Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Re: Why is Supra able to sell?
From: t9114145@phillip.edu.au
Date: 16 Nov 92 11:46:00 EST
Organization: RMIT (Bundoora Campus)

In article <17375@mindlink.bc.ca>, David_Hunter@mindlink.bc.ca (David Hunter) writes:
> I have a Supra v.32bis.  I purchased it about 6 months ago based on its
> impressive list of features, price, and that the only things I had read in
> computer magazines were positive.  I was not reading net messages at that
> time.  Over the last 6 months I had many difficulties and have been able to
> eventually work around them at a considerable cost it time, money and
> frustration.  I am now at the point where I am getting what I want from my
> modem, but its performance was so far from "plug and play" it is ridiculous.

It's not a "plug and play" modem, no. It does work if you take the time 
to learn a bit about modems, but it's not the modem version of a Mac, and
the price reflects this. Would you be happier if you had paid a bit more
and got larger glossier manuals and lots of extras?

> If I knew then what I know now I would never buy a Supra.  If I could do it
> all over again I would gladly pay extra for a Telebit or USR...etc.  I cannot
> understand how someone could even consider taking a risk on Supra after
> reading the mix of messages on the net.  Some are positive, but all those
> negative messages can't be wrong.  There is certainly enough to make Supra
> products highly suspect.  My main question is, Why am I still reading
> positive things about Supras in the computer mags as if they work just super?

Hypothesis: People who write for magazines generally use lots of different 
products and can make things work even if the manual doesn't spell it out.
People who have been complaining heaps about their modems either can't work
it out without detailed, step-by-step instructions and lots of hand-holding,
or just like to whinge a lot. That's my idea anyway. My Supra has caused no
trouble. I have had prompt replies from Supra in all my dealings.
Basically I don't understand how some people have stuffed things up to the
extent that they report here.

> Compuserve's most recent monthly issue comments on the Supra v.32bis as if
> there is no question as to its performance....and you will notice Supra has
> been buying the whole back cover of the mag for months.  You cannot trust the
> magazine reviews.  The net is a much more direct and honest exchange of views

The net may be more honest, but just how reliable is it? You would think
that on the net lots of computer professionals would make opinions more
reliable, but there are heaps of Mac-using humanities-stream people here
too. (Not me though!)

> on what works and what doesn't.  My Supra seems to be working now, but it has
> taken a bunch of fiddling and tweeking and whenever I dial a new system I
> cross my fingers until I am connected!!

Right, so it works now. Exactly what did you have to do? Modify an init string?
Get the right cable? What was it that stopped the modem from working?

> 
> David.
> 
-- 

Adam Eberbach    Computer Science student, RMIT.   t9114145@phillip.edu.au
               "We don' need no stinkin' signatures!"
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems