Nice article!

I remember using a (modern) PC a few years ago that had working DOS packet drivers and which could therefore connect to the internet from FreeDOS.

There's even a version of the "links" web browser for DOS that supports all the modern-day encryption standards (frequently a weak point when one tries to use old software with the web!)

My first ISP (Demon Internet) had me use the ham radio software KA9Q in DOS.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KA9Q

Mail and Usenet programs would auto-run to download and upload when it connected via modem.