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  • Perceptions

    From Mortar@954:200/53 to Mike Dippel on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 09:40:28
    Re: Re: The Birth of HobbyNet
    By: Mike Dippel to Amessyroom on Tue Jan 13 2026 09:18:06

    My first computer was a Texas Instrument (forgot the model # maybe 99-4a)) and I was very happy with it. I figured I didn't need a real computer, until I purchased one.

    Believe it or not, your TI 99/4a /was/, by definition, a real computer. Just because its specs weren't as good as others (yet better than some), doesn't make it any less a computeer. You didn't purchasee a "real" computer, you bought a better computer.
    --- SBBSecho 3.34-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (954:200/53)
  • From Mortar@954:200/53 to Mike Dippel on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 09:48:24
    Re: Re: The Birth of HobbyNet
    By: Mike Dippel to Amessyroom on Tue Jan 13 2026 09:18:06

    I was actually an ISP with my first BBS since callers could use my internet connection when they dialed in.

    That doesn't make you an ISP. An ISP provides dedicated connections via cable, DSL, fiber, etc., along with other services. You were just sharing your own personal connection.
    --- SBBSecho 3.34-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (954:200/53)
  • From Mike Dippel@954:895/1 to Mortar on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 22:42:12
    On 1/13/2026 9:46 AM, Mortar wrote to Mike Dippel:

    Re: Re: The Birth of HobbyNet
    By: Mike Dippel to Amessyroom on Tue Jan 13 2026 09:18:06

    My first computer was a Texas Instrument (forgot the model # maybe 99-4a))
    and I was very happy with it. I figured I didn't need a real computer, until I purchased one.

    Believe it or not, your TI 99/4a /was/, by definition, a real computer. Just
    because its specs weren't as good as others (yet better than some), doesn't make it any less a computer. You didn't purchase a "real" computer, you bought a better computer.

    I had some extras that made it a great computer. Speech synthesizer, cartridge games
    and the entire "Plato" series. Plato helped my kids learn various topic areas. I was able
    to join an user group early on and they helped me immensely.

    I also was able to learn a bit of Ti DOS and was able to create a program that would help
    me create a database that helped me at work.

    I certainly don't regret it. I subscribed to Boardwatch magazine which had line-by-line
    scripts that I could copy and run.

    Mike Dippel

    --- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
    * Origin: The Hobby Line! BBS - hobbylinebbs.com (954:895/1)
  • From Mike Dippel@954:895/1 to Mortar on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 22:45:54
    On 1/13/2026 9:54 AM, Mortar wrote to Mike Dippel:

    Re: Re: The Birth of HobbyNet
    By: Mike Dippel to Amessyroom on Tue Jan 13 2026 09:18:06

    I was actually an ISP with my first BBS since callers could use my internet
    connection when they dialed in.

    That doesn't make you an ISP. An ISP provides dedicated connections via cable,
    DSL, fiber, etc., along with other services. You were just sharing your own personal connection.

    Back when BBSes were expected to be free, I was able to charge $25 per year for a
    variety of reasons, but one reason was the internet connectivity that my system
    provided. It WAS an ISP to them. They would not have had internet without me.

    Mike Dippel

    --- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
    * Origin: The Hobby Line! BBS - hobbylinebbs.com (954:895/1)
  • From Mortar@954:200/53 to Mike Dippel on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 10:24:03
    Re: RE: Perceptions
    By: Mike Dippel to Mortar on Tue Jan 13 2026 22:42:12

    and the entire "Plato" series. Plato helped my kids learn various topic areas.

    Now there's a blast from the past. I remember seeing the original Plato setup back in the '70s. It was the first graphics-capable CAI system using vector graphic displays.

    I subscribed to Boardwatch magazine which had line-by-line scripts that I could copy and run.

    Boardwatch was great. Besides all the cool BBS/online material, it introduced me to my favorite web comic, Kevin & Kell...Whodda thunk?!
    --- SBBSecho 3.34-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (954:200/53)
  • From Mike Dippel@954:895/1 to Mortar on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 20:34:42
    On 1/14/2026 10:30 AM, Mortar wrote to Mike Dippel:

    By: Mike Dippel to Mortar on Tue Jan 13 2026 22:42:12

    and the entire "Plato" series. Plato helped my kids learn various topic areas.

    Now there's a blast from the past. I remember seeing the original Plato setup
    back in the '70s. It was the first graphics-capable CAI system using vector graphic displays.

    I subscribed to Boardwatch magazine which had line-by-line scripts that I could copy and run.

    Boardwatch was great. Besides all the cool BBS/online material, it introduced
    me to my favorite web comic, Kevin & Kell...Whodda thunk?!

    Not that it would do me any good now, but I wish I still those copies of Boardwatch.
    Great memories.

    Mike Dippel

    --- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
    * Origin: The Hobby Line! BBS - hobbylinebbs.com (954:895/1)
  • From Mortar@954:200/53 to Mike Dippel on Friday, January 16, 2026 01:53:19
    Re: RE: Perceptions
    By: Mike Dippel to Mortar on Wed Jan 14 2026 20:34:42

    Not that it would do me any good now, but I wish I still those copies of Boardwatch.

    You still can. They're on Archive.org.
    --- SBBSecho 3.34-Linux
    * Origin: End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com (954:200/53)