Rod, at 13:54 on May 13 1996, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

BG> Given that even the later Supras work just fine, the assumption has to
BG> be that the code in Rod's old V.32bis model is in some way deficient.

RS> Soorree, thats utterly bogus. A modem which implements V34 or VFC
RS> aint gunna be farting around with V32terbo, so any deficiency in
RS> the V32terbo in the Courier is completely and utterly irrelevant.

Yeah, I agree that was poor example on my part.  I should have said that
other V.32bis modems work fine with the Courier, which is precisely what
those who've been following this thread in Oz_Modems have been saying.

BG> you'll find that the public's and the shareholders' confidence
BG> goes a long way to determining a company's on-paper value,

RS> Thats crap.

Nope.

BG> and that is generally the result of the perception
BG> of the quality of that company's products,

RS> More crap.

Not at all.

BG> and their sales figures (and profits).

RS> Yes. Or more strictly anticipation of where those are headed.

Of course.  That goes without saying (although it didn't stop you).

BG> Very little to do with gouging at all.

PE> Where do you think the large profits come from, Bill?

BG> Funky stuff like efficiency or good management perhaps?

RS> Nope, hardly ever, particularly with computer technology.

That's a poor industry to be using as a general example though, as
obsolescence is a major factor here, whether intentional or not.  In fact,
the Courier is arguably the only analogue modem in the world which, because
of its potential future speed and feature upgradeability, is not going to
be obsolete one year down the track.

BG> Just because they make a decent profit, the
BG> company is not automatically guilty of gouging.

RS> Yes, but when its prices are very high, its gouging. Particularly
RS> when you compare an internal Sportster and Courier, with fuck all in
RS> it parts cost wise, and the price they charge for those two. Gouging.

Crap.  The external Couriers are almost three times the physical size of
the Sportstsers, and contain considerably more (3x as much?) componentry. 
Aside from that, I also actually EXPECT to pay a small premium for a modem
which is easily and cheaply feature-upgradeable.  Had my old 1988 Courier
HST been a slightly later model, it could have been upgraded to the same
level as the current Courier V.E for just US$89 (a new daughterboard).  If
USR were so intent on gouging, I don't think they'd have bothered with
their trade-in or upgrade programs, forcing people to buy brand new modems
instead.

Regards, Bill

--- Msgedsq/2 3.20