[FAQ] Voice Mail on Macs
Henrik 'Ratte' Gudat
IF YOU ARE USING ONE OF THESE PRODUCTS, PLEASE SEND ME YOUR REVIEWS,
EXPERIENCES WITH THE SOFTWARE, HARDWARE, AND TECH SUPPORT.
INTRODUCTION TO
___ ____ ___ _______ __ _
| \ ____ /____/ | \ / | \ | | |
| | / /____ ____ __________ | \/ | \ | | |
| | / / \ | | ___/ \ | | | | |\ \| | |
| | / / /\ |/ / / / O | | |\__/| | |_\ \ | |
| |/ /| / / | / / / ____/ | | | | ___ \ | |____
| / | \/ | / \__| \___ | | | | | | || |
|______/ \_____/___/\______/_____/ |__| |__|_| |__||______|
FOR MACINTOSH COMPUTERS
-= last revision 7/10/96 =-
TOC
- INTRO: Before shopping a voice mail product
- HARDWARE
- voice-capable modem
- modem + black box
- GeoPort (info on Sat Sagem's Spiga ISDN modem)
- SOFTWARE
- requirements
- prices
- basic features
- programming
- review of PhonePro
- comments on Digital Storefront/FrontOffice
- recommendations / contacts
- FURTHER INFORMATION
- telephone manager
- review of MegaPhone
- Voice Messenger
- Geoport
============
INTRODUCTION
============
-= PLEASE CALL BACK AT A LATER TIME! =-
Your Mac does not only run Marathon and Netscape - it can also take your phone
calls. "Voice mail" can range from simple answering machines to complex voice
mail systems with fax-on-demand and data transfer. Most voice-capable modems
sold today come with a basic answering machine. However, if you're longing for
the real thing, you need third-party tools that unleash the full potential of
your Mac and modem.
Before shopping a voice mail product:
=====================================
- be sure you KNOW what you NEED.
I recommend you to materialioze your dream system on a large, white
paper. Do you need speech manager support? Fax on demand? Paging?
Especially, do you plan to work on the same Mac or can you afford a
dedicated voice mail/fax machine?
- ask around for discount prices!
- when choosing a hardware/software product, don't forget that you have
only 2 serial ports! (For example, Storefront and a fax modem already
use all your serial ports)
- Geoport or modem - check out the latest flamewar on comp.sys.mac.comm
The Geoport Telecom Adapter (GTA) features superbe audio quality,
easy setup, reliable telephony software (I'm talking about voice and fax
calls here only, for data I'm not the right person), but slows down your
system, 28k and ISDN GTA expected to be released in mid 96 (no official
release date)
- do you have RAM or disk space to waste? A large voice mail system may occupy
30-50 Mb on your hard disk *easily*.
- do you REALLY need a voice mail package, or would a simple answering
machine be enough? Have you checked out MegaPhone (from Cypress
Research, address see end of FAQ) and VoiceMessenger (adds 10 voice
boxes to MegaPhone)? (NEW: does not require GTA)
- Do you want a highly customizable system (TFLX/PhonePro) or is a
plug&play solution okay with you?
- Do you have a fortune to spend?
There aren't that many voice mail packages around. This FAQ focuses on PhonePro
from Cypress Research, TFLX from Magnum, and marginally on Front Office and
Digital Storefront from Pleiades Research. At the end of this document, you
will find some related information on the Geoport, MegaPhone, etc.
We will first take a look at the various possible configurations
(hardware-wise) and then do a check-list comparison of the four (software)
products.
========
HARDWARE
========
Mac-based voice mail systems come in various setups. All of them require a
modem for establishing a connection and making outbound calls. If the modem
does not support voice mail, you will also need a black box that serves as a
bridge between the Mac's sound in/out and the telephone line.
1. voice-capable modem
___________
| o o o o o |
|___________|
modem
If your modem does voice-mail, then you already have all you need. Modems
include SupraFax units (w/ ROM upgrades) and Global Village IIv. Usually,
sounds are compressed extensively so they have a small hard disk footprint
but are also hard to understand. (Supra: 6:1 MACE, others AD-PCM)
Note that although Global Village are pretty good modems, models with
voice capability are not Rfor saleS. They come only bundled with some
Perfoma models. Also, these internal modems cannot make outbound calls.
Cost: **...
Sound Quality: *.... thru ***..
Pros: only 1 peripheral needed, cheap, fast modem for data
connections
Cons: good [AD-PCM] thru horrible [MACE 6:1] sound quality
Hardware: SupraFAX v.32/v.32bis, Global Village, Intertex IX-33EV
USR Sportster voice 28.8, Zoom modems
Software: PhonePro
2. modem + black box
___________ ...........
| o o o o o | + : :
|___________| :.........:
modem black box
This configuration consists of a modem (without voice capabilities) and a
voice black box such as Digital Storefront or the one that comes with
TFLX. The modem is merely establishing and holding a connection.
Cost: ***.. thru *****
Sound Quality: *****
Pros: excellent sound quality, works with most modems,
TFLX hardware w/ "no loss" compression
Cons: uses second serial port, expensive, must use software
of one company (TFLX bundle)
Hardware: any modem plus TFLX or Digital Storefront hardware
Software: TFLX /w TFLX hardware
Digital Storefront /w Digital Storefront hardware
PhonePro /w Digital Storefront hardware
3. GeoPort
__________
/ \
==== GeoPod ===
\__________/
The Geoport is a technology built into many Macs (660AV, 840AV, Power
Computing Power Wave/Curve, all PowerMacs EXCEPT 5200/6200/6300 series
and PowerPC-based PowerBooks). The small pod that you have to buy
separately serves as an interface between your Mac and an analog phone
line. The GeoPod is NOT a modem. The actual modem is virtual - it is
emulated by the PowerPC or DSP coprocessor in 680x0-based AV Macs.
Consequently, PowerMacs tend to slow down when GeoPort is activated.
Note: Apple has discontinued the Geoport technology. There will be
still GeoPort-capable Power Macs showing up, but in the long run
the GeoPort will disappear. It is supposed to be replaced by a
standard from the PC world (Intel). Consequently, the RVersitS project
(making GeoPort popular on PCs) has been dumped in 1995.
Cost: *....
Sound Quality: *****
Pros: excellent sound quality, all-in-1 voice/fax/data,
plug & play, software upgradeable, best bang/buck ratio
Cons: slow data connections (14'400), CPU killer (PowerMac
only)
Hardware: GeoPod
Software: Front Office, PhonePro
+-- SAT SAGEM MODEM/GEOPOD --------------------------------------------+
SAGEM (a European communication company) just released the first
ISDN-compatible GeoPod. For more info, surf their web page
(www.sagem.com, something like that). This pod also features 2B+D for
transfer rates of up to 128k (bonding). Despite its compatibility with
the Geoport standard, you can use it as a regular modem on almost any
Mac (68030 and up). If its not used on a Geoport-compatible serial
port, you need a separate power supply. It supports HDLC, PPP, LAPB
(X75), X25 EuroFile, X25 64k, X25-MLP 128k.
Price: DM 800,-, CHF 730,- (approx. US$550-600)
========
SOFTWARE
========
TFLX and PhonePro are the two killer apps while Digital Storefront and Front
Office are for low-end voice mail systems. TFLX is an expandable package - you
buy the basic version that includes the required hardware and some software. By
buying additional software-only modules, you can build larger and more complex
scripts.
The list of features below is a desperate attempt to compare all four packages.
A plus sign stands for "yes" and a minus sign means - big surprise - "no".
Empty cells mean that this information is missing - it might be a "+" or a "-".
In the case of Digital Storefront and Front Office, it's most likely a minus
sign.
Obviously, PhonePro and TFLX outperform Pleiades' products easily. But - don't
just do a "+" vs. "-" comparison:
- some functions are not in the command set but can be simulated with a
bunch of others (for example, GOSUB can be rewritten using indirect
GOTOs - no big deal)
- Front Office and Digital Storefront take a slightly different approach
and therefore some functions are handled differently. (From what I've
read, they do not have a true scripting language. Some features found in
the 'programming' section below are eventually substituted by other
techniques)
- Your equipment can make a big difference. If you do not have a
Geoport-equipped Mac, forget Front Office.
I'm sorry for not having tested TFLX and Digital Storefront/FrontOffice myself.
Instead, I've taken all the info from brochures and press blurps and squeezed
it through my patented anti-hype filter.
Requirements
============
PhonePro FrontOffice StoreFront TFLX
RAM (company suggested) 5 1 free 4 2.5 free
RAM small script* 3 2.5
RAM large script* 6-8 4
min. system 7.0 7.0 7.x 6.04
preferred system 7.5
hard disk installation 10Mb 10Mb 6-15
CPU 68020+ 68020+ 68020+ 68000+
Modems supported many!** Geoport n/a n/a
* own experience
** PhonePro supports: GeoPort devices, USR Sportster Voice, Global
Village TelePort Gold & Platinum IIv, Digital Storefront,
Intertex, plus many more to come. Fully compatible with "telephone
tools". Supra no longer supported by PhonePro v3.1 and later.
Voice/fax arbitration with GeoPort, USR, Teleport.
Price
=====
If money is an issue (usually it is), take a look at the prices below:
PhonePro FrontOffice StoreFront TFLX
list price $349 $299 $395 $495 up
low price (special deal) $180*
upgrade $99 v2->v3
* when registering MegaPhone ($49) and ordering PhonePro within 5 days
PhonePro and FrontOffice are software-only packages. StoreFront and TFLX also
include hardware components.
TFLX costs $495 in its *basic* version. You may add more software modules - up
to a total of ca. $1700. At this price, you'll get a product that is comparable
with or has an edge over PhonePro but costs more than *four* times as much.
BASIC FEATURES
==============
PP FO SF TF
make outgoing call + +*
caller ID + +*
multi-level branching + + + +
unlimited number of mailboxes + + + +
paging +*** + +*
alpha paging +*** +*
password protected voice boxes + + + +
call transfer (flash/hook, Centrex) + + + +*
sound compression + + + +
no loss compression - - - +
local sound playback/record + +
sampling rate 5-22 22 22 22
speech manager support + +
word list + - - +
letter by letter + +
phonetic - +
speakerphone +** -
automatic dial-tone cut-off (recording) + +
touch-tone interrupts (play/record) + +
timer + +
alarm clock + +
800/900 services + + + +
local user input (mouse/keyboard) + +
local feedback (text, pictures) - +
create front-ends + +
runtime module + +
ISDN compatible + - -
telephone trainer (adapt to diff. phone systems) + +
call log + +
SlowScan video support - +
rotary detection +
read/write serial ports + - - +
BBS basic functions (menus, file transfer) +
PowerPC native version - -
* not in basic version
** not with Geoport
*** 3rd-party tools (PageNOW!)
PROGRAMMING
===========
PhonePro and TFLX use a biiig workspace and one or more toolboxes from where
you drag&drop icons. Their icon-based scripting language saves you from
*writing* code but nevertheless provides you with all the functions you need.
This method is very straightforward. PhonePro's icons are all black&white, and
large scripts may look bewildering at a first glance. Pleiades' products
Digital Storefront and Front Office offer a zen-buddhistic variant - they use
the Mac's file system for building menu hierarchies. But even here you need not
write a single line of program code.
PP FO SF TF
user-defined variables + +
strings + +
numbers + +
sound + +
arrays - +
string manipulation + +
file operations (copy, delete, ..) + +
convert ASCII/Hex - +
script size (workspace in pages) 20 n/a n/a 20(000*)
launch subscripts + +
error handling + +
detect dial tone + +
recover from script error + +
conditional branching + +
goto + +
gosub/return/pop - +
simulate (offline check) + +
hot keys +
* not in basic version
FAX-BACK
PP FO SF TF
FaxSTF + + + +
Faxciliate + +
MacComCenter/QuickLink - +
Fax Terminal (Geoport) + n/a
FaxPro II* + -
* FaxPro II is rated the worst fax program, requ. dedicated Mac/phone line
NETWORK, MAC-RELATED STUFF
PP FO SF TF
QuickMail + -
Microsoft Mail + -
PowerTalk + -
PowerShare + -
Apple Events + +
AppleScript + -
Communication Toolbox + -
plug-ins, XCMDs, XFunctions + +
ADVANCED FUNCTIONS
PP FO SF TF
Integrated database + +
# of fields 8 (24) 255
# of records 1000 unl.
sort database +* +
search function + +**
export/import records + +
localized versions - +
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
PP FO SF TF
online technical support + +
tech support rating (1=lousy, 5=excellent) ***
* sorting does not work with indirectly referenced tables, very slow
** fast search algorithm
*** tech support being restructured
PhonePro
========
PhonePro offers a complete icon-based scripting language. By dragging icons in
a window and connecting them, you can bild scripts with up to 2000 icons per
script.
Writing scripts is straightforward. There are various debugging mechanisms
built into PhonePro (a trace mode, simulation mode, log file, icons that
process script errors at runtime etc.). Scripts usually start with a "pick up"
icon, play voice menus, then wait for touch-tones and proceed appropriately.
However, since PhonePro does everything via icons, you can virtually script any
procedure. Let the speech manager talk to the caller or use the "word list"
(prerecorded expressions such as numbers, dates, etc.) for messages that change
over time. Sounds can be played and recorded at various compression rates and
interrupted with touch-tones. Recordings are stopped automatically if PhonePro
detects a busy signal, touch-tone or silence. Then forward recorded messages to
voice boxes or e-mail accounts over a network (QuickMail, PowerTalk, ..).
Besides voice mail, PhonePro does also send and receive faxes or handle data
connections. For simple BBS tasks, PhonePro's functions may be sufficient.
THE GOOD NEWS: RAW POWER AND SQUASHED BUGS
PhonePro is a very capable piece of software: functionality, hardware
flexibility and raw power are where this software shines. PhonePro supports a
wide range of modems and "voice black boxes" such as Global Village modems,
Supra modems, Geoport, Intertex, Digital Storefront, and others for which
telephone tools exist. (Telephone tools are low-level software components that
give Apple's Telephone Manager the capability to talk to your periphals.)
PhonePro contains about any function you are probably longing for (with some
exceptions mentioned below). String manipulation, calculations, small BBS
services, fax-back etc. are all within reach.
The PhonePro 3.0 update offers only very few really hot new features. Two of
the most important changes are a) the CRC sound shop utility (much like
Macromedia's SoundEdit in kid's mode) for the basic sound editing and b) the
revised icon configuration boxes. No more opening three huge windows in
sequence - pop-up menus improve the scripter's productivity greatly. (I wished
there were pop-up menus that appeared when option-clicking icons...)
The good news are, however, that most stuff does now work as advertized in
previous versions. Although this might sound strange to you, I guess that
Cypress spent quite some time with debugging. The revised kernel was
fortunately on Cypress' to-do list.
IT'S COMING!
Something must have happened at Cypress. For some months now, PhonePro is
improving constantly at blazing speed. (Of course, relative to the Mac voice
mail market.) The upcoming interim release 3.1 features more telephone tools,
a limited length function for strings (my favorite!), and many other changes
for the better. Tech support is being restructured, and Cypress hinted at a new
era of end-user support once they've settled down in Santa Clara.
THE BAD NEWS: STILL SOME QUIRKS
From the user's point of view, not much has changed. The interface is still
black&white and, compared to MegaPhone (also from Cypress), is nothing to write
home about. There *must* be a way to make it more appealing.
Tables are still limited to 1000 records. Each record still has a fixed size.
Sorting tables is so darn slow that it's useless in most situations.
For more serious database applications, you should consider storing your data
in external databases. For keeping track of users and other, not so demanding
items, the database tool delivers.
Although the vast majority of icons accepts lots of data types, you may
eventually run into dead ends. For example, you can greatly manage tables
indirectly by using another table with table pointers ("trackers"). If you want
to sort any of those tables, though, you are out of luck - unlike most other
commands, the sort icon does not allow indirect references.
Handling of pathnames can become a painful experience. Changing the path of a
major voice mail system or its data files can be hazardous to your health:
PhonePro keeps track of files using something very similar to aliases, but
unlike System 7 aliases (that usually resolve file references transparently to
the user), you have to confirm changed paths manually. PhonePro is clever
enough to suggest a path, but you still have navigate through some dialog
boxes. This only becomes an issue when youUre designing voice mail systems for
other people. I highly recommend you agree on a common path before starting
large projects :-)
OTHER STUFF
Although PhonePro is 68k code (that is, not optimized for Power Macs), it's
running reasonably fast. Speed is not really an issue with telephony
applications - reliability and functionality is far more important. However, be
warned: on low-end (slow) Power Macs with Geoport Telecom Adapter, you will
have sound quality problems when playing long sound files from a slow hard disk
(Quantum LPS, for instance) or using high-fidelity MacinTalk voices (TTS
voices). This is not actually a problem with PhonePro but rather with the
Geoport software and sound/speech manager. On the other hand, the Geoport
provides excellent sound quality and is very easy to set up and use.
The manual: the basic instructions are good, but the manual for v2.0 was
written for an earlier version (1.5 or so). The update information was added at
the beginning of the manual. The manual's structure is OK. The manual clearly
lacks precise information in the "programming" section - some examples wouldn't
hurt. Additionally, te v3 update comes with some sheets that do not cover
everything. Cypress states that a completely rewritten manual is on the way.
(ratings for v3.0)
Bang/Buck ratio: ****.
User interface: **...
Ease of use: ****.
Compatibility: *****
Functionality: *****
Networking: ****.
Database Tool: **...
Reliability: ***..
Tech Support: [Cypress is moving to a new location and restructuring tech
support. Stay tuned for how things are developing.]
--------------------------------------------------------------
If you want a system that grows with you, it's almost perfect.
If you can live with its limitations, then it's a bargain.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Digital Storefront (MacUser: 4 mice)
==================
This box features 16-bit audio line at a reasonable price. The components range
from not-so-good-looking to ugly, but it will serve you well. You can't create
the kind of mega-systems PhonePro and TFLX offer, but the Storefront Manager
software supports various "boxes" (voice boxes, information boxes that only
play a message as well as fax-back boxes). The caller navigates through the
menu hierarchy via touch-tones until he reaches the desired box.
Incoming messages are presented in a list, along with date, time and a "urgent"
flag.
-------------------------------------------------------------
If your dream system dispenses with databases and on-the-fly
computations, Digital Storefront rules.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Front Office
============
Front Office is basically a reincarnation of Storefront for users of the GTA.
Unfortunately, the press blurp did not contain any concrete information, so I
suspect it's about the same product as Storefront, only for GTA.
Recommendations
===============
As you can see above, programs vary greatly in price and functionality. If you
need a powerful system, PhonePro is hard to beat. Pleiades concentrates on
medium-size, plug & play voice mail system though you can also build decent
fax-on-demand systems. However, PhonePro's extensive scripting language (or
better, icon collection) delivers. If you don't know *exactly* what kind of
system you'd like to have on your desk, PhonePro is a good choice. There *are*
minor problems with PhonePro, but Cypress is very likely to fix them RsoonS.
OTOH, Pleiades' SF and FO pack less functions into a more appealing front-end
and at the same top sound quality.
According to the manufacturer, TFLX's main advantage is its ease of use and
reliability. The price is nothing to take lightly, but I rather do not make a
judgement before I haven't used it myself or get some feedback from users. It
seems to be a very powerful product.
Contact:
Pleiades Research
5904 Monterey Road
Los Angeles, CA 90042
213-257-1710
demo: (800) 73-STARS
fax (213) 259-1728
http://www.earthnews.com/plds.com
Cypress Research Corp.
240 Carribean Dr.
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
408-752-2700
408-752-2735 (fax)
sa...@cypressres.com
http://www.cypressr.com
ftp.cypressr.com
TFLX
http://www.primenet.com/~magnum/
mag...@primenet.com
PageNOW! pager module for PhonePro, MegaPhone, MaxFax:
Mark/Space Softworks
111 West Saint John, 4th Floor
San Jose, CA 95113
408-293-7299, fax 408-293-7298
msp...@netcom.com
Modem manufacturers:
US Robotics: http://www.user.com
Supra Corp.: http://www.supra.com
Global Village: http://www.globalvillag.com
Stalker Software: http://www.stalker.com
Zoom: http://www.zoomtel.com
These links have been kindly provided by Greg Bond.
FURTHER INFORMATION
===================
Telephone Manager
-----------------
Products from Cypress Research rely on Apple's Telephone Manager, a layer that
makes telephony software hardware-independent. Unfortunately, the only
teleophony tool available at time of this writing is the geoport tool. Cypress
says that they are about to release telephony for popular modems this month
(Jan 96). Consequently, all of their products (PhonePro, MegaPhone, Voice
Messenger) will then be compatible with Supra modems and many others.
Answering Machines: MegaPhone
-----------------------------
Most people do not need voice mail packages for recording friends' messages. A
simple answering machine can also do the trick for much less and way more
straightforward.
The most popular product in this area is probably MegaPhone from Cypress
Research. It comes with Apple's Telecom software (Geoport) and includes a basic
answering machine. During the first month, you can try the full package which
includes a contact manager, retrieval of messages remotely, and more. The
version costs $49.
There are other products that are mostly sold as a bundle with external modems.
if you are using one of those applications, please send me your reviews...
When registering MegaPhone, Cypress offers substantial discounts on its other
products for a limited time. If you buy PhonePro within 5 days after
registering MegaPhone (you can do this on the phone), you get the complete
package for only $180. The more time you need thinking about this purchase, the
more does the price approximate to the "regular low price". (Very funny
expression, huh?)
MegaPhone is a typical answering machine - upon establishing a connection, it
speaks a message and records whatever makes it through the line. Incoming
messages are stored in a handy list where you can see the date, time, size etc.
Read messages are deleted automatically after a certain time (optional). If you
prefer you can also deliver messages to your PowerTalk box.
Besides its answering machine service, MegaPhone also serves as a regular
telephone. Together with the Geoport, it's a full duplex speakerphone: you hear
your partner through the Mac's speaker and talk to him or her via microphone.
(Professionals invest 150 bucks in Jabra Corp's EarPhone, a high-quality AV
mic/headphone.) You can make outgoing calls and answer calls (thus overriding
the answering machine) as you would with any telephone.
If you are running the full version, you can also call your Mac from outside
and retrieve messages by pushing a key and entering your access code. MegaPhone
recognizes some touch tones for browsing through messages and lets you record
another greeting.
MegaPhone's contact tool keeps track of your addresses. It's indeed a darn
versatile thing: you can define numerous phone numbers for each person (work,
home, ...) and dial it by just clicking on it. MegaPhone is clever enough to
scan any telephone number and add required area codes etc. to it. (This
component is called "MegaDial" and also available separately. The version of
MegaDial that comes with MegaPhone works only with MegaPhone.) The program also
shows how many days have passed since you called each person. A call log is
also there.
If you are a really kind person and have LOTS of friends, you are required to
link MegaPhone with your Organizer (because Megaphone's database is slowing
down exponentially to its size). MegaPhone supports most third party
Organizers/Schedulers and imports/exports/synchronizes its contacts.
If a call was unsucessful, the application displays a dialog box so you can
postpone the call. There is also a field for leaving a short comment. And when
calling other computer-controlled telephone systems, you can even teach
MegaPhone how to navigate through menus. It's much like a macro facility in a
word processor.
rating: get it, try it, buy it
Voice Messenger
---------------
This product - once again from Cypress Research - is an advanced version of
MegaPhone. It adds 10 voice boxes (with or without password protection) and
allows you to use greetings that change during a day.
VoiceMessenger features up to 10 voice mail boxes (with password and
personalized greeting). Furthermore, this software forwards voice mails via
PowerShare, PowerTalk and Cypress' own delivery system. Yes, you can also send
v-mails to other stations run
rating: useless - you can get PhonePro for only little more
Geoport
-------
The Geoport is a thing built into many Macs (660AV, 840AV, Power Computing
Power Wave/Curve, all PowerMacs EXCEPT 5200/6200/6300 series and PowerPC-based
PowerBooks). It is a modem emulated in software with speeds of up to 14'400
baud. An upcoming update (mid 96?) will double its speed.
The Geoport consists of a fast serial port (the modem port) and a GeoPod which
serves as an interface. The Geopod must be bought separately. There is
currently only a GeoPod for analog lines available. An ISDN pod is coming from
Apple but no release date is known. Hermsted, the manufacturer of the NuBUS
ISDN cards (Leonardo) is working on a GeoPort-compatible ISDN pod. (I don't
have any further information, sorry.) Sagem is offering ISDN products for NuBUS
slots and GeoPorts.
Why buy a Geopod? The main advantage is its upgradeability and ease of use.
Instead of buying new ROMs or exchanging devices, you can get new features for
your geoport by merely downloading new system software. However, this advantage
means next to nothing if Apple is not working on better versions as they are
doing now. There is only hope.
The Geoport modem is extremely easy to use. Plug it in, open a control panel
and there you go. The Geoport "modem" can be configured to answer incoming
calls automatically, including routing fax calls to the fax software (a very
nice software - sleek, zen-buddhistic, reliable, with simple OCR), data calls
to a terminal program and voice calls to a voice application. (Unfortunately,
data calls are usually not recognized because the connect procedure is a bit
different from fax calls. Your data calls will eventually go to the voice
application.)
Voice calls? Here the Geoport really shines. The sound quality is superbe
(22.25 kHz 8 bit) which is mucho better than many voice-capable external
modems. Sounds are played without compression (you can compress sounds if you
like, of course, from 2:1 [uLaw] up to 6:1 [MACE]).
The Geoport also has drawbacks. The most important one is that it slows down
your Mac to a crawl. Remember, the modem is emulated in software, so everything
a modem is doing in a few chips is done in the CPU. (This does not apply if you
own an 680x0-based AV Mac where all the processing is done in a coprocessor
[DSP].)
rating: excellent for low-cost voice-mail systems
good for sporadic internetters
too slow/CPU hungry for surfers and power users
=== About this FAQ ======================================================
This FAQ is an attempt to bring light into the dark side of voice mail systems.
Voice mail products are still a niche market and therefore information is hard
to find. If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, contact
gud...@ubaclu.unibas.ch. LOTS of information is missing here, so I would really
appreciate any further information wholeheartedly.
(C) 1995,1996 Henrik 'Rat' Gudat. Distribute freely as is.
=========================================================================
--
Synergetix
http://www.swix.ch/clan/shadow/eddie.html gud...@ubaclu.unibas.ch
Brian Hall
In article <4s349r$d...@elna.ethz.ch>, GUD...@EZINFO.VMSMAIL.ETHZ.CH
(Henrik 'Ratte' Gudat) wrote:
> PageNOW! pager module for PhonePro, MegaPhone, MaxFax:
> Mark/Space Softworks
> 111 West Saint John, 4th Floor
> San Jose, CA 95113
> 408-293-7299, fax 408-293-7298
> msp...@netcom.com
You may want to update this to include our new email address and web site:
<mailto:in...@markspace.com>
<http://www.markspace.com>
In addition to the packages above, we are also working with the developers
of SupraSonic to (at least) provide scripts for voice/fax notification.
If there are any other voice mail developers out there not already talking
to us, we'd love to work with them as well!
Brian Hall
Mark/Space Softworks
_____________________________________________________________________
Upcoming shows: Mactivity SJ July 16-18, Macworld Boston Aug 7-10
_____________________________________________________________________
Mark/Space Softworks voice 408-293-7299
111 West Saint John, 4th Floor fax 408-293-7298
San Jose, CA 95113 bbs 408-293-7290
Macintosh connectivity software: <mailto:brian...@markspace.com>
PageNOW!, Communicate, CTB Tools <http://www.markspace.com>
Goodies at <ftp://ftp.markspace.com/pub/markspace>