21 ms·

Once you've got it running, it isn't (usually) any trouble. Doesn't everybody have a drawer full of null-modem adapters, DB9-DB25 adapters, RJ11/RJ14/RJ45 => DB

by dsr_ 6y ago

Once you've got it running, it isn't (usually) any trouble. Doesn't everybody have a drawer full of null-modem adapters, DB9-DB25 adapters, RJ11/RJ14/RJ45 => DB9 cables, and a Zoom 14.4K modem that probably still works if the AC-DC adapter can be found?

astrobe_ 6y ago
Most of this, plus USB-serial adapters (I've heard that PCs with native serial ports are now considered "professional" equipment), plus some more exotic ones. A decade ago I used to use port switching boxes and to assemble adapters like Lego bricks to connect the square peg with the round hole . But that's only because I work in embedded. And there's the software too: the buggy Hyperterm (except the private edition), Procomm, Minicom... These days I use Knossos' dterm ( http://www.knossos.net.nz/resources/free-software/dterm/ http://www.knossos.net.nz/resources/free-software/dterm/ ).
- gambiting 6y ago
  >>I've heard that PCs with native serial ports are now considered "professional" equipment I mean, laptops, sure. But PCs I think most still have a COM port. I bought a "gaming" X570 motherboard recently and there's still a COM header on it, I'd need to buy the port itself but the mobo does support it natively.
  - toast0 6y ago
    I think COM headers on motherboards are common still, but no longer ubiquitous. For A520 ITX boards it seemed about 50:50 if they'd have a com port.
  - bitwize 6y ago
    Microsoft started an initiative in the late 90s to abolish "legacy" ports from PCs including serial, parallel, and PS/2. RS232 is not something you can expect on consumer-grade equipment.
oblio 6y ago
I'd venture a decent percentage of HN was born after 14.4k modems stopped being popular.
- jeffbee 6y ago
  Considering that the median global age is 30, this seems like a safe bet.
  - 3np 6y ago
    So at 35, I’m statistically above middle age. Whoa.
    - jeffbee 6y ago
      Depends on your location of course. In the USA I believe the median age is 38 and in Japan it's 48. But globally speaking, at 35 you've got one foot in the grave already :=)

by dsr_ 6y ago

astrobe_ 6y ago

Most of this, plus USB-serial adapters (I've heard that PCs with native serial ports are now considered "professional" equipment), plus some more exotic ones. A decade ago I used to use port switching boxes and to assemble adapters like Lego bricks to connect the square peg with the round hole . But that's only because I work in embedded. And there's the software too: the buggy Hyperterm (except the private edition), Procomm, Minicom... These days I use Knossos' dterm ( http://www.knossos.net.nz/resources/free-software/dterm/ http://www.knossos.net.nz/resources/free-software/dterm/ ).

gambiting 6y ago
>>I've heard that PCs with native serial ports are now considered "professional" equipment I mean, laptops, sure. But PCs I think most still have a COM port. I bought a "gaming" X570 motherboard recently and there's still a COM header on it, I'd need to buy the port itself but the mobo does support it natively.
- toast0 6y ago
  I think COM headers on motherboards are common still, but no longer ubiquitous. For A520 ITX boards it seemed about 50:50 if they'd have a com port.
- bitwize 6y ago
  Microsoft started an initiative in the late 90s to abolish "legacy" ports from PCs including serial, parallel, and PS/2. RS232 is not something you can expect on consumer-grade equipment.

oblio 6y ago

I'd venture a decent percentage of HN was born after 14.4k modems stopped being popular.

jeffbee 6y ago
Considering that the median global age is 30, this seems like a safe bet.
- 3np 6y ago
  So at 35, I’m statistically above middle age. Whoa.
  - jeffbee 6y ago
    Depends on your location of course. In the USA I believe the median age is 38 and in Japan it's 48. But globally speaking, at 35 you've got one foot in the grave already :=)