Using the Atari 400 for BBS

[gamer1682]

My 400 came in today (yay!) It fully works with 16k ram (Using an atari BASIC cart). It also came with a 410 data recorder. Can I use the Cassette player for BBS? Can I use an interface Module with that amount of RAM?

[Tempest]

I would say no. You need at least 48K to do anything serious with the Atari 8-bits (other than run games), becuase that is the minimum amount needed to use a disk drive. To run a BBS you should get an Atari 800XL or 130XE.

 

Tempest

[+HatNJ]

Or at least the 400's big brother an original 800 w/at least 48k

 

back in the day people ran BBS's with those

I'm partial to it cuzz I got one in '79 and still have it running today

[Inky]

My hometown had an active Atari BBS community. There was The Bullpen run on an 800, and Alcatraz and SAC Base which were both run on ST's. Small but tight knit for sure.

 

 

Those were the days I got stories about Space Empire Elite.

[doctorclu]

My 400 came in today (yay!) It fully works with 16k ram (Using an atari BASIC cart). It also came with a 410 data recorder. Can I use the Cassette player for BBS? Can I use an interface Module with that amount of RAM?

 

I would say, yes. Well, it COULD be done.

 

And you are DFW Texas right??

 

Oh that's right, you're partial to the 400. Hmmm... there is a lot that can be done. I think I might have said this before, but with the 400 it would make a good BBS machine with the following steps:

 

1) Get a 48K upgrade. You used to have to hand make these, now the service kits are more readily available.

 

2) A SIO2PC cable, so that you can hook up to a PC and have the Atari 400 believe it is eight - 16 meg drives (120 megs total). This will also handle your internet connection for you. Nice eh?

 

This will be a good way to start. From there you can build further.

Edited February 25, 2008 by doctorclu