Hardware note:

    The 'win' modems will only operate in a PC that has a 'ms windows'
operating system, they SHOULD be cheap because they are built with less
hardware (chips and real-estate).

The 'win modems' digital signal processing (DSP) task  is actually off
loaded to be performed by your PC's central processing unit (CPU) and
NOT
onboard the modem card, this opens it up to external commands,
like from your PC or maybe over the internet connection. It can be made
to go faster or slower by these commands, or even shut down.

On the older USR Sportster 'win modems' that were 28.8 Kb/sec
you could download a free upgrade to 33.6K then send
U. S. Robotics (USR) about 60 dollars and they would software
upgrade your speed to 56 Kb/sec, no other changes necessary,
just a software upgrade downloaded over the internet at 60$ a pop
and the hardware was all there all the time.

Why not sell them a 56K modems in the first place ??? $$$

But if you want to use DOS or OS/2 or LINUX as an operating system your
out of luck with the "win modem'.

A true stand alone modem is called a 'hard' modem
and the programming of its configuration is done in hardware
(small jumpers or switches on the card), this type can operate with any OS
installed as its not off loading its DSP tasks to the PC CPU but rather
doing it itself (as had been done in the past prior to the Win modem). As a result it
has more hardware (chips) on board and costs more but can be used with any OS.

The 'win modem' device has entrenched the 'windows' OS in the
PC internet market.

I am  looking into using the Linux (UNIX like)
operating system, if I want to go out over the internet using Linux
then I'll have to purchase another (hard) modem because
the 'win modem' (at the present time) can not talk to the
new Linux operating system.

This possibly could be worked
around in software (drivers) but there may be proprietary
and patent issues involved, Microsoft wouldn't like it.

I'm looking for a good but inexpensive hard modem that can be used with any OS, any
suggestions ???

There, I've said it and I'm glad....

Just this one problem illustrates the need for distributed processing
as opposed to central processing.

Regards,

Ron Gillen