Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cis.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL!INFO-MODEMS-REQUEST
From: INFO-MODEMS-REQUEST@WSMR-SIMTEL20.ARMY.MIL
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: (none)
Message-ID: <9105130705.AA14966@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>
Date: 13 May 91 07:05:45 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 26

OPTIONS: NOACK    LOG    SHORT     NOTEBOOK ALL
Date: 13 May 91, 05:45:07 UPM
From: FACN056@SAUPM00.BITNET
To:  info-modems@wsmr-simtel20.army.mil smtp at interbit
Subject:  V.32bis

In a recent message, Paul Placeway says something to the effect that

>Eventually, the price of V.32bis modems will come down, just as the price
>of 300, 1200 and 2400 modems did. Until then I'll keep my 2400...

This reminds me of something I read about 7 years ago, when I was thinking of
buying my first computer, in a little book called _How to Buy Your First
Computer_. The author (my apologies to him, as I've forgotten his name)
described what he called the But Wait... Syndrome. The main symptom of this
affliction is an unwillingness to buy a desired and/or needed item because of
rumors/reports/announcements that something better/cheaper/sexier is just
"on the horizon."

Yes, V.32bis will come down in price. But by the time it does, what NEW
whiz-bang device or protocol will be on the horizon? And then will you want
to wait until _that_ comes down in price? Far better, it seems to me, is to
accept the fact that technological improvements cost money and spend the
money for what you want and need when you are ready. Your investment may
depreciate, but at least you will be getting some USE out of it instead of
just poring longingly over the magazines every month waiting.