BBS

[dw]

I'm not sure what sparked it, but I was just thinking about how far we've come in the last decade. I remember dialing-up with my brand new 2400 baud modem to local BBSes. There were hundreds around, one for each topic or genre, and the big ones had three or four modems so four whole people could be online at once. It's truly amazing how far we've come, being connected to the internet 24-7. Gone are the days of pulling out the World Book Encyclopedia and in it's place, Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page).

The ironic part is I'm the computer geek who doesn't believe in computers. While I obviously use and support the use of computers in some applications, I think we've gone too far. The whole online grocery shopping thing, for example. And although I know one couple married from Match.com, and another dating, I'm against the realm of online socializing. (Yes, I realize this probably constitutes online socializing, but I'm talking about one-on-one, meeting people through the web, IM, etc...) There are certain things we should be required to leave the house for. Computers can make many things more efficient, but we're human. Some things should stay "human" and inefficient. I'm still undecided on books-on-iPod, podcasts, and blogs -- not that anyone cares.

Now that I've got that off my chest, I'm going to go back to surfing until my girlfriend yells at me again. ;)

[Mac]

Yep, it really is amazing how far it's come. I remember the 2400 baud dial-up modems and BBS'es well in pre-internet days....WWIV was the most common software around here, but a few went to Searchlight. I really got used to WWIV, was able to do ASCII macros with flashing text and all the cool uber-geeky stuff like that. :badgrin: When I got my first internet account, most everything was still text-based, and ANY kind of spam led to a major flaming. Having a ".com" account meant you were a newbie loser, as most internet access was through .edu, .mil or .org domains at the time. The 'web was still all text-based, and Usenet was very popular (how many people these days even know what Usenet IS???)

Even though I complained in another thread about computers being the blight of vocabulary and spelling, I love them and spend way too much time on them. But I do agree that we've gone too far in some ways.....the cyber-dating thing still seems weird and pretty desperate to me. IMs and e-mail are MUCH better than "snail mail" for communications, but I'm not into webcamming or internet phone service. Books on iPod are no different than books on tape, which have been around for many years - but I'd much rather READ a book than listen to it. Blogs, from the vast majority I've seen, are the domain of people who have no life and just want an outlet for their nonsensical (and often quasi-maniacal) musings.

[dw]

Mmmmmm.... Telllllnet. I remember checking my UC Davis email (had to use dial-up, no ethernet in the dorm rooms) with a telnet, text-based client. I can't remember the name and it's driving me crazy.

[Mac]

Mmmmmm.... Telllllnet. I remember checking my UC Davis email (had to use dial-up, no ethernet in the dorm rooms) with a telnet, text-based client. I can't remember the name and it's driving me crazy.
It was probably either pine or elm - they were two of the more popular *NIX-based e-mail clients. Either of those ring a bell?

[dw]

Pine! Thanks. I can sleep now. :cool:

[redhead]

You mean DSL hasn't been around forever? ;) I was just talking to my co-worker today, as he was surfing the web while we worked, I commented on "back in the old days (4 years ago)" we were still on dial up at work. Ugh. Those days sucked.

My old housemate met one guy off of Match.com and they are getting married next year. Crazy days we live in........


And Mac, as you stated in the "other" thread, I have noticed, actually while filing out my BI packet, how much I have to "think" when writing by hand, where is while typing, it all flows together. I notice that I actually seem to slow down my thought process since my hand can not move at the pace my mind is moving at.......note to self, practice handwriting before Feb academy(crossing fingers).

[Your Mentor]

I have nightmares about returning to dialup. I wake in a cold sweat and feel the immediate urge to projectile vomit. Sometimes I do vomit. My uncle lives in the sticks and can't get dsl or cable. He lives in a dial up hell and my aunt refuses to consider satellite broadband. I weap for him.

[Dipmo]

He lives in a dial up hell and my aunt refuses to consider satellite broadband. I weap for him.

My brother had the same problem with his wife. He threatened to leave (and only half jokingly I think) and got his satellite. Now it's getting to be all about "Nextnet" out in the sticks. I used it at my in-laws and it was a pretty sweet set-up.

[dw]

My uncle lives in the sticks and can't get dsl or cable. He lives in a dial up hell and my aunt refuses to consider satellite broadband. I weap for him.

Your uncle lives in the sticks? Have you looked out your front door lately? ;) Seriously, I'm surprised you have broadband up there. I'd think you'd have to use satellite.

[Your Mentor]

Yeh, ain't it sweet. I live on a friend's alfalfa farm and I get the sweet reward of broadband. Again, I weep for my uncle's plight. He lives in an area with old utility lines and I guess the phone company won't upgrade. Farm areas, like the one where I live, are always well equipped with utilities.

[HwyChaser]

My uncle lives in the sticks and can't get dsl or cable. He lives in a dial up hell and my aunt refuses to consider satellite broadband. I weap for him.

That is my situation right now. I called the cable company, they said I live too far off the road to install cable (450'). I even told them I would put the conduit in the ground my self. I didnt think so many people had cable or DSL. Man, I need Direcway or something.:sad:

[Mac]

I have DSL at home, and cellular internet on my laptop. In the areas that support maximum transfer rates, the cellular broadband is actually faster than DSL! Once you get used to broadband, using a dial-up connection is A-G-O-N-I-Z-I-N-G!!! I couldn't even imagine what it would be like to go back to one of our old 2400 baud modems!

[Your Mentor]

HwyChaser,
There's an officer in Dorris who is selling his Directway equipment since he switched to DSL. I'm pretty sure he still has it. I was trying to get my uncle to buy it but my aunt threatened to bury him in the garden if he spent any money on satellite. Email me and I'll get you in touch with this guy. You'll save a ton if you buy the equipment used and then just have the service hooked up.

[Your Mentor]

Mac,
I use my cell phone as a modem from time to time; when I'm away from home but it's really slow. What is this cellular internet you mentioned? What company?

And you're right. When I visit my aunt and uncle I use their computer and can't get anything better than a 21K connection. I click the mouse and then go mow the lawn. It's so frustrating you want to scream or stick a fork in your eye just out of boredom.:mad:

[Dipmo]

Check out nextnetwireless.com. They supply companies such as clearwire for wireless high speed access. Really cool stuff if you have not seen it yet.

[Mac]

Mac,
I use my cell phone as a modem from time to time; when I'm away from home but it's really slow. What is this cellular internet you mentioned? What company?

It's through Verizon Wireless, the plan is called "National Access/Broadband Access". It uses a PC card broadband modem, so no need to even hook your cell phone up to your laptop. If you're in one of the areas served by "Broadband Access" (usually in metropolitan areas or airports), it's lightning-fast. If not, you can still use the "National Access", which is STILL considerably faster than dial-up. Nice thing is, you have internet access just about anywhere there's cell phone coverage. You can find some info about it here: http://dts.vzw.com/faqs/VZAccess/faq_natlbrdbandaccess.html