3 Sep
2009
3 Sep
'09
4:39 p.m.
On 3 Sep 2009 at 15:57, Eric Smith wrote:
Yes, but they only worked on point-to-point leased
lines with
significantly greater bandwidth than normal voice-grade PSTN (Public
Switched Telephone Network) lines. Expensive stuff.
I recall that the cost circa 1982 of a 9600 bps synchronous (209
modems) leased line between Santa Clara and Minneapolis was about $5K
per month. (1982 dollars, yet). Of course that included the modem
rental. While the protocol for the 209 was synchronous, I recall
that there was another bit of gear (TDM?) that could take that 9600
bps and give you several channels of async 300, 1200 or 2400 bps.
Time has a funny way of distorting values without one even realizing
that it's happening.. Yesterday I picked up a 20" LCD monitor (NEC
2010) that carried an MSRP of $4995 in 1999. Still works just fine,
but you'd be lucky to get $50 for it today.
--Chuck