CompuServe Messages

Jane: I use the SupraFaxModem with my Amiga. The modem hardware is identical to the IBM version, with one possible exception: The Amiga bundle comes with a specially configured serial cable that enabled the CTS firmware handshaking. This resulted in more reliable links than, for instance, the usual XON/XOFF software handshaking. You can use a plain serial cable but you lose efficiency. The IBM version should come with the special cable. If you're planning to move the modem between computers by moving the original cable, no problem; if instead you're planning to use an A/B switch box, you may need to go out and spend $10-20 for another specially configured cable. Just about any Amiga terminal software will work with the fax modem, but you may have to tweak the configuration. Remember that to max out the modem, you need a package that can run at 57,600 bps — that's the fastest effective rate at which the Amiga will exchange compressed data with the modem, whatever your on-line speed. Examples of commercial term software that'll handle that rate are Online Platinum and AtalkIII. Shareware stuff like Term 2.4, Ncomm and JrComm also should work, though maybe not at the fastest rate. If you use the modem for faxing, you'll need GPFax, a wonderful program. It is sold unbundled if you want to add it at a future date. About 75 bucks. The bundled Amiga version of the Supra modem also came with ATalk III, which has worked flawlessly for me. You can buy it unbundled for about 40 bucks. By the way, depending on the hardware setups of your Amiga and your hubby's PC, you may be able to claim bragging rights. Some PCs have trouble keeping up with the Supra's fastest speed because they have a bottleneck chip called a UART. The Amiga doesn't have a UART. If you have an unaccelerated A1000, A500 or A2000, your 68000 processor may likewise be too slow to keep up. It's helpful in that case not to multitask, and to boost your serial port buffer in Prefs (I use 512K). With my Amiga's 68030 <continued>