Just give me a minute, I know the answer to this one....

My question WAS serious!
Even tho I retired as a Navy Radioman, it was long before computers.
Heck, I recall using "Pigeon Post" on my first ship!
My resoponse was in regards to the threads question of "why", not your question regarding modems and other cards.
I'm fairly clueless , just like any other landlubber, regarding such issues.