CompuServe Thread

Ken, Currently, there is only one modem for the Amiga I know of that will do everything you want: Voice-Mail (& caller ID) Fax upgradeable to V.Fast (or whatever it's called) It is the Zyxel U-1946E. It's not cheap, but it is probably one of the very best modems available anywhere. I use a Practical Peripherals PM14400FXSA, which is terrific, but does not at this time support the voice functions you seek. It does, however, support Class 1 & class 2 FAX software (GPFax s/w costs around $50) They also sell a model PM14400FXMT which is a very good value… retailing at just over $200. If I wanted to add voice-mail to my system, I would probably take a look at the GVP PhonePak… GVP has a support section in the AmigaVendor Forum (GO AMIGAV) and you can ask for information there. Supra has a 14.4 fax-modem that comes bundled with GPFax, and repotedly will eventually support caller ID and voice-mail, but I have no experience with Supra modems. Lastly, the latest issue of Computer Shopper has a review of "ten 14.4 modems under $200) and the Zoom model ZUFX-v.32bis ranked tops. This, like the PPI unit I have, does not support voice-mail, but the price is right.

Ken, Hi, its been awhile, are you enjoying the cold as much as I? Have you found anyone that carries that Chimay beer we had last month at Gracies? I've checked with several beer distributors and come up empty. Any way to try and answer your questions, make sure you look at fax modems that have adequate data transmissions as well as the fax speeds you need, with compuserve recently cutting its prices again, I wouldn't think of using anything less than 14400 baud. I've seen very inexpensive fax modems that are 14400fax and only 2400 data, you want one that is at least 14400baud fax & data. I've been using the Pratical Peripherals PM14400FXMT for both sending and recieving faxes. The latest Fax Modems are coming out with even faster data transmission speeds, but they are a bit more expensive. I think, you should be able to find the PM14400FXMT for around $200.00 (and to think I paid that much for a 2400 baud modem not to many years ago). Supra also makes a nice 14400 fax modem. As for Fax software, GPFax is what I use (Generic class 2 version), there is also another class 2 version for Supra modems, and I believe a class 1 version, but I think you want a fax modem that is capable of class 2 (at least thats what i was told when i was shopping one). GPFax works very well, it has a complete 'intuition' interface, sends multiple pages of text or IFF picture files to multiple phone numbers with automatic page makers and fax header stamp. Automatic generation of fax cover sheet, phone book, log, scheduler for unattended transmission of faxes at a later time and more. There is another Amiga Fax program that I have only recently heard about, but I don't really know anything about it nor do I remember the name. As for voice-mail, GVP makes something called the "Phone Pak", it is a Zorro II board that incorporates a voice mail system and Fax capabilities, You may still need a Fax modem, but I'm not sure. It needs to be installed in an A2000, 3000 or 4000, or you might be able to use it with an A500 if you have one of the boxes that install on the expansion bus that adds a zorro II slot. In your case, with the GVP harddrive already installed on your A500, it might not be practical since I have heard that adding to many devices on the A500 expansion bus can cause "noise" problems or something like that. If you really want/need voice-mail, it may be time to consider upgrading to an A2000, or if you have some $$$ burning a hole in your pocket, an A4000 <G>. With an A2000, you could still use the MMR you have, the harddrive could be installed in the A2000 with a scsi card and all you would have to sell is the GVP harddrive expansion box with ram and the A500 (jourdi might buy the A500, since she is getting to be a pest regarding my machine). I've probably gotten into more than you want to consider, so I'll stop right now <G>. BTW, if you want to see my Fax/Modem and GPFax running on my machine, give me a call, Chris is out of town till next thursday and I'm stag (except for my daughter) till then. =Rick=