🚀 go-pugleaf

The typical modular RS232 plug (and everybody and his dog is already
using them - all with different pin arrangements) is an RJ-45 (8 wire)
connector.  Since these are wider than a typical RJ-11 jack, there
is little danger of plugging them into the wall.

Anybody who makes a true RJ-11 RS232 cable only has 4 wires to work
with.  After SD, RD, and SG, you've only got one left for CD or DTR
or DSR or FG or whatever else you want to carry.  Possible, but I
sure wouldn't put that in a product I was designing.

The modular jacks are becoming very popular for lots of things, because
their physical design is very convenient.  For example, Starlan uses
a modular plug.  So does ISDN.  If you've ever fought with an Ethernet
connector (and tried to keep it from falling off) or hassled with
screwing down RS232 (and not bothered) you'll appreciate why the
modular jack is so popular.

There is concern about people plugging them into the wrong place among
some of the product designers.  For example, the Starlan connector is
an 8 wire RJ-45 type plug, but Starlan itself only uses 4 wires.  They
deliberately avoided the 2 center wires that are used for the phone
line, but instead stuck to some near the outside.  This has the
unfortunate side effect that you can't go to your favorite grocery
store and buy Starlan cable, but it's the price of safety.

	Mark