ai065@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Thomas Hill) (06/11/91)
I thought this might interest you as it has me. Notice that I am in no
way related to the following company...
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: 3: 3: 3 : 3 : 3 : 3 : 3 : TM8 : 3: 3: 3
: 3SDY: 3 : 3 : 3 : 3 : 3 : ZDY : 3SDY: 3
: 3 : 3 : TM< 3 I< TM< 3 : TMMM8 : 3 : 3
SDY SDY SDDDDDY SDDDDDDY SDDDDDY SDY SDY
COMPUCOM SPEEDMODEM...THE AFFORDABLE HIGH SPEED MODEM
SPEEDMODEM CHAMP (tm)
* 300 to 9600 bps true raw speed
* CompuCom Speed Protocol, CSP-3, throughput up to 38,400bps
* MNP 5 at data speeds of 300-4800 bps
* $169...unprecented performance to price ratio (introductory price)
* Dynamic Impedance Stabilization, (DIS), for noisy telephone lines
* IBM internal card supports 8 COM port addresses and 5 interrupts
* Made in America
* Five year warranty
* 30 Day money back trial.
Additional features offered by the SPEEDMODEM COMBO (tm)
* Full featured 9600-bps send/receive Fax with background operation
* Voice mail low cost upgrade available July 1991. Upgrade is with-
out cost on orders placed before April 30.
* Only $279
300-9600-38,400 bps MODEM at 2400 bps PRICE
$169...INCREDIBLE BUT TRUE!
CompuCom Corporation announces the SpeedModem(tm) Champ(tm) 9600 bps modem at
the incredibly low price of $169. The Champ's raw speed is 300-9600 bps and it
features data compression throughput up to 38,400 bps! The Champ is comparable
in performance to v.32/v.42bis modems. These modems typically cost $500+ on the
low end and range well above $1000. The Champ also has a big brother with
send/receive fax capability and voice mail upgrade. The SpeedModem Combo (tm)
provides total communications capability on one very economical card. It costs
only $279; there is nothing like it at any price.
Although 9600 bps modems have been available for a number of years, only a few
percent of the modems in use today operate at this speed. Their cost is
prohibitive to the average PC user. CompuCom has changed that. They are
making high speed modems affordable to ALL, not just the few percent who can
afford them. The SpeedModem is a technology-price breakthrough. It is like
buying a 2400 bps modem and getting 9600 bps FREE! Or, as one customer said,
"buying a Ford and getting Ferrari performance". Bob Mahoney of EXEC PC sums
it up:
"The CompuCom SpeedModem provides all the utility of a high quality
2400bps MNP5 modem, but it gives 9600bps in the package. With that it
is priced below most modems that offer only the 2400bps (MNP) speed.
Instead of buying a modem like that for $169, why don't they buy a
real 9600bps that also does a good job at 2400bps MNP5? The
SpeedModem is such a modem."
BBS System Operators (sysops) strive to achieve the broadest possible
constituency for their service. Thus many multiline BBSs support more than one
high speed modem type. Even so, 90% of their users still call in at 2400 bps.
They are stuck at 2400 because they can't afford high speed modems. Sysops are
beginning to realize that the SpeedModem is the only opportunity for most of
their users to join the ranks of the high speed Top Guns. Thus they are adding
it to their service. Although the SpeedModem has been in production only a
short time, over 200 BBSs are online including EXEC PC, the largest direct
connect BBS in the US. They have over 180 incoming phone lines. Foreign
sysops are also enthusiastically supporting the modem.
Micro Mall Corporation has chosen the SpeedModem as their primary modem for a
nationwide communications network. Another major communications network has
decided to do the same. They both intend to provide long distance communica-
tions for the SpeedModem at rates of only a fraction of conventional long
distance rates. They feel the SpeedModem will help them to achieve a large
customer base. The SpeedModem is unique; it is an unprecedented communications
value. It will become the de facto AFFORDABLE STANDARD for high speed modem
communications.
Below is product information about the SpeedModem followed by two high speed
modem articles. The first article discusses the need for an "Affordable
Standard" for high speed modems. The second article,"High Speed Modem Issues
and Information" should be read by anyone considering the purchase of a high
speed modem.
SPEEDMODEM PRODUCT INFORMATION
World-Class 9,600 bps DISmodem and Fax
All at a Breakthrough Price
$169-$279
From CompuCom Corporation comes a telecomputing breakthrough: the 9,600 bps
SpeedModem Combo. This versatile internal PC modem doesn't just deliver MNP 5
and world-class data speeds. It's the first high-speed modem to offer a full-
featured, 9,600 bps Fax with send-and-receive capabilities. Factor in the Speed-
Modem Combo's highly competitive price and you'll see it adds up to an impres-
sive value.
The SpeedModem's throughput is just as impressive D up to 38,400 bps with its
4:1 data compression software protocol. And it can maintain error-free transmis-
sion at these high data rates, thanks to the powerful, hardware error-correction
and CompuCom Speed Protocol (CSP)(tm). Better yet, the SpeedModem's built-in
Dynamic Impedance Stabilization(tm), DIS(tm), feature enhances throughput even
more. That's because CompuCom's unique DIS allows the SpeedModem Combo to main-
tain the highest level of signal quality on your phone lines. The result: the
best possible performance at all times and all speeds D and DIS operates in
either data or Fax mode.
Of course, the SpeedModem supports the Hayes AT command set and maintains full
backward compatibility with other modems at 2,400, 1,200 and 300 bps. It also
includes the Microcom Networking Protocol for hardware-based MNP 5 compression
and error correction at data speeds of 4,800 bps or less..
Dynamic Impedance Stabilization (DIS)
The SpeedModem Combo doesn't simply establish data and Fax connections D it's
designed to actually improve them. The reason is DIS, CompuCom's unique
telephone interface. DIS automatically compensates for real-world impedance
variations on your phone line.
How? The villains of high-speed file transfers D line noise and interference D
are significantly reduced by DIS's ability to deliver a clear signal down the
telephone line. It all means faster, more efficient data transfers and
optimal use of your communications resources. DIS technology protects your
pocketbook by maximizing throughput under adverse conditions D where other
modems will waste time and your long-distance dollars.
DIS should not be confused with adaptive equalization or filtering techniques,
very important functions in any modem, including ours. Neither adaptive
equalization nor filtering effect any signal-to-noise improvement on a
telephone line. That's why we inven- ted DIS.
9,600 bps Group III Facsimile
Now you can have total high-speed communications capability on one card.
Fax has become the de facto standard for electronic business communications.
It's not surprising that PC users are realizing its necessity. You can reach out
instantly to businesses around the world. And do it without waiting until the
witching hour for the best long-distance rates. With SpeedModem Combo, you get
the ultimate convenience: high-speed Fax communications right from your desk.
Imagine, you can request and receive data sheets for products in minutes.
Faxing is usually more cost-efficient than overnight mail services. We think
of Fax as instant mail.
When you use the high-performance SpeedModem Combo, you also get powerful soft-
ware which operates totally in the background, for sending and receiving Faxes.
With the Combo's delayed transmission support, you can Fax inexpensively and
automatically to hundreds of recipients in the middle of the night D while
you're home asleep.
FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATIONS
Raw Transmission Speeds
300 to 9,600 bps are achieved without compression.
Data Compression
Yields an effective throughput up to 38,400 bps over dial-up telephone lines
using CSP-3 External Software Protocol.
Industry Standards
Backward compatibility with CCITT v.21, v.22/v.22bis, and Bell 103/212A modula-
tions. Full Hayes AT compatibility. MNP 1-5. Group III, CCITT Fax.
IBM internal card.
Dynamic Impedance Stabilization (DIS)
Provides improved data integrity.
Built-in CSP and MNP 2-5
Both provide transparent, hardware-based error correction. MNP 5 is provided
at data rates up to 4,800 bps; CSP provides error correction for the raw modem
speed of 9,600 bps. CSP-3 is considerably more efficient than MNP 5 and
provides data throughput up to 38,400 bps.
Configuration Flexibility
Eight independent COM port addresses and support for interrupts 3, 4, 5, 7 and
2 or 9 provide unequaled installation flexibility. Configuration without con-
flict with other hardware is always possible with the SPEEDMODEM. This flex-
ibility allows up to eight speedmodems to be configured on a single motherboard.
Dialing Functions
Pulse and tone, auto and manual, as well as auto-redial-on-busy, matches user
needs. Result codes displayed on the terminal provide immediate feedback
regarding transmission status.
Audible Feedback
Speaker volume is adjustable, both under program control and via a manual,
externally accessible volume control.
Other Functions
40-character command buffer D Auto answer and auto dial D Programmable
number of rings before answer and/or time before hang-up.
Diagnostic Test Facilities
Supports self-test as well as digital, analog, local
and remote loopback tests to ensure reliable performance.
9,600 bps Facsimile
Full-featured send-and-receive 9,600 bps, Group III Fax functionality resident
on the same card. Fax incorporates an on board CPU which offloads host CPU
demands required by competitive products.
The SPEEDMODEM is easy to configure and use.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
300, 1,200, 2,400 and 9,600 bps Hardware Speeds
Data Compression Ratio: MNP 5, 2:1 and CSP, 4:1
CCITT v.22, v.22bis, v.21 and Bell 103, 212A
Hayes AT Command Set
Dynamic Impedance Stabilization 600 to 2500 ohms
Full- and Half-Duplex
COM 1-8, INT 3, 4, 5, 7 and 2 or 9
Extensive Diagnostics
40-Character Command Buffer
Flow Control: RTS/CTS
Transmit Signal Level -9.5dBm
Transmit Frequency Tolerance 0.01%
Received Signal Level -8dBm to -48dBm
Carrier Detect Level - 43dBm
Carrier Reject Level - 48dBm
Dynamic Range >40dB
Fax: CCITT v.27ter and v.29, Group III D 2,400 bps, 4,800 bps, 7,200 bps,
and 9,600 bps
* Sophisticated Performance
* Unprecedented Flexibility
* Unprecedented Performance to Price Ratio
* Five-Year Warranty
* 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
* Made in the U.S.A.
NOTE...The SPEEDMODEM CHAMP HAS ALL THE MODEM FEATURES OF THE SPEEDMODEM COMBO,
IT DOES NOT HAVE FAX CAPABILITY, OR VOICE MAIL UPGRADE CAPABILITY.
UPGRADE FEATURES IN DEVELOPMENT
Additional functionality to be added to the SpeedModem Combo is under
development. When released, these features will be made available as low cost
software or firmware upgrades.
BBS Fax integration:
The SpeedModem Combo makes it possible for a BBS to not only receive the mail -
but also to deliver it! We are presently designing a software interface
standard which will facilitate this function. One scenario is that of the front
end mail program. The Fax mail is automatically separated out and sent to
local (toll free) fax machines. This software interface will be made available
for authors to incorporate into their software programs.
Fax/ Data Automatic Switchover:
The Speedmodem Combo can be programmed to automatically determine whether the
incoming call is Fax or Data. It will then make the connection and deliver the
appropriate fax or data result message. At this time there isn't viable
software support to take advantage of this functionality. Communications
programs and fax programs generally run solo and are not designed to interact
with each other. The solution, again, is a front end program.
Voice Mail:
Firmware to support voice mail functions on the Speedmodem Combo is due in
July. The objective is to allow one phone line to be used for automatic
switchover between voice, voice mail, fax and data. Obviously this is a
complex issue with many of the factors beyond our control. For example, it
will depend to some extent on the user's choice of software. Although there
are some practical limitations to this functionality, our solution should be
more useful and certainly lower in cost than present methods. (External boxes
which attempt, at best, to achieve this result cost $100-$250.)
Anyone who purchases the Speedmodem Combo before April 30, 1991 is entitled to
the voice mail firmware as a no cost upgrade, when available.
HIGH COST STANDARDS OR AN AFFORDABLE STANDARD
WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE BBS USER?
Many BBSs support 9600 bps modems. Yet, 90% of their constituency still call
in at 2400 bps...they can't afford $500+ for a modem! V.32 technology is
receiving enormous amounts of press because it is the CCITT standard for a 9600
bps modem. Numerous authors are climbing on the bandwagon and claiming it is
the only way to go.
Authors and promoters of these costly modems are overlooking some very
important points: One; the average BBS user buys his equipment from his own
pocketbook, not the corporate budget. Two; many people use their PC for both
business and personal reasons. They demand more than just a modem. They need
total communications capability, including fax, at an affordable price. Fax
has become the mass media for electronic communications. The integration of
fax and modem technology is a natural next step for the BBS community. Many
sysops are considering augmenting their electronic mail with fax capability.
Not only will they be receiving the mail...soon they will be delivering it.
Although all modems are compatible up through 2400 bps and MNP-5; there is no
modem which can communicate with all other high speed modems at 9600 bps. The
majority of multi-line BBSs will, by necessity, be supporting three separate
modem technologies which are incompatible at high speed: the US Robotics HST,
because of it's popularity among sysops; v.32, because it is CCITT approved;
and the CompuCom SPEEDMODEM, because people can afford it.
As of 2-8-91 over 200 BBS are online; more are going online every day. The
largest direct connect BBS, EXEC PC, supports the SpeedModem. Other large BBSs
have purchased SpeedModems and will be on line soon. Two nationwide communica-
tions networks intend to provide long distance communications for the
SpeedModem, at a fraction of conventional long distance rates. The SpeedModem
is rapidly becoming the AFFORDABLE STANDARD for high speed modems.
What is important to the BBS user?...COST! For 90% of the them...the NUMBERS
speak louder than words!
HIGH SPEED MODEM ISSUES AND INFORMATION
Compatibility versus cost:
CompuCom engineers were determined to design a low cost high performance modem.
However, when they carefully examined the current modem technologies, they
found that none was adequate to achieve this goal. Then they took a bold step--
to go in a direction contrary to the industry trend, v.32 technology. The v.32
standard originates from The International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative
Committee, CCITT. Unfortunately, the committee overlooked something important
...YOU...the PC user. It was biased toward main frame, not PC communications,
thus cost wasn't an issue. v.32 technology is intrinsically too costly to
achieve the required performance/cost goal. CompuCom engineers developed what
modem users have long demanded, low cost 9600 bps technology.
All high speed modems can communicate at 2400 bps, and many support MNP.
However, there is no modem which can communicate at 9600 bps with all other
9600 bps modems. Of four high speed modem types selling today: US Robotics,
HST, CompuCom, SpeedModem; Telebit, TrailBlazer; and Hayes et al.,v.32: NOT ONE
of these modem types will communicate at 9600 bps with any other one! They
must be the same kind. Likewise, the SpeedModem will comunicate at 9600 bps
only with an other SpeedModem.
A common misunderstanding is that the US Robotics HST will communicate with
v.32 modems at high speed. One reason for this misunderstanding is that US
Robotics manufactures a modem which is compatible with both HST and v.32 modem
types. This modem is named the "Dual Standard". It incorporates two modem
types in one box, v.32 and US Robotics HST. Its list price is $1295. Discount
price is probably around $900. For comparison, US Robotics manufactures both
HST and v.32 modems. Each is priced at $995. Discount is probably around
$650.
When purchasing a high speed modem one must consider both compatibility (with
whom will one be communicating) and cost. The SpeedModems' low cost makes it
an extremely attractive alternative to more established high speed modem types,
for the majority of users. The SpeedModem is gathering a wide base of
support.
v.32...What about v.32bis?...and what about v.42bis?
V.32 is the CCITT standard for 9600 bps modems. Although v.32 modems generally
perform satisfactorily, they are not the panacea they are made out to be. V.32
technology has neither lived up to it's expected inter-manufacturer compatibil-
ity level nor its real world phone connection performance level.
v.32bis is the next CCITT high speed modem waiting in the wings. It is an
extension of current v.32 technology. It is a very costly technology which is
downward compatible with v.32 at 9600 bps. Its theoretical speed is 14,400
bps. V.32bis places even more stringent requirements on the telephone
connection than v.32; thus we predict v.32bis will meet its performance
expectations only on pristine telephone connections.
There is much confusion about v.42/42bis. Many people think it is the next new
modem technology after v.32. v.42 is not a modem technology; it is a CCITT
approved error correction and data compression protocol package. In a
practical sense it is similar to MNP levels 1-9. As with MNP, it may be used
with any modem technology. Some modem vendors are placing v.42bis on 2400 bps
modems and referring to the modem as 9600 bps. Even if two modems both support
v.42, there is no assurance that they can communicate with each other. For
compatibility they must also support the same modem technology. For example a
v.32/v.42 should communicate with any other v.32/v42 modem. However, it will
not communicate with a US Robotics HST/v.42 above 2400 bps raw speed, since
2400 is their highest level of mutual modem technology.
The SPEEDMODEM supports a 4:1 external data compression protocol called CSP-3.
It is slightly more efficient than v.42bis and provides speeds up to 38,400 bps
depending on data type.
A word of caution: Data compression techniques, whether CSP-3, MNP 5-9,
or v.42bis are convenient for transferring data files in their natural state,
uncompressed. However, they provide little, if any, value in transferring
already compressed or archived files, the kind most often downloaded from a
BBS.
The RAW SPEED of the modem is what really counts, not its data compression
speed. A 2400 bps modem with v.42bis is of little value to the BBS user
since its raw speed is still only 2400 bps. NOTE...Some mail order vendors
who advertise 9600 bps modems are selling 2400 bps modems along with a
data compression software package. Again, the raw speed of these modems is
only 2400 bps. The SPEEDMODEM's raw speed is 9600 bps.
Remember... If you aren't totally satisfied, you may return the
SPEEDMODEM in 30 days for a full product price refund!
See for yourself...CALL NOW
800 ACT ON IT
(800) 228-6648, (408) 732-4500, Fax (408) 732-4570
Latest information...CompuCom Support BBS (408) 738-4990
Ordering Information
You can order the SpeedModem Combo by using the order form below or by
calling 1-800-ACT-ON-IT. (800-228-6648)
If you place your order via telephone, please tell us the name of this
BBS, location and telephone number where you saw this offer. Payment terms
are MasterCard or Visa, money order or certified check. Personal checks will
be accepted, but will require an additional three weeks to clear.
The cost of the SpeedModem Combo is $279. The cost of the SpeedModem Champ is
$169. Add $7.00 shipping and handling (California residents, add appropriate
sales tax). C.O.D. add $3.75.
Normal shipping is UPS ground. Please provide your street address. We will
ship to a post office box only if necessary. If you require a faster method of
shipment, it is available at an additional cost to you. Two day air is $10.00
while overnight is $19.00. International air mail shipments cost $15.00 to
$35.00, depending on location.
To order using the order form below, set your capture buffer on and hit
[ENTER] to continue. Print it on your printer, fill it out and mail to
the address listed below. You can also FAX your order form directly to
CompuCom at (408) 732-4570.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SpeedModem Order Form
ALL INFORMATION IS HELD IN STRICTIST CONFIDENCE
SPEEDMODEM COMBO ____QUANTITY x $279 ______________TOTAL
SPEEDMODEM CHAMP ____QUANTITY X $169 ______________TOTAL
SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS ______________
UPS ground and two day air add $3.00 per additional unit beyond the first unit.
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS ADD SALES TAX ______________
______________TOTAL
NAME___________________________________________________________
ADDRESS________________________________________________________
CITY__________________________STATE_____ZIP____________________
DAYTIME PHONE NUMBER_(___)___-_________________________________
Please check the method of payment:
CHECK OR M.O.____ CREDIT CARD_____
MasterCard____ Visa____
Cardholder Name________________________________________________
Card Number____________________________________________________
Expiration Date_______
Signed_________________________________________________________
Name of the BBS where you got this order form:
_______________________________________________________________
City________________________State________
BBS Telephone Number__(___)___-______
Thank you for your order!
800 ACT ON IT
(800) 228-6648, (408) 732-4500, Fax (408) 732-4570
Latest information...CompuCom Support BBS (408) 738-4990
CompuCom Corporation 1180-J Miraloma Wy. Sunnyvale, CA 94086
IBM is registered trademark of International Business Machines.
Hayes is a registered trademark of Hayes Microcomputer Products.
MNP is a registered trademark of Microcom Inc.
SPEEDMODEM, COMBO, CHAMP, DISmodem, DIS, Dynamic Impedance
Stabilization, CSP, CompuCom Speed Protocol, Total Communications
Capability, and SpeedCom are trademarks of CompuCom Corporation.
[END]
Tomrjc@geech.gnu.ai.mit.edu (Ray Cromwell) (06/11/91)
First of all this article never states whether the SpeedCom
modem can achieve full-duplex 9600. This article is full of marktetroid
slashes at v32(vis)/v42(vis). And why MNP at only 4800 BPS? Sounds
like full-duplex 9600 is emulated by half-duplex channel flipping
(flip the 9600 baud channel back and forth, so you only get 4800 bps)
Even my HST can run MNP on 14,400 with no reduce in speed. MNP in
sync mode uses the start and stop bits on a byte to send extra
data so a HST or v.32 modem with MNP at 9600 will send 1200 CPS instead
of only 960 CPS like the Speedcom (it doesn't have MNP at 9600)
SpeedCom is doing a dangerous thing by trying to introduce another
proprietary standard. I think it's too late. It may have worked
a few years ago, but v32(bis) is the standard and it happens to
work well. Mass production will eventually drive the cost down.
--
/ INET:rjc@gnu.ai.mit.edu * // The opinions expressed here do not \
| INET:r_cromwe@upr2.clu.net | \X/ in any way reflect the views of my self.|
\ UUCP:uunet!tnc!m0023 * /zerkle@iris.ucdavis.edu (Dan Zerkle) (06/11/91)
[Note followup line] In article <29138@know.pws.bull.com> ai065@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Thomas Hill) writes: > > I thought this might interest you as it has me. Notice that I am in no >way related to the following company... It's not all that interesting: o It only works with other modems of its type, of which there are still very, very few. o It doesn't work with the Amiga in native mode. It only works as a card for an IBM-PC compatible. You might be able to use it on an Amiga with a BridgeBoard, though. o There's a catch. No, I don't know what the catch is. However, there must be some reason that this thing sells for a third of the price of comparable equipment. If the "standards" people could have come up with something that offers the same performance at a considerably lower cost, why didn't they? Dan Zerkle zerkle@iris.eecs.ucdavis.edu (916) 754-0240 Amiga... Because life is too short for boring computers.
rkushner@sycom.UUCP (Ronald Kushner) (06/11/91)
ai065@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Thomas Hill) writes: I don't mean to flame the person who posted this to the net. Actually his posting this really is a public service, and I really am happy he did post this. Non-standard modems should be eliminated(mine included). > COMPUCOM SPEEDMODEM...THE AFFORDABLE HIGH SPEED MODEM And is also non-standard, which in 6 months will mean you can't call anything because the new Sprinty Brand modem is selling for $110! > * $169...unprecented performance to price ratio (introductory price) Not a bad price. > * IBM internal card supports 8 COM port addresses and 5 interrupts Whats an interrupt? IBM internal only..Bummer...Whats a com port address? >in performance to v.32/v.42bis modems. These modems typically cost $500+ on th >low end and range well above $1000. The Champ also has a big brother with Well, compair performance to V.32, but V.32bis is out now, and is 14400 raw speed. And you can call Compuserve with it, and PC Pursuit may one day support V.32 locally..And even Telebit makes a V.32 compatible modem(T2500)! >Although 9600 bps modems have been available for a number of years, only a few >percent of the modems in use today operate at this speed. Their cost is >prohibitive to the average PC user. CompuCom has changed that. They are >making high speed modems affordable to ALL, not just the few percent who can >afford them. The SpeedModem is a technology-price breakthrough. It is like >buying a 2400 bps modem and getting 9600 bps FREE! Or, as one customer said, >"buying a Ford and getting Ferrari performance". What about us poor old Amiga owners? Hum, US Robotics have been selling their HST model for years, and is the only standard in BBSing today. V.32 will be the only choice in a year though -YES I ADMIT IT, I SEE THE CHANGE COMMING-, actually everyone from this point on probably should look into a V.32 and see if has support locally before buying anything, since you can always use a V.32 to get on Compuserve, and you can also sell it later on. >BBS System Operators (sysops) strive to achieve the broadest possible >constituency for their service. Thus many multiline BBSs support more than on >high speed modem type. Even so, 90% of their users still call in at 2400 bps. >They are stuck at 2400 because they can't afford high speed modems. Sysops ar >beginning to realize that the SpeedModem is the only opportunity for most of >their users to join the ranks of the high speed Top Guns. Thus they are addin >it to their service. Although the SpeedModem has been in production only a >short time, over 200 BBSs are online including EXEC PC, the largest direct >connect BBS in the US. They have over 180 incoming phone lines. Foreign >sysops are also enthusiastically supporting the modem. Not this SysOp. Wow, 200 BBS's, U.S. Robotics had 10,000 last time I checked. And that was before they sweetened the sysop deal in March. Even Intel is sucking up to Sysops with a V.32! The thing is, that there is nothing worse than using your high speed modem, and calling someplace else to find they do not support your modem type. Its depressing to know Compuserve has a local V.32 line and that my HST can't connect to it...A standard modem is the only way to go TODAY. I plan on getting a US Robotics V.32bis/HST DUAL STANDARD so I don't get screw my users today, and don't screw future users of my BBS. V.32bis WILL be commonplace in a year. Also, here is MY BBS's figures: Calls broken down by CPS: 30: 0 120: 3 240: 30 960: 27 And you want to know something, I had 0K downloaded today!!! 0K!! Alot of people just call and read UseNet with their HST's.. 60 callers, with 57 of them above 1200 baud, and 2123 minutes used (Which is equal to 35 straight hours of connect time - I have two lines into this beast). I can not break down minutes used by each baud rate yet though :( Seeing how I have 27 HST callers a day, I could say they are allmost as common as 2400 baud. I also invite anyone to call and check the log, its in my GFiles section, and is avaiable for public viewing. I also don't ban 300 baud modems, just no more 300 baud callers! This thing is D.O.A., especially since all local Amiga BBS's to me are allready V.32 or an HST or Dual Standard HST(7 bbs's total, not one is 2400 as of last month!). And another thing is that its not avaiable for the Amiga, according to this message. Final note, lets call this thing the 20/20, or the No-Doz..or Black Beauty, since the SpeedModem sounds corny as hell. -- C-UseNet V0.42d Ronald Kushner Life in Hell BBS +1 (313) 939-6666 P.O. Box 353 14400 USR HST V.42 & V.42bis Sterling Heights, MI 48311-0353 Complete Amiga Support UUCP: uunet!umich!vela!sycom!rkushner (We are not satanic, just NUTS!) DISCLAIMER: I say what I mean, and mean what I say.
specter@disk.uucp (Byron Max Guernsey) (06/12/91)
This is great and all for IBM users, but unfortunately this is c.s.a.m.. If I have a 3000 will it work on it? (I'm assuming not without a bridgeboard of some sort). Also, there CSP-3 protocol sounds holfe to me. Its "software based" so basically what it is is lharc+terminal. Plus it is an IBM software protocol, again not available to amiga without the proper equipment. Also to get 9600 bps you need another one of their modems....no HST or v.32 compatibility. The modem might as well cost 1,000,000 $ cause it is still no use to us. Byron
nsw@cbnewsm.att.com (Neil Weinstock) (06/12/91)
In article <9149@ucdavis.ucdavis.edu> zerkle@iris.ucdavis.edu (Dan Zerkle) writes: >[Note followup line] Noted and overruled, since this has nothing to do with datacomm... [ ... ] >o There's a catch. No, I don't know what the catch is. However, > there must be some reason that this thing sells for a third of > the price of comparable equipment. If the "standards" people > could have come up with something that offers the same performance > at a considerably lower cost, why didn't they? Umm, it's not wise to assume that all good ideas are embodied in standards, or that all standards embody good ideas. No more wise than assuming that all laws are good because they are passed by Congress, or all UN activity is "right", or that Nielsen ratings reflect the quality of the show, etc. Trust me, I've been there. We now return you to your regular scheduled programming. - Neil P.S. I also don't mean to imply that standards necessarily embody *bad* ideas, or the converse. Take "X" for example. Oops, bad example... ;-) --==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==-- Neil Weinstock @ AT&T Bell Labs // What was sliced bread att!edsel!nsw or nsw@edsel.att.com \X/ the greatest thing since?
bruceg@crash.cts.com (Bruce Geerdes) (06/13/91)
In article <1991Jun11.222329.1726@disk.uucp> specter@disk.uucp (Byron Max Guernsey) writes: >This is great and all for IBM users, but unfortunately this is c.s.a.m.. If I >have a 3000 will it work on it? (I'm assuming not without a bridgeboard of >some sort). Just to make this thread *somehow* pertain the Amiga, they are supposedly working on an external version of the modem. Who knows how much it will cost or how much the other 9600bps modems will have come down by then. >Also to get 9600 bps you need another one of their modems....no HST or v.32 >compatibility. The modem might as well cost 1,000,000 $ cause it is still >no use to us. True. Though there are some bbs's here in San Diego that have bought CompuComs for their second lines. (Most have HSTs for their primaries.)
jms@vanth.UUCP (Jim Shaffer) (06/13/91)
I don't see any mention of an RS232 version in all of that marketing trash. It only mentions a PC card! (This is the second time I've read it, too.) Does anybody know how they're able to produce their own standard so cheaply, but not V.32? -- * From the disk of: | jms@vanth.uucp | "Let's become Jim Shaffer, Jr. | amix.commodore.com!vanth!jms | alive again." 37 Brook Street | uunet!cbmvax!amix!vanth!jms | Montgomery, PA 17752 | 72750.2335@compuserve.com | --Yes