Hello ALL!

Magicjack and modem test results as I promised a few weeks ago. I can report that the connections were successful.


I have a unique setup, it is a magicjack attached to a switch port on my network, a USR Sportster 28800 hooked to it and to com 1 on a ubuntu box. I am running a WINXP VM on the ubuntu box and Have D'Bridge in a DOS box doing the sending and receiving.

I have been testing it with Mark Lewis. After writing a Modem Control file for DB and opening up the com ports to 115200 I was able to get a 19200 connect. FYI here is a log excerpt.


01/07/2013 13:37 Calling 1:3634/0 at 33600 baud
01/07/2013 13:38 Modem reports "NO CARRIER"
01/07/2013 13:38 Calling 1:3634/0 at 33600 baud
01/07/2013 13:39 Modem reports "CONNECT 19200/ARQ/V34/LAPM"
01/07/2013 13:39 EMSI: 1:3634/12@fidonet, FrontDoor 2.33.mL.b2
01/07/2013 13:39 Z32-S: 11339471.PKT, 453b, 00:02
01/07/2013 13:39 Z32-S: 453b, 00:00
01/07/2013 13:39 Successful, 00:10, a "free" call
01/07/2013 13:39 Marking/Deleting mail


I also tested it with Fred Riccio and some others. It worked equally well. The only limitations that I found were caused by the software settings on the receiving end and the baud rate that was listed in the nodelist. The highest connect rate that I have been able to obtain thus far was 21600. If you are using a 28800 or higher modem I suggest that your nodelisting reflect your baud
as 33600, which is the highest baud available per the FTS (Fidonet Technical Standards) so a system dialing in to you will try to connect at the highest baud rate and fall back as approproiate.

Later,
Bill

Internet: wabusa.com Telnet: bbs.wabusa.com Fidonet POTS: 330-548-2566
--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: INA:fidonet.wabusa.com, IBN (1:3634/15)

Re: Magicjack and Modem test results
By: Bill Burton to ALL on Wed Jan 16 2013 10:42 am

Magicjack and modem test results as I promised a few weeks ago. I can report that the connections were successful.

I have a unique setup, it is a magicjack attached to a switch port on my

Bill, the only MagicJack I've seen is a USB device. I just took a look and it looks like they've updated the dongle. Very cool!

Do you know if you can use a modem with the original USB version? The last tests I did (3-4 years ago) wouldn't allow a connection even at 300 baud.

tnx!

g.

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Gene Buckle wrote in a message to Bill Burton:

Re: Magicjack and Modem test results
By: Bill Burton to ALL on Wed Jan 16 2013 10:42 am

Magicjack and modem test results as I promised a few weeks ago. I
can report
that the connections were successful.

I have a unique setup, it is a magicjack attached to a switch port on my

Bill, the only MagicJack I've seen is a USB device. I just took a
look and it looks like they've updated the dongle. Very cool!

Do you know if you can use a modem with the original USB version?
The last tests I did (3-4 years ago) wouldn't allow a connection
even at 300 baud.

I have not tried that because my thoughts are unless you are running a dual or quad core processor on an OS that suooprts using all the cores and lots of memory is that you would slow the PC down so much that it would be very slow connect rates. In other words the magic jack would be using omputer resources to get the incoming call then the modem would use more of the computer resources to process the data then the software reciving the data would also be
using resources where as using a network capable magic jack you are using less of the computers resources.

Later,
Bill

Internet: wabusa.com Telnet: bbs.wabusa.com Fidonet POTS: 330-548-2566
---
* Origin: INA:fidonet.wabusa.com, IBN (1:3634/15)

Do you know if you can use a modem with the original USB version?
The last tests I did (3-4 years ago) wouldn't allow a connection
even at 300 baud.

that was because the codecs caused some serious problems with digital data being transmitted... these days you can use a MJ for FAX transmissions and FAX stuff is very close to the old POTS BBS modem type of transmission... it is built on it, actually... only the transmission of who talks first in the connection is different ;)

)\/(ark

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* Origin: (1:3634/12.42)

Re: Magicjack and Modem test results
By: Bill Burton to Gene Buckle on Mon Jan 28 2013 11:22 am

I have not tried that because my thoughts are unless you are running a dual quad core processor on an OS that suooprts using all the cores and lots of memory is that you would slow the PC down so much that it would be very slow connect rates. In other words the magic jack would be using omputer resource to get the incoming call then the modem would use more of the computer resources to process the data then the software reciving the data would also using resources where as using a network capable magic jack you are using le of the computers resources.

I'd be astonished to see if a 5 year old machine even *noticed* the load a MJ could put on it. The task it performs just isn't that compute intensive.

g.

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* Origin: The Retro Archive (1:138/142)

Re: Magicjack and Modem test results
By: mark lewis to Gene Buckle on Mon Jan 28 2013 07:48 pm

Do you know if you can use a modem with the original USB version?
The last tests I did (3-4 years ago) wouldn't allow a connection
even at 300 baud.

that was because the codecs caused some serious problems with digital data being transmitted... these days you can use a MJ for FAX transmissions and F stuff is very close to the old POTS BBS modem type of transmission... it is built on it, actually... only the transmission of who talks first in the connection is different ;)

)\/(ark

Mark, do you know if they've updated the codecs that the USB version uses? If so, it might be worth re-subscribing for me.

Thanks.

g.
--- SBBSecho 2.12-Win32
* Origin: The Retro Archive (1:138/142)

Do you know if you can use a modem with the original USB
version? The last tests I did (3-4 years ago) wouldn't allow a connection even at 300 baud.

that was because the codecs caused some serious problems with
digital data being transmitted... these days you can use a MJ for
FAX transmissions and FAX stuff is very close to the old POTS BBS
modem type of transmission... it is built on it, actually... only
the transmission of who talks first in the connection is different ;)

Mark, do you know if they've updated the codecs that the USB
version uses? If so, it might be worth re-subscribing for me.

AFAIK, MJ is always USB... i would assume that the codecs have been updates since billB was able to get 26k6 connections with my analogue system...

)\/(ark

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* Origin: (1:3634/12.42)

Re: Magicjack and Modem test results
By: mark lewis to Gene Buckle on Tue Jan 29 2013 12:17 pm

AFAIK, MJ is always USB... i would assume that the codecs have been
updates since billB was able to get 26k6 connections with my analogue system...

Yep, they've updated the software (including codecs) quite a bit. But they've also released a new Magicjack Plus, which has an onboard computer. It gets power via a standard USB plug, but you don't have to plug it into a computer... a power adapter on your wall is what it's designed for, and has a new Ethernet port on it.

If I can ever get caught up on my needs and get ahead on the bills, I wanna get one myself for a data line. :)
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* Origin: Southeast Texas BBS (1:393/31)

Gary Perkins wrote in a message to mark lewis:

Re: Magicjack and Modem test results
By: mark lewis to Gene Buckle on Tue Jan 29 2013 12:17 pm

AFAIK, MJ is always USB... i would assume that the codecs have been
updates since billB was able to get 26k6 connections with my analogue system...

Yep, they've updated the software (including codecs) quite a bit.
But they've also released a new Magicjack Plus, which has an
onboard computer. It gets power via a standard USB plug, but you
don't have to plug it into a computer... a power adapter on your
wall is what it's designed for, and has a new Ethernet port on it.

If I can ever get caught up on my needs and get ahead on the bills,
I wanna get one myself for a data line. :)

I am using two of the new ones for data lines and another one for a home phone for my wife. I have an old USR 28800 Sportster hooked to one of the data lines and am getting great connects 21600 and higher.

Later,
Bill

Internet: wabusa.com Telnet: bbs.wabusa.com Fidonet POTS: 330-548-2566
---
* Origin: INA:fidonet.wabusa.com, IBN (1:3634/15)

AFAIK, MJ is always USB... i would assume that the codecs have been
updates since billB was able to get 26k6 connections with my analogue system...

Yep, they've updated the software (including codecs) quite a bit.

i was informed of this earlier... all i've ever seen on TV was the USB ones...

But they've also released a new Magicjack Plus, which has an

i've heard of those... but that's all... nothing on tv that explains anything in 30 seconds...

onboard computer. It gets power via a standard USB plug, but you
don't have to plug it into a computer... a power adapter on your
wall is what it's designed for, and has a new Ethernet port on it.

that's cool... sounds like it might plug into a switch or router with that capability ;)

If I can ever get caught up on my needs and get ahead on the bills,
I wanna get one myself for a data line. :)

good luck there... i've been dealing with it for years and haven't made it out yet :?

)\/(ark

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* Origin: (1:3634/12.42)

Re: Magicjack and Modem test results
By: mark lewis to Gary Perkins on Wed Jan 30 2013 02:53 am

But they've also released a new Magicjack Plus, which has an

i've heard of those... but that's all... nothing on tv that explains anything in 30 seconds...

I got an email from them a while back pitching it, which explained it a little more.

that's cool... sounds like it might plug into a switch or router with that
capability ;)

That's exactly right.

If I can ever get caught up on my needs and get ahead on the bills,
I wanna get one myself for a data line. :)

good luck there... i've been dealing with it for years and haven't made it out yet :?

Yep, been years here. I was unemployed for a few years until my son hit school age, and I was able to finally get childcare assistance. As my income went up, so did my expenses...lol... I'd be doing fine if my car hadn't crapped out on me. Tried buying a cheap used car from someone, ended up with a lemon and had to get a used one off of a dealership, so now I'm stuck with a big car note AND full coverage insurance. :p
--- SBBSecho 2.12-Win32
* Origin: Southeast Texas BBS (1:393/31)

Re: Magicjack and Modem test results
By: Gary Perkins to mark lewis on Wed Jan 30 2013 06:07:27

Yep, been years here. I was unemployed for a few years until my son hit sch age, and I was able to finally get childcare assistance. As my income went so did my expenses...lol... I'd be doing fine if my car hadn't crapped out o

You wouldn't happen to be a single father, by chance, would you? I'm one, had full custody of my son since he was 18 months (he's now 6), and I've had a very similar 5 years. I wasn't sure if I'm the only one I've seen so far on fidonet or not. :)

-The opinions expressed are not necessarily an advocation of any of the aforementioned ideologies, concepts, or actions. We still have the freedom of speech, for now, and I enjoy using it in a satirical or ficticious manner to amuse myself.-
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Re: Magicjack and Modem test results
By: Damon A. Getsman to Gary Perkins on Fri Feb 01 2013 08:51 pm

Re: Magicjack and Modem test results
By: Gary Perkins to mark lewis on Wed Jan 30 2013 06:07:27

Yep, been years here. I was unemployed for a few years until my son hit sch age, and I was able to finally get childcare assistance. As my
income went so did my expenses...lol... I'd be doing fine if my car
hadn't crapped out o

You wouldn't happen to be a single father, by chance, would you? I'm one, had full custody of my son since he was 18 months (he's now 6), and I've had a very similar 5 years. I wasn't sure if I'm the only one I've seen so far on fidonet or not. :)

Yep. I had both my kids for years, and around here, you have to have a job to get child care assistance, or be able to document job searching for 40 hours a week for a limited period (I forget how long). I live in a small area, so a full 40 hours of job searching (and researching) gets exhausted very quickly. I did that for two or three hours a week, didn't get a single call, and that was that.

I was fortunate enough in late 2011 to see a new lube shop open up. I hadn't done that type of work before, but I knew I was at least technical enough, if not mechanically inclined, to at least give it a try. I doctored up my resume a little (ran my own business for two-three years, yeah, that's it) on the advice of the workforce center, and landed an interview. The general manager (actually a multi-unit manager) doing the interview was impressed by my management experience, computer experience, and the fact that I had operated my own business. I was honest with him about everything, even if I didn't disclose my income from my business...lol...I'd probably made $200 in two years repairing computers...lol. But it got me the job. They knew the assistant manager they hired wouldn't stay for more than a year with his experience, and hired me with an eye for that position.

For the period of unemployment, things were rough. My exwife owed me $1500 in back child support, so when she moved out of her near condemnable mobile home, I took that as an asset. We documented it, and were able to knock that amount off. My mom payed the lot rent and electricity, my child support covered everything else. I got $150 a month in child support, so I learned real well how to budget and plan.

By the time I finished interviewing for that job, I raced home and immediately called the child care contractor. They gave me the old waiting list line. I begged and pleaded, but the rules were the rules, got to wait your turn, got to have a job when it comes up (or school, or training). I called the workforce center, explained everything, begged and cajoled for SOME kind of help. Luckily, being near the end of the year, they had a few dollars left in their general fund. Guess I got REAL lucky and got the one person on the phone who could be creative. She went through the trouble of making a few calls and made a special case for me. I got thirty days of care paid for by the workforce, and the contractor would pick me up if I still had the job after that. I'll never forget that.

So all that went down my son's first year of Pre-K. My daughter was in 1st grade. I'd also moved into public housing just before getting that job. Things improved a LOT. Summer last year, my ex and I talked about having my daughter move in with her, now that she's improved her life. Whatever was going on with her mentally, she resolved that. Has a good guy in her life, kept a stable job, and so on. I thought it was a good idea, since our daughter hadn't spent much time with mom. So, now it's mostly me and my son. I work over fifty hours a week. Being by myself, those 10+ hour days are killer... No time to do but one errand a day. Thank goodness my boy's teacher gives out the entire week's homework on one day; we knock that out early in the week, so I can get things done later in the week. :)

Anyhow, sorry for the long post. Just wanted you to know you're not alone, it's a tough life. All I've got for help is my mom and stepdad, and they can't help much anymore. He used to make good money, but between a down economy and new health problems, he's lucky to still be in business. My mom had to go back to work, and now she's having problems as well with her legs. Thank god I found a way to get all this together, cuz I dunno what would have happened last year if I hadn't.
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* Origin: Southeast Texas BBS (1:393/31)

Re: Magicjack and Modem test results
By: Gary Perkins to Damon A. Getsman on Sat Feb 02 2013 07:31:13

Anyhow, sorry for the long post. Just wanted you to know you're not alone, it's a tough life. All I've got for help is my mom and stepdad, and they ca help much anymore. He used to make good money, but between a down economy a new health problems, he's lucky to still be in business. My mom had to go b to work, and now she's having problems as well with her legs. Thank god I found a way to get all this together, cuz I dunno what would have happened l year if I hadn't.

No worries about the long post, my friend. It was touching to hear that there's another single father out there who is fighting as hard as I am. I can't remember exactly where I put the synopsis, but I've already got a typed up version of the events that happened to me over the last few years, due to needing to make a case for international child custody. I'll see if I can't find it and bounce it to you (perhaps in a more appropriate echo?) soon here.
Keep up the good fight, man. I'm working on it, too. All I've got for support is my mother, and she's not able to do a whole lot to help, either, but she definitely does what she's able to. It's rough, but you've got to take care of your kids, especially when they can't count on their mothers. I don't know how in the hell so many deadbeat dads can live with themselves. :(
Take care. Let me know if you'd like to hear about my experiences in whatever other echo your system has that would be more appropriate.

-Damon

-The opinions expressed are not necessarily an advocation of any of the aforementioned ideologies, concepts, or actions. We still have the freedom of speech, for now, and I enjoy using it in a satirical or ficticious manner to amuse myself.-
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