Rod, at 09:19 on May 16 1996, you wrote to Bill Grimsley...

BG> In fact, the Courier is arguably the only analogue modem in the
BG> world which, because of its potential future speed and feature
BG> upgradeability, is not going to be obsolete one year down the track.

RS> We'll see. I have heard that plenty of times before, and
RS> with ISDN and cable modems,

Missing the point.  That's why I specifically stated "analogue" above.

RS> USR's claim that its the last modem you will ever need is MOST unlikely to 
RS> be true.

Given that digital signals don't require modems in the true sense of the
word, their claim is probably truer than you think.  :)

RS> Yes, but when its prices are very high, its gouging. Particularly
RS> when you compare an internal Sportster and Courier, with fuck all in
RS> it parts cost wise, and the price they charge for those two. Gouging.

BG> Crap.  The external Couriers are almost three times the physical size of
BG> the Sportstsers, and contain considerably more (3x as much?) componentry.

RS> Says he furiously trying to sweep the internals under
RS> the carpet. Pity THEY show that USR gouges obscenely.

I was talking about the externals, but if USR wants to gouge on the
internals, who cares?  I don't, as I won't be buying one.  Simple really.

BG> Aside from that, I also actually EXPECT to pay a small premium
BG> for a modem which is easily and cheaply feature-upgradeable.

RS> Your expectations have nothing whatever to do with the gouging
RS> Bill. That is in fact HOW they gouge you on the internals.

Sorry, I have an external, so they haven't gouged ME at all.  You may
actually have noticed that it's a free world, so if somebody decides to
piss away their money on an internal, that's not my problem.  Nor yours,
for that matter.

Regards, Bill

--- Msgedsq/2 3.20