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steve b
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« on: 2010.01.18, 02:20:43 » |
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Most of you probably don't need telco analog communication, but in an effort to contribute what I can I want to share what I've learned so far.
I have been a near exclusive OS/2 user for close to 15 years. I learned to program Fortran in high school 30+ years ago. Meaning I have had some computer savvy for my adult life. I am also a minimalist and want to live my remaining healthy years outside, climbing, biking, sailing, watching sunsets/sunrises. I resent the time spent on computer issues, at least initially. I have used OS/2 for years without having to get into the nuts and bolts of my computers, so I forget a lot that I learned and have come here for some help. Somehat successfully I might add.
Now that I have that off my chest, I would like to share. For a variety of reasons I will have use for an analog telco connection to my computer probably for several more years. I have used a Xircom pc card modem on my Tecra 8000 until the recent purchase of a Dell Latitude D810. At present I don't think it is possible to use the cardbus/pcmcia on this machine. I finally have USB working for drive and printer. I really liked the idea of a USB modem, especially like the Zoom 3095 or USR 5637. Both are touted as being hardware/controller based and usable on linux systems. The linux guys have had only spotty success with the 3095, and this with Zoom provided drivers. And I just received a reply from USRobotics that their 5637 will not work on OS/2. This, of course doesn't mean it won't, but taken with the Zoom experience, apparently being a hardware modem is not good enough like it was in the old days. Some of you probably know why that is, but I set out with memories of the time OS/2 ran practically any modem you plugged in was built in until the dreaded winmodem became standard issue on a laptop. I also have shied away from serial port modems because I had in the back of my mind that I usually use that for something else (mouse) and I didn't want to plug in another ac cord. If it comes to that, so be it. I will keep my eye out for the sucessfully tested usb modems, but they are a little rare and a bit pricey.
Right now, I am liking the idea of getting a Thinkpad, getting cardbus and USB working and using my Xircom again. I will be posting on the hardware forum shortly outlining my strategy and looking for input and caveats. I am so happy that I will be able to continue using OS/2 -eCS.
Steve
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