[ILUG] real modems -v- linmodems -v- winmodems.

[Proinnsias Breathnach]

On Sun, Dec 21, 2008 at 10:29:09PM -0800, Rick Moen wrote:
> Quoting Proinnsias Breathnach (proinnsias at linux.ie):
> 
> > Um - Much as I hate to jump in on the thread - while the original
> > "winmodems" were USR (they used that brandname iirc), the original
> > software based modems were based on the Rockwell RPI chipset....
> 
> Yes, I was aware that I was slightly pulling a fast one on definitions.
> USR indeed did not bring the first softmodem to market, but not only
> created the brand name "Winmodem" but also were, in my view, primarily
> responsible for popularising the concept.  As a longtime BBS
> owner/operator who had made a point of using nothing but USR Courier
> externals, I expected better of them, and was sorely disappointed.
> 

:-)

Of course - I too was missing a few points, some of the early 68k macs
(and other non intel computers) had been using soft-modems long before
even the RPI chipsets became popular. AIUI, the Mac modem was a software
function to the soundcard in early iterations.

P