Re: (PM) lucent LT modem

John Gonzalez/netMDC admin (ekool@ns1.netmdc.com)
Tue, 20 Apr 1999 15:57:00 -0600 (MDT)

On Tue, 20 Apr 1999, Dick St.Peters wrote:
-| Calling it firmware is a mis-use of the term. [Soft,firm,hard]ware
-| refer to the ease of change. Firmware is changed by reprogramming a
-| PROM or programming a new ROM ... easier than rebuilding hardware but
-| not as trivial as modifying software.
-|
-| Drivers are software. At the rate they change these days, one might
-| even call them squishyware ...
-|
-| --
-| Dick St.Peters, stpeters@NetHeaven.com

The LT modems throw a substantial twist in our standard defintion that is
widely accepted. However, I believe that calling is firmware is more
appropriate, and also avoids much confusion.

Picture this situation...

You have two modems. Both are having problems connecting to the internet.
You need to upgrade the 'software|drivers' on the winmodem, and you also
have a USR sportster that needs 'firmware' as well as 'drivers' -- You
cannot lump the same definition across all these modems. It will only
confuse the matter more.

It is possible to upgrade the 'drivers' for the Sportster, without
upgrading the firmware. Reccomending both is the proper fix in this
situation. However, having a previous LT user only ever do 'drivers' he
will not know to do the 'firmware' as well. Causing confusion.

I know i know, hard to understand my jibberish....

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