PowerBook 180c modem software for System 7.1

[croissantking]

FAXcilitate would be the fax software for the PowerModem. Disregarding faxing for a moment, have you tried to use this modem for plain data communication?

Since this does not appear to be a soft-modem variant, it may be possible to use a normal terminal emulator (such as Terminal 2.2, FreeTerm, or even the communications section of ClarisWorks) without a special driver. Apple's Serial Tool 1.0.2 may also be needed. You could test this (once the terminal emulation software has been appropriately configured) by sending AT commands (like ATI, ATI1, ATI2, ATI3, ATI4, et cetera) to the modem.

If the FAXcilitate software is not available, would it possibly be worth checking whether another fax application can be used?

Yeah, I used ZTerm to play around with it, it responded to all the normal commands. I connected two PowerBook 180s together, and established a link to my PowerPort Gold.

I’m not sure if there was any other custom software for it back in the day, other than the fax package. If you install any version of Apple Remote Access it comes with the relevant scripts for this model.

 

[A24A]

Yeah, I used ZTerm to play around with it, it responded to all the normal commands. I connected two PowerBook 180s together, and established a link to my PowerPort Gold.

I’m not sure if there was any other custom software for it back in the day, other than the fax package. If you install any version of Apple Remote Access it comes with the relevant scripts for this model.

Thank you for the information.

If you cannot locate the FAXcilitate software, one of the other general fax applications from the 1990s could perhaps be tested with the PSI PowerModem in question. There was also a shareware program called ValueFax (nic.funet.fi/index/info-mac/_Communication/00comm-abstracts.txt).

 

[croissantking]

Thank you for the information.

If you cannot locate the FAXcilitate software, one of the other general fax applications from the 1990s could perhaps be used with the PSI PowerModem in question. There was also a shareware program called ValueFax (nic.funet.fi/index/info-mac/_Communication/00comm-abstracts.txt).

I’m surprised nobody has uploaded it to the ‘garden yet. I’m sure there are many PowerBooks out there with this software still loaded on.

 

[register]

There is a little collection of software recommendations regarding modems in this ancient thread: LC 580 on the internet. Possible with this modem?

Please note that in the PB1xx series models the internal modem slot shares one port from the external serial port plugs. As soon as you plug in the modem, you lose functionality of one external port. For example, if you use LocalTalk für networking via one serial port and a locally connected DeskWriter on the other serial port, adding an internal modem will cause some head scratching (as it did for me some decades ago, as an early adaptor). I ended up with a DIY made set of cap net adaptors and a printer cable hacked to activate the LocalTalk mode in the DeskWriter. The internal modem got wired to my phone line and served as a dialing machine from the beautiful little software »Address Manager«, as a fax machine, to dial up to BBSs before I became aware that there is an internet, and even to access scientific equipment remotely (that had been made available for dialup connections). Apple Remote Access (ARA) allows to set up a Mac so it wakes on an incoming call and responds by calling back a specific number, to make the connection a little more tamper proof. Old Apple Server models used to have a hardware switch to enable automatic boot on power on. So you could set up a machine to sit at home alone and to even get back on line after a power outage. There is also an old DIY hardware project with all details to wake up or even cold boot a Mac by phone. To access that machine, one would call from a remote computer, wait a minute, pick up the return call and authenticate to log into the system. Plenty of functionality can be thought of with a Mac from 1990.

How is your mileage with a modem equipped Mac hooked to a landline that is actually running »voice over IP« (VOIP)?

 

[Cedsrepairs]

very interesting, didn't know that, thanks or sharing

I think we all realize modems are a sub-niche of an already niche hobby, but it's a rich topic as well.
Indeed many softwares are missing, both in the Mac and PC world.