Re: flexfax: Voice modems? Answering machine software?

[David Woolley <david@djwhome.demon.co.uk>]

> Date: 21 Aug 1997 15:58:14 -0000
                             ^ slightly weird - GMT is normally +0000, 
                               although the timestamps are self consistent.

> 
> I've noticed recently the term Voice Modem.  Is this something new, or
> is it just a different term for old non-fax modems?

Newish; it provides better access to the signalling tones and provides
digitised access to the speech path.  It would include a normal
data modem and probably fax as well, although there seems to be a
tradeoff between Class 2 fax and voice in the Rockwell chipset.

> 
> I am especially curious because I would like to get some telephone
> answering software for my computer (486/Pentium, Linux).  I am willing
> to buy a new modem if necessary.  Has anyone got any recommendations
> as to modem and software?

I haven't got it working properly yet, and I haven't been trying to
do it with Hylafax.  However, vgetty (from the mgetty suite) seems to
be the only free option.

I would have reservations about doing this on Linux with the standard
serial drivers unless you have test run the configuration.  I believe
there is a problem with the drivers which causes corrupt characters with
at least some chipsets, but until I try re-implementing that part of
the driver, I can't be sure.  The Comtrol Rocket Port driver and card
seems immune, but I've not tried them with vgetty, or Hylafax (they might
not work with Class 1 fax).

vgetty also needed modifying because it tried to set a voice mode which
was not supported, I think because of the regulatory requirements on
UK modems.  This was on a Rockwell chipset based modem - NB the Rockwell
chipset is customisable - if you buy a cheap brand it may not be customised
the same way as my cheap modem.

> 
> The FAQ says that vgetty doesn't do what I want.  The mail list

I haven't investigate this aspect.

> archives have nothing other than complaints about voice calls messing
> up fax reception.

My impression is that vgetty support is a hook which was not used by
the developers.