Modem Noises

[Bryan Daum <allied@teleport.com>]

While we are discussing modem volume issues, could someone explain to me why
we hear the modem noises at all?  

It seems to me that if notification of transmission is the only issue than
it could as easily play a tune to tell you that it is working.  I will
confess that having listened to the obnoxious noises enough I can tell when
"it doesn't sound right" but it is hardly a precise skill and really tells
me little.

Realizing that this is not a TP specific issue...

Thanks,

Bryan