Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!wp3b01!wjt
From: wjt@wp3b01.UUCP (Bill Taggart)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Re: Quantum Link - telecommunication at it's poorest
Message-ID: <591@wp3b01.UUCP>
Date: 13 Dec 88 17:57:11 GMT
References: 
Organization: AT&T
Lines: 49

From article , by prindle@NADC.ARPA (Frank Prindle):
> I recently signed up with the Quantum Link on-line telecommunications service.
> My impressions over the past two weeks have little to do with the quality of
> the services offered online because it has been very difficult to get the
> telecommunication link to operate reliably enough for me to explore the
> services ...

Rest of the telecommunications problem description deleted.

I find this puzzling, and would blame it on user inexperience
except it is coming from one of the two or three most
knowledgeable C64/C128 readers of this newsgroup.  Personally,
I have experienced very few problems with Qlink in the three
years I have subscribed to their service.  Yes, I have
experienced a few bad downloads -- but that is expected -- and
it only happens two or three times a year.  Like Frank, I have
found the software to sensitive to line noise and usually
switch from Tymnet to Telenet when the noise becomes a problem
(before I try downloading anything) -- this has always cured
the noise problem for me.

The software is user friendly (read idiot proof) and does
remove all control from the caller -- placing you at it's
mercy.  But, again, I have experienced very few problems.
Maybe I have good local (actually I have to call long-distance
across state lines to get the the geographically closest node)
connections in my area.

I briefly tried GEnie and Compuserve -- but found Qlink had
more C64/C128 specific information, public domain programs,
etc.  Qlink is the fastest growing paid BBS and is now second
only to Compuserve -- which is remarkable since it only serves
the Commodore community.  According to Loren Lovhaug in a
recent article in RUN or Compute!'s Gazzette Qlink is the best
service for the Commodore user, especially considering GEnie's
recent decline in the Commodore-specfic areas.

Bottom-line, I suggest calling more distant nodes to see if
you get better connections there.  Otherwise, I doubt I could
suggest something that Frank doesn't already know.
Personally, I would like to see Frank as a contributor to
Qlink's Twin Cities 128 section along with Loren Lovhaug (the
SYSOP), Fred Bowen, and Lou Wallace.  Please give Qlink a
chance.

-- 

	Bill Taggart
	..{att!mtgzz or uunet}!wp3b01!wjt