Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!texbell!ficc!peter From: peter@ficc.uu.net (Peter da Silva) Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip Subject: Re: FAXes vs. EMAIL Message-ID: <7388@ficc.uu.net> Date: 21 Dec 89 20:31:15 GMT References: <8912191654.AA01716@interlan.interlan.com> Reply-To: peter@ficc.uu.net (Peter da Silva) Organization: Xenix Support, FICC Lines: 37 > Granted, there are more complicated FAX machines out there, but the simple, > CHEAP ones are going to go to technophobes. How much would a PC setup cost? Oh, well under $500. If we can get a reasonable standard off the ground, probably under $100. It's much simpler technology. You could probably do it with a Commodore-64 for that price now. > More importantly, how simple would it be to explain how to use it JUST FOR > EMAIL? Again, once the software and standard is there (a SMOP): "Turn the machine on. After a little while it will display the main screen. You can hit 'R' to read messages, 'W' to write messages, and 'S' to send mail. The computer will also answer the phone and accept messages in this mode. "If you hit R, the subject lines of waiting messages will be displayed, whether they're to or from you, and for messages from you whether they have been delivered yet... you can display these messages, print them, or discard them. "If you hit W, you will be prompted for the phone number to send the message to, the name of the person to receive it, and a subject line (a short comment as to what the message is about, such as "Christmas card". "If you hit S, EMAIL will attempt to send any messages waiting to go out." After the protocol is worked out (see other messages on the subject), this should be pretty simple. -- `-_-' Peter da Silva. +1 713 274 5180. . 'U` Also or . "It was just dumb luck that Unix managed to break through the Stupidity Barrier and become popular in spite of its inherent elegance." -- gavin@krypton.sgi.com