I have used thse usbtoserial things for modems, it works, getting a USB modem to work is harder than a PCI modem imho.
For a few dollars I got a Dell Web-pc...apparently a mini pc with no floppy drive, but with cd, 3-usb ports (no serial, ps2, or printer ports) an ethernet port , and phone line in and phone out (I guess for the built in modem) but no way to add other cards to the thing.
It also had no OS though I guess it came originally with Win98? No big deal......I really prefer either Knoppix (I have a few different disks from 3.7 to 4.0) or Damm Small Linux.
Either of them boot up nicely but I can't seem to find the modem.......can find that its some kind of 3-Comm mini pci thing but what to do from there?
So might the solution be to use a usb modem? I was going to use this device at home where I only have dial-up service.
I also have an external modem (that would connect to a serial port) that should work....would one of those USB to serial adapters work out....and if connected, would one look at usb modem or serial modem?
I have used thse usbtoserial things for modems, it works, getting a USB modem to work is harder than a PCI modem imho.
Bare S100 CPU Replacement for ALTAIR 8800 IMSAI 8080 JAIR Single Board Computer
$42.00
MITS Altair 8800 Computer Bamboo Reproduction Arduino Tested Working Assembled
$649.99
MITS ALTAIR 8800 Original Vintage Microcomputer
$6000.00
Vintage SCCS Interface Microcomputer Magazine Pair 1976 IMSAI 8080 Altair 8800
$26.00
S-100 backplane motherboard bare PCB 9 slot (for Altair/IMSAI)
$30.00
Altair MITS 8800 CPU Parts Kit not IMSAI 8080 S100 (board NOT included)
$64.95
MITS ALTAIR 8800 Original Vintage Microcomputer with 14 boards - Buy It Now
$9500.00
MITS ALTAIR 8800 Original Vintage Microcomputer S-100 Buy It Now $5999
$5999.00
Vintage Altair 8088 CPU Wire Wrapped S100 Card w Mon EPROM circuit board #T71
$99.00
1974 Early Microcomputers by MITS Altair 8800's Ed Roberts HP-9810 Mark-8 Scelbi
$55.00