Pendragon,
You report that your first modem was a 300 baud dial up . . .
What are the specifications and the age of the modem you are currently using?
I have found that this can make a difference in a user's experience.
dianne
My computer is a 27" Mid 2010 iMac, 2.93 GHz Intel Core i7 (12GB RAM). I don't know the specs of the modem chipset, if that is indeed what's installed.
And if nostalgia counts... In early 1969, in Italy, I was involved with supporting a worldwide test of something called ARPANET. I rightly knew (of course) nothing would ever come from it...