (#26-1175)
- Deluxe RS-232 Program Pak (#26-2226) w/cable
- Direct Connect Modem Pak
-
 Videotex Program Pak
- Color Compac (on cassette) (#26-3330)

In addition to the vintage items, I have:

- (soon to arrive) One of Mark Blair's CoCoEpromPak boards, modified by Chad Hendon and flashed with the DW3, DW3DOS, and CoCoNet ROMs
- DriveWire cable
- late-2012 iMac (which currently functions as my DW server)

Here is what I don't have: an old rotary phone, and land line service at home (I went to mobile-only years ago).

Given all these various ingredients: Are there ways to use the 1B, the Direct Connect Modem Pak, Videotex, etc. in live situations, perhaps via simulated dial tone from the Mac or some other device?  And are there still some BBS services out there that could be reached?  It would be so much fun to get this old dialup equipment "live" -- just not sure how possible this is today.

Thanks to all for any guidance!  And again, it's such a pleasure being on this forum and
 interacting with you.

Regards,

Chris

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