A few notes on protocols:

  Basically, you definitely want to use Zmodem if your software supports 

it, no ifs, ands or buts.  Zmodem is a THIRD faster than Xmodem, which can 

eventually mean some real bucks for long-distance/GEnie charges.  It also 

means that if you're using Xmodem, you're only getting two-thirds of 

up/download time on the board daily, instead of your whole hour.


  While on the subject, make sure to try out different terminal programs if

you're having problems with yours.  I used JR-Comm for about a year, but it

had problems locking up if I aborted an upload, so I eventually tried NComm,

and it works just smooth as silk.  


  As far as error-checking goes, the older terminal programs didn't support

the newer type of Zmodem protocol, with it's 99% error-check, so there were

a few problems with corrupt downloads.  The newer programs have taken care

of that, and you may very well never have a corrupted download.  If you do, 

the file was most likely corrupt in the first place, in which case you should 

notify the SysOp immediately.


  Speaking of corrupt downloads, whereas mismatched protocols is probably

the biggest culprit, certainly a close runner-up would be your own phone

line.  If you're having many problems, run twisted, solid-core wire straight

from the modem all the way to the main phone junction box outside the house.

Yeah, it's okay to drill a hole through the wall, just don't tell anybody.


  Okay..hope this has been of some help.  If you have any further thoughts

or questions on protocols, let me know.


                                          Benchie


%Z