Frank and Joe Hardy

[SDLagent]

I doubt many people would have had them in 1987 outside of the elite electronic geeks, basically.
There was a time when certain technology could really only be used by programmers because they were the only ones who really understood how to use them. It wasn't until Internet browsers started becoming readily available to the public by about 1993 or 1994 with the advent of Mosaic and later Internet Explorer that more of the mainstream consumers started using modems and getting connected to the Internet and such.

Yeah, computers and the Internet were a lot harder to use back then.

[JoeHardyRocks]

Ahh, us dag-nabbit teenagers are so spoiled rotten with our fancy gadgets!

[Hardy Boys UB Fan]

Ahh, us dag-nabbit teenagers are so spoiled rotten with our fancy gadgets!

Yeah. I think we are too!

[tomswift2002]

How was Frank having a modem cutting edge?

Well, back in the 1980's, modems weren't built into computers like they are today.  For the most part they were an external accessory that you could buy for any computer to allow you to check BBS's, and send some electronic email.  But, considering that the speed of the Internet back in the 80's was counted in "Bauds", which is much slower than the 256k modems (that you heard of up to about 6 or 7 years ago), sometimes you would spend 30 to 45 minutes dialing into one site.  In the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys SuperSleuths! Volume 2 book, the winter story that takes place in River Heights, you can get a sense of how "advance" the idea of communication between bank computers using the telephone line was, and how a lot of times "dialing into the internet" actually meant picking up a phone receiver and placing it into a cradle on the modem to allow for the computer and phone line to "talk" to one another (not to mention that when you were on the internet, you couldn't be on the phone at the same time).

But, I remember that in #74. Road Pirates, Frank and Joe actual discover that you are able to send a fax via a computer with a fax modem (that looks like an ordinary modem) without having an actual fax machine.

[MacGyver]

But, I remember that in #74. Road Pirates, Frank and Joe actual discover that you are able to send a fax via a computer with a fax modem (that looks like an ordinary modem) without having an actual fax machine.

Right- and that book was released in 1993!

Well, back in the 1980's, modems weren't built into computers like they are today.  For the most part they were an external accessory that you could buy for any computer to allow you to check BBS's, and send some electronic email.  But, considering that the speed of the Internet back in the 80's was counted in "Bauds", which is much slower than the 256k modems (that you heard of up to about 6 or 7 years ago), sometimes you would spend 30 to 45 minutes dialing into one site.  In the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys SuperSleuths! Volume 2 book, the winter story that takes place in River Heights, you can get a sense of how "advance" the idea of communication between bank computers using the telephone line was, and how a lot of times "dialing into the internet" actually meant picking up a phone receiver and placing it into a cradle on the modem to allow for the computer and phone line to "talk" to one another (not to mention that when you were on the internet, you couldn't be on the phone at the same time).

I always thought it was pretty neat when they connected to the Internet with the phone receiver and a modem on 1980s shows. I seem to recall an episode or two of MacGyver doing this.

[Hardy Boys UB Fan]

Right- and that book was released in 1993!  I always thought it was pretty neat when they connected to the Internet with the phone receiver and a modem on 1980s shows. I seem to recall an episode or two of MacGyver doing this.

What? I have no idea what you're on about.

[MacGyver]

http://www.hdtvtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15433

This link might help explain. The history of modems actually goes back quite a ways.

[Hardy Boys UB Fan]

http://www.hdtvtalk.com/showthread.php?t=15433

This link might help explain. The history of modems actually goes back quite a ways.

I never knew that.

Well, back in the 1980's, modems weren't built into computers like they are today.  For the most part they were an external accessory that you could buy for any computer to allow you to check BBS's, and send some electronic email.  But, considering that the speed of the Internet back in the 80's was counted in "Bauds", which is much slower than the 256k modems (that you heard of up to about 6 or 7 years ago), sometimes you would spend 30 to 45 minutes dialing into one site.  In the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys SuperSleuths! Volume 2 book, the winter story that takes place in River Heights, you can get a sense of how "advance" the idea of communication between bank computers using the telephone line was, and how a lot of times "dialing into the internet" actually meant picking up a phone receiver and placing it into a cradle on the modem to allow for the computer and phone line to "talk" to one another (not to mention that when you were on the internet, you couldn't be on the phone at the same time).

But, I remember that in #74. Road Pirates, Frank and Joe actual discover that you are able to send a fax via a computer with a fax modem (that looks like an ordinary modem) without having an actual fax machine.

30 to 45 minutes dialing into one site? That's weird. As well as sending a fax via a computer without having a fax machine. That's really weird!    

[JoeHardyRocks]

LOL I remember when I was really little, that I wasn't allowed to use the phone when my parents were on the computer!

[Hardy Boys UB Fan]

LOL I remember when I was really little, that I wasn't allowed to use the phone when my parents were on the computer!

So do I! It was so weird, wasn't it?

[JoeHardyRocks]

I didn't understand it! Haha and I think we also couldn't use the microwave at the same time as the phone or computer for some reason.... 

[Hardy Boys UB Fan]

I didn't understand it! Haha and I think we also couldn't use the microwave at the same time as the phone or computer for some reason.... 

Wonder why? 

[SDLagent]

Also, in the 80s the Internet was a much smaller and friendlier place. Most people on the net were all computer geeks so they all had something in common and helped each other out.

LOL I remember when I was really little, that I wasn't allowed to use the phone when my parents were on the computer!

I remember that, too. That's the way it still is for many people who still. have dial-up.

[Hardy Boys UB Fan]

Also, in the 80s the Internet was a much smaller and friendlier place. Most people on the net were all computer geeks so they all had something in common and helped each other out.

Really?

[SDLagent]

Well, it's not hard to believe considering the internet wasn't very user-friendly and not easy for the average person to use or even access.