🚀 go-pugleaf

   I am an indirect.com user with a PPP hookup and I have no major
complaints regarding service. I am on their server several times a day
throughout the day and night and seem to always get connected unless it�s
peak usage time and the lines are busy.  At these times I set back and let
my software do the dialing and within a few minutes I'm on.  I have had
two other providers - rtd.com and prime.net.  My experience with all three
providers is about the same.  They all have peak periods when the lines
are busy and I sometimes hit a bad modem when attempting to network.
   I am also a Mac user and am using a TelePort Platinum modem and am very
happy with its performance.  In May I used an external Sportster 28.8 for
a week and was so unimpressed with the performance, I returned it.  I was
also disappointed with the physical appearance of the Sportster.  It was a
big ugly dust collector.  The software that came with it was far less than
desirable and when I called US Robotics to complain, I was told I could
upgrade to the commercial version of the software for $50.00.  What's up
with that?!  That in itself was enough to make me return the modem.  For
$236.00 it should have been packaged with decent software!
   I've found that after using the internet for some time now that most of
the problems I have encountered have been with my own ignorance and setup
of the software.  One of the biggest faults I had in the beginning was
setting the correct init string to correctly initialize the modem and make
it talk to indirect.com.  If you are using a TelePort Platinum I can tell
you that this is the correct init string that makes my modem talk and fly
with indirect.com - AT&F1W1S95=44%C0 - That's a Zero not the letter O.  My
Port Speed is set to 57600 and the Flow Control is set to CTS Only. 
Indirect says to set the Flow Control to CTS & DTR but Global Village, the
manufacturer of the TelePort Platinum, told me to use CTS Only.  I've
tried both settings and cannot tell any difference in performance, so I've
left the Flow Control set to the manufacturer�s CTS Only recommendation. 
There are hundreds of modem manufacturers out there.  I don't expect
indirect or any other provider to know all there is to know about all of
them.
   I guess what I am saying here is that there are hundreds of providers
out there and I'm sure that most are doing all they can to survive in a
most competitive marketplace.  If you are unhappy with the service your
provider is giving you, try another.  But, before you do anything, save
yourself some money in the way of hookup charges by making sure you have
your software and hardware setup correctly.  Contact both your provider
and modem manufacturer to make sure there aren't any little nuances you
are overlooking.  If you are using a Sportster, good luck...not my
choice!  My TelePort Platinum is not the best either but it suits me fine
and was within my budget when purchased.  If you are going to upgrade to a
new modem, check around first.  Sometimes the less expensive modems should
be avoided.  You don't get something for nothing.  The more expensive
modems have noise filters and smoothing techniques that allow them to work
better.  They may even have upgrade paths, such as the one I have, which
allows you to upgrade the ROM of the modem using a piece of software that
you can download from the manufacture�s BBS for the cost of a phone call. 
If you are using an IBM/PC or Mac, not to worry.  The server you are
connecting to doesn't care or know what you are using.  It only wants to
see the correct bits coming in so it can send the correct bits back.
   Have fun!

-- 
Joe