Guide to Getting on the Net with an Older Computer by: David "Doctor" Tuomi - July 29, 1997 DISTRIBUTION: This guide is available free of charge. This guide may be freely reproduced & distributed electronically or in hardcopy, provided the following conditions are met: 1) Please do not qualitatively modify the guide, and leave all copyright, distribution, and attribution information intact. Permission expressly granted for translation to other languages and conversion to other formats. 2) Any for-profit non-paper distribution (such as shareware vendor diskettes, CD-ROM collections, etc.) must be approved by the author (the time- and usage-based access fees of online services, bulletin boards, and network access providers are specifically exempted). 3) You may not charge a for-profit fee specifically for this guide, only for a collection containing the guide, with the exceptions of nominal copying charges and online usage fees, as exempted above. Table of Contents: 1 What is an "Old" computer. 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Models still in use 1.3 What isn't an "old" computer 2 How to Connect them 2.1 Connections 2.2 Modems 2.3 Cables 3 Software 3.1 Where to get it 3.2 User Groups 4 NET 4.1 Type of phone line 4.2 What are ISP's? 4.3 Service to Order from ISP 5 What to do On-line 5.1 How to use the account 5.2 What's available. Section 1 - What is an "Old" computer? 1.1 - Introduction It is difficult to define an old computer. In the computer industry an old computer is anything that has been released (since once it's out there it's obsolete). However, there are some generalities that this document is going to assume. First an old computer is likely to have been manufactured in the 1980's, during the first and second waves of the microcomputer revolution. During this period there were many different companies competing for your currency, each of them had their own slightly different way of doing things. The majority of these computers were based around 8-bit or 16-bit microprocessors, have small main memories, and limited graphical display capabilities. This is what is going to be focused on in this document. These computers can be connected to the Net, but their memory and display limitations pose special considerations for their users. There is also a question of software, since most of these early computers had software written for them in the pre-Internet days. 1.2 - Models Still In Use This begs the question of precisely which old computers are still being used. The answer is, if it's been manufactured, someone is probably still using it. Various manufacturers made computers during the early days, but they fall into major camps. These camps are: 8-bit Processors: 1) Commodore - Commodore Business Machines made a series of 8-bit computers starting with the PET in 1977 and continued in various degrees of compatibility until the release of the Commodore 128. The telecommunications capabilities were built in, but required either special adapters or direct-connect modems. 2) Atari - Atari Computers released various models of their 8-bit computer all of which were mostly compatible with each other. They had a serial connection peripheral (hooked to the same port as the disk drive) to connect modems. 3) CP/M - First wide-spread business DOS, used by various business computers in pre-MS-DOS days. It's based around the 8080 or Z80 microprocessor. The support for telecommunications is widely variable depending on the individual manufacturer. 4) Apple - The Apple II series of computers are STILL found in many public schools. They are hardy computers, with an excellent upgrade path. Still widely supported, this computer is probably the easiest to get stuff for. Serial ports were added as cards inside the computer. 5) TRS-80 - About as proprietary as computers can get,these computers were based around a Z-80, but used a custom DOS, custom connectors, and a built in (or sold with) screen. Still supported very reluctantly by the Tandy Corp. and their Radio Shack stores, this computer sold very well in the early 1980's to business environments looking for the solid support of a large corporation. 16-bit processors: 1) IBM PC - The machine that legitimized the microcomputer industry. It's actually hard to get support for. In this world of latest-greatest Pentium super computers, most people will recommend an upgrade rather than try to do any support. I've even heard people say that a computer with an 80386 processor can't get on the Net, which isn't true. As with all the machines mentioned in this document, you just have to not pay attention to what they say can be done, and just do it anyway. 2) Macintosh - Strictly speaking a 32-bit computer, but its release by Apple Computer in 1984 ushered in the era of GUI's and mouses. However, it's surprising that the early Mac models are difficult to get onto the net. Their screens, although high-res, are monochrome, and most software today demands color. Still, with a little industry, this computer can be easily used on the net. 1.3 - What isn't an "old" computer. Well, this document will judge what isn't an old computer by how much support it still gets. For example, all of the above computers, except the 16-bit microprocessor camps, have poor to negligible support. These machines are basically ones that if you tell a salesman what you're using, they'll ask you what model of IBM computer its equivalent to. These computers can be helped by this document. The 16-bit camp is there for two reason. Number one is for comparison since these two computers would set what we have now as a standard, but the second reason is because even though they're more standard, the support for them only rises to the moderate level. These are the computers that when you mention them to a salesperson they'll lead you to a new machine and start trying to convince you to "up-grade." What isn't an old computer is any PC-compatible model with an 80386 or later, any Mac model that has color capabilities, and, finally, Atari ST and Commodore Amiga computers which have devout support groups. But, with the passage of time, any of the computers mentioned as "not" being an old computer will become an old computer (Amiga & ST are practically there). Section 2 - How to Connect Them 2.1 Connections The first thing needed is a way of connecting the computer to a device for telecommunications. Most telecommunication devices you're likely to use to connect to the Internet will be modems. Although there are others (like ISDN adapters, null-connections, Ethernet, etc.) the POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) modem tends to be the friendliest that easiest way to bring the outside world into your computer. 2.2 Modems Modems are the best devices in the world. They are friendly to any computer, they don't care if you have an old CP/M Morrow MD-3 or a brand new Alpha Station, they'll work with anything that has a serial port When choosing a modem, its best to think about the computer you are going to be using it with. While what I said above is true, some thought in matching modems with computers should be done. The major reason is because modems come in different speeds. In fact the latest modems come at such a high rate of speed that it may be overkill for what your old computer can do. A modem that can go at a higher rate than your machine will still work, but it might be more bang than you need. Then again, if the modem is cheap, it might not be a problem. 2.3 Cables Small Selection of Early Computers & their Cable Connections Computer: Apple IIc Microprocessor: 65c02 Serial Connector: Standard DIN-5 Manufactured: Apple Computer Data Rate: 300-4800bps Diagram: 2 5 oOo 4 * = Outer Din Shield 3 o o 1 Pin Connections to Modem: * <------- Pro Gnd ------> 1 4 <------- Tx Data ------> 2 5 <------- Rx Data ------> 3 3 <------- DSR ------> 6 2 <------- Sig Gnd ------> 7 1 <------- DTR ------> 20 Computer: Apple IIe Microprocessor: 6502 Serial Connector: D-25 Manufactured: Apple Computer Data Rate: 300-9600bps Diagram: 1 13 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 14 25 Pin Connections to Modem: 1 <------- Pro Gnd ------> 1 2 <------- Tx Data ------> 2 3 <------- Rx Data ------> 3 6 <------- DSR ------> 6 7 <------- Sig Gnd ------> 7 20 <------- DTR ------> 20 Computer: Macintosh / Macintosh 512 Microprocessor: 68000 Serial Connector: D-9 Manufactured: Apple Computer Data Rate: 300bps-19.2kbps Diagram: 1 5 o o o o o o o o o 6 9 Pin Connections to Modem: 5 <------- Tx Data ------> 2 9 <------- Rx Data ------> 3 3 <------- Sig Gnd ------> 7 7 <------- CXR ------> 8 6 <------- DTR ------> 20 Computer: IBM PC/XT Microprocessor: 8088/8086 Serial Connector: D-25 Manufactured: International Business Machines and other "clone" manufacturers. Data Rate: 300-9600bps Diagram: 1 13 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 14 25 Pin Connections to Modem: 1 <------- Pro Gnd ------> 1 2 <------- Tx Data ------> 2 3 <------- Rx Data ------> 3 4 <------- RTS ------> 4 5 <------- CTS ------> 5 6 <------- DSR ------> 6 7 <------- Sig Gnd ------> 7 8 <------- CXR ------> 8 20 <------- DTR ------> 20 22 <------- RI ------> 22 Computer: IBM AT Microprocessor: 80188/80186/80286 Serial Connector: D-9 Manufactured: International Business Machines and other "clone" manufacturers. Data Rate: 300bps-38.4kbps Diagram: 1 5 o o o o o o o o o 6 9 Pin Connections to Modem: 3 <------- Tx Data ------> 2 2 <------- Rx Data ------> 3 7 <------- RTS ------> 4 8 <------- CTS ------> 5 6 <------- DSR ------> 6 5 <------- Sig Gnd ------> 7 1 <------- CXR ------> 8 4 <------- DTR ------> 20 9 <------- RI ------> 22 Computer: IBM PCjr Microprocessor: 8088 Serial Connector: 2x8 Molex Connector Manufactured: International Business Machines Data Rate: 300-4800bps Diagram: 87654321 a xxxxxxxx b xxxxxxxx 87654321 Pin Connections to Modem: b1 <------- Pro Gnd ------> 1 a4 <------- Tx Data ------> 2 a8 <------- Rx Data ------> 3 a3 <------- RTS ------> 4 a7 <------- CTS ------> 5 a6 <------- DSR ------> 6 b2 <------- Sig Gnd ------> 7 a5 <------- CXR ------> 8 a2 <------- DTR ------> 20 Computer: Commodore 64/128 Microprocessor: 6510/8510 Serial Connector: Proprietary (Requires User or Cartridge Port Adapter) Manufactured: Commodore Business Machines Data Rate: 300-2400bps (User Port on Commodore 64) 300-4800bps (User Port on Commodore 128) 300bps-38.2kbps (Swiftlink Model Cartridge Port Adapter) 300bps-57.6kbps (HART Model Cartridge Port Adapter 300bps-230kbps (Swiftlink II Model Cartridge Port Adapter) Diagram/Pin Connection to Modem: Cartridge Port Unit same as IBM AT User Port Unit same as IBM PC/XT Computer: Osborne 1 Microprocessor: Z-80 Serial Connector: D-25 Manufactured: Osborne Computers Data Rate: 300-9600bps Diagram: 1 13 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 14 25 Pin Connections to Modem: 2 <------- Tx Data ------> 2 3 <------- Rx Data ------> 3 4 <------- RTS ------> 4 7 <------- Sig Gnd ------> 7 Section 3 - Software 3.1 - Where to Get It The best thing to do is contact a local or national user group for your machine. They will usually have software that they can give out for a nominal fee. Once on the net, there are likely to be sources on FTP servers for your software needs, but when starting out its especially good to have the support of groups. 3.2 - User Groups {PLACE LIST OF USER GROUPS HERE} Section 4 - NET 4.1 - Type of Phone Line Any old phone line will usually do. You can use the same phone that you normally talk on, however, keep in mind that this will mean that the phone will be engaged when you're on-line (which means any callers who try to reach you will get a busy signal). And if you have call waiting (a feature where you hear a beep while on another call), well you'll get your call, but you'll lose your connection to the Net. So, if you're thinking you'll probably be using the Net frequently, you might should opt for a second line. If not then be sure to use the Net when you're less likely to be needing that phone call. Also, be sure you either shut off call waiting (or better yet not subscribe to it at all). Its considered rude (and you can cause problems) by just dropping out of the Net without properly disconnecting. 4.2 - What are ISP's? ISP's are Internet Service Providers. They are your gateway to the Internet. You will subscribe to a company in your area who will provide you with a connection to the Net. The prices depend on the type of service, but an older computer will usually not require a high end service, so you should be looking at somewhere between $10-$20US for the continental United States. 4.3 - Service to Order from the ISP This is important. For your old computer to function on the Net its going to need some help. It doesn't have large RAM, and doesn't have modern graphic capabilities. So, to do the job of using the Net you're going to rely heavily on your ISP. In particular, the type of connection service you order from your ISP. For older computers the best way onto the Net is through a shell account. The shell account will allow you to use the facilities of the ISP's computer to help your computer connecting the net. The shell account displays the information on the Net in a plain text, non graphical format which is easiest for the older computers to digest. It also provides utilities and programs that facilitate your use of the Net (and these are usually programs that newer computers have to have purchased for them). Section 5 - What to do on-line 5.1 - How to Use the Account Once you're on-line a shell account will usually be one of two things. Either the shell account will be just a UNIX shell prompt, or it will some kind of front-end program. If the shell is UNIX then its time to get a very basic book or FAQ on UNIX. This will show you how to use mail systems, usenet, and Lynx (text based World Wide Web program). If you have a front-end program, then cruising the net is as easy as scrolling down a menu or entering a single keystroke. Either way, your ISP should be able to lead you to more documents on how to use their shell access specifically. 5.2 - What's available Everything on the Net is available, even for the user of an older computer. The only difference you're going to encounter is on the World Wide Web. This network of information pages is very graphic intensive. The Lynx browser should be able to work with your older machine to allow you to display the text content of these pages. This works fine for most pages, but you might be missing something. If your computer does have graphic capabilities, then you might be able to download the pictures and view them off-line. You should talk to your User Group about this facility. However, for the majority of information on the Net, you'll be fine cruising with just Text. Even most of the Web pages still contain their information mainly in the text, so you should be okay.