#c64nic+

[commodorez]

sorry "the commodore" just sounded cooler than specifying a machine. also i don't know any. but mostly the first thing

Gotcha. I'm sure there are some round-about ways to do it on a C64, PET, VIC, C128, etc. by accessing a BBS via a terminal and dial-up, but that's relying on a more powerful machine to handle the network connection and heavy lifting of an email client. There do exist modern network adapters for C64s, I've got one:

This is a C64NIC+, which I believe handles alot of the TCP/IP network stack internally, leaving the C64 available to run software. I've seen them used to play network games written within the past 15+ years. Personally, I've used mine to access IRC servers with a client known as GEOLINK (which is derived from the GEOS operating system).

[commodorez]

I thought I would break out the C64 cartridge expansion slot now that I have some cartridges worth my time.

From back to front:

1764 RAM Expansion Unit

Link232 v1.2

Epyx Fast Load

C64NIC+

[commodorez]

Hacker voice SID voice: I’m in.

Using a standard Commodore C64, C64NIC+, and a copy of geoLink, I was able to log into a handful of IRC channels in glorious 40 columns.

[commodorez]

I’m told this C64NIC+ will let me log on to IRC if I play my cards right.