Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!bu.edu!wang!gozer!klm
From: klm@gozer.UUCP (Kevin L. McBride)
Newsgroups: comp.mail.multi-media
Subject: Re: Voice Mail
Message-ID: <1991Jun24.130622.8637@gozer.UUCP>
Date: 24 Jun 91 13:06:22 GMT
References: <677120503.0@kcvt.fidonet> <8M0CXLA@xds13.ferranti.com>
Reply-To: klm@gozer.UUCP (Kevin L. McBride)
Organization: MSCG, Inc.
Lines: 53

In article <8M0CXLA@xds13.ferranti.com> peter@ficc.ferranti.com (Peter da Silva) writes:
>In article <677120503.0@kcvt.fidonet> Tom.Brown@f1007.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Tom Brown) writes:
>> I just read a catalog from 
>> DAK Industries Inc., they have a communication board called "PC 
>
>Warning. Everything I have ever bought from DAK has been screwed up in some
>major way. The thing is, DAK buys stuff that wouldn't sell... and in most
>cases something that won't sell won't sell for a reason.

On the other hand, some people feel that they have gotten bona fide
deals from DAK.  For example, their stereo graphic equalizer that has
been on a $149 closeout for years now.  BSR couldn't sell them, but
DAK could and keeps ordering more.  I bought one back around 1986 and
have no complaints so far.  I have also bought other things from DAK.
I have only had a problem once and they took care of it to my
satisfaction.  Your mileage may vary, as Peter's obviously has.  I
have no connection with DAK other than being a satisfied customer.

The modem/FAX/voicemail thingie that DAK is now selling appears to be
very similar to another product currently on the market called "The
Complete PC."  I have not used or seen DAK's offering up close so I
can't be certain.

One caveat that you should be aware of in these multi-function
telecomm cards is that the supplied software often assumes that you
will be using all 3 functions at some time and can be rather
inflexible about letting you set things up the way you want.

If all you want is voicemail on your PC, check out Watson or Bigmouth.
At least one software company has come out with a voicemail package
for 386 PCs running Interactive and/or SCO Unix.  I have considered
writing a Unix driver and simple application toolkit for the Watson
card.

If you want info on Unix voicemail, send me some e-mail and I will dig
up the info for you.

On my Unix system I have no need for a 2400 baud modem (I have a
Telebit T2500), and I have no current need for online FAX.  Voicemail
on Unix would be real nice though and it should be pretty easy to
write something to notify your regular e-mail box when something
arrives in your voicemail box... Unless, of course, you already have
a multi-media e-mail package like the one on NeXT.

>-- 
>Peter da Silva; Ferranti International Controls Corporation; +1 713 274 5180;
>Sugar Land, TX  77487-5012;         `-_-' "Have you hugged your wolf, today?"

--
Kevin L. McBride    DoD      // Just say NO to the war on your freedom which,
President          #0348    //  by the way, is being fought with YOUR money.
MSCG, Inc.              \\ //   Let them know you've had enough.
uunet!wang!gozer!klm     \X/    Vote Libertarian.