Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!decwrl!shelby!lindy!boeheim
From: boeheim@lindy.Stanford.EDU (Chuck Boeheim)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: FREE Month of PRODIGY, On-Line Service and Software
Message-ID: <6287@lindy.Stanford.EDU>
Date: 6 Dec 89 22:29:26 GMT
References: <244@ide.UUCP>
Sender: boeheim@lindy.Stanford.EDU (Chuck Boeheim)
Reply-To: boeheim@lindy.Stanford.EDU (Chuck Boeheim)
Organization: Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
Lines: 35

I didn't have any problem with loading the program, but I did spend
a lot of time trying to get it to work with my Hayes compatible
Concord Data Systems Series II 2400 baud modem.  After monitoring
the line, I found that they were sending very complex settings commands
to the modem, apparently trying to set every possible modem configuration
that they could find in the manual.  To begin with, they send an ATEE1E4
string to the modem, and appear to use the checksum response to index
the modem table in the file MODEMS.TXT.  (Was that the file name?  I'm
at work now and that stuff's at home.)  Well, the Concord modem doesn't
respond to an E4 directive.  I tried various combinations of altering 
the EE1E4 string with a sector editor (it's imbedded in the program),
and changing the code lines in the MODEMS.TXT file.  I succeeded in
getting it to send some different sequences, but it appears to be too
dependant on the responses, since it kept saying that I could not 
connect to the service.

So I dragged out my old Hayes 1200 modem and used that.  Presto, it
was on in a flash.  (Strange, that old modem doesn't implement that 
E4 directive either.  What gives?)  So I sent a note to their HELP99A
mailbox giving a description like this one and asking for their help
in using my faster modem.  I received only the disappointing response
that 'the Concord modem is not supported by this service.'  In my 
opinion, their program is trying to be too clever by far in configuring
the modem, and by doing so they are shutting themselves off from 
a large section of the market that owns modems that are only slightly
less than 100% Hayes compatible.  

I'm not locked out since I have a modem that works, but I have to 
recable the Mac, and put up with the slower speed.  I'll weigh the
value of the service they provide when deciding to keep it after
the trial period, but the inconvenience and their responsiveness will
certainly be a factor in that decision.

-Chuck Boeheim
 Stanford Linear Accelerator Center