Date   : Fri, 12 Jun 1998 14:57:28 +0200
From   : Robert Schmidt <rsc@...>
Subject: Re: BBC Micro Modem & Internet use?

Mike Chapman wrote:
> 
> Hi Robert,
> 
> I have been looking over your great BBC Lives! pages trying to find an
> answer to a question for my neighbour.
> 
> Basically, he was wondering that if he can track down an original BBC
> modem is there any software available to allow him to use email and the
> internet (a browser)?

Getting or building an adapter so that he can use any old RS-232 modem
in the BBC's RS-432 should not be a problem.  He'll probably be
restricted to using BBS'es though, but reading Internet mail and news
should not be a problem.  Browsing the web, however, requires support
for the HTTP protocol, which requires something like a TCP/IP stack,
which to my knowledge does not exist for the BBC.  One person (was it
Mark Usher?) wrote to the BBC micro mailing list that he was toying with
the idea of implementing one, but it sounds like a heavy task.

I guess part of the question is now how old a modem does he have to
track down?  Can he still get the cable ready-made?  What software is
recommended to use?  

I don't know, though the software and ROM archives contain some comms
software...

I've forwarded this reply to the list.  If any readers wish to
follow-up, please also CC: Mike.

--
Robert Schmidt <rsc@...       >
Software Developer / Vingmed Sound tel +47 67124237 fax +47 67124355
Private tel +47 22606076 WWW http://www.nvg.unit.no/~rsc

    jeg lukker et oye og ser halvt
    jeg  lukker begge  og ser  alt            -- seigmen