Paul, at 23:42 on Feb 24 1996, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

BG> One thing puzzles me - why the fuck did you buy the fucking M34F sight 
BG> unseen anyway?  I didn't think that even you could be that stupid.

PE> Good question.  This is what I had available to me:

PE> 1. USR Courier - expensive, DEFINITE problems with it, no local support.

Despite your opinion, it's still the pick of what's available.

PE> 2. Netcomm - $100 more than an unknown Yum Cha, no definite problems
PE> with it, recommended by the ISP who tested heaps of brands, no
PE> complaints reported from any users who were supposed to be calling
PE> the Netcomm BBS, local support.

Pity it's a heap of shit though.

PE> 3. Spirit Viper - hate the company, results of 2 days of testing
PE> reported no real problems, similar price to the Netcomm, no local
PE> support.

Others have suggested that the Viper isn't a bad modem for a Rockwell.

PE> 4. Yum Cha - save $100, no local support, unknown quantity.

Still OEM Rockwell-based, regardless.

PE> I took a punt on the Netcomm (anything is a punt), and if nothing
PE> else, I could disprove the ISP's "perfect modem" claims, and see
PE> what the manufacturers had to say for themselves.  If you end up
PE> with a dead duck, at least that is something.

Shame it kills all the other ducks which mingle with it.

If you don't care for V.FC or any other non-ITU protocols, why not look at
a Motorola Lifestyle V.34?  I hear they're fairly good, but I've had no
personal experience with one, so can't comment further.

Regards, Bill

--- Msgedsq/2 3.20