(Continued from previous message)

BG> overrides an accidental AT&F1 which would set these
BG> to &C1 and &D2, and render the modem useless?

Fraid not. Try explaining how you can use all those modems
which have no DIP switches on Macs and Amigas. Supra even have
specific Mac packs, which are just a cable and Mac software.

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.

BG> Tough.

Soorree, thats not what robust design is all about.

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

Soorree, thats not what robust design is all about. Its completely doable.

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

BG> IYO.

Fraid it aint just my opinion, its a basic of decent design.

BG> I'd sooner have them and not need them, then the other way around.

You just cant bring yourself to admit that there is a single
deficiency in anything USR does design wise Bill. Zealotry.

BG> For Christ's sake, they're on the bottom of the modem,
BG> and shouldn't be subject to indiscriminate fiddling anyway.

You know as well as I do that life aint like that.

BG> And their functions are clearly listed in the docs as well,

Which can be a considerable problem if they have vanished. Which is
why it makes a HELL of a lot more sense to design the modem so it can
always be communicated with with these funky AT commands which auto
recognise the comm speed you are using, and the better modems even
have help screens etc too. Leaves medieval DIP switches for dead Bill.

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.

BG> So?

So your 'fairly modem-literate' has blown up in your face, thats the
mass market modem the stupids are supposed to by, still got DIP switches.

BG> I understand what they do, and they've never caused me a problem.

Pity that says sweet fuck all about other who may well
know just a tad less about modems than you do Bill.

BG> If other people are too stupid to use them, I sure don't give a fuck.

You may well not, someone who understands what decent
design is about may well be able to recognise that
an important part of decent design is useability Bill.

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.

RS> That makes no difference to that blemish.

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

Yeah, yeah, its user error. Soorree, it aint. Maybe its my Supra
and the USR is having a hissy fit at it or sumfin. Sure Bill.

BG> Much more elegant IMO,

RS> There is fuck all in it.

BG> Oh crap.  It saves a double adapter

Whoopy fucking do Bill.

BG> and two separate lines running to the modem and phone, for a start.

Soorree, makes no difference if the phone on the desk
with the PC is plugged into the double adapter or the RJ11
on the back of the phone as far as cables are concerned.

BG> It also makes it much easier to switch between voice and data calls,

Nope, no difference at all in fact.

BG> as there's no need to hang up the phone when you switch.

Depends on whether the RJ11 on the modem for the phone
is disconnected in data mode, some are, some aint.

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,
RS> tell the Taiwanese I want them to mass produce the
RS> clone, and actually set them up to steal it |-)

BG> Pity that the code happens to be USR's intellectual property, isn't it?

I dont give a damn, neither do you Bill, you are just shitty that anyone
dares to mention the slightest wart in a USR modem. Mindless zealotry Bill.

BG> But go right ahead, and we can then organise
BG> "in-gaol" yaks to keep you company.  :)

I cant go to jail if people buy a Taiwanese modem that the Taiwanese have
churned out with a useable SDL and choose to load a USR SDL into it Bill.
@EOT:

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