🚀 go-pugleaf

Tan Jin Meng (eletanjm@nuscc.nus.sg) wrote:
: We have an application that has the following characteristics

: -  Will have 2 PCs at remote locations connected via phone line.
: -  Will need to download images as well as data.

: There is a suggestion that we use fax/modems. The reason being that
: we can make use of any compression that the fax hardware does and also
: that the central (server) site will be able to receive images from other
: sites with only paper fax machines. The questions that arise are :

: -  Do fax cards incorporate data compression? What kind? How effective?

Yes they do (but dont know what or how effective)

: -  Is there available fax software (esp Windows based) that will allow
:    a program to operate the fax card via API or a software library? I
:    may also have to be able to obtain the image data for some image 
:    processing.

Yes , or at least I have been told there is, however if you can find some, can 
you send me details.

: -  Given the second point above, preferbly should incorporate scanner
:    support also in the API.

Pass

: -  I assume that I can easily use the fax card alternately as a fax
:    machine as well as a data modem. Can I confirm this?

Yes, any fax/modem software will allow you to use the modem for both data and
faxes.

: -  If I use the fax card as a data modem, can I also make use of
:    hardware compression facility? How? 

No you cannot use the fax hardware compression because faxes use a different 
standard.  However if you get a fax/modem capable of supporting v42bis or MNP 5 and above you can get compression of upto 4 times (not this figure is for *PURE*text.

: -  Can I manipulate the resolution of the fax? ie can I have 150dpi,
:    300dpi, 100dpi etc fax?

Most fax software has the ability to use both standard and fine `fax` 
resolutions, although only a few will support very fine resolutions.

: I certainly hope someone can answer these questions as well as provide
: recommendations for products. Any advice is appreciated - as you may
: guess, I know nothing about fax technology and certainly nothing about
: PC Fax applications.

Now the important data: the fax card ought to be able of upto 9600 baud send
(and 4800 baud for recieve) - to cut down phone bills.  The data modem should be
a minimum of 2400 baud although 9600 or 14.4Kb are preferable (again for speed)
also the fax should be of group 3 type (this means that you can send grey-scale
pictures via the fax. (however this is only any good if your fax software is
capable of recieving group3 faxes (mine isnt!)

: Thank you very much.

: jin meng

Hope this helps, (if you want more, drop me a line, and I will try to help.)

-Ashley