Path: utzoo!utgpu!attcan!uunet!visdc!jiii
From: jiii@visdc.UUCP (John E Van Deusen III)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Junk Fax (was Re: Request for poll of ten best/worst products of 88)
Summary: The case for fax cards - the case for stand alone
Message-ID: <442@visdc.UUCP>
Date: 16 Jan 89 00:50:18 GMT
References: <210@imspw6.UUCP> <867@atux01.UUCP> <10@blender.UUCP> <2696@rti.UUCP> <412@ispi.UUCP>
Organization: VI Software Development Co., Boise, Idaho
Lines: 44

It believe the best stand-alone fax machine is the very cheapest.  It
represents the lowest cost for an expensive, single-purpose piece of
office equipment that can not interface with other office equipment.

There are certain applications utilizing fax technology that require
more capability than is provided by the basic stand-alone machine.
These capabilities are available on stand-alone machines (such as the
Ricoh 2100) for nearly three times the cost of the most basic machine.
At some point, a PC-based facsimile system, with incomparably greater
capability and flexibility becomes a viable option in comparison with
an enhanced stand-alone machine.

Some of the enhanced capabilities that might prove useful include the
following:

     A: Send output from word processing to a remote fax machine.
     B: Receive a fax transmission from a remote machine and modify it
        utilizing a word processor.
     C: Archive a fax transmission.
     D: Do data entry by OCR on a fax transmission.
     E: Distribute a fax transmission to multiple locations.

The same equipment required for a PC-based system to do the above
could also be used as follows:

     A: Scan logos, artwork, and documentation at up to 600 dpi.
     B: Reproduce that high-quality graphics image at a local or a
        remote location.
     C: Save that image to produce a very high quality copy at a
        later time.
     D: Do very reliable OCR data entry.

It has been stated in this forum that utilizing a PC fax card takes
down the PC.  This is not true.  See the Dec. 88, issue of BYTE 
for the review of the Intel board.  See also "Facsimile Networking with
Personal computers: A Shopper's Guide" in the March 88 issue of DATA
COMMUNICATIONS.  Anyone starting from scratch should also take a look
at the Cannon laser copiers with the computer interface, (like the D30).
I know of at least one company using these with PCs and a satellite link
to provide high quality international zap mail.
==
John E Van Deusen, PO Box 9283, Boise, ID  83707, (208) 343-1865

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