Some modems will let the communications software dial for you or at least let you feed the number in from your keyboard. Some also have automatic log-on. That lets you check onto a network or bulletin-board system without typing out your ID or password. Many intelligent modems, by the way, even without special software, can remember and dial phone numbers automatically and spit out log-on sequences and passwords.

VERSATILITY

Want to speak to a number of computers? Then buy software allowing you to set:

◼ Baud rate (speed of transmission).

◼ Data bits.

◼ Stop bits.

◼ Parity.

◼ Terminal emulation. It means making the micro imitate popular brands of terminals.

◼ Half or full duplex. Full is most common in micro communications.

◼ The type of handshaking protocol.