[ih] AUP revision to allow commercial traffic

[Ian Peter]

In answer to Jack's question -

Main uses prior to 1989 were of course SMTP email and USENET. There were 
thousands of non-academic users by 1989 across the world.

Connectivity for those of us dialling up from overseas into host computers 
utilised X.25 networks and VT100 or similar interfaces. Once the connection 
was made the ugly internet interfaces of the day took over.

During this period a number of groups were working on developments such as

*porting UNIX to the 286 personal computer, to allow low cost internet hosts 
in developing countries
* software improvements to allow better USENET and editing interfaces for PC 
users (a number of different projects)
* development of non-academic content utilising USENET interfaces (by 1989 
there were hundreds of activist specific newsgroups or "conferences" as we 
called them).
*offline readers - due to the high costs of connectivity, even domestically, 
these software platforms allowed people to download email and newgroups and 
reply offline, then reconnect to send new mail.
*Tim Pozar's UFGATE software connecting the Fidonet world to the Internet 
world

I am sure there were many more - these are off the top of my head.

By 1989 domestic modem speeds had moved from 300 baud to 2400 baud. 
Trailblazer modems used for new hosts I think were up to 9600 baud? Or 
perhaps 19200?


Ian Peter