Dec 95 Pullout

For a desktop PC, you can choose either an external or an internal modem. External modems have LCD indicators that show the unit is working and can be moved from system to system as needed. If you opt for an external unit, you'll need an electrical outlet and some desk space. Internal modems, which reside in a slot within your PC, don't take up any space. They can be slipped in to easily upgrade an existing modem and generally cost a bit less than an external modem. For a notebook computer, you can use an external modem or, if you have a PCMCIA slot, a PCMCIA (PC Card) unit. Lightweight PCMCIA cards have the advantage of portability over the bulkier external units.

Ask if the modem you are considering is bundled with any communications or fax programs, or if it includes software for online services such as America Online and CompuServe. Look for products that come with mainstream applications, such as Delrina's WinFax Lite. In the future, some modems may even come with Internet software, including PPP and TCP/IP stacks.

Make sure the modem you buy is indeed V.34-compatible. Some 28.8Kbps modems support V.FC (V. Fast Class), an older standard. Ideally, you'd want a modem that supports both V.FC and V.34, as well as older 14.4Kbps standards such as V.32.

Internal and external V.34 modems range in cost from about $150 to $200, with internal units at the lower end of the range and external modems at the upper limit. PCMCIA cards generally cost about $300 to $350. Combination cards, such as a V.34 modem/Ethernet card, cost around $450 to $600.

A V.34 modem, which transfers data at 28.8Kbps, can be a valuable addition to either a desktop or laptop computer, particularly if you spend a lot of time doing bandwidth-intensive activities such as surfing the Internet or remotely accessing a corporate database. The Plug-and-Play capability in Windows 95 promises to cure many modem-installation headaches, and manufacturers report that compatibility issues are negligible. Flash memory, a type of programmable memory chip found in some modems, allows you to easily upgrade your modem as new drivers come out. If you will be using your modem with a desktop PC, look for one that incorporates telephony features, such as support for caller ID and distinctive ring or speakerphone capabilities. If you choose a PCMCIA modem, make sure it provides digital line protection so your modem won't be burned out by stray power surges. Even if you don't use a cellular phone at present, check whether the unit you choose supports cellular protocols (such as ETC or MNP class 10) so you have that capability if you ever need it.

Voice capabilities in modems were, until recently, a "gee whiz" feature: Users thought it was neat, manufacturers added it to differentiate their products from others, and few people actually used it. For the most part, voice capability meant only that you could use your PC as a phone answering machine. However, new voice/data technologies are expanding the horizons of modems to let users talk and exchange data in a single phone call. This has translated into a number of new applications for voice modems.

The current de facto industry standard for voice/data communications is VoiceView from Radish Communications Systems. Microsoft has built the Radish protocol into Windows 95, and many leading players (including Hayes, Rockwell, U.S. Robotics and Intel) have jumped on the bandwagon with products that support the protocol. Analysts predict that most new modems will incorporate the VoiceView standard by the end of the year.

VoiceView also enables a number of features not currently available. For example, it enables document management so you can manipulate documents in an on-line conference with others, allowing

all participants to view the document and discuss it at the same time. VoiceView may be a launch point for electronic commerce as well. Blockbuster Video and 1-800-FLOWERS, for instance, have begun services that allow you to call in and choose products and services through a software interface, while consulting with a live salesperson. The TalkShop software needed to do this is already bundled with modems from Boca Research and Cardinal Technology