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 Modem init strings are commands that your modem software (e.g.
 Telix) automatically sends to your modem when the program first
 starts.  They are roughly the equivalent of a morning cup of
 coffee for your modem.  They wake it up and get it functioning
 normally.  Without them, your modem will do all sorts of dim-
 witted things.

 A modem learns how to behave from three sources:

   1. DIP switch settings on the back, front or inside the
      modem.  Regrettably, the trend is to have no switches.

   2. EAROM. Electrically Alterable Read Only Memory.  You
      send a modem a set of commands, then send it a special
      traumatic Write command (usually &W) that causes it to
      remember that particular configuration forever.  Ever
      after, when the modem powers on it automatically goes
      into that remembered mind-set.  This approach is
      dangerous.  You can, for example, accidentally burn
      into the modem's little mind that it should never again
      pay any attention to any further commands.
      For further reading, try Arthur C. Clarke's novel (the
      name of which temporarily escapes me) where the lead
      character experienced the equivalent of at &W command
      while having sex with a honey-flavoured girl named
      Kalindy.

   3. Modem Init strings.  Each time you run your modem
      program, it sends your modem a series of commands to
      set it up the way you like.  This is the most flexible
      approach, since two different programs can then easily
      set up the same modem in two different ways.  Whenever
      you power the modem off, it forgets everything it
      learned from the modem init strings.  This amnesia
      feature is both a blessing and a curse.

 In practice, you may use a combination of all three methods.
 DIP SWITCHES

 Modems often have a set of eight DIP switches for configuring.
 They usually look like this:

 - - _ _ _ - - _
 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

   1. Should be UP so that DTR (Data Terminal Ready) is
      obeyed.  Otherwise the modem ignores the computer when
      it lowers DTR to request a hang up.  This can later be
      overridden with the &D2 command.

   2. Should be UP to request verbal result codes such as
      CONNECT or BUSY rather than incomprehensible numeric
      codes.  This can later be overridden with the V1
      command.

   3. Should be DOWN so that the modem presents result codes
      to the commands it receives.  If it were UP, the modem
      would play dumb and give no responses whatever.  This
      can later be overridden with the Q0 command.

   4. Should be DOWN so that the modem does not echo commands
      back to the computer.  If it were UP, the modem would
      back-talk every command the computer gives it along
      with the result of the command.  This can later be
      overridden with the E0 command.  Some software may
      require this switch to be UP.

   5. Should be DOWN to suppress auto answer.  THIS IS VERY
      IMPORTANT.  Even if you send a modem init string
      containing S0=0 to suppress auto answer, your modem
      will still answer the phone during the interval between
      when it is first powered on and when you first run your
      modem software.

   6. Should be UP to have normal DCD -- Data Carrier Detect.
      Otherwise your modem will lie to your computer that the
      other modem is still attached and working even when it
      has hung up.  This can later be overridden with the &C1
      command.

   7. This should usually be UP for normal single-line
      phones.  It should be DOWN for multi-line phones.  You
      can later override this with the &J0 command.

   8. This should be DOWN to enable the modem's intelligence.
      If it were UP, the modem would totally ignore all the
      commands you send it -- emulating an old-fashioned dumb
      modem.

 Please read your modem documentation to find the true meaning of
 the DIP switches.  The documentation that comes with your modem
 will not necessarily match the explanations I have given above.
 Believe it, not me!   If you did not understand the explanations
 above, not to worry, just be patient.  It should come clear when
 you read the my expositions on the related commands.

 HOW DO YOU GET MODEM INIT STRINGS INTO YOUR MODEM?

 If you have Telix, optionally type Alt-Z for a menu, type Alt-O
 to change the cOnfiguration, then select M for Modem and dialing,
 then select A to change the modem init string, then type the
 string followed by Enter, then hit Esc, then select W to write
 the configuration to disk making the changes permanent.

 Ever after, Telix will remember your init string. It will
 automatically send it to your modem every time it starts.