Subj : Re: The Birth of HobbyNet
To   : Amessyroom
From : Mike Dippel
Date : Tue Jan 13 2026 09:18:06

On 1/12/2026 10:03 PM, Amessyroom wrote to Mike Dippel:

->  How did I get into BBSing? 
-> 
-> Well if I recall, I had a TRS-80 Model III. 1st a 300 baud acoustic coupler 
-> modem. Then a direct connect phone line modem, still 300 baud. Got this while
-> in middle school. Took it to college and tried to believe it was good as the
-> PCs. To me anyway it was, and all I had.

My first computer was a Texas Instrument (forgot the model # maybe 99-4a)) and I was 
very happy with it.  I figured I didn't need a real computer, until I purchased one.  I saw 
the difference then.
-> 
-> I eventually got a PC XT and got higher speed modems. I remember calling BBSes
-> during college. I didn't get into the games but enjoyed taking to sysops and
-> message bases.

Compuserve and Prodigy opened you up to the whole world.

-> 
-> About the time I graduated, OS/2 was being pushed and I got interested in it as
-> a computer geek and computer science graduate. I got into Amateur Radio and
-> decided to merge the two and created "The Backdoor BBS" in Morrisville, NC.
-> I later moved to Cary, NC. Had two lines, one for BBS and other for house use
-> and when I needed to go get files.

It sounds like were an educated Geek <g>

-> 
-> I provided amateur radio call sign lookup, os/2 cd roms, and various shareware.
-> 
-> I got in some trouble indirectly with the BBS at work. Don't know if someone
-> was trying to trash me or what; but worked through it. Don't know if I took it
-> down then or a little later when things declined.
-> 
-> For a year or two, I keep and published a list of ISPs and BBSes that had
-> internet in the Research Triangle Area in NC.

I was actually an ISP with my first BBS since callers could use my internet connection 
when they dialed in.  It was then that I created my ISP Directory at https://isp-list.biz/

-> 
-> I proceeded to concentrate on career, and didn't think about BBSes until I saw
-> some activity in 2024. I downloaded synchronet and have had it up since. 
-> 
-> HobbyNet was one of the first FTNs I added and appreciate all your help Mike.
-> 
-> Love reading about your camping, BBS, and music adventures as well as your
-> newer healthnet.
-> ===   
-> Amessyroom
-> toolazy.synchro.net:2323 (telnet)

Thanks for being a part of both nets.

Mike Dippel
 
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
 * Origin: The Hobby Line! BBS -  hobbylinebbs.com (954:895/1)

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