hardware error-control, it is necessary to maintain the DTE rate above   
      the DCE rate. This is done so that the modem does not have to wait for   
      data to transmit. Serial port locking is typically an optional function   
      of one's telecommunications software, and the methods to accomplish it   
      are generally detailed in the documentation which accompanies it. As for   
      changing the dialing directory entries, this is done for reason outlined   
      above to correspond to the DTE rate, the DCE rate will be negotiated by   
      the modems upon connection independent of the DTE rate on either end.   
      CTS/RTS flow control is necessary to control the flow of data between   
      the modem and computer. With data being sent to the modem at a rate   
      which is over 2.5 times that at which the modems are exchanging data, a   
      method of slowing down the data flow as necessary is required.   
      
   Question: When uploading files with my new Generic Xpress, I keep seeing a   
   message flash up on the screen which says FLOW, what is this, and what   
   should I do about it?   
      
      Answer: The FLOW message is a normal, non-critical indication that   
      CTS/RTS flow control is functioning. It is generated when the data flow   
      rate to the modem begins to strain the capacity of its buffer to store   
      data which is to be transmitted. With data coming to the modem at a rate   
      which is in excess of twice that which it is transmitting, it is a way   
      of it saying WHOA MULE! If it is annoying, it can be eliminated by   
      allowing the DTE rate to adjust downward to the DCE rate (typically   
      referred to as autobaud switching), but it comes at the expense of   
      throughput.   
      
   Question: I have two computers on the same phone line. Is there anyway I   
   can transfer files between them with the modems?   
      
       Answer: The answer is yes, you should be able to.  You should be able   
       to just simply run a phone extension cord between the two modems, not   
       even hooked up to the actual phones in your house.   
      
       When going modem-to-modem, no 'MaBell' hookup is required -- at all:   
      
       1) Get a standard old telephone cable with a modular plug on each,   
          (like the one you use to hook a telephone to the wall jack).   
      
       2) Take one end of this phone cable and plug it into the back of one   
          of the modems. (Into the jack that you would normally use to hook   
          the modem to the wall jack).   
      
       3) Take the other end of this phone cable and plug it into the back   
          of the other modem. (Into the jack that you would normally use to   
          hook the modem to the wall jack).   
                 ____________                                 ____________   
       Like so: |\           \                               /           /|   
                |  \  Back of  \                           /  Back of  /  |   
                 \   \  External \                       /  External /   /   
                   \   \__Modem_1__\                   /__Modem_2__/   /   
                     \  |          |                   |          |  /   
                       \|        | |                   |        | |/   
                        ~~~~~~~~~|~~                   ~~~~~~~~~|~~   
                                 |                              |   
                                 +------------------------------+   
                                 Standard Modular Telephone Cable   
      
          Note: You can use the exact same idea with two internal modems or   
                a mix of an internal and external.   
      
       4) Now go to the computer hooked up to Modem_1 and load some   
          communications program (like Procomm, Telix, Qmodem, etc.) and   
          get to the terminal screen.  Type:   
      
            AT   
      
          and press [Enter] to see if the modem is ready.  If it responds   
          with:   
      
            OK   
      
          it's ready.   
      
       5) Do the exact same thing (Step "4)") over on the other computer,   
          the one hooked up to Modem_2.   
      
       6) On either one of the systems type:   
      
            ATX1D   
      
          This tells this local modem:   
      
            ATtention,   
            only give connect responses and ignore the NO DIALTONE,   
            and, Dial (originate the call).   
      
       7) On the other other system type:   
      
            ATA   
      
          This tells this local modem:   
      
            ATtention,   
            Answer the call.   
      
       That's it.  Now type something -- on either.  They're connected.   
      
   This document is a compilation of postings from various venues, with   
   credits for portions to the following:   
      
              Ted Ball                        Theo Irmer   
              Carey Bloodworth                Lawrence Kirby   
              David Bowerman                  Bat Lang   
              Greg Bretting                   Dave Lyle   
              Les Brown                       Ed Mandera   
              Patrik Chen                     Bill Mayhew   
              Alan Clark                      Paul Munoz-Colman   
              Jan Cueleers                    John Navas   
              Jeff Derby                      Toby Nixon   
              Bill Davidsen                   Stephen Palm   
              Floyd Davidson                  Greg Pearson   
              Stephen Dunn                    Terry Rutter   
              Brett Frankenberger             Stephen Satchel   
              Joseph Frankiewicz              Tom Smith   
              Vernon Frazee                   Richard Stuart   
              Bill Garfield                   Christian Weisgerber   
              John Ginnane                    Geoffrey Welsh   
              Ed Hall                         Karl Willdig   
              Wolfgang Henke                  Mark Young   
      
   Comments and/or corrections are welcome either in the echo, Fidonet netmail,   
   or via Internet e-mail.   
      
      
   Gord Hannah Moderator   
   Fidonet International COMM Echo   
   aka: ghannah@pris.bc.ca   
      
   --- MPost/2 v2.0a   
    * Origin: Marsh BBS (c) Dawson Creek BC Canada (1:17/23)