[comp.sys.amiga.datacomm] OnLine platinum: why so slow?

rodent@netcom.COM (Ben Discoe) (03/09/91)

Here at VersaSoft <makers of dBMan V for every machine you ever heard of>
we use kermit constantly because it's the only standard that can be found
on ALL the different OSs we have in-house (MsDos/Mac/Unix/Atari/Amiga etc.)

For years, we've used "VT100 V2.8" on our Amiga (now a load 3000)
It's from some prehistoric Fish disk, I believe.

Due to frustrating problems with it (abruptly pausing in the middle of
transfers leading to time-outs if not carefully watched) and lacking
ftp access (and not knowing any other Amiga people locally) we bought
a commercial program, OnLine!, thinking that since it cost Money we
would be assured of its most basic functionings being flawless.

The first surprise was that it would pause strangely for several seconds
whenever a window was closed (perhaps this is only on a A3000).
The second surprise it that it's kermit mode is incredibly slow.
Let me illustrate sending a 100K file:

program		baud	time	effective baud
---------	-----	-----	-----
OnLine		 9600	4:53	2730
OnLine		19200	3:43	3587
VT100V2.8 (pd)	 9600	2:42	4938

OnLine at 19200 baud is slower than the ancient public-domain VT100 at
9600!!!  Something is seriously wrong here.  :-) Wow, I never realized
just how superior PD CAN be to commercial stuff!

----------------
Ben, in San Jose, city of thoughless destructive uncaring human sheep.