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Effective immediately, Netscape has made Navigator and Communicator free. Netscape also announced that the source code for the upcoming version 5.0 will be available to the public. Netscape has a press release. BBC News, PC Week, and Tech Investor have commentary. CNET has especially good coverage.
3Com and Lucent have agreed to begin testing of V.pcm compatibility. The companies have issued a joint press release.
A USA Today article talks about the recent DSL support from Compaq, Microsoft, and Intel.
Practical Peripherals' web address has changed from www.practinet.com to www.practical.com. The old address still works, however.
Firmware updates
MagicXpress has 1.09 firmware.
Fernando Cassia noted a new date on the Motorola US 1.12 beta firmware. As always, beta software is unfinished software that is believed to contain bugs. Use at your own risk. Motorola suggests using the latest beta only if instructed to do so by a technical support representative.
Shane Lord of NetComm Australia wrote to announce beta 1.40 firmware for the NetComm Roadster56 flex and Roadster56 Ultra. The update is available by web and FTP. Shane writes:
This will help resolve issues such as:- Connecting to a Cisco Central Site Modem (CSM)
- Connecting to a Lucent DSP based CSM (e.g. Livingston Portmaster)
- Connecting to a Microcom ISporte 56k CSM
Fixes/Additions include:
- Incorporates latest Rockwell k56flex client code.
- Resolves CID issues.
- Improved reliability of long term 56K connections.
- Fallback to V34 during retrain incorporated.
- Fallback to V.32bis when calling a V.FC modem issue resolved.
Internet Service Provider News
The new ISP listing is almost ready for testing. ISPs who have emailed isp@56k.com will receive an email this weekend with instructions for accessing the new area and entering your information. You can also send email to isplist-request@56k.com with "subscribe" in the message body to join a moderated announcement list for news related to our ISP services, including this weekend's announcement.
This new ISP listing isn't just for 56K ISPs. It will also be used to list:
The beauty of the system is that ISPs will be able to list themselves and enter their own information. There will also be opportunities for targeted sponsorships of individual pages.
If testing next week goes well, the new ISP area should be open to the public the first week of February. Initially, the directory will include ISPs in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Broadband technologies
The Philadelphia Inquirer discusses Bell Atlantic's plans for ADSL.
Web Week has an article by J. William Semich about broadband services, including DSL and cable modems.
Wired News is hot on fast technologies, with a trio of articles:
Rockwell recently redesigned their web site. As part of the change, certain areas - including their technical documentation - now require registration.
Zoom earns net.fame for finding V1.120 firmware upgrades at Zoom's web site. According to the web page:
This is the latest flash file upgrade for internal Zoom DATA/FAX modems. This file applies to model numbers 2819, 2819A, as well as a 2805C that has been upgraded to K56.
If you've been looking for a high speed serial port card, check out the CTS reviews page, which features specs for more than thirty cards.
ActionTec is the latest addition to the list of companies offering free upgrades to the final ITU standard.
Miles Morimoto spied Shark Multimedia 1.2 firmware updates.
56K.COM is written and maintained by Les Jones. Artwork by Mark Maxwell.