That article, dated 6/30/97 is not only OLD news, it is (excuse me) probably a bunch of BS.
A couple of weeks ago, while ASND was stuck in the low $40's, someone issued a global challenge on this SI thread to invite anyone connected to their ISP via 56Kflex to speak up. The result ? Deafening silence.
Around the same time, several ISPs in my home city Hong Kong had just started supporting 56Kflex,in addition to X2 which was supported nearly two months earlier. Being a seven-figure $ shareholder of ASND, I was anxious to be the first person to post a response to the challenge.
I went to shop for a 56Kflex architecture modem and found a model from Hayes. After reading carefully through the technical description, I found no mention about future ROM upgradability. I did not want to get stuck with a modem that was going to be obsolete by the end of the year, when the ITU was expected to set a universal standard for 56K.
So I telephoned the local Hayes distributor, who answered my concerns with a dogmatic tone, "There is no need for ROM upgradability, since the 56Kflex is ALREADY the worldwide ITU standard, having already captured the majority of the market ahead of the rival X2 standard."
No amount of pursuation could convince the agent that she was WRONG.
So guess what ? I ended up buying a rival's product, the US ROBOTICS X2 modem, which had flash ROM upgradability ! From the end user's point of view, TO HELL WITH 56KFLEX... I want something that delivers NOW, not deception and/or misinformation !
Customers are not fools - disseminating misleading 56Kflex propaganda will not benefit anyone !
No, I don't personally utilize 56Kflex technology, but I recognize the tremendous value in ASND shares (my average cost is around $42), because of the growth potential of the remote access market. Besides, after the ITU sets the new standard, the 56K/X2 battle will be a moot point.
Just make sure that the 56K-standard modem you buy today has flash-ROM upgradability ! |
