On Sun Jun 23, 1996 (07:34), Kurt Weiske wrote about multi-node questions:



 RP> IMHO the Sportster is the CHEAPER of the two modems, and the Courier

 RP> is the BETTER of the two modems.  Especially for BBS use



 KW> The Sportster has one thing going for it for BBS  use, IMO:  It's

 KW> the  Big Mac of modems.



     True, but I wouldn't trust a V.34 Sportster to be up 24 hours/day,
especially with the overheating problems I've heard about it.



 KW> Sure, a Courier is a much better modem, but I  have better  things

 KW> to  spend my money on, since there' usually a gap between  hardware

 KW> costs  and my user donation for the month.  :)



     At some point, you have to ask yourself what level of quality you will
sacrifice to get a cheaper modem.  Remember, the modem is one of the most
important components for a BBS.  IMHO it's much more important to have a
quality modem on the BBS line, then it is to say have a Pentium vs a used
386.  Unlike an "end user" a BBS pretty much needs to be able to
connect with a wide range of modems, ranging from things like Couriers on
the high end, to (way too much) RPI junk on the low end, with a lot of
stuff in between.  The Courier has high "interop ability" (ie it
will connect with a wide range of other modems), and that can be valuable
for a BBS sysop.



     I realize all about costs (I'm far from "rich" here), but
you do have the option to decide where to put your "BBS money"
(however small it may be).  Even at retail prices, a Courier (which can be
mail ordered from CDW for around $360) is less then twice the cost of an
equivalent speed Sportster (and the sysop pricing on the Courier is cheaper
still). So you have to ask yourself which is more important to you.  Would
you rather have two "big mac" type modems, or one quality modem? 
Unless you really need the extra BBS lines, I would tend to go for one
quality modem over two marginal ones.  Not only will your users likely find
connecting easier, but you are likely to get more "solid"
connects in many cases (and better connections can easily lower your LD
phone costs some).



     Of course, this is just how I choose to draw the priorities.  I
realize that some sysops will feel differently.  It's just that I
personally feel that trying too hard to "save money" on modems
can be "false economy", especially for a sysop.  Remember, modem
reliability varies a LOT with which modem you buy.  I'd much rather have
fewer "quality phone lines" then

more "iffy lines" that will cause my users headaches (FWIW I'm
currently running one line on a Courier V.everything, using Binkley of
course).



     Robert



--- timEd/2 1.10+