Paul, at 21:05 on Mar 28 1996, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

BG> Note that the obsolete NetComm DOESN'T support V.34+, SREJ nor 64 State 
BG> trellis, and neither can it be upgraded to do so.

PE> Because it doesn't support them.  So? 

BG> So it's an inferior product.  And obsolete.

PE> Yes, it is slightly inferior in that respect.  So how much do you
PE> think I would have saved off my phone bill if I had paid the extra
PE> $200 for a V34+ modem?

That's not the point, Paul.  The problem with any non-DSP modem is that
they are basically non-upgradeable.  Sure, small bugs in the ROM controller
code can be fixed (and at least NetComm have a flash-ROM for that), but
chipset problems or feature upgrades are simply not viable propositions.

PE> Doesn't cost me $200 extra either.  So?  

BG> You get what you pay for.  Even you should know that.

PE> Yeah?  Worked out how many years it would take for me to make back
PE> the $200 in saved phone call costs? 

Forget the speed difference.  Sure, it's nice to see 33600 connects with
4000 cps transfer rates, but even on STD calls, that's not going to make a
hell of a lot of difference overall (ISD may well be a different kettle of
fish, but most of us don't call overseas often enough to make even that
worthwhile).  The REAL advantage with the top-end modems, like the USR
Courier and the AT&T Paradyne, is the future upgradeability of these
products, and I for one am more than happy to pay a premium for that
ability.

Additionally, whilst I know that you personally don't give a shit about
this, there are still many sysops who consider the modem's ability to
handle incoming calls from non-ITU protocols like V.32ter or HST to be an
advantage as well, and I happen to agree with them.  If I was a sysop, I
think I'd consider my users before worrying too much about an extra ~$200
in the initial cost (and given the free feature upgrades in the pipeline,
it may well be even cheaper to have paid extra up front for the Courier,
instead of having to trade-in or sell  your M34F when stuff such as
Distinctive Ring and CID become a reality).

If you want to call my enthusiasm for a damn good product
"zealotry", then so be it, I really don't give a toss.  What does
tend to piss me off though, is your unjustifiably negative attitude towards
the Courier.  Can you honestly tell me that if they were the same price,
you'd still prefer a NetComm ?

And if your answer to that is yes, I'd be damned interested to hear why.

Regards, Bill

--- Msgedsq/2 3.20