Msg: 4948 *Conference*

02-13-94 15:44:35

From: RICHARD HANSON

To : JOHN STEWART

Subj: SHOW

----
Good questions, John...

 > Question:  Is there any benefit to using a baud rate higher than 600 on the
102?  That's the speed of the screen.  I know that it won't help in downloads,
but how about uploads?

Yes, actually 1200 baud access is beneficial.  Although you are held back to
600 baud access, it is twice as fast as 300 baud--you will save money.  Hey...
money is money.

This whole download/upload terminology thing needs some discussion.  When we
talk about downloading or uploading, we are really referring to transferring
files between computers and nothing else.  The sending computer is uploading.
The receiving computer is downloading.  That's it!  That's all there is to it;
termonology wise.

Now, combine the two-part question about online speed, LCD restrictions and
filetrasnfers and your answer is: 1200 baud is faster then 300 baud and,
depending on the file-transfer protocol, transferring files (to or from) is
faster then 300 baud and may be at 1200 baud.

 > Also:  what are the problems faced with plugging in an external FAX/Modem
and faxing?  Document conversion comes to mind.  That along would probably kill
it, unless it could be spooled onto a disk.  Leave me a note on the board when
you have a chance.

The Model T series computer can not directly send or receive a fax.  Period.
However, faxing is possible...

1) Sending faxes via a 3rd party service, such as CIS or MCI Mail, wherein
you're actually sending e-mail to a computer that can outdial through an
attached fax/modem.  The e-mail file is converted to a fax-image file and
faxed.  Faxes may not be received via this method--at least not yet.

2) Sending text out the RS232c port to an external fax supporting direct,
computer connection is possible.  Such a fax machines are equipped with an
RS232c port and built-in programming for ASCII to fax-file converstion.  The
attached computer sends a serial stream to the fax.  The fax automatically
converts the text into a fax file format and sends the fax.  Inbound faxes come
directly to the fax machines paper-print.  And no, OCR is not available for the
Model T series computer.

Thanks for the questions and everything else.  -Rick-