Welcome to #GlobalTalk!
Celebrating 3 years of global shenanigans!
Celebrating 3 years of global shenanigans!
What is GlobalTalk?
GlobalTalk is the nickname we’ve given to the practice of using an ancient Apple Internet Router software package to bridge your local AppleTalk network (of vintage computers and printers) to the global network of the internet and other people’s vintage computers and printers. While nothing is stopping you from using this all year, usage primarily spikes in March for #MARCHintosh.
This lets you and other GlobalTalk participants share files over AppleShare and print to each other's AppleTalk-enabled printers connected over LocalTalk/PhoneNet cables. However, this comes at a cost - this software is old and there are obvious security implications of playing with it and potentially exposing your IP address and network of devices to others.
Keep in mind, this is totally just for fun!
Want to join? GREAT! Keep reading...
Is it 100% safe & secure??
Actually, NO - probably not! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ The only way to participate in this is to share your IP address on a spreadsheet and open a port for your router to allow these connections. Yes, this means someone could share that information elsewhere, etc.
You’ll also need a Google account so you can request access to the spreadsheet that contains the other networks to connect to. We can’t change this, it is what it is. Sorry!
Code of Conduct:
The rules and guidelines of GlobalTalk are those of #MARCHintosh, please be kind and not be a jerk to others. With that said, there’s no practical way to stop someone from wasting your printer’s ink and paper or from downloading your Guest AppleShare files. Well, unless you stop the sharing software or switch off your printer.
With that being said, please be well aware of the following before considering using GlobalTalk:
• People will know your IP address!
• People will have unfiltered access to a printer! (if you set one up)
• People will have unlimited access to your AppleShare folders! (if you set one up)
• You should ensure your home network is secure and have a firewall in use.
Usage Rules:
Please follow these rules to make everyone's lives easier, this helps us keep things fun and drama-free:
• Don't create alternative sign-up methods or related processes that circumvent the current GlobalTalk signup method. Your enthusiasm is appreciated, but we don’t want to confuse and splinter the community. If you have a great idea let's chat in April!
• Don't use SimpleText or TeachText to print documents, a nasty glitch may occur and freeze your system, while continuing to print multiple copies to a printer you selected.
• Keep an anti-virus program on hand, like Disinfectant, to periodically scan your system. Protect yourself!
• Only print one or two pages to a printer! It's nice to say hi, it's quite rude to waste ink and paper.
• If you spam others, ignore the rules, or otherwise cause trouble your access will be removed.
• If you are given edit access to the Google Spreadsheet be mindful of how it works and don't delete content that is not your own.
• Not a rule, but check back on the Google Spreadsheet or this webpage for periodic news and updates.
How to participate in 2026 & beyond:
Please read this section fully and carefully.
• On a modern system, please fully fill out the signup form: GlobalTalk Signup Form.
• Your request will be reviewed promptly and likely approved within a few hours! Please be patient as this is a manual process. DO NOT request access multiple times, it makes things confusing!
• Once you've successfully signed up, additional information and instructions will be emailed to you.
• Next you'll need to set up your Mac to connect with others. This can be a bit involved. Please check out The Ultimate GlobalTalk Network Guide (Google Doc) that should cover everything you need to know. It also links to pre-made hard drive images ot help you out. If you have questions about your vintage Mac or configuration, you can make a post on TinkerDifferent.com.
• The guide above also links to premade hard drive disk images which can help you get up and running!
Have a question? Need help?
Although we can't provide technical support for setting up your vintage Mac... if you have a question about joining, the list, etc, please contact Ron, Steve, or Joe. Their socials and contact info are on the main MARCHintosh page.
LATEST UPDATES:
March 1, 2026: Check out the helpful guide and disk images to get started easily!
April 1, 2024 : New Signup Method!
The method to request access and sign up for GlobalTalk has changed! Please use the new Google Signup Form (linked above).
Approving requests is still a manual process, but hopefully this will make requesting access a little easier.
Please feel free to share this link with interested parties, and let's keep #GlobalTalk connected!
-Ron (RonsCompVids)
