From: mgilula@MIASUN.MED.MIAMI.EDU (Marshall Gilula)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next.sysadmin
Subject: The Crippled Neuron FAX96+ and ff problems
Date: 2 Apr 92 00:30:50 GMT


Nearly two weeks ago, I have posted to this group about Neuron's saga
of "burn the customer" and I have been treated rather kindly by the rest
of the net.  Thanks.

My Neuron FAX96+ still does not work, and has incredibly buggy software
which allegedly is even more disastrous with Neuron's "newer" model, but
Dan Gittleman, the President of Neuron, allegedly has continued to make
many promises which have not been kept.  Specific information has indicated
to me that the buggy software as well as the crippled FAXmodem hardware
are both capable of generating fatal uucp problems.  Here is some additional
information [NOT intended as flames-for-flames'-sake or for any other reasons]
that points to continuing unsolved problems and an unresponsive company.
One writer indicated to me that Mr. Gittleman's assistant, Beth, has actually
called a Neuron customer overseas to complain about the customer's complaints
on the net !!!!!!

We will try to consolidate, summarize, and update this saga although most of
us appear to tolerate  abuse slickly handed out by Neuron with a philosophical
attitude.  We have become accustomed to the middle-finger attitude generated
by Mr. Gittleman and the other people at Neuron.

-----------------------------------------
Begin forwarded message:

Date: Fri, 27 Mar 92 16:04:32 GMT-0500
From: uunet!starr.com!alta (Rex Riley)
To: helical!rallan (Robb Aley Allan)
Subject: Re: Neuron modems

Neuron should get the Techno Knick-Knack Award from GUN for their  
FAX96+.

-Rex

Begin forwarded message:

Date: Sat, 28 Mar 92 08:13:25 EST
From: uunet!agishost.portal.com!rcasey (Richard P. Casey)
To: helical!rallan (Robb Aley Allan)
Subject: Re: FYI from Miami NUG...

Robb, 

Here are copies of notes I sent to other dissatisfied Neuron users.  Just more  evidence of neglect.

Rich
--------------------

Date: Wed, 25 Mar 92 23:11:07 EST
From: rcasey (To: roth@cs.wisc.edu)
To: roth@cs.wisc.edu
Subject: Modem Talk

Bill.

I have a Neuron modem hooked to my computer and it has never worked as advertised.   
Adding insult to injury, the company was unresponsive to inquiries and indicated  
that the reason it could not receive incoming faxes was because my Toshiba fax  machine was an "Oddball" fax machine.  Yet I also cannot receive incoming data  wo  s either.  At NextWorld expo Dan promised to provide me with an upgrade in t
weeks.  It is now two months and no upgrade.  I called two weeks ago and they said  
"next week."  Attached to my other Next computer is a Telebit Trailblazer which  
works just fine.  Judge for yourself.

Rich Casey
rcasey@agishost.portal.com
"Don't call me, I'll call you" (Because my Neuron Modem can't answer your call!)--------------------------------

Date: Tue, 17 Mar 92 08:53:07 EST
From: rcasey (To: h2o@cup.portal.com)
To: h2o@cup.portal.com
Subject: another unsatisfied Neuron user

Miljenko,

I can empathize with you.  Neuron is a lousy outfit that would do the NeXT  
community a service by going out of business.  That company does not return my  y  ls and when I finally do talk to someone all I get is Bull!  I am sorry to sa
that I think they are a lost cause.    

Anyway, I have been able to dial out on my modem to portal but cannot receive any  
incoming calls (data or Fax).  I do not understand why yours does not work with  
NeXTmail.  I have not had a problem in this area.  I do know that their software to  
set up the Unix files for dial-out or dial-in for UUCP did not work so I had to go  
into a variety of files to set it up right.  NeXT's documentation (Network & Sys.  
Admin.) in this area is good, though I still would suggest reviewing the relevant  
Unix man pages.

Please feel free to e-mail me if you would like to compare notes further.

Rich Casey
rcasey@agishost.portal.com
A good company keeps its word.

---------------------------------------
From alta@starr.com Fri Mar 27 16:07:56 1992
To: mgilula@miasun.med.miami.edu
Subject: techno-knick-knack's

Hi Marshall-

Neuron service is less than HYPE.  It is non-existent.  I have both the FAX96+ and 1414.   
Neither work as advertised with faxes.

Intermittent problems 1414=
        handshking fails
        transmission termination fails
        long documents often unreadable (15+pgs)

Basic problems FAX96+
        Neuron Monitor *looking for driver* most of the time

Customer support via e-mail results in no response.  Neuron refuses to support via 800  
and know  .  Part-time students from Princeton have taken over customer support 
very little about the product.  Dan G.  has promised to send new software and new ROMS.   
I have seen neither.

Everytime the 1414 goes down I delete everything from the directory and reinstall.   
FAX96+ is defective and has never worked correctly.  If you get yours fixed or working  
please let me know how or what you did.    In the meantime, if you find a use for it other  
than a techno-knick-knack, please advise.  Likewise.

-Rex
----------------------------------------

Sorry if there is any redundancy.  One conscensus seems to be that buying
Neuron products is not the smartest thing to do.  

I called Neuron several times today, and spoke to Adrian, and got the usual
dishonest runaround.  
-73-
Marshall Gilula
President Miami NUG
mgilula@miasun.med.miami.edu