>>>>> "Pat" == Pat Wendorf <beholder@unios.dhs.org> writes:

  Pat> Is there a kernel driver for the serial port?

Yes.  It's /dev/scif.

  Pat> Does it work when the BBA is active, or are they mutually exclusive?

The serial port hardware is built into the CPU and is always available.

  Pat> Can the DC be kept on "forever", or does it have heat issues after a few
  Pat> days of activity?

That can only be answered by YMMV.  It would probably depend on the
surrounding environment.  In case you do get problems though, there
are stronger replacement fans available from third party
manufacturers.

  Pat> Is there a pinout diagram for the serial port so I can make a cable for
  Pat> my modem?

Yes.  <URL:http://members.nbci.com/_bITmASTER_/dc/serial.html>  Note
that the voltage levels are _not_ RS232 levels though, so you need
some extra hardware.  You can find blueprints for this in several
places, like on my site for example.  :-)
<URL:http://mc.pp.se/dc/serifc.html>


  // Marcus