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Is it possible to connect a Mac Plus to a BBS?

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Super12464

Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Messages
13
I just ordered a Macintosh Plus off of eBay (exciting), and was wondering if there's a way to connect it to a BBS. If so, what kind of software and hardware would I need to do it? I know that modems and AppleTalk exist for the Mac, but it seems like they are only used for local networking? I'm completely new to this stuff (I was born 11 years after the Plus hit the market, after all), so I have no idea what I'm doing - sorry if this is a stupid question!
 
With a modem, it is easy. Hook up the serial modem, dial the BBS number with software, and you are golden. IIRC, the Mac Plus can't do more than 9600 bps so you will probably have to set your modem at a lower speed. The cable you will need used to be very cheap, about $3. Current prices may differ. I know there was a lot of Mac communication software but I don't know it well enough to make a recommendation.

Ethernet and internet is rather complex. One such effort is at http://www.keacher.com/1216/how-i-introduced-a-27-year-old-computer-to-the-web/
 
krebizfan said:
With a modem, it is easy. Hook up the serial modem, dial the BBS number with software, and you are golden. IIRC, the Mac Plus can't do more than 9600 bps so you will probably have to set your modem at a lower speed. The cable you will need used to be very cheap, about $3. Current prices may differ. I know there was a lot of Mac communication software but I don't know it well enough to make a recommendation.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Do you know what kind of modem would I need to get? I imagine it'd be different than a later model modem. Then would I plug it into the networking port (the one marked with the engraved telephone)?
 
Super12464 said:
Thanks! Do you know what kind of modem would I need to get? I imagine it'd be different than a later model modem. Then would I plug it into the networking port (the one marked with the engraved telephone)?
Click to expand...

Any good quality external serial dial-up modem should work. Most modems allow you to select a slower speed. Most software would let you specify a top speed for each connection. 56k modems are probably much easier to find compared to the earlier slower modems. Just remember the limitations of the Mac Plus serial port or you will lose data if you try for too high a speed.

http://www.retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/m_modem.html has some information
US Robotics has some of their manuals (in PDF form) which describe how to hook their modems to a Mac including the 8pin to 25pin cable and switch settings. None of their manuals are as well illustrated for the Mac as for PC.
The process is simple but I can't find a good online tutorial with diagrams to minimize the chances of a mistake. If you have any third part books for the Mac written about 1990, check if there is a chapter on connecting to BBSes.
 
krebizfan said:
Any good quality external serial dial-up modem should work. Most modems allow you to select a slower speed. Most software would let you specify a top speed for each connection. 56k modems are probably much easier to find compared to the earlier slower modems. Just remember the limitations of the Mac Plus serial port or you will lose data if you try for too high a speed.

http://www.retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/m_modem.html has some information
US Robotics has some of their manuals (in PDF form) which describe how to hook their modems to a Mac including the 8pin to 25pin cable and switch settings. None of their manuals are as well illustrated for the Mac as for PC.
The process is simple but I can't find a good online tutorial with diagrams to minimize the chances of a mistake. If you have any third part books for the Mac written about 1990, check if there is a chapter on connecting to BBSes.
Click to expand...

Awesome, I should be able to figure it out now; just didn't know where to start! Thanks so much for the help!
 
Super12464 said:
Awesome, I should be able to figure it out now; just didn't know where to start! Thanks so much for the help!
Click to expand...

Hello Super12464. I was just wondering if you ever got your BBS up and running.

As I mention on the Armageddon BBS web page, the very first computer that I ever used was a Mac SE. That was at a job I was working at in 1990. Later, a friend of mine gave me a used Mac Plus. However, my very first personally-owned computer was an LC III in 1993, and as I explain on the aforementioned website, it was on that machine that I set up my first Hermes II BBS in 1993-1994. My first modem was a borrowed Apple 300-1200 baud modem, which I later upgraded to a 2400 baud modem, then to a 19200 modem, then to a 56K modem, then to DSL, and then to different levels of cable modem, which today is a 60MB connection.

In fact, I still run my Mac-based BBS to this very day under Mac OS X via SheepShaver. You can check it out at bbs.armageddonbbs.com, or armageddonbbs.com, or just use the IP address 202.128.4.177 if you like.

Believe it or not, but despite how old BBS technology is, I still get visitors, and have had over 500 unique registered users since I set up the BBS yet again in the Spring of 2015. Some are nostalgic Old School users, while others are curious young people. Some are one-time visitors, while others are repeat visitors.

Anyway, if you get your board up and running, and if it is suited for the general public -- no warez, porn, etc. -- let me know. Maybe I'll add you to my board's BBS list.

Take care.
 
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