ANTIC VOL. 5, NO. 4 / AUGUST 1986 / PAGE 6
In keeping with our online theme, Antic is only answering telecommunications
questions in this issue's I/O Board. General responses return next month.
BAUD VS. BPS
They're essentially the same. BAUD is a unit of signal speed used in communications, usually bits per second (BPS). Transmission at 300 BAUD is roughly equivalent to 300 characters per minute. The term is derived from the last name of J.M.E. Baudot, a nineteenth century Frenchman who developed the Baudot code for telegraph transmision. This was covered in the August, 1985 Antic, page 12. - ANTlC ED
STINKY SOFTWARE
You're not condemned to use the software packaged with any modem. It's usually included by manufacturers as a courtesy to get you started online. For the MPP, go to the Atari 8-bit SIG on CompuServe, type BRO/KEY MPP and download the file listed as MSCOPE.XMO-the version of TSCOPE for MPP modems. It's also available from the Antic Catalog ($10, PD040). A version of AMODEM for MPP modems can be found online under AMOMPP.XMO. Backtalk also works with the MPP ($19.95, Antic Catalog, AP154). - ANTIC ED
BBS QUEST
The best place to look for BBS numbers is on a BBS, which will usually have a section listing other BBS numbers of interest. And some BBSs, such as the one run by BUG-Boise Users Group, (208) 383-9547-spcialize in keeping updated lists of Atari BBS numbers. Just find one BBS, call and ask about others, and you'll soon find more numbers than you know what to do with.
As for a do it yourself BBS program, we know of only one commercially available for the Atari, Bulletin Board Construction Set ($24.95, Antic Catalog). Many BBS sysops write their own BBS programs Pro*Term author Matt Arrington (Antic, 1985) runs the 300 baud Madrona Marsh BBS (213)-212-6414 in Torrance, CA with a program he wrote himself-ANTIC ED
TOUGH CHOICES
To run a BBS on the 1030 you'll need a ring detector. Some people build their own ring detectors, schematics should be available from most use's groups The Supra and XM301 both have this feature built-in. You can't use any of these modems with an Apple computer as they are' direct connect modems specifically tailored to the Atari.
A non-direct-connect modem such as the Hayes or a Hayes compatible like the Anchor Volksmodem 12 will work with both Apples and Ataris. You'll need an Atari 850 interface to make the Hayes modem work with an Atari computer. You can plug right into the Apple IIc serial port but you'll need a DB25 serial port connector and a serial card such as the Apple Super Serial Card for the IIe. -ANTIC ED
MODEM MODIFICATION
KERMIT AIN'T NO FROG
Kermit, which really is named after Sesame Street's Kermit the Frog Muppet, is a file transfer protocol that monitors the flow of information between different types of computers The first Kermit implementation, developed at Columbia University in 1981, linked a DEC-20 mainframe to a CP/M microcomputer. With Kermit you can donload software designed for other computers, but you won't be able to run it on your Atari. For more about Kermit see Charles Jackson's article in the August 1985 Antic, page 25. -ANTIC ED