----- Original Message -----
From: "Glen Goodwin" <acme_ent(a)bellsouth.net>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 01, 2002 11:38 PM
Subject: Mac topics (was Re: APPLEVISION Monitor)
From: Richard
Erlacher <edick(a)idcomm.com>
I'm also looking for a recommendation for a
decent but not too rare or
expensive 56K dialup modem that's also fax-capable.
Any external 56K modem should work, right? You should be able to get one
for $20 or so.
I'm sure I can find a reasonable MAC for a
few dollars,
but the real question with the MAC is the peripherals.
No doubt ;>) I don't know about availability where you are, but I get a
couple of calls from PC parts vendors every day, and I have not had one
call from a Mac vendor in 10 years. If I could find a reliable wholesaler
of Mac parts and peripherals I'd start doing Mac repairs.
I've noticed that there's software out
there for doing long-distance
jibberjabber between computers on the internet. If I equip one
of these babies with that and send it to my S.O's sister in Portland,
they can yack without running up the long distance bills. That's easily
going to pay for an older MAC in a week or so.
Does anyone on this list know of anyone who has gotten "free long distance
telephone calls over the internet" software to work consistently?
I've read that it's been done with rather poor voice quality and
uncomfortable
delays, kind of like talking via satellite. With identical equipment at both
ends, one of my friends used to converse with his brother over the internet.
Things get iffy when there are routing problems and the like, over which the
user has no control. That's been 2-3 years, and I'd expect some improvement
over time. The best results clearly are obtained with the same
hardware/software at both ends, however, and that's not very convenient.