Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!maytag!xenitec!zswamp!root
From: root@zswamp.fidonet.org (Geoffrey Welsh)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Re: Another 9600 protocol!
Message-ID: <7006.27DCEB16@zswamp.fidonet.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Mar 91 01:44:57 EST
Organization: Izot's Swamp BBS - Kitchener, Ontario

 >From: walvdrk_r@pttrnl.nl

 >The 'problem' with that 'new' thing is the lack of information.
 >The original poster was so kind as to copy part of the
 >advertisement but that didn't give any clues about the actually
 >used modulation technique.

   He couldn't... I have read both the printed and electronic propoganda on 
the CompuCom SpeedModem and nowhere does it state what modulation standard is 
used for non-FAX 9600 bps transmission..

 >I suspect that it essentially uses a V.29 (fax standard for
 >9600bps simplex operation) modulation and that some clever
 >tricks were added to turn around the direction of transmission
 >(not used by faxes). If that is indeed the case, there's no reason 
 >to make such a fuzz about technological advancements. There isn't;
 >just a smart way of using cheap and currently available technology.

   I'd tend to agree: V.29FT (or some variation thereof) would be a fairly 
safe bet.  However, if they're using an advanced form of FAX modulation for 
their 9600 bps, why is their SpeedModem Combo (the one with FAX capabilities) 
more expensive?

   Also, a friend swears he heard the words "asymmetrical" and "backchannel" 
while talking to CompuCom technocritters, but he's not a real technoid himself 
and, no matter how I interrogate him, meaningful information is not 
forthcoming.  Since, to the best of my knowledge, CompuCom doesn't have an 800 
line available to Canada, I'm getting my thoughts (and miscellaneous 
information) together before calling them myself.

 >The other point may be whether it makes sense to add a 
 >(de-facto) "standard" to the existing list.

   If the question is, "How useful is one of these modems to me?", the answer 
is, it's a 2400 bps modem with MNP5.

   If the question is, "Could we save money if a lot of us bought one?", the 
answer is probably yes.

   If the question is, "What does this mean to 9600 bps connectivity?", I'd 
say that CompuCom has guaranteed that either its customers will be soon be 
S.O.L. or that the concept of open connectivity between major brands at 9600 
bps has been set back a couple years, at least towards the low end of the 
market, at a time when cheap V.32 was just becoming popular.

   In the long term, I don't think CompuCom is doing the consumer community a 
favour.
 

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