In a message of 04 Dec 96 Derek Woodlands wrote to me:

 AS>>      Anyone know if you can buy a serial switching box or something. 

 AS>>      Everytime I want to use the modem on the clone, I have to power
 AS>> down the  BBS, pull the serial out of the Amiga and then connect it to
 AS>> the clone. 

 DW> I would suggest a switch to Rice Bubbles.  It is a really nice cereal
 DW> and beats Corn Flakes pants down...

     I'm concerned that all the snap, crackle and pop may affect reliability.

 AS>>      I figured that a serial switch with an extra cable is the go
 AS>> - but don't  know if such a beast exists.

 DW> You would still have to power down in order to flick the switch,
 DW> otherwise you will risk blowing your CIA chips.  Do what I did and buy a

     Really, that surprises me. If so - it would be a pain in the Weet Bix.

     I can't see that it would be different to switching on the 'puter with
the cable in there - the switch would, it seems to me, just complete the
connection.

     But then - what do I know.
 
 DW> second modem! A 33.6k unit, such as the most excellent X-Link, will only
 DW> cost you around $220 at the markets or $260 in the shops.
     
     I'm still kicjing myself I didn't buy your's - but it seemed so
extravagent at the time to have two computers sitting virtually side by
side and having two modems.

 AS>>      Bear in mind we don't have all the wizz bang electronics stores up
 AS>> here  in Port - so if anyone has any details and ,aybe a catalogue
 AS>> number, it would  be helpful.

 DW> I hear that they just got electricity in Port.  Now all they have to  do
 DW> is to figure out how to get it out of the shrinkwrap that it came  in.
 DW> 

     :) It's hard - they keep wrapping it in that static proof plastic
- and people think it's a new brand of wine cooler.


        // Cheers 
      \X/  Arthur

... Bad command or filename - Hey! You're not my regular programmer. POLICE!
--- Spot 1.3a #388