modem
Dear netters,
I sent an inquiry about modem a few days ago and got a bunch of friendly
replies. I just summarize them here and thank these people.
Thanks, Kevin, I found the review on Byte Vol.18(No.8), July, p.172.
It seems to me that the best buy is a V.32bis 14.4k fax one with between $200
and $300.
My choice? I got a second hand, two years old supra 2400 internal
modem with $40(canadian). I use it mainly as a terminal to check jobs and
e-mails at home. I found 2400 baud serves that purpose. Actually it is not
as slow as I thought.
Gook luck.
Jing Kong
Department of Chemistry
Dalhousie, Nova Scotia
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Return-path: <mfrancl #*at*# cc.brynmawr.edu>
I always recommend you get the cheapest modem you find, at the fastest speed
the computer you are dialing into will accept. My 8 year old traveling
$99 modem is still doing wonderfully.
Michelle M. Francl
Associate Professor of Chemistry
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Return-path: <kmoore #*at*# ncsc.org>
There have been several reviews along these lines in the various PC magazines
recently. Check out current copies of Byte, Computer Shopper and PC Sources.
If you have access to Compuserve or Ziffnet, you can do a search on Ziffnet
for the most recent review article. I would just search for modem reviews.
It'll cost you $2.50, but that is about the same as buying the whole magazine
and saves the time.
I read one of these reviews recently and it addressed your question exactly.
The problem is that I don't remember which of these magazines it was in.
Finally, for most of what you want, your standard modems will work fine. There
is little reason to purchase the best unless you are doing transfer intensive
work where it is imperative that the modem be able to maintain the line through
intense line noise (some of them are fairly amazing in this) and give every
last byte of throughput. I recently bought a Wang 14.4Kbaud Modem/Fax at
Wal-Mart for $234. It has been quite adequate for loging into work and using
Compuserve.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
|| Kevin Moore North Carolina Supercomputing Center ||
|| Scientific Support Analyst 3021 Cornwallis Rd. ||
|| (919) 248-1179 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 ||
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Return-path: <RDENNINGTON #*at*# VAX1.UMKC.EDU>
I like SupraFAXModem V32bis (14400 bps Data/Fax) $350 w/software.
I'm a heavy modem user and I like the speed. Check with the
Administrator of the computer you are linking with about modem speeds
and capabilities. Remember, it takes two...
The Supra Modem displays 2-digit alpha-numeric messages, so a quick
glance tells you about a connection. That's in addition to the
standard LEDs. Also, the modem is ROM upgradable. Supra Corp releases
enhancements.
There are cheaper modems, but most MAC and PC magazines rate Supra among
the best (You usually get what you pay for!). Buy a magazine and shop in
the back pages. Don't rule out the smaller companies. They are cheaper
and just as reliable.
I hope this helps.
======================================================================
Dr. Roy D. Dennington, II BITNET:
RDENNINGTON #*at*# UMKCVAX1
Department of Chemistry Internet:
Spencer Chemistry, Room 502 rdennington #*at*# vax1.umkc.edu
University of Missouri - Kansas City Phone:
Kansas City, Missouri 64110 (816) 235-2287
======================================================================
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Return-path: <CLETNER #*at*# DESIRE.WRIGHT.EDU>
Hi,
>I would be very grateful if someone can tell me
>the differences between models and the street prices I can get.
I've used both internal and external modems. I like the internal
modem (they plug into an extra expansion slot in your machine) because they do
not take up extra desk space. In the computer stores that I tend to visit the
internal models also appear to be cheaper. I expect you can find a 2400 baud
internal modem for under $50.00. Features I would look for are Hayes
compatability (this seems to be the standard and is very important in my mind),
at least 2400 baud (thats the speed at which information is transmitted), and
the price. Hayes compatability is probably the most important. I have found
that I hook up to multipule other systems and that all of them support Hayes.
There are modems with bauds of 300, 1200, 2400 and up. Many 2400 baud modems
will also fallback to 300 and 1200. Personnaly I've never used the 300/1200
modes on my modem. 2400 is pretty standard. Faster is nicer but not every
installation (computer cener) supports that kind of speed yet. Besides 2400
doesn't seem to hold me up. Finally is price. A modem is a modem is a modem.
If it has the feature you want, buy it if the price is right. I've really seem
the prices vary from store to store-shop around.
Finally software, don't by the most expensive package around, you may
not need all the wounderful feature it has. A good starting package, if you
use windows 3.1 (possible 3.0), is the terminal utility. It has worked well for
me although it does lack some more advanced features. I'd recommend doing some
"telecommunicating" with a low price package or freeware, like kermit,
see what
features you need and then purchasing a better package if you so desire.
Hope this help
Chuck
Charles Letner
Department of Biochem. and Mol. Bio.
Wright State University
Dayton, OH 45435
e-mail: cletner #*at*# desire.wright.edu
For those in the MAC/PC debate:
It's not the machine, it's the user.
****
Return-path: <PODOSNNA #*at*# ACFcluster.NYU.EDU>
The good one is SupraFax modem by Supra - 14400 and fax 14400 V32 error
checking, data compression. works fine
available from Mac Warehouse for $305
Andrew