Putting your Macs and IBM-compatibles on speaking terms

Article Abstract:

It is nowadays an exaggeration to describe IBM-compatible and Macintosh microcomputers as not compatible or to say that an expensive networking solution is needed to make them compatible. Disk drives are becoming similar, and inexpensive software is now available that allows users to share data by swapping floppy diskettes. Three programs that cost less than $100 each will trick IBM and Macintosh microcomputers into recognizing each other's operating systems: Access PC, by Insignia Solutions; DOS Mounter, by Dayna Communications; and Software Bridge/Mac, by Argosy Software. Another program, Mac-to-DOS, from PLI, allows an IBM PC to recognize Macintosh disks. Most word processing documents, and files of many other varieties as well, can save data in 'text' or 'ASCII,' which is a universal format. If programs on different machines are themselves compatible, files can even be interexchanged with special formatting preserved in the transfer.

Electronic computers, Management, Interoperability, Compatible hardware, Compatibility (Computers), column, Compatibility, Compatible Software, Apple Macintosh (680X0-based system)

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PCs, printers can be reasonable facsimile of fax machines

Article Abstract:

The availability of add-on products such as facsimile modems enables users to send and receive facsimiles (faxes) via their desktop computers and printers. Fax modems combine the specialized phones that transmit and receive data and the telephone capabilities of the standard fax machine. Operated with computers, fax modems save paper and time. A shortcoming is that using a computer as a fax machine sometimes necessitates extra memory and disk storage space. A fax modem should be judged by how easy the bundled software is to install and to use. The modem should allow users to maintain an automated phone list for speedy transmission and manipulation of received faxes. Frecom's $179 Fax96 1-Liner and Dove Computer's $269 DoveFax are two fax modems. JetFax's JetFax II and HP's LaserJet Fax convert laser printers into proprietary fax machines. A relatively inexpensive printer add-on is Tall Tree Systems' $399 Tall Tree Systems Fax-O-Matic.

Column, Product enhancement, Laser printers, Fax equipment, Fax modems, Facsimile equipment, Facsimile modems, Laser Printer, Fax Modem

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Modems ring in era of low price and higher speed

Article Abstract:

Prices for modems are falling and performance is improving. Modems that can transmit at 14,400 bits per second (bps) are selling for as little as $200 to $250 at discount stores. An example is US Robotics' Sportster 14,400-bps fax modem, which comes in models for IBM-or-compatible or Apple Macintosh microcomputers. Shoppers who want to purchase a modem should pay particular attention to speed, fax capability, and whether to buy an internal modem or an external device. Ideally, modems should be included as standard components of microcomputers. In fact, IBM, Apple and other companies have started building 2,400-bps modems into their products, which are being sold through mass merchants.

Computer networks, Purchasing, Buyers Guide, Modems, Communications protocols, Modem, Purchases, Transmission Speed

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