[nickpsecurity]

It does. The soft modens were partly a lockin technique to decrease odds you'd be able to use something like Linux without buying new hardware. The strategy apparently worked. It's why I push for standards-compliant hardware that requires no funny business to use in new ways.

[kalleboo]

WinModems were a way to save money, plain and simple. Even Apple had their GeoPort software modem, and they sure didn't need any more lock-in.

[nickpsecurity]

That was the other thing people told me. I was never sure which was most accurate reason.

[fu9ar]

That was one of the key events in my life that convinced me of free software ideals.