Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!cmcl2!rutgers!mtune!mtgzz!drutx!dvac
From: dvac@drutx.ATT.COM (VachonD)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: Re: 9600 baud modem
Message-ID: <6493@drutx.ATT.COM>
Date: 18 Jan 88 18:27:43 GMT
References: <8801141034.aa16146@SMOKE.BRL.ARPA>
Organization: AT&T, Denver, CO
Lines: 33

In article <8801141034.aa16146@SMOKE.BRL.ARPA>, SEWALL@UCONNVM.BITNET writes:
> 
> Unless there is something new the problem with 9600 baud modems remains that
> the ONLY modems you can talk to at 9600 are the SAME BRAND.  Unless you
> regularly communicate with a mainframe that has a 9600 baud using the
> IDENTICAL communications protocol (or several bbs's that have the same
> modem), 9600 is hardly worth the cost.  On our campus we connect to the
> mainframe at 9600 over dedicated lines - our computer center charges $650
> for the service (includes hardware).  Once installed, all that's needed is
> a serial port (even a SSC clone does nicely).

True Murray.  The only other 9600 baud modems that the HST may communicate with
are other HST's.  But for most BBS operators (like myself), the $500 price
was real nice since Hayes is asking like $1200 for their 9600!  US Robotics
decided to make a low cost 9600 baud modem aimed at the BBS or data transfer
market.  The HST supplies a very low cost method of sending data at high 
speeds!  If you want to hoop up to a mainframe at 9600 baud, you had better get
the hayes since most businesses/schools spent enough on the mainframe, another
$1200 for a modem is drop in the bucket!  But for me, I have been into BBS'ing
for about 6 years now, and have been running BBS's for about 5 years.  US
Robotics introduced a sysop support program for BBS Sysops which got their 
HST into a lot of doors.  I would say that there are probably a few hundred
BBS's nationwide that are running on the HST now.  I know of about one to
two hundred that are Apple Based alone!    

What it really comes down to is, what will you be using your modem for.  I use
mine to call some BBS's in California, New Mexico, New York, Minnesota, and
Pennsylvania to name a few.  When you are talking about long distance phone
charges, this modem pays for itself in no time!  The US Robotics is a 9600
baud Hobbyist's modem.  The Hayes is the businessman's modem.... I am no
business man when I am at home and on my BBS, so the HST was a great deal!

Later -=> Dan Vachon <=-   !ucbvax!ihnp4!drutx!dvac