Is it worth it to get a modem on my Apple IIGS?

There really isn't any use for them outside of connecting to a BBS. There is an Ethernet option (Uthernet2) you can use for tcp/ip, but its use is somewhat limited. These machines lack the horsepower for any kind of connectivity you need for the modern internet. And unless anything has changed in the last few years, client software is pretty limited too.  

That being said, I have the non-pro version of the wimodem232. It works well for connecting to BBSs. Not sure I use mine enough warrant an upgrade. The wireless null modem feature is kinda neat sounding, but I probably wouldn't use it much. Plus then I'd have to buy 2. 

Nope, no other uses for it, but there are tons of Apple II BBS's out there that will make it totally worthwhile!

The Aerodrome......................theaerodrome.com:6502

The Brewery..........................thebrewery.servebeer.com:6400

Captain's Quarters..................cqbbs.ddns.net:6502

Captain's Quarters II...............cqbbs.ddns.net:6800

Dura-Europas BBS..................dura-bbs.net:6359

The Land of Confusion.............tloc.antsinthepants.com:6502

Sanctum BBS.........................sanctumbbs.com:6502

Willamette Apple Connection....wacbbs.ddns.net:6502

Unless you want to host a BBS then there reeally isn't much use today, and you'd need an analog phone line.

Even a decade ago there wasn't many uses and analog land lines were still fairly common. 

Austin_iigs wrote:

I'm pretty sure that's the work of the WiModem -- BBS accesibility over-air. Is it fun to use BBSes these days?

Yes - with Spectrum terminal program for the IIgs, you can get beautiful color ANSI emulation with BBS's like CQ II.  Browse the forums, play hundreds of door games like Legend of the Red Dragon & BBS Wordle, view Apple II & IIgs-related text files, and get the latest national news / sports headlines / local weather forecast all from your IIgs!

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Austin_iigs wrote:

CQ II sounds awesome! If I ever purchase a modem, I'll be sure to try it out. What types if games can you play on CQ II?

Including the Game Servers, there are over 300 games you can play!

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For the IIgs, if you want a color ansi terminal that is a bit lighter than Spetrum, there is Megaterm as well. TBF, I only briefly messed with Spectrum a couple of years ago. But I felt it was a bit on the heavy and cumbersome side. Another benefit, Megaterm boots from ProDOS. No waiting for GSOS. 

If you buy a Wimodem-232 (I have several) you can call any number of bulletin board systems. 

But on a IIGS, the best option is an Uthernet II card.

It costs a touch more than a Wimodem, but it's way more useful.

You can connect it to your local area network, and if you have a network attached laser printer that supports HP PCL protocols (most do) you can print to it from your GS.

You can also access remote (and local) file servers.

You can do rudimentary web browsing (but it sucks)

You can access the Usenet.

You can also call BBS systems via Telnet using the Spectrum Terminal program, which will support ProTerm Special protocol (for Apple II BBS systems) and ANSI colour (for lots of others).

All of the above will of course require you to be running GSOS 6.0.4, which will necessitate the use of some sort of hard drive substitute like the MicroDrive/Turbo.

I have Wimodem232 and it's worth it just because it gives me 'something else to do' with my Apple IIGS.   I play the old games, I maybe do some low-level programming, maybe I tinker with the productivity apps, and all that's nice, but it's kind of not enough.  I don't own the IIGS as a collector, I'm going to use it or there's no point. Anyway,  I'm not super active on BBS, but I'm making a point of trying to check in now and then to the BBS, now that I have my IIGS all setup and working good.