31.   Next, the lightning zipping along the telephone line fried a computer modem.

32.   Now, anyone with access to a computer modem can trade stocks without ever meeting a broker.

33.   On a recent night, Butch ate leftovers while standing at the kitchen counter while talking on his cellphone while logging on to work with his wireless computer modem.

34.   Privately held Supra, based in Vancouver, Wash., specializes in high-speed computer modems.

35.   Rockwell is now one of the largest manufacturers of the chips used in computer modems, and of industrial robots.

36.   Rockwell International Corp. manufactures bombs, and rocket engines, and is a leading maker of computer modems.

37.   Similar to commercial companies like America Online and Prodigy though much smaller, digiNet Music is a self-contained service that users specifically dial using their computer modem.

38.   Skokie, Ill.-based U.S. Robotics is the leading maker of computer modems.

39.   Soderberg said upgraded wiring will provide outlets to allow guests to plug in computer modems and two-line phones, and will include data ports for computers.

40.   So, while it may be safe for consumers to downsize their mailboxes, it might be wise to upgrade their computer modems.