It was similar with FidoNet, which I had before I could afford internet in Russia. Every day you'd dial what was effectively a BBS (some dude with a modem on hi

It was similar with FidoNet, which I had before I could afford internet in Russia. Every day you'd dial what was effectively a BBS (some dude with a modem on his home phone line), download the personal messages and forums (echomail), then read/respond offline, and if you wanted connect back to send your responses. Ah, those were the days. No endless distractions of always being online :)