I couldn't believe it last week. Went to 2 different tech stores looking for a new modem for my BBS Machine, all the techs at both stores looked at me funny when I asked about a non cable modem. They were actually like "What other kind is there?" And these places are supposed to sell computer peripherals.

SMDH.

Looks like I'm going to have order one online. Found a USR 56k external for like $55. I think, if I remember correctly, that even a Courier HST was under $100.

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You can get USR 56k modems on eBay brand new for like $20-$30, I picked up a Sportster on ebay a couple of years ago for $25. Was brand new just not in a box it was in a bag.

... Top secret! Burn before reading!

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Looks like I'm going to have order one online. Found a USR 56k external for like $55. I think, if I remember correctly, that even a Courier HST was under $100.

And to think, I have like 10+ laying around here all over the place.

LOL

I need to put them up on eBay!

Timothy Norris
aka SirRonmit
admin@f4fbbs.com
bbs.f4fbbs.com:2323 or :62323

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Hello Geri!

On 18 Jul 2023, Geri Atricks said the following...

at me funny when I asked about a non cable modem. They were actually
like "What other kind is there?" And these places are supposed to sell computer peripherals.

Hah! :-D

Looks like I'm going to have order one online. Found a USR 56k external for like $55. I think, if I remember correctly, that even a Courier HST was under $100.

I've noticed this one during the past couple of weeks: https://www.ebay.com/itm/364342448484
(I have no affiliation with the seller in any way.)

...which together with the upgrades at the bottom of: https://support.usr.com/support/downloads-template.asp?prod=s-cour
...could be nice deal for a Courier, getting it to V.90.

Then perhaps:
https://ads.usr.com/v92/default.asp
...to hopefully upgrade to V.92.

(If one could get hold of the exact product ID, there will probably be a product page with all the stuff on it.)

The newest Courier is the 3453C, which comes with x2, V.90 and V.92 out of the box, but those are usually more expensive...

Best regards
Zip

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Re: Tech stores (SMDH)
By: Geri Atricks to All on Tue Jul 18 2023 06:14 pm

I couldn't believe it last week. Went to 2 different tech stores looking for a new modem for my BBS Machine, all the techs at both stores looked at me funny when I asked about a non cable modem. They were actually like "What other kind is there?" And these places are supposed to sell computer peripherals.

SMDH.

Looks like I'm going to have order one online. Found a USR 56k external for like $55. I think, if I remember correctly, that even a Courier HST was under $100.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Windows/64)
* Origin: Legends of Yesteryear (furmenservices.net:23322) (21:4/102)

Well, presumably they aren't taught about that because of the low number of people requesting it.. still sad that its so unknown tho.

candycane

===
user is generated from /dev/urandom

...Failure is a measurement that depends on the standard applied.
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Win32
* Origin: -=[conchaos.synchro.net | ConstructiveChaos BBS]=- (21:4/141)

I couldn't believe it last week. Went to 2 different tech stores looking for a new modem for my BBS Machine, all the techs at both stores looked at

You're out there looking for tech thats been obsolete for close to 20 years.
I wouldn't mind betting there are a lot of store staff, especially in the retail side of the business that have had no exposure to an acoustic style device given most stuff now is networked.

If you were looking at a commercial setting, or a corporate setting you might find someone with a bit more know how. They tend to get use here still in remote locations.

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
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Re: Tech stores (SMDH)
By: Geri Atricks to All on Tue Jul 18 2023 06:14 pm

I couldn't believe it last week. Went to 2 different tech stores looking for a new modem for my BBS Machine, all the techs at both stores looked at me funny when I asked about a non cable modem. They were actually like "What other kind is there?" And these places are supposed to sell computer peripherals.

SMDH.

Yeah, I don't think mainstream electronics stores sell dialup modems anymore, and haven't for many years.. Many people don't even have a phone line at home anymore and just use their cell phone instead.

I actually haven't seen any stores near me selling dialup modems for many years.. Have you?

Looks like I'm going to have order one online. Found a USR 56k external for like $55. I think, if I remember correctly, that even a Courier HST was under $100.

I did that a few months ago when I wanted to add a dialup phone line to my BBS. I didn't even bother looking at stores near me.

Nightfox
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Re: Re: Tech stores (SMDH)
By: Bucko to Geri Atricks on Sun Aug 06 2023 07:05 am

You can get USR 56k modems on eBay brand new for like $20-$30, I picked up a Sportster on ebay a couple of years ago for $25. Was brand new just not in a box it was in a bag.

Yeah, a few months ago I bought a new old stock dialup modem on eBay for around $25. It's a MultiTech 56k - I bought that one because I'd used a few MultiTech external modems in the 90s, though I've heard USR Sportsters are fairly popular for BBSing.

Nightfox
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Re: Tech stores (SMDH)
By: candycane to Geri Atricks on Sun Aug 06 2023 02:25 pm

for a new modem for my BBS Machine, all the techs at both stores looked
at me funny when I asked about a non cable modem. They were actually like
"What other kind is there?" And these places are supposed to sell
computer peripherals.

Well, presumably they aren't taught about that because of the low number of people requesting it.. still sad that its so unknown tho.

It seems people working at such stores probably aren't old enough to remember what a dialup modem is.. It's sad. Also frustrating when you go to a store to find something and the people who work there can't help you don't even know what it is you're looking for.

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.20-Linux
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digdist.synchro.net (21:1/137)

On 07 Aug 2023, Nightfox said the following...

I actually haven't seen any stores near me selling dialup modems for many years.. Have you?

(this turned into tmi lol)

office depot used to have them but that might depend on the store. i bet you could convince them to order it to the store for pick-up if they didn't (their website has them).

you might be able to find them locally if you called around to like point-of-sale companies, people who do credit card transaction stuff, etc. think outside the box. that is, if you don't just have a plain old old-school computer shop.

if you wanted to put the effort in on Amazon you can usually figure out the name of the company that fulfills the order and see if you can find one local. i gave up after finding one in OHIO because almost everything that comes via UPS from OHIO or INDIANA is next-day for me.

nothing beats just ordering it on amazon or ebay though if you don't need it this instant..

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On 07 Aug 2023, Nightfox said the following...

Yeah, a few months ago I bought a new old stock dialup modem on eBay for around $25. It's a MultiTech 56k - I bought that one because I'd used a few MultiTech external modems in the 90s, though I've heard USR
Sportsters are fairly popular for BBSing.

Yup they are really cheap these days.. Never heard of the Multitech but if they work and work well.. That is all that matters.. :)

AL

... 24 hours in a day and 24 beers in a case. Hmmmm...

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Well, presumably they aren't taught about that because of the low number of people requesting it.. still sad that its so unknown tho.

Especially when you still have places without broadband access and they have to use dial-up still.

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