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From: bank@lea.csc.ncsu.edu (Belgarath the Sorcerer)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems,alt.bbs,comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Re: USR Sysop Deal Change
Message-ID: <1991Jun16.035838.7332@ncsu.edu>
Date: 16 Jun 91 03:58:38 GMT
References: <1991Jun15.052742.29055@ddsw1.MCS.COM> <1991Jun15.191309.26172@unlinfo.unl.edu> <1991Jun15.233821.24216@dartvax.dartmouth.edu>
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In article <1991Jun15.233821.24216@dartvax.dartmouth.edu> llama@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (Joe Francis) writes:
>Alright, I'll bite.
>
>What is USR?  It sounds like a membership organization fot BBS operators.
>What are it's benifits/drawbacks?
>
>Thanks.
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>"Read My Lips: No Nude Texans!" - George Bush clearing up a misunderstanding

    Uhhh...nope.

    USR is short for "U. S. Robotics"....a company that makes
(among other things) modems. They have a reputation for making
Hayes-compatible modems that are nearly as good as (or even better)
than the "true Hayes" modems, usually at a lower price.

    The topic under discussion ("USR SysOp Modem Deal") refers to
the policy of USR (and a number of other modem-makers, including
Hayes) to give BBS SysOps a price break on modems purchased for
the SysOp's BBS - usually if the SysOp agrees to prominently
announce the fact that s/he is using the modem brand that s/he got
the price break on.
    Pursant to this policy, the manufacturers often call the BBS in
question to make sure that it does exist, has been around for a while,
will continue to be around, etc. etc.....helps justify the loss of
profit margin.

Belgarath the Sorcerer
(Co-SysOp, NiteFlite BBS - Raleigh, NC)
aka bank@lea.csc.ncsu.edu