jcb@loral.UUCP (Jay C. Bowden) (10/19/88)
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!jcbjamesd@percival.UUCP (James Deibele) (10/20/88)
I was interested in your message about realtors using Procomm to dial up a centralized site to access listings. Something that could do much the same thing, plus allow two-way transfer of files and messages, would be any of the FidoNet programs (Dutchie, SEAdog, Front Door, D'Bridge, Opus, Lynx, Binkley, many other options). Many of the programs I mention are free, which might cause some problems --- if the program itself is free, some people might be reluctant to pay for the services. FidoNet can gateway to usenet and back for mail, and some systems are now sharing groups with Echomail (FidoNet's equivalent). We're trying to get more people on-line locally, but the fact that we're doing it as volunteers gets in the way sometimes (each person takes less time to set up, because I have now written an 80K text file explaining what and why, and I've cleaned up my own installation programs and things, but I've put hundreds of hours into the project. The fact that other people are doing likewise makes it worthwhile.). One example of something we're trying to do is get many of the local non-profit organizations to communicate using the modems and computers many of them were given (one per organization) by the state of Oregon. The problem here is limited time (the computers are used practically 24 hours a day, for fund-raising and so on), limited computer knowledge, and limited volunteer time. Many people and organizations have PC's (Atari ST's and Amiga's can also use FidoNet) and modems keep dropping in price. By using FidoNet to poll for their messages, then read them on their own system, we conserve resources all the way around. I'd be happy to talk to anyone who's interested in hearing more about what's doing with FidoNet... -- James S. Deibele jamesd@qiclab or jamesd@percival TECHbooks: The Computer Book Specialists (800) TECH-BKS 3646 SE Division Portland, OR 97202 (503) 238-1005 TECHbooks One BBS (#1:105/4.0); 3/12/24 (503) 760-1473
terry@wsccs.UUCP (Every system needs one) (10/30/88)
To get back to the subject line (:-)), another alternative to Faxing things is to use a dialup service. Most companies offering telex services also provide fax gateways (TRT, EasyLink, etc.) terry@wsccs
trepex@tmpmbx.UUCP (Ralf Moritz) (11/02/88)
In article <757@wsccs.UUCP> terry@wsccs.UUCP (Every system needs one) writes: > Most companies offering > telex services also provide fax gateways (TRT, EasyLink, etc.) Is it possible to use this service from outside america ? How do these companies charge the costs for the fax ? Do you have some more informations ? Ralf Moritz -- UUCP: trepex@tmpmbx (...!{pyramid|unido}!tmpmbx!trepex) BITNET: moritz@db0tui6
Kenneth_R_Jongsma@cup.portal.com (11/08/88)
Compuserve offers FAX service now, using their Easyplex (email) system. The charges aren't too expensive. Compuserve is available from most countries that have access to a data network.
sl@van-bc.UUCP (pri=-10 Stuart Lynne) (11/17/88)
In article <11023@cup.portal.com> Kenneth_R_Jongsma@cup.portal.com writes: >Compuserve offers FAX service now, using their Easyplex (email) system. >The charges aren't too expensive. Compuserve is available from most >countries that have access to a data network. Speaking of fax, I'm looking for a few sites to Beta test some Xenix Fax Software. Warning, this is a commercial product, and not shareware. It requires the purchase of a Quadram JTFax 96 fax card (about $800 or $900 US list I believe). One example of how this works under a Unix environment is to allow messages to be sent to fax machines from your favourite Unix mail program. Anyone who would like to see what the end result is can send a brief message to their fax machine by sending mail to: uunet!van-bc!fax!1-555-555-1234!your.name ^^^^^^^^^ replace with your name ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ replace with your fax number or 1-555-555-1234!your.name@wimsey.bc.ca Please don't send more than one page as I've put a filter in to chop it to one page for these demo's. Also, I pick up my mail from UUNET at ungodly hours so please make sure you leave your fax machine on overnight. -- Stuart.Lynne@wimsey.bc.ca {ubc-cs,uunet}!van-bc!sl Vancouver,BC,604-937-7532
sl@van-bc.UUCP (pri=-10 Stuart Lynne) (11/22/88)
In article <1954@van-bc.UUCP>, sl@van-bc.UUCP (pri=-10 Stuart Lynne) writes: > One example of how this works under a Unix environment is to allow messages > to be sent to fax machines from your favourite Unix mail program. > Anyone who would like to see what the end result is can send a brief message > to their fax machine by sending mail to: > uunet!van-bc!fax!1-555-555-1234!your.name > ^^^^^^^^^ replace with your name > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ replace with your fax number > or > 1-555-555-1234!your.name@wimsey.bc.ca 1-555-555-1234!your.name@fax.wimsey.bc.ca ^^^^ Will work a lot better. Sorry for anyone who might have got bounced. I think I got them all. -- Stuart.Lynne@wimsey.bc.ca {ubc-cs,uunet}!van-bc!sl Vancouver,BC,604-937-7532