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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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. Cant see the point in anything more than a
RS> concealed 'dumb modem' jumper for those who really must have one of those,
RS> and are capable of reconfiguring it with some inconvenience if they know
RS> enough to know they need one of those for a particular application.

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. 

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

The only real exception is when the modem is used on an extremely stupid
bit of hardware thats doing some data collection etc that you want to be
able to pump the data out of over a dialup call. All you do is configure
the modem with some comms device before put it on the stupid device. Modern
ones normally have some form of control port for configuring the stupid
device itself anyway so you need to that with the device itself.

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

Yes, and they are always a potential problem for some stupid fiddling.
And get in the road of fancy auto setup of modems for stupids coz the
auto config cant flick switches. And you shouldnt have to tell the
stupid to change the switches to the standard config either. Mad.

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

Now try explaining why the Sportster has DIP switches.

RS> My only other quibble is that it does put a bit more hash on
RS> the voice calls than is desirable. I always use a modem for
RS> dialing voice calls and have the phone in parallel with the modem
RS> between the modem and wall socket for various reasons. The hiss is
RS> noticeable, and its also audible on the modem speaker when dialing
RS> data calls too. Not unusably loud, just a nuisance level thing.

BG> Never noticed that myself, but it doesn't matter anyway, as the
BG> US/Canada versions haven't had the series RJ-11 socket disabled, and
BG> I actually have my own PC-room phone plugged directly into the Sportster.

That makes no difference to that blemish.

BG> Much more elegant IMO,

There is fuck all in it.

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

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

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.  :(

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

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