Brian P. Cox on FujiNet: Connecting Classic Computers to the Modern Internet

Join Alex Neuman on Vida Digital as he interviews Brian P. Cox from FutureVision Research , one of the makers bringing the FujiNet project to life. In this in-depth conversation, Brian shares how his early experiences with the Apple IIe , TRS-80 , and Atari 1200XL inspired a lifelong passion for technology and teaching. They explore how FujiNet connects retro computers— Atari , Apple II/III , Commodore , Tandy CoCo , Coleco ADAM , and upcoming systems like the Intellivision , Atari 2600 , and Commodore 64 —to Wi-Fi, virtual disks, and even cross-platform online gaming through the TNFS protocol. Discover what challenges come with reviving decades-old hardware, how 3D-printed parts and ESP32 chips bridge generations, and what’s next on the roadmap for FujiNet, including RS-232 support and future hardware based on the RP2040. 📡 Topics covered include: • Brian’s background and first computers • Why FujiNet chose TNFS for file transfer • Hardware and power challenges across retro platforms • How FujiNet enables multiplayer gaming between systems • The role of community makers and volunteers • Future developments and platform expansions 👉 Learn more at fvResearch.com and join the conversation on the FujiNet Discord. ⏱️ Chapter Indicators 00:00 – Intro & Brian’s early computing background 03:00 – How coding and teaching evolved since the 1980s 04:30 – Discovering FujiNet and joining the maker community 08:40 – Recreating rare connectors and vintage parts 10:15 – Favorite FujiNet versions and platforms 11:40 – Hardware design differences across systems 14:00 – Explaining TNFS and how FujiNet transfers data 18:00 – Cross-platform gaming and inter-system communication 20:15 – Challenges of RS-232 and new hardware bring-ups 24:50 – The community “stone soup” development model 28:00 – Improving user interfaces and game lobbies 30:45 – Collaboration with museums and retro shows 33:45 – Future “FujiNet for Thunderbolt” and emulation 35:05 – FujiNet roadmap and expanding platform support 38:25 – Recommended resources and podcasts 41:00 – How to connect with Brian P. Cox 42:15 – Closing remarks and Discord shout-out