Date: Sat, 13 Mar 93 22:31:40 CST From: ehfm@midway.uchicago.edu (Eric Hoffmann) Subject: AT&T DataPort 14.4K Report The AT&T DataPort 14.4K modem has generated a lot of interest on the newsgroup comp.dcom.modems. An external model of this modem with Class 1 fax capability (including cable and QuickLink II fax software, yech!) is being advertised in MacWeek (3-08-93) for $299. The offer is only good through April 30, 1993. If you qualify under the Sysop program, your price drops to $222. In response to the question recently posted to info-mac, I sent one reply but thought that it would make more sense to summarize the postings on comp.dcom.modems and prepare a report on this modem. I have clipped responses from the following people on comp.dcom.modems karl@genesis.MCS.COM dawson@willard.atl.ga.us Adam.Frix@p18.f20.n226.z1.FIDONET.ORG jmcging@access.digex.com s.frazee@pdnis.paradyne.com (in charge of the Sysop program) pato@pdn.paradyne.com (senior engineer at AT&T Paradyne) If I missed your posting or if you have testimonials, bug-reports, and further questions, please send mail to me at ehfm@midway.uchicago.edu Also included in this report is the Sysop order form. For a more formal review, check out the March 1993 issue of BoardWatch. The review begins on page 14, "AT&T intros sysop deal on 14.4kbps modems." I will include this review if I can obtain permission from Jack Richard, the editor of BoardWatch. 14,400 Fax external $299 14,400 Fax internal $289 Call 1-800-554-4996 and charge it! Call 1-800-544-4996 ext. 3503 for the dealer nearest you. I am not affiliated in any way with AT&T Paradyne. Just a satisfied customer :-) -Eric Hoffmann ehfm@midway.uchicago.edu =============================================================================== AT&T DATAPORT 14.4K MODEM REPORT =============================================================================== This report summarizes the traffic on comp.dcom.modem regarding the AT&T 14.4K DataPort modems. Additional information should be posted to that newsgroup, or if that is not possible for you, please forward your replies to my mail address -- ehfm@midway.uchicago.edu and I will include your report in the next update of this document. Who do I contact if I want to place an order for this modem? ----------------------------------------------------------- - Call AT&T Paradyne at 1-800-544-4996 to place your order. - Or you may order from Elek-Tek: ELEK-TEK 7350 N. Lindner Skokie, IL 60077 708/677-7660 [from inside of Illinois] 800/395-1000 [anywhere outside of Illinois] -email addresses: s.frazee@pdnis.paradyne.com Scott Frazee is in charge of the Sysop program Scott Frazee AT&T Paradyne Mailstop LG219 8545 126th Ave. North Largo, FL 34649 800/554-4996 (voice) 813/530-8276 (international callers) 813/530-2398 (fax) Reports follow: -------------- From: Adam.Frix@p18.f20.n226.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Adam Frix) Sender: ufgate@cmhgate.fidonet.org (newsout1.26) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems Subject: Report--AT&T Paradyne DataPort 14.4/fax Message-ID: <1135262.2B9B3BA2@cmhgate.fidonet.org> Date: Fri, 05 Mar 93 20:25:20 EST Organization: FidoNet node 1:226/20.18 - cmhGate UF Gateway, Columbus OH Lines: 94 Well, thanks to this newsgroup our user group just got an AT&T DataPort (tm) 14.4 modem with fax for our BBS. We got it under the sysop program; I think $222 is just a _darn_ fine deal. It seems to be a rock-solid, medium-high-end modem. I must say that, unlike the USR products I've come into contact with, its factory settings assume a cable properly wired for flow control. (On a Macintosh, this is not a fair assumption, for we must use specially wired cables that are not readily available and that not too many salespeople know about, and end up getting only half the job done anyway--but I digress.) In addition, there was a fairly large notice right up front aimed at Mac users, telling us exactly which extended command to set for Mac flow control. There was only one. Nice touch. (Trust me, I've tried to explain modem setup and theory over the phone to more than one novice, whose modem manual is shall we say less than satisfactory.) I don't know how well it will work for some of the setups you typically see on the net; however, it's probably rock-solid for most uses. It's not filled with lights on the front, nor any kind of display panel; 7 LEDs, and that's it. Therefore, it's probably not for any application which requires careful and detailed monitoring of what state the modem may be in at any time. It's been on now for about 24 hours, and the entire case (plastic) is room temperature, except for a small spot in the middle of the top which is a degree or two warmer (no more than that). This is a complete about-face compared to the Supras and even the USR Sportsters, which generate enough heat to warm coffee. It's got what they call an Optical Line Interface, which tells me nothing except that they're not using standard electronics to match the incoming phone line with the DSP stuff. Apparently this technology was designed to enhance the modem's performance on noisy lines. If we're lucky, it also means extra protection against lightning. The modem comes with a lifetime warranty and toll-free tech support; I don't suppose AT&T Paradyne is apt to go out of business any time soon, so this is probably worth something. And I've seen some of their monster commercial leased-line modems, so I know they're not newcomers to this stuff like Zoom and Supra and ZyXEL. We received the modem very quickly; maybe 2.5 weeks or so after sending in the application and certified check. This is in great contrast to the USR "send us your firstborn, promise us your second, pay us now, and we'll think about getting back to you at some vague future point" sysop policy. To be fair I think USR is busy responding to the heat of competition--they even take credit cards, now, in 1993--but they're being slow about it, and as much as I wanted a USR, I more so wanted a good modem quickly, for the sake of our users. We looked at the Hayes Optima, for $299, but it uses the AT&T Paradyne chipset--and so the AT&T was a better deal at the $222 price. It was interesting how we came to buy this unit. We had deliberated amongst the USR, Hayes, AT&T, and Telebit modems, and decided on the Hayes; then, the day before we sent the check in, I saw the post here on the net about AT&T's continued low sysop pricing. I faxed Scott Frazee, the AT&T Paradyne Sysop Program coordinator, and within about 15 minutes he was faxing me back with a response. I had all the necessary papers in my hand shortly thereafter. Compare this to Hayes; on a Thursday morning 4 weeks ago I faxed them for more info, and they haven't responded to this day. Sometimes, it's the little things that count. Right before receiving the modem we received a form letter from Scott Frazee, telling us that we had been approved for the sysop program. On top of that--get THIS--he handwrote a note at the bottom of the form letter telling me that he's sorry, but there's a shortage of Mac fax software right now, so it'll be shipping to me shortly. !!!!! Can you imagine this? Not only does their incredibly good price include Mac fax software, which is absolutely unheard of (most places want an extra $100 for it), but he takes the time to let me know personally that he's sorry it didn't ship immediately. Wow. These folks are out to get some business. I guess it's working, huh? :-) If they have a good user group price, I'll not feel badly about recommending them to our members. However, I think that these puppies are only available direct from AT&T, and they list for $550 and sell for $430-$450 through their regular ads. That's a buncha money, given that a slightly less than comparable USR Sportster 14.4/fax sells for $329. A hundred bucks is a hundred bucks, and I think this isn't that high end of a modem (even though it does have configurations for things the commodity modems don't, it doesn't have as many configurations as a USR Courier, for example). But I would definitely recommend it over one of the latecoming commodity modems. You can contact AT&T Paradyne in Largo, Florida at 813-530-2000. If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to try to answer them. I've got the owner's manual right here. Aloha, --Adam-- -- Adam Frix via cmhGate - Net 226 fido<=>uucp gateway Col, OH UUCP: ...!uunet.uu.net!towers!bluemoon!cmhgate!20.18!Adam.Frix INET: Adam.Frix@p18.f20.n226.z1.FIDONET.ORG Please use bang path until my mail forwarding gets fixed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: pato@pdn.paradyne.com (Pat O'Horo) Subject: Re: Report--AT&T Paradyne DataPort 14.4/fax Message-ID: <1993Mar10.142229.24638@pdn.paradyne.com> Sender: news@pdn.paradyne.com (News Subsystem) Nntp-Posting-Host: elvis Organization: AT&T Paradyne, Largo, Fl. References: <1135262.2B9B3BA2@cmhgate.fidonet.org> Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1993 14:22:29 GMT Lines: 30 In article <1135262.2B9B3BA2@cmhgate.fidonet.org> Adam.Frix@p18.f20.n226.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Adam Frix) writes: > > >If they have a good user group price, I'll not feel badly about recommending >them to our members. However, I think that these puppies are only available >direct from AT&T, and they list for $550 and sell for $430-$450 through their >regular ads. That's a buncha money, given that a slightly less than > While I believe we do sell these modems through our direct sales force, they are intended to be marketed through normal (ie distributors) channels. This is new to us (Paradyne), but we are progressing nicely. I checked and we have a special for March and April. 14,400 Fax external $299 14,400 Fax internal $289 Call 1-800-554-4996 and charge it! >-- >Adam Frix via cmhGate - Net 226 fido<=>uucp gateway Col, OH >UUCP: ...!uunet.uu.net!towers!bluemoon!cmhgate!20.18!Adam.Frix >INET: Adam.Frix@p18.f20.n226.z1.FIDONET.ORG >Please use bang path until my mail forwarding gets fixed. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Patrick O'Horo Voice (813) 530-2608 Senior Engineer Fax (813) 530-8224 AT&T Paradyne 8548 126th Ave No. Largo, Fl 34649 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: jmcging@access.digex.com (John McGing) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems Subject: Re: Report--AT&T Paradyne DataPort 14.4/fax Date: 10 Mar 1993 14:47:42 -0500 Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA Lines: 31 Message-ID: <1nlgkuINNa64@access.digex.com> References: <1135262.2B9B3BA2@cmhgate.fidonet.org> <1993Mar10.142229.24638@pdn.paradyne.com> Reply-To: jmcging@access.digex.com NNTP-Posting-Host: access.digex.com pato@pdn.paradyne.com (Pat O'Horo) writes: >While I believe we do sell these modems through our direct sales force, they >are intended to be marketed through normal (ie distributors) channels. This >is new to us (Paradyne), but we are progressing nicely. >I checked and we have a special for March and April. >14,400 Fax external $299 >14,400 Fax internal $289 >Call 1-800-554-4996 and charge it! >----------------------------------------------------------------------- >Patrick O'Horo Voice (813) 530-2608 >Senior Engineer Fax (813) 530-8224 >AT&T Paradyne >8548 126th Ave No. >Largo, Fl 34649 I have the internal unit and it worked right out of the box (haven't tried the fax, though). Great manual, gives me 14.4 connections the Supra could never lock onto. I am very sold on this modem. And if the prices quoted above are for the public in general, this is one heck of a deal. Seriously, it beats the Supra I bought hands down. John -- ------------------------------------------------------------------ jmcging@access.digex.com Nobody knows the troubles I've seen... woodb!oss2cc!jmcging@soaf1 .... and nobody cares! J.MCGING on GEnie 70142,1357 on Compuserve My post, my ideas --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: bob@consult.UUCP (Bob Willey) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems Subject: Re: Report--AT&T Paradyne DataPort 14.4/fax Message-ID: <1370@consult.UUCP> Date: 11 Mar 93 04:25:27 GMT References: <1135262.2B9B3BA2@cmhgate.fidonet.org> Reply-To: bob@consult.UUCP (Bob Willey) Organization: CCS Enterprises, Inc. Lines: 27 In article <1135262.2B9B3BA2@cmhgate.fidonet.org> Adam.Frix@p18.f20.n226.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Adam Frix) writes: >Well, thanks to this newsgroup our user group just got an AT&T DataPort (tm) >14.4 modem with fax for our BBS. We got it under the sysop program; I think >It seems to be a rock-solid, medium-high-end modem. I must say that, unlike < Bunch of stuff deleted.....> We too have been very pleased with the AT&T DataPort 14.4 modem. We have had it up about 2 weeks now on our BBS with some pretty heavy usage and so far, it has done very well. We have a Practical Peripheral 14400FXSA modem and the AT&T DataPort 14.4 modem. The AT&T worked better out of the box and has never missed a lick. The PPI modem was having problems with some hispeed connections until recently. We got the NEW 1.23 ROMs for the PPI and now it appears rock-solid. Right now we can't notice any difference between the connections on either node. The only note here was that someone mentioned that the ROMs in the AT&T are soldered in, so they are not field upgradeable. With everyone else in the market coming out with new ROMs every coupld of months, I am not sure what this will mean. Unless AT&T is confident that this modem has hit the field "perfect in every way". So far, it has been..... -- >.. Bob Willey, CDP .. | .. uunet!consult!bob bob@ccs.com ..< >.. CCS Enterprises, Inc. .. | .. Office: (410) 820-4670 ..< >.. P.O. Drawer 1690 .. | .. FAX: (410) 476-5261 ..< >.. Easton, Maryland 21601 ......|......... BBS: (410) 476-5098 ...........< --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: karl@genesis.MCS.COM (Karl Denninger) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems Subject: Re: AT&T Dataport? Date: 12 Mar 1993 19:23:22 -0600 Organization: MCSNet, Chicago, IL Lines: 16 Message-ID: <1nrd2a$ruo@genesis.MCS.COM> References: <1993Mar12.194320.24296@infonode.ingr.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: localhost.mcs.com In article <1993Mar12.194320.24296@infonode.ingr.com> keford@infonode.ingr.com (Keith Ford) writes: > >What is the turn-around time for the AT&T sysop deal? I got mine in about 5 days. >How does their Dataport perform? I've been a USR man >in the past, but $222 is a good deal for a second line. I have 4. No regrets, no problems. Nice units. -- Karl Denninger (karl@genesis.MCS.COM) | You can never please everyone except Data Line: [+1 312 248-0900] | by bankrupting yourself. LIVE Internet in Chicago; an MCSNET first! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: dawson@willard.atl.ga.us (Willard Dawson) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems Subject: Re: AT&T Dataport? Message-ID: <87BD1B6w165w@willard.atl.ga.us> Date: Sat, 13 Mar 93 16:00:18 EST References: <1993Mar12.194320.24296@infonode.ingr.com> Organization: Willard's House BBS, Atlanta, GA -- +1 (404) 664 8814 Lines: 41 keford@infonode.ingr.com (Keith Ford) writes: > > What is the turn-around time for the AT&T sysop deal? > > How does their Dataport perform? I've been a USR man > in the past, but $222 is a good deal for a second line. > > -- > Keith E. Ford __ > Intergraph Corp / \ Micro Magic BBS 1:373/12 The Dragon Server > +1 205 730-8614 \__/ sysop@umagic.fidonet.org server@ingr.com > fordke@ingr.com [__] 830-2362 HST/V32bis 9600 "Subject: HELP" I had mine in under two weeks (like, ten days, I forget...), from the time I faxed in my application. I guess I should make a "report" on my experiences with it... In short, it's a nice little modem, especially compared to the v.32 SFM it replaces on my BBS. I do like it, mostly. But, with just a few reservations... I don't like the way the status LED's are recessed, requiring one to view them from almost straight-on. Also, if there is a compact way of dumping the S-regs, I haven't found it yet. at&v gives an incredibly long listing, requiring several pages of text. Nice for the novice, but not what I need... What does it take too just get a matrix of data, like is possible on (even) the Supra and my Telebit? And, lastly, why, oh why, could this modem not have been Class 2 rather than Class 1 FAX??? So, despite those two minor quibbles, it's a decent modem, and turnaround time on the order beats other sysop programs, from what others have said. Overall, add me to the list of "happy customers." -- dawson@willard.atl.ga.us (Willard Dawson) gatech!kd4nc!vdbsan!willard!dawson emory!uumind!willard!dawson Willard's House BBS, Atlanta, GA -- +1 (404) 664 8814 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- =============================================================================== =========== AT&T PARADYNE - SYSOP PRICING PROGRAM =========== Please return the completed order form to: AT&T Paradyne c/o Scott Frazee Sysop Pricing Program 8545 126th Avenue North P.O. Box 2826 Largo, FL 34649-2826 FAX: (813) 530-2398 Name of Sysop: __________________________________________________ Company: ________________________________________________________ Business Address: _______________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Business City, State, Zip Code:__________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Business (Voice) Phone Number: __________________________________ Shipping Address (if different from above): _____________________ _________________________________________________________________ Shipping City, State, Zip Code: _________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Home (Voice) Phone Number: ______________________________________ Name of Bulletin Board: _________________________________________ Bulletin Board Phone Number(s): _________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Which BBS software package is being used: _______________________ What type of modem (manufacturer and brand) is currently being used: ___________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ How long has the BBS been running: ______________________________ Please leave the current number of active callers and the average calls per week received by your system: _________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Is the BBS tied into a Net? If "Yes", which Net(Fido, WWIV, RIME, etc.): ____________________________________________________ What is the BBS' Main Focus (File Exchange, Message Base, E-mail, etc.): __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Is this a Non-profit or Commercial BBS (if Commercial, please include your fee breakdown): ____________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ When is the BBS in operation: ___________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ To verify the preceding information, AT&T Paradyne MUST be provided with a login and password. AT&T Paradyne Login: ____________________________________________ AT&T Paradyne Password: _________________________________________ If you would like for AT&T Paradyne to send additional literature to an affiliate and/or user group, please leave their information below. Name: ___________________________________________________________ Attention: ______________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip Code: __________________________________________ Voice Phone Number: _____________________________________________ Data Number: ____________________________________________________ AT&T Paradyne is proud to offer three different DataPort modems under the Sysop Pricing Program. These modems are: FEATURE LIST SYSOP MODEL NUMBER PRICE PRICE DataPort 14.4/Fax Ext. 3710-A1-201 $555 $222 DataPort 14.4/Fax Int. 3721-B1-001 $505 $202 DataPort 14.4 Ext. 3710-A1-211 $515 $206 Ext. = External Modem Int. = Internal Modem YES! I would like to order the following DataPort products. FEATURE QTY. NUMBER SUBTOTAL _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Subtotal: ________ All Customers must add-in their applicable sales tax: ________ I prefer the modem be shipped by UPS (add $5): ________ I prefer the modem be shipped by FedEx-2 day(add $15): ________ Total Cost of Order: ___________ Enclosed, please find my payment of $_____________ in the form of: Money Order ( ) Mastercard ( ) Visa ( ) American Express ( ) If paying by credit card, the following MUST be completed: Credit Card Number: _____________________________________________ Expiration Date: ________________________________________________ Signature as it appears on the card:_____________________________ Please recognize that this is a discount offer applicable to qualified sysops only and may be terminated and/or altered at AT&T Paradyne's discretion without any prior notification. By signing below, the Sysop acknowledges and agrees to the attached Qualifications. Sysop's Signature Dated: _______________, 19____ ________________________________ AT&T Paradyne By: ____________________________ By: __________________________ (Please Print Your Name) Qualifications: 1. The Sysop has been continuously operating a functional computer bulletin board for the past 6 months. The Sysop further agrees to maintain the on-line bulletin board for 6 months after the sale of the DataPort modems purchased under the Sysop Pricing Program. 2. The Sysop agrees to include an appropriate login notice in a visible and conspicuous place, stating that his/her system is being run off of an AT&T Paradyne DataPort brand modem. 3. The Sysop understands that the number of modems available for purchase under this program is limited only by the number of lines that the bulletin board is currently making use of. For multiple line/node services, the data lines/ nodes must be verifiable. 4. The Sysop understands that his/her order will be shipped within 3 to 4 weeks upon being verified as a Sysop. The verification process includes the return of this order form to AT&T Paradyne by Sysop and a check by AT&T Paradyne to ensure that the Sysop's computer bulletin board is operational. AT&T Paradyne reserves the right to refuse those who do not qualify as a true Sysop. --------- Additional comments should be sent to ehfm@midway.uchicgo.edu for inclusion in the next version of this report. /END 03-13-93