Carl Moore (VLD/VMB) <cmoore@brl.mil> (05/01/91)
I called a number where I was then given the option of faxing (hit * to do that) or of leaving a voice recorded message. I don't think I had heard of that before.
johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us (John R. Levine) (05/06/91)
In article <telecom11.328.13@eecs.nwu.edu> you write: > I called a number where I was then given the option of faxing (hit * to > do that) or of leaving a voice recorded message. I don't think I had > heard of that before. I've sent faxes to such an answering machine. It actually works quite well, since you don't really have to push *, it recognizes fax pilot tone which makes it usable with sending faxes not dialed by humans. The main drawback is that if you actually want to talk to the human being you have to wait for the beep and say "Hey, Mike, pick up the phone" until he hears you and realizes that it's not a fax. Regards, John Levine, johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us, {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl
David Newman <dnewman@mcc.com> (05/13/91)
Actually, I have a box between the telco and the rest of my phone equipment that performs a similar function. When someone calls me, it picks up after the first ring and looks for FAX tone. If it doesn't hear it, it rings the rest of the phones in the house. My answering machine is, of course, one of the other phones. If I don't answer the phone, the answering machine does, and I have instructions in my outgoing message on how to leave a message after the tone as well as how to switch to the Fax machine (by dialing *4, which the aforementioned box also listens for). Also, if the box hears a fax tone at any time during the call, it will switch to the fax machine automatically. If someone calls with a FAX machine that does not send FAX tone until it hears the answering fax machine (I understand that this is true of older fax machines), then someone has to dial *4 (me or the caller) to get the line connected to the fax machine. People who don't have an automatic fax machine call me, and I can switch them to the fax machine from any phone in the house by dialing *4. It's pretty convenient. I don't know what the machine does to caller's phone bills, but I haven't had any complaints, so I'm not too worried. The only complaints I get are not really complaints: I get a lot of ribbing from friends about being a hot-shot with a home fax machine. I'm not at home, so I don't have the brand name or model number with me. I *think* it is a "Western Data Communications TX-101" or something like that. It was about $150 at Bizmart, I think. Dave P.S. Standard disclaimer: I'm not connected to Western Data or Bizmart other than as a satisfied customer.