Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!rochester!kodak!ispd-newsserver!rpi!uwm.edu!wuarchive!usc!apple!netcom!wolf
From: wolf@netcom.COM (Buckskin Tech.)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Re: want info on fax modems for PC
Message-ID: <26295@netcom.COM>
Date: 1 Mar 91 07:59:58 GMT
References: <44845@ut-emx.uucp>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  UNIX System {408 241-9760 guest}
Lines: 49

sanjay@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Sanjay Keshava) writes:

>What input format do the Fax modems require?  ...text, formatted text,
>bitmap?
In my case, my faxmodem handles plain text, Epson FX printfiles, and PCX files.

>In what format do fax modems output received faxes?
Usually in a proprietary format, but they can usually be converted to standard
bitmap files (TIFF, PCX) and printed.

>How can I view received documents?
With mine, I get a cheapo graphics display program that scales and scrolls on
my VGA.

>What are the general procedures for creating and sending a fax, and
>receiving and viewing one?
You can prepare your text or graphics with whatever app you like, export them
to a format your modem understands, use your fax software to convert it, and
send it (the faxmodem dials and connects by itself).  To recieve, you can
either let the faxmodem pick up an incoming call, or connect the call by hand
(usually with a hot-key).  The faxmodem will save the incoming fax to a file
that you can later view and/or print.

>Are PC fax modems compatible (baud rate, encoding, etc.) with
>conventional fax machines?
Yes.

>What features should I look for?
As one who has been there, look for good software.  Also, there are a variety
of send-only boards out there now -- if you only send, these can be cost-
effective.

>Lastly, any horror/success stories?  ...recommendations?
Glad you asked.  I bought (for my home office) a Complete Communicator board
from Complete PC.  It includes a 9600 send/recieve fax, a 2400 modem, and a
voicemail/forwarding system.  After three months, I finally have the thing
working reasonably well on a regular basis.  The problem's not the board (I'm
consistantly impressed with the hardware's performance) but the darned
software is, to put it mildly, stupid.  Since CCOM is actually a welding
together of CFAX and CAM (The Complete Fax and The Complete Answering Machine)
I can say that if you can live with the software, the CFAX is a good machine.

Whatever you get, if you use Microsoft Windows, check out FaxIt.  It's really
neat.

>Thanks in advance.
You're welcome.

 - Phil @ Buckskin Technologies