Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!att!rutgers!ucsd!ucsdhub!loral!jcb
From: jcb@loral.UUCP (Jay C. Bowden)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Alternative to FAX for some folks
Message-ID: <1856@loral.UUCP>
Date: 17 Oct 88 15:35:45 GMT
Organization: Loral Instrumentation, San Diego
Lines: 49



If anyone is interested in alternatives to FAX, especially
for data originated on a PC, listen to this:

Some of the realtors in this area have automated their daily
multiple listing printouts in the follwoing way:

1. PC #A: has a programmable power strip, and is scheduled to
  turn on every day at 6:00 AM (except Friday, which is at 4:00 AM).
  When it turns on, it executes a PROCOMM command script that calls
  up the Board of Realtors Multiple Listing computer and asks for
  the "hotsheet".  This is captured in a file and then printed at 
  the local site of PC #A.

2. Next, PC #A originates a call to PC #B, which has a modem-operated
   power strip, so PC #B powers-up when the modems connect.  PC #B
   boots into PROCOMM host mode, and then PC #A transfers the hotsheet
   it captured  to PC #B, and asks PC #B to print it out at the
   site of PC #B (which is a branch office).

3. Anytime during the day, individuals can call up PC #B and xfer
   the hotsheet without needing to call the MLS computer.

The gadgets involved (programmable power strip, and modem-operated
power strip, $140 and $100) are cheaper than a FAX (even if you
count the cost of the modem).

You can play some games (maybe) to get double duty out of
your phone lines too, like putting the modem on an appliance
timer, so it comes on from 8PM to 8AM, and all automated data
delivery has to go on between those hours.  The rest of the time
it is a voice line.  Oh you need an external modem, if that is not
obvious, and one with non volatile RAM for storing the setup for
this trick.

During the day they use their PC for "desktop publishing" and what not.
They turn them off when they go home, and they do their automatic
thing at night.


I can provide more info if anyone is interested.

- Jay

------------------------------------------------------------------
Jay Bowden, EE/Consultant; see also Bowden Engineering
Currently contracted at Loral Instrumentation, San Diego
{ucbvax, ittvax!dcdwest, akgua, decvax, ihnp4}!ucsd!loral!jcb