🚀 go-pugleaf

Alyre Chiasson asks:
> Is there an arc program that can shuttle between the IBM world and
> the Atari world?
 
Yes, luckily most of the implementations of ARC are interchangable among
differing machine types.  With the exception of the Commodore-64, files
ARCed on one machine can be unARCed on another.
 
> Secondly, I am not sure if  IBM telecommunications software
> programs can successfully communicate with an Atari BBS.

In most cases, the machine that a BBS is run on has no real effect on the
user of the BBS.  IBM files can be stored and retreived on a BBS run on an
Atari ST with no problems.  The file transfer protocols are standardized
enough that IBM telecommunications software should have no problems
communicating with an Atari BBS.
 
> Since the standard in modems appears to be Hayes compatible am I
> right to assume that this means that all software based on this
> standard must send the same ascii codes to get a BBS to upload and
> download files?
 
No, actually the modem itself has no real bearing on the operation of the
BBS from the caller's viewpoint.  The only time the modem "standards" would
be of importance is when the BBS needs to command its modem.  The caller
shouldn't have to worry about what kind of modem the BBS uses.  (Since
most modems today adhere to the "Hayes standard" closely enough for most
BBSs, the question is largely moot..)
 
There used to be "oddball" protocols, mostly in the "formative years" of
telecommunications, but those have generally either died out, or are very
specifically limited to certain machines.  The IBM and Atari worlds have
luckily been part of the standardization process.   You shouldn't have to
worry about interaction between your IBM users and your Atari BBS...!
 
BobR