FAX BOX BEATS FAX MACHINE 

If you operate a small computer-equipped business or have a home computer and are itching to buy a facsimile machine, remember there are alternatives. Fax cards or fax computer attachments (fax box) have more going for them than going against them.

My fax machine is a Panasonic 135 Fax/Phone unit with handset. It plugs directly into the usual 110-volt outlet. It has to be always kept on to receive phone calls and fax. An add-on from another manufacturer is supposed to allow automatic switching from phone to fax but this feature doesn't always work satisfactorily. This fax unit has all the usual features like teledial, pause/redial, copy, half-tone and adjustment for shades. The Panasonic machine was purchased at a U.S. discount house called PACE in Palm Springs for less than US$500 (C$700) 18 months ago. Prices have dropped since then. All the fax machines I have tested that are in the marketplace work adequately. The DoveFax "Desktop" computer attachment is a box 3.5" wide, 6" long and 1.5" high. It uses a nine-volt transformer that plugs into the same regular 110-volt house current. I never turn it or my computer off, although I do turn off the screen.

My verdict: the fax box is the more convenient product with features I find useful. Incoming messages are instantly recorded on the computer screen so that when the screen is turned on, it flashes an alert that a message has arrived and at what time. If you happen to be working at your computer when an incoming fax arrives, worry not. The Dove Fax handles it transparently. That's the buzzword for computer activity being processed without necessarily stopping whatever you're currently working on. A downwardly flashing arrow in the upper left corner of the screen lets you know what is happening. The arrow reverses when outgoing faxes are being dispatched.

The fax attachment's greatest benefit is that data goes directly into the computer and can be printed out on command. When printed out the resolution is as high a quality as the printer normally produces. For outgoing faxes the resolution at the other end, regardless of whether reception was by a straight fax machine or by fax card or fax box, was of higher quality than normally. It dials at a pre-scheduled time for the lowest rates and re-dials busy numbers automatically. A "Delay" feature allows the sender to select at what time the message is to be sent. Unless the message is urgent adjust dispatch clock to sometime after midnight to obtain lowest phone rate. An "Activity Log" keeps track of all incoming and outgoing traffic. It lets you know who sent what and to where. Also transparently.

Now the big plus. The DoveFax unit is also a 2400 baud data modem for electronic mail (E-mail). So you can send your normal correspondence via the phone to anywhere in the world. It handles fax at the usual Class Three fax rate of 9600 baud. Now the extra feature. Just available (my unit had it added-on a month after initial installation for a US $50 charge) is Dove's Modem/Fax/ Answering Machine. It's called DoveFax+, all still inside the same small box and retails for US$549.

Being a computer accessory it comes duty-free into Canada and only payment of the seven percent Federal GST is required.

FLASH INSERT: (July MACWORLD magazine carries MacZone mail order ads offering DoveFax+ for US $395. The August issue carries MacWarehouse ads showing the same unit at US$359).

Originally only units compatible with Macintosh (unit evaluated was checked on a Macintosh) computers were available but Dove units for IBM or clone compatibles are now entering the market.

Some other features are neat. It not only records your voice on disc, playing individualized messages for callers who enter the indentification numbers you assign, it records their replies and forwards them to you at any phone! It'll even make callbacks at your command.

The one disadvantage with the DoveFax unit is that it does not send magazine or newspaper clippings. It does send digitized pictures contained in the computer and transferred to the fax transmission format. Magazine or other pictures can be entered into the computer easily if you have an inexpensive Thunderscan scanner. Another included neat feature is QuickFax. This is more like scribbling a note (up to 255 characters). All you have to fill in is the destination fax number and the name of who is to get the message. Just hit "Send" and it's there (Mac users note: a compatible System 7 software update is available for US $20).

Bottom line: what would cost over $1,000 as an answering machine, fax machine and modem is replaced with this unit for around one-half the price, or less, landed in Canada. And, your desk isn't covered with three units requiring three different companies for support action.

More information: Dove Computer Corp., 1200 North 23rd St., Wilmington, NC 28405. Phone: (Canada) 919/763-7918. International 919/763-7600. U.S.A. direct or via Camnet from Canada: 800/622-7627. Or E-mail via GEnie, MacNET or America Online (AOL).

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