In article , 123456789
wrote:

an acoustic coupler *is* a modem, just one that's acoustically coupled
versus hardwired.

Of course. But Roger and I were talking about a particular kind of modem
that we once used many years ago: The acoustic coupler. If Roger and I
were talking about the convertibles we had in our youth (and they were
fun) would you gripe because I didn't use the word car?

you're contradicting yourself.

I just slipped one coupler cup on the phone's mouthpiece, the other on
the phone's earpiece, and I was good to go. 20 seconds max. No moving
hotel furniture, no attacking spiders, no screwing around (literally).

a screwdriver and an rj11 jack are a lot smaller, with both fitting in
a pants pocket

Putting the coupler in a suitcase was not a big burden when I traveled.
Much like I take a laptop or tablet along today.

a screwdriver and rj11 jack is smaller than your acoustic coupler and
capable of *much* faster speeds, and you would have needed a laptop
back then anyway.

connect it once when first arriving and remove it before checking out.

As I said YMMV. With my luck the hotel room cleaning person would spot
the unauthorized electrical trespass and report me. Then I'd be out on
my ear... 8-O

they aren't paid enough to care, assuming they even notice and there's
no such thing as 'electrical trespass'.

however, if you damaged something, that's different. don't do that.

and if you're staying in a hotel with attacking spiders, you have other
problems than worrying about getting online.

You and Arlen need to work on your sense of humor...

do not compare me to him.