Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!westmark!dave
From: dave@westmark.WESTMARK.COM (Dave Levenson)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Re: MODEM AND CALL WAITING
Message-ID: <1506@westmark.WESTMARK.COM>
Date: 17 Nov 90 13:55:23 GMT
References: <11464@j.cc.purdue.edu>
Organization: Westmark, Inc., Warren, NJ, USA
Lines: 33

In article <11464@j.cc.purdue.edu>, zhou@brazil.psych.purdue.edu (Albert Zhou) writes:

> Since my phone is always busy with modem, I ordered a call waiting recently.
> However, it doesn't work well. Two problems:
...
 	(2) The second problem is harder. You cannot switch to another
> calling without hanging up the modem first. I think it is probably because
> I donot fully understand the mechanism of call waiting.

Call waiting is not a very good solution to sharing a phone line
between a modem and a person.  Call-waiting does not let you carry
on two conversations at once.  At best, the computer and its
associated modem can drop the data call in progress, allowing the
person to take the second incoming call.  For most applications,
being cut off in the middle of a transaction is hardly a robust way
of accomplishing anything.

I suggest that you look at the difference in cost between call
waiting and an additional line.  The second line on the same account
usually costs several dollars per month less than the first line.

Two lines probably only cost about $2.00/month more than one line
with call-waiting service.  With two lines, your computer can keep
on talking when your voice call arrives.

If your lines are being used for different purposes, don't get
hunting or other options.

-- 
Dave Levenson			Internet: dave@westmark.com
Westmark, Inc.			UUCP: {uunet | rutgers | att}!westmark!dave
Warren, NJ, USA			AT&T Mail: !westmark!dave
[The Man in the Mooney]		Voice: 908 647 0900  Fax: 908 647 6857