-=> Quoting Robert Osborne to Rick Collins <=-
-=> FidoMail to 1:163/215, please.-=<
ro> I recently saw a "Boca" Internal 28.8 K bps Data/Fax Modem for as
ro> low as $30 dollars after rebate. How ever it stipulated Minimum
ro> System requirements: 486dx/33 processor, open 8-hint ISA slot,
ro> Windows 3.1 (MS DOS 6.2), 4 mb ram, 5 mb hard disk space. Am I
ro> looking at a modem that would run on my 8 mh 286At or 386dx 33mh
ro> as long as I did not use their fax/data software and online
ro> software?. Is this a workable solution or would this be a
ro> windows only modem and require the higher speed processor and
ro> ram to be able to get the thru put as questioned above? If I can
ro> not use it, then what would be an example of a modem
ro> specification that I could probably use and with these slower
ro> system?
It _sounds_ like a "Winmodem" as I mentioned, and I would not
recommend it for your system.  Any internal or external "real" modem
won't pose a problem as far as data rate is concerned, though the
graphical nature of the WWW and most on-line services would make
operation with a 286 tedious, and probably frustrating.  The problem
here isn't so much the modem as the delays caused by the video speed
and so on.
ro> Does the Class have anything to do with what the other system is
ro> using. IE do both the sending and receiving system have to be
ro> operating on the same Class I? In the example of Boca modem
ro> they furish the software. I saw no Class mentioned in the ad as
ro> to the modem's class. 
The "class" applies only to your modem's capability and the fax
software you use - the remote end doesn't matter.  The Boca
_probably_ supports Class 1 and Class 2, and so does most software.
ro> Is this part of the modems chip set programming? As the number
ro> goes up ie 2.0 does the capability advance. Ie is 2.0 the most
ro> advanced one available? Is there any way to tell on a used
ro> modem that is fax capable what class it is and what kind of
ro> software will run on it other than writing the manufacture? 
Class 2 is/was a "defacto" standard adopted by a number of
manufacturers.   Class 2.0 is the ITU approved standard.  It differs
from Class 2, and is not as widely supported in software.  USR modems
support Class 1 and Class 2.0 only, while most other modems support
Class 1 and Class 2 only.  The modem is programmed to use the
appropriate classes.  Usually AT+FCLASS will display the classes
supported by the modem.
ro> I take it that the fax rate is different from the modems straight
ro> data thru put rate? Do you know of any good Fax Shareware that
ro> I can try? 
Faxes generally operate at 9600 ot 14,400 bps.  As for good fax
software, I don't use it enough to make a recommendation.  BGFAX is
quite common, though.  You might give that a try.  Most problems,
BTW, seem to be involved with _receiving_ a fax rather than sending
one.
ro> Super discussion on what I need to know Rick. I sure appreciate
ro> the information and help on bring me up out of the DARK AGES!
ro> :*) Please continue the discussion as you have time. 
That's what the echo is for.  Fax isn't my strong point, so if you
see contradictory information, they may well be right. :-)
TTFN. Rick.
Ottawa, ON 26 Jun 16:53 
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