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Quantum Link Reverse Engineered
JeffLedger writes "A group of retro-geeks have rebuilt the old Quantum Link system to allow both emulated and real c64's to sign in over the Internet using the original software. Before it was called America Online, Quantum Link provided a pre-Internet online service to Commodore users."
The nostalgia factor is clearly off the charts. That only should be reason enough.
Might as well ask, "Why do people go to Renaissance Fairs?" or "Why do people go to see the Rolling Stones in concert?" or even, "Why go look at all those old paintings and stuff in the museum?"
They think its fun... they like the nostalgia of it... they have money and time to waste for a hobby they enjoy... they think that maybe they can learn something from it...
Don't knock going back to something old, because sometimes if you go back to the past, you can gain new insight into the here and now.
Sig cancelled due to lack of interest
The internet, in the form we know it didn't really eventuate until 1984 or so.
Arpanet is much older, but Arpanet really was quite different (owing to the fact that it wasn't TCP/IP). It's like Homo neanderthalensis, recognisable as a precursor to ourselves, but a completely different beast.
The internet of course didn't really come into being in the popular sense until 1990 or so.
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Wow, that's what I call a cool hack. C64s used to be the funnest things to play around with. Years ago I built a servo control circuit board for a friend to plug into the back slot of a C64, to control exhibits in a coin-operated art gallery (later known as The Church of Elvis, Portland Oregon). Writing the control software in Commodore Basic and seeing the whole thing work was one of the coolest things I ever did.
The antidote for misuse of freedom of speech is more freedom of speech.
-- Molly Ivins
Corsets are hot!
As you can see here: http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=22404&cid=2408 020, I was one of the designers/programmers of PlayNet (which was later tweaked and named QLink). They're _still_ (last I checked) using a variant of my error-correcting protocol designed specifically for X.25 PADs, running over TCP (which is kinda dumb). Now, they may not use it for much anymore; probably mostly just login I'd guess.
I promised these guys I'd dig through my old C64 development disks to see if there's any source; guess I better do that now. Anyone got a 9-track magtape reader lying around that works? I have 3 tapes, one of which might by my personal dump from Way Back Then. (Another I know is my files from GE Corp Research, and one from my RPI ACM account (in EBCDIC)).
I asked testers to hold on on posting on /. for a few weeks, while the server was in heavy development. Then, when I gave the OK to submit, I knew there would be a post about "Why?" if it made /. It's almost like the poster knows it's a dumb question to ask, but can't keep from doing it anyway...
Jim
My wife doesn't think I am scrawny, and my two children appears to dispute your other theory. Nice that you have time enough to pity me. I realize I'm feeding the trolls, but I love how cowards only have black and white views of the universe. I assume you pity vintage car owners and those that fix up old homes. Sir/Madam, I pity you for having such a limited view of the world and your life. have fun, though.
Jim
It's not a troll...it's discussion bait...
why? I guess for the sense of achievement, and want to immerse oneself in an exclusive community where people who pursue the obscure, like you, have something in common...to share an smaller internet not full of corporate websites & casual users, who feel no excitement from the internet, or the wonder of international broadcasting, or space exploration, because they're so acclimatized to it...it's rewarding to do hard things with your computer. That's why so many of us waste time configuring/discovering retro unix based operating systems, but consequently get more satisfaction from computer use...
(& that's why it's 7am, and my eyes hurt)
"You know you don't act like a scientist, you're more like a game show host." Dana Barret