 The original version of AE, called "ASCII Express II", was written by Bill Blue in 1980, and distributed by Southwestern Data Systems.AE II runs on any Apple II with DOS 3.x and one of a small handful of modems available, including the Hayes Micromodem II.This version was used mostly by telecommers to access paid BBSs, including THE SOURCE, CompuServe, as well as free BBSs.