MODEMS

BY: Hugh W. Kirkwood

FROM: Purchase 64 User Group
      Paducah, KY

"If you are not using a Modem, you're missing half the fun of using your
computer" or so the article in AHOY magazine stated. Just what are these
little electronic marvels called Modems,what can it do? How much do they cost?
Are some better than others? What can I do with it?

The last question first. You have access to a world of information at your
fingertips through the use of systems all over this country. Business, Stocks,
Science, Travel, Banking or just plain fun getting in conversations with other
people everywhere. 

What is a Modem and how does it work? Think of two people, a Chinese and an
American trying to talk to each other but unable to understand each other
because of the language barrier. Enter an interpreter who can now translate
each language so the two may now communicate with one another. Your Modem is
just such an interpreter or translator. Your Commodore speaks in a language
known as "digital data" while the phone companies speak in a language called
"analog" or continuous tone. Your Modem is UMOUdulating and UDEMUodulating
thus the word MODEM was born. 

There are three classes of Modems: Acoustical, Standalong and Onboard. 

Acoustical was a device with rubber cups on both ends and you snapped your
telephone handset into these cups and the device worked as your Modem. In its
time it was a practical piece of equipment but it is not used much today. 

Standalong was just what it said, it sat next to your computer sort of like a
disk drive and used a wire connector to the phone's modular jack. This is a
very sophisticated piece of equipment and its cost varies from about $60 to
$300.

An Onboard Modem simply means that it is a small unit that plugs directly into
the expansion port on the back of your computer and a phone line snaps into it
and the phones modular jack and you are ready to go! It will usually have a
talk-data switch and a LED light to indicate that it has connected. 

When you're ready to jump into the world of telecommunications  and you go out
to purchase your first Modem, I suggest you go in lightly, that is,to purchase
an inexpensive 300 baud Onboard Modem to learn on. The cost will vary from $20
to $60, so you see you don't have a large investment to begin with. After some
time, when you are thoroughly familiar with the unit and how to use it, you
might want to go to a bigger Modem. The 1200 baud Modems will operate 4 times
faster than a 300 bps and will save you money if you use the downloading
feature a lot.

What features should the Modem have? First and foremost is compatibility, that
means the Modem should be able to hook up directly to your C64 or C128 without
having to use an interface. Second, be sure that the Modem you select includes
a program disk, some do not, so beware of them. Third, almost all Modems are
capable of half or full-duplexing. If you run in half-duplexing mode, your
computer can only send and receive separately. In full-duplex, BOTH computers
can send and receive at the same time over one wire, so make sure the one you
buy will have the full-duplex feature.  Fourth, be sure it has AUTO-CALL and
AUTO-ANSWER feature. This will enable your computer to dial a number while you
are out of the room and connect up while you are gone. When you return you are
connected and don't have to wait for another call. 

There is much, much more I could say about the Modem, but in closing, I
suggest you see about purchasing a good book that will really help you get
started in the world of telecommunications. If I may suggest, a very good book
titled "THE COMPUTER PHONE BOOK-GUIDE TO USING ONLINE SYSTEMS" is a good one
to start with.It is a large book, easily understood with excellent
explanations on helping beginners get started, choosing the right terminal
program and step by step instructions on how to access most all of the
important systems from"CompuServe" to "The Source". There is also a section on
how to use local systems and bulletin boards(BBS). You can find this book at
Walden Book store in the Kentucky Oaks Mall at $14.95. It made a great
addition to my library and I think it will to yours,too!  
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