Rod, at 10:18 on Apr 18 1996, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

RB> Any service tone detection quirks your end?

RS> Only the STD pips.

BG> Same here with my US/Canada V.34+ Sportster, but I simply add
BG> X3 to the dialling string to disable BUSY detection on STD calls.

RS> I think a better workaround is to use an ATDT,, dialing prefix.
RS> Then the busy detect still works and the workaround is invisible.

I've actually used a ModemTrans statement in Bink which automatically adds
X3 to the dialling string of any calls which use STD, and as I only use
Bink for polling for email, I almost never hear a busy signal.  Might try
the 2 commas though, as it appeared to solve the problem with my old Intel
400.  My only reservation is that 4 seconds delay between answer and modem
tone recognition may be too long, while 2 seconds may not be enough.  I
know that the comma time is configurable in the modem, but I just couldn't
be bothered fucking about.

Actually, it's just occurred to me that I can't use commas with Bink, as
these need to go AFTER the phone number, not the dialling prefix.  Looks
like I'm stuck with my current method, as I can't have the STD pips removed
until late this year, when our exchange goes fully digital (I've just
checked this).

BG> Too lazy to ask Telstra to remove the pips,
BG> but I might just do that one day soon...

RS> Or use Optus, no pips. The main problem with that
RS> route is that the Telstra weekday economy rate with
RS> Smart Saver is MUCH cheaper than the Optus 20c rate.

Yeah, I came to the same conclusion after checking Telstra's new rates too.
 Just as well I did, as I'd all but changed to Optus for STD at the time
(I'd organised it by phone, but hadn't yet returned the official
documentation).

I think the easiest solution overall is to have the pips removed though.

RS> Pretty good there. My only real reservation is the ATZ
RS> behaviour we have already discussed which I think is too
RS> much of a gotcha for no good reason, but other than that...

BG> As long as you're aware of that quirk, it isn't a problem at all.

RS> Cant agree with that,

Why am I not surprised?  :)

RS> computing is already FAR too riddled with quirky little things you have to 
RS> remember to do like that already. A robust design is about minimising those
RS> when there is no good reason to do it the way that can bite.

So what if it bites the occasional newbie?  Who cares?  As long as you and
I know about it, what's the problem?  Would you refuse to buy a product
because although YOU knew about it's quirks, some others didn't?  I think
not.

RS> I've also never been that keen on USRs propensity to use DIP switches
RS> long after everyone else has binned them, mainly coz its too easy for
RS> that to bite droids too.

BG> I see your point, but not all high-end modems like USRs are used on
BG> PCs or BBSs, and DIP switches can be useful in those circumstances. 

RS> Nope. By definition you must still be able to communicate with
RS> the modem over the comms port to do any configing you want to do.

And what about those computers which don't use carrier detect or DTR
(Amigas?), where you can set the DIPs to &C0 and &D0, which
overrides an accidental AT&F1 which would set these to &C1 and
&D2, and render the modem useless?

BG> The bottom line is that you don't have to use them if you don't want to.

RS> Yes, and they are always a potential problem for some stupid fiddling.

Tough.  If people don't understand something, they should leave it alone.

RS> And get in the road of fancy auto setup of modems for stupids coz the
RS> auto config cant flick switches. And you shouldnt have to tell the
RS> stupid to change the switches to the standard config either. Mad.

IYO.  I'd sooner have them and not need them, then the other way around. 
For Christ's sake, they're on the bottom of the modem, and shouldn't be
subject to indiscriminate fiddling anyway.  And their functions are clearly
listed in the docs as well, so what's the problem?  They confuse your dog,
do they?  :)

BG> Besides, most Courier buyers appear to be fairly
BG> modem-literate, and not your average newbie droids.

RS> Now try explaining why the Sportster has DIP switches.

So?  I understand what they do, and they've never caused me a problem.  If
other people are too stupid to use them, I sure don't give a fuck.

BG> I actually have my own PC-room phone plugged directly into the Sportster.

RS> That makes no difference to that blemish.

So you say.  Funny that MY modem doesn't hash the line though.

BG> Much more elegant IMO,

RS> There is fuck all in it.

Oh crap.  It saves a double adapter and two separate lines running to the
modem and phone, for a start.  It also makes it much easier to switch
between voice and data calls, as there's no need to hang up the phone when
you switch.

BG> and great for using the modem or PC for dialling the phone.

RS> Which you can do without plugging the phone into the RJ-11 on the modem.

Never said you couldn't.

RS> Still recon we need Taiwan to clone the hardware and provide
RS> just useable code, so we can just flash USR code in after buying.
RS> That really would blow a FUCKING great hole in the market |-)

BG> True.  Can't see it happening any time soon though.  :(

RS> Yeah, bit tempted to buy a Courier and do it myself, tell the Taiwanese I
RS> want them to mass produce the clone, and actually set them up to steal it 
RS> |-)

Pity that the code happens to be USR's intellectual property, isn't it? 
But go right ahead, and we can then organise "in-gaol" yaks to
keep you company.  :)

Regards, Bill

--- Msgedsq/2 3.20