Depending on your particular assortment of appliances, one of these cards may let you keep all your doodads plugged in all the time. A Black Art Understanding the modem-port shortage requires a bit of knowledge about Apple's Communications Toolbox. Simply install the card in your Mac and drop an extension into the System Folder, and you have six serial ports to choose from instead of just two. Your CT-savvy programs can even operate simultaneously on all your jacks. If your primary interest is in modem software, you're in luck.
Software can help.
Through all this, remember two cold, hard facts of life. First, MIDI devices, the QuickCam, most digital cameras, and LocalTalk work only when plugged into built-in ports, no matter what. Doesn't work with cameras, printers, and so on. Read through past issues of Macworld magazine or see a list of recently-posted online items . Read our regular reviews of new downloadable Mac software , complete with mouse ratings.