Comments on: Making the internet messaging accessible — Facimile over IP http://stuartl.longlandclan.yi.org/blog/2007/11/26/fax-over-ip/ The life and times of Stuart Longland (VK4MSL) Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:39:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: LAN messenger team http://stuartl.longlandclan.yi.org/blog/2007/11/26/fax-over-ip/comment-page-1/#comment-1147 LAN messenger team Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:21:28 +0000 http://stuartl.longlandclan.yi.org/blog/2007/11/26/fax-over-ip/#comment-1147 It's a great idea. But I think non-computer people will get troubles sending faxes with these new devices too. The process of sending faxes should be extremly easy. Otherwise its better to explain how to works with word, emails, IMs etc. It’s a great idea. But I think non-computer people will get troubles sending faxes with these new devices too. The process of sending faxes should be extremly easy. Otherwise its better to explain how to works with word, emails, IMs etc.

]]> By: Redhatter http://stuartl.longlandclan.yi.org/blog/2007/11/26/fax-over-ip/comment-page-1/#comment-1144 Redhatter Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:53:56 +0000 http://stuartl.longlandclan.yi.org/blog/2007/11/26/fax-over-ip/#comment-1144 Indeed, the thin client solution is a good way to solve the problem... but it merely shifts the maintenance. And a XDMCP session will chew through one's quota at an unbelievable rate. Here in Australia, broadband is ridiculously slow and expensive -- maybe the new government will help fix that somewhat, but it'll be years before we see the results. Last time I tried XDMCP over SSH to a remote server (far end running 1.5Mbps/512Kbps ADSL, my end running 512Kbps/128Kbps ADSL), it was slow to the point of uselessness. VNC and NX are tolerable, but not really terrific over such links. But the shear volume of data is a problem -- especially when all the cheap plans (<AU$30/month) have small quotas of 500MB/month or less, often with shaping to 64Kbps. What I'm considering, would work comfortably on a 28.8Kbps dialup PSTN link. (Or ISDN for that matter, but most people don't have ISDN around here.) If the downloads happen as a batch process during the night when the phone line is free, then a slow link isn't an issue, and messages from overseas will still arrive faster than they would if sent by traditional means. I'll see what I can come up with... I've got time for now, and as I say, I've got the technical means to do the software side of things. A solution should be feasible. :-) Indeed, the thin client solution is a good way to solve the problem… but it merely shifts the maintenance.

And a XDMCP session will chew through one’s quota at an unbelievable rate. Here in Australia, broadband is ridiculously slow and expensive — maybe the new government will help fix that somewhat, but it’ll be years before we see the results. Last time I tried XDMCP over SSH to a remote server (far end running 1.5Mbps/512Kbps ADSL, my end running 512Kbps/128Kbps ADSL), it was slow to the point of uselessness. VNC and NX are tolerable, but not really terrific over such links. But the shear volume of data is a problem — especially when all the cheap plans (

What I’m considering, would work comfortably on a 28.8Kbps dialup PSTN link. (Or ISDN for that matter, but most people don’t have ISDN around here.) If the downloads happen as a batch process during the night when the phone line is free, then a slow link isn’t an issue, and messages from overseas will still arrive faster than they would if sent by traditional means.

I’ll see what I can come up with… I’ve got time for now, and as I say, I’ve got the technical means to do the software side of things. A solution should be feasible. :-)

]]> By: chithanh http://stuartl.longlandclan.yi.org/blog/2007/11/26/fax-over-ip/comment-page-1/#comment-1143 chithanh Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:48:23 +0000 http://stuartl.longlandclan.yi.org/blog/2007/11/26/fax-over-ip/#comment-1143 Actually, a standard for sending a fax digitally already exists, it's ITU T.6 which was intended for ISDN but never saw widespread use. Recent developments include T.38 which allows operating an analog fax connected to a VoIP device. If your grandparents have broadband internet access, you may want to consider one of the online-desktop providers for them. Or DIY, combine a stateless thin client (eg. Sun Ray) with a VPN capable broadband router (eg. Draytek Vigor) so that you will be their online-desktop provider. Downside of this is of course that if the internet connection breaks, they won't be able to perform any work. Actually, a standard for sending a fax digitally already exists, it’s ITU T.6 which was intended for ISDN but never saw widespread use. Recent developments include T.38 which allows operating an analog fax connected to a VoIP device.

If your grandparents have broadband internet access, you may want to consider one of the online-desktop providers for them. Or DIY, combine a stateless thin client (eg. Sun Ray) with a VPN capable broadband router (eg. Draytek Vigor) so that you will be their online-desktop provider.
Downside of this is of course that if the internet connection breaks, they won’t be able to perform any work.

]]> By: Treggats http://stuartl.longlandclan.yi.org/blog/2007/11/26/fax-over-ip/comment-page-1/#comment-1141 Treggats Mon, 26 Nov 2007 13:28:43 +0000 http://stuartl.longlandclan.yi.org/blog/2007/11/26/fax-over-ip/#comment-1141 Sounds good, I'll follow this I think :) Sounds good, I’ll follow this I think :)

]]> By: Chewi http://stuartl.longlandclan.yi.org/blog/2007/11/26/fax-over-ip/comment-page-1/#comment-1140 Chewi Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:20:49 +0000 http://stuartl.longlandclan.yi.org/blog/2007/11/26/fax-over-ip/#comment-1140 If I had a penny for the number of times I've been sent a scanned image inside a Word document... If I had a penny for the number of times I’ve been sent a scanned image inside a Word document…

]]>