Pretty much the question. I heard about Usenet a while back but never managed to wrap my head around it.

  • cynar@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    Modem is short for modulator/demodulator. It took a data stream and encoded it onto tones, multiple (audible) frequencies were used to increase data rates. You had to dial in to either a server, another computer, or an ISP. If you picked up the phone you would hear what sounded like white noise.

    I lost many a download, or ‘online’ game to my mother picking up the phone to make a phone call.

    • bartolomeo@suppo.fi
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      9 months ago

      That’s very clear, thanks. I remember reading about the original phreakers, one guy had perfect pitch so he could just sing the tone to open a long distance line and then dial away. I think he got sued by one of the American phone companies for stealing.

      • cynar@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        There are some amazing stories about the cat and mouse games regarding phone phreaking. The “captain crunch whistle” is great. All their attempts at security, beaten by a bit of audible brute force, via a cereal box toy.