FC>> I dont own a courier or whatever, and it seems the message should have 

 RB>> And Yes, I can see that you don't even know what a
"Courier" is.

 FC> Ummm a modem?



 Not just a modem....Some (I myself) would argue that it is THE modem



 FC> This sounds reasonable, but if I am transfering files it tells me the cps

 FC> rate so as long as it is about 3200 I'm happy, this would be a normal 

 FC> rate for 28.8?



3200 is OK (on the lower side of a 28800 connect) but 3300 would be what

you will get with a good modem and great lines.



 FC> Looking at my 'glue and go' as you put it, modem manual it has an

 FC> option of speed shift up/down. 

 FC> What is the point of shifting down please, I obviously havent been that 

 FC> much informed of modems faster that the little 9600 I used to use.



If it can shift down when the line conditions are bad enough to force it too,

then it can just as well shift up, if the line conditions get better as the

call progress's.



Modems these days really rely on the phone line (link) being perfect, more

so than in the days of 9600 modems.



 FC> Also, what is the benefit in buying a modem that is more expensive than 

 FC> your

 FC> glue 'n' go. For me I dont give a shit about voice mail, pretty lights, 

 FC> nice

 FC> cover, x-files logo, plug pack for wall, all I need is something to 

 FC> change the

 FC> output of my computer into something that can travel down the phone line

 FC> and as I have so far found, I have no probs with this fairly average 

 FC> modem

 FC> that I am using, it seems to achieve transfer rates that are what I have 

 FC> heard

 FC> on this and other conferences as being quite good. So its all I need.



The quality of the link (from your wall socket to your hosts wall socket)

has the biggest effect on the actual connection.

In my case, I know that the weak link in the chain is Telstra and not my

modems as I have proven the efficiency of my modems on other exchanges.

But SOME glue & go (white box..no name..clone) modems are built to sell

very cheap and therefore skip much of the care and quality needed to make

them rock solid performers. Hence making them the Weak link in the chain.



When you put one of these modems on a iffy line, then you have an unknown

quantity and a known quality....Not very exciting.



The money you saved buying the modem, you then spend with Telstra, trying

to sustain a reasonable connect to get one wanted file down.



If your modem does the desired job with your lines... that is all you can

ask for. And if you got the desired effect for next to no dollars...good.

But your present success is not guaranteed 



Russell



--- Terminate 4.00/Pro