Is this rare?

[Burning Phoenix]

I've been using seti for a month now and i've noticed something strange. I am using AOL on a 56k modem. While seti is running and i download a file it usually downloads at 4.00 bps but while seti runs files download at around 8.00 bps. I love this faster download times but according to my calculations and knowing the law prohibits transmittions more than 53kps i'm downloading faster than the modem allows and the law allows. Is this possible and is it because of seti running my computer at full load with a mild overclock?

[Slain]

Nope not rare :) Modems use data compression but we normally don't notice this as most data on the web is compressed already (jpg's and mpegs for example). But seti WU's are raw uncompressed data so the modem data compression takes hold. This means the modem appears to transfer more data than is theoretically possible.

[Burning Phoenix]

If this happens all the time with seti running i guess for now on i'm only downloading large files while seti is running.

[Slain]

It has nothing to do with seti :), Its just coincidence that seti data is not pre-compressed before it's transmitted (zipped by winzip for example). Most large files downloaded from the net are pre-compressed so the data compression the modem uses is not noticeable.
The V.90 modem protocol contains on the fly data compression so if it finds raw data, it tells the server at the other end to compress it and send it. At the modem this data is then de-compresssed. If the V.90 modem manages a 100% compression ratio you would see twice your usual data rate being downloaded.
Also the larger the raw data file the more effective the compression will be, as seti WU's are quite large you will see 100% or better ratios.

[LuKE]

And as for your comment on the FCC not allowing transmission over 53k. That pertains to the manafactures not building that into the modems, they must limit the speed. As we all know the internet is very odd sometimes, therefore you may see 15k while uploading a .bmp file cause of the compression. but while uploading a jpeg it may be 3-4k(cause of the 33.6 upload cap).
Try downloading an .iso file of linux for example, you'll see higher download speeds prolly. I've noticed sustain speeds of around 10-15k on my 56k while downloading an .iso. Well just my two cents.