PRACTICAL PERIPHERALS SYSOP UPDATE
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Practical Peripherals, a subsidiary of Hayes, has spruced up their modem
product line fairly substantially with a cute 14.4kbps pocket modem and an
under $300 fax port for Laserjet printers. As of February 5, they've also
lowered sysop prices on their PM14400FXSA modem to $250 from the list price
of $549 and likewise dropped the price of the PM14400FXMT to $200 compared to
the list price of $399.

Both modems support 14,400 bps V.32bis data connections and 14,400 bps V.17
fax connections. Data compression/error correction is provided using the now
ubiquitous V.42/V.42bis. And they both come with QuicklinkII fax/terminal
software and a lifetime warranty. But these modems also incorporate CALLER
ID. The main difference between the two models is that the pricier
PM144400FXSA is a small tower model sporting a 12-character LCD readout that
displays various connect status activities in English. The PM14400FXMT is a
more conventional modem configuration with LED indicators.

Sysops operating 24-hour bulletin boards can qualify for the discount program
and order modems up to the maximum number of telephone lines installed on the
BBS.

Somewhat unique to the Practical Peripherals program is a service called
SYSOP Express. This service quite rightly notes that BBS operators are averse
to taking their BBS down for three or four weeks until a modem gets fixed. If
you do encounter a hardware fault with a PPI modem, they guarantee you an
overnight replacement within the Continental U.S. with an express shipment
arriving by 10 AM the next day. The modem and shipping is charged to your
credit card. When you return the faulty unit, the credit card is credited
with the modem cost. So you get an overnight replacement for the cost of
shipping. The program is detailed in the file 144SYSOP.ZIP in library 15 of
the Practical Peripherals support BBS at (805)496-4445. Practical
Peripherals, Inc. 375 Conejo Ridge, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361; (805)497-4774
voice; (805)374-7200 fax.