Retrochallenge, 2005

I was online with an Apple IIe in 1997. As you suggest, it is not very challenging. Then again, I hear that it is getting more difficult since most modern ISPs expect you to use PPP. To my knowledge, PPP does not exist for the IIe. On it not being a challenge: setting aside the thought that a lot of people will have trouble because they use the latest hardware alongside their old machines, there is still that issue of the machine multiplier. Any determined user of an early-1980s machine will have a lead in the endurance and online challenges simply because they are earning two or three times as many points while doing the same thing. So while 68040s and 80486s are permitted, they are at a disadvantage. I tried the date cutoff that and ended up with a bunch of people who said that they could not participate. Some said it was because their machine was not old enough, even though it was equivalent to an older machine which would qualify. Another person simply said that I should get off my lazy ass and do the necessary research into processors. This could be a little awkward now that PDPs have entered the picture. Ah well, I'll get back to you on that one later. They will be fine machines for the challenge, but it is a matter of figuring out the multiplier.