#GVP PhonePak news?
8 messages in this thread
Mike,
I think comparing the PhonePak to the SupraFaxModem is a little like
comparing apples to oranges, or at least like comparing Jonathan Apples to
Delicious Apples . 8^)…
The PhonePak is a voice/fax mail system designed for a small (or
perhaps even large) business. Software that runs it allows you to create
your own menus that the caller can select via touchtone. I am not sure if
you can use the PhonePak as a "regular" modem. It capabilities may be
limited to recording voice messages and receive/send of facsimilies.
Whereas, although the SuperFax Modem can send and receive fax and data,
it could not be used to record voice or run a voice mail system.
While the two products both involve communication, I can see no logic
in comparing the two, since there intended functions are so different.
Mike Shea………..
Michael:
Supra plans to have a voice mail system for modems fairly soon. The GVP
product does NOT include a data modem, if you need that you'll need to
spend more money. I'd say that it's a fair comparison, as both units do
about the same thing (or will shortly). We will have to wait and see what
Supra does with Voice mail, as they might come out with it only for PCs
and Macs, although if the way they handled FAX is an indication they will
also do voicemail on the Amiga as well. GVP does Voice mail, Supra will
soon. GVP does FAX, Supra does FAX. GVP doesn't do data, Supra does data.
Now if GVP had included a v.32bis datamodem on the card as well, then I
might have a different opinion of it, but they're asking way too much for
a card with no modem on it.
// -Mike Schiller
\X/ AMIGA! On AutoPilot in sunny Fort Lauderdale
Here comes one of those beginner-type questions:
>>The GVP product does NOT include a data modem,…
What is the difference between a "data modem" and a "Voice mail/FAX"
modem? Thanks.
Leslie:
A data modem is what you use to talk to online services like Compuserve,
or local BBSes. A FAX modem is used to communicate with FAX machines like
most offices have. FAX is limited to sending a B&W page where a data modem
can send just about anything given the right terminal program. Voice mail
is something else altogether, and right now the GVP card is the only one
available on the Amiga, but Supra is supposedly working on adding voice
mail to their FaxModems as well.
// -Mike Schiller
\X/ AMIGA! On AutoPilot in sunny Fort Lauderdale
Mike:
I do not consider the fact that PhonePak doesn't include a data modem a
big deal at all. Although it seems to me that Fax and data transmission
should be very similar, it doesn't seem to work that way. Not so long ago
most fax modems were 9600/Fax and 2400/Data, I never understood why.
I currently have a good 9600 modem that I like and will probably add fax
capability via the PhonePak if they ever solve the 3000 problem. Both data
and fax transmission will obviously improve in speed and come down in
price, although not necessarily at the same time. I have come to look at
the two as completely separate, having them separate you can upgrade each
component as necessary.
I guess it depends on your needs and finances -:)
Martin.
I think it is even more unfair to compare PhonePak and "future" Supra
enhancements. I can spill out a list of "future" things for PhonePak that
would make Supra look dismal. That's the nature of competition. What do
you have on the market now, and how can I make something better.
Supra plans to add features to it's modems, we plan to add features to our
PhonePak, etc. When a company releases a product, that's not the end of
the road. Enhancements and future rev's get planned and implemented.
RIGHT NOW, Supra does not handle VoiceMail or recording Voice and PhonePak
does not have a data modem.
The comment about GVP blaming Commodore… If you pay attention to the
Developer's Conference on BIX where most of the Commodore Engineers post,
there was a discussion about this problem, and Commodore is aware of the
PROBLEM WITH THE A3000. Mud-slinging will not help anyone except
politicians.
Gary:
I agree with all your comments, and I was very impressed with PhonePak.
PhonePak is here now not vaporware and I would love to have one. The
problem I have is that I have a 3000 but no slot spare for the memory card
to "fix" the A3000 DMA problem.
Are you with GVP?? If so any ideas when a better fix will be available?
Martin,
Thanks. I am a Product Manager for GVP, but PhonePak is not one of the
products I manage. I just happen to have one at home and I like it a lot.
We've been working with Commodore on a solution, both to the A3000 and a
hardware patch around the problem. I'm not sure who will get there first
with a fix…
-=*) Gary Nush (*=-