ñ Relisys Multiscan Monitor - Model RE-5155 Copyright 1990 David Batterson Remember those "days of yore" when we thought 640x480 VGA monitors were the ultimate VDT, and now they are considered entry-level monitors. As graphics software became more sophisticated, we discovered that our old VGA monitors just didn't cut it anymore, especially when using DTP software. Which brings up the subject of this review, the RE-5155 Multiscan monitor. Let's look at some of the many features of this high resolution monitor. It has a .31 dot pitch, non-glare screen. It supports up to 800x600 resolution, and adapts automatically to scanning frequencies from 15 to 35 KHz. The RE-5155 operates in TTL or Analog modes. In Analog mode, the palette of colors depends on your graphics adapter and software used. You get up to 256 colors displayed at one time (out of 256K total). In TTL mode, you may choose seven colors for text-only operation. As you upgrade to newer software or graphics adapters, this monitor will keep pace. The RE-5155 supports MDA, CGA, EGA, PGA, VGA and MCGA. It measures 14.6" high x 14.8" wide x 15.3" deep. Power consumption is 105 watts maximum. One thing about all computer monitors is misleading--the diagonal size. The typical 14" monitor (like the RE-5155) really has only about 13" of actual screen available. I think they should actually be labelled 13" monitors. Unlike some monitors I've evaluated, the RE-5155's tilt adjustment works smoothly enough. [One monitor I looked at required a sumo wrestler to adjust the tilt.] The RE-5155 will tilt 25 degrees (5 degrees up, 20 degrees down), and swivel a full 180 degrees. There are more indicator lights and controls in front than on a typical VGA monitor. That's because there are many more options available. Below the Power indicator is the Mode indicator. The Mode light indicates that the Scan Mode Switch is in the Auto position, and the monitor is in Auto Scan Mode. The light will be one of three colors: red for EGA, green for CGA and yellow for PGA/VGA. Below that light is the TTL indicator. If lit, it means the TTL/Analog switch is in the TTL position. When off, you know that the TTL/Analog is in the Analog position. Below the TTL indicator, the Manual indicator lights up when you are selecting text color manually. The power switch is located conveniently underneath the monitor, to the right, so no need to reach around in back like with some monitors. There are back and side panel controls for the RE-5155. The back panel has the TTL/Analog switch, the Scan Mode switch (to select Auto or Manual), and the Color select switches. The Color DIP switches (1-3) let you select your choice of seven text colors, while in TTL Mode. DIP switches 4-5 are used for non-IBM compatible color graphics applications which use a TTL video signal. The side panel has many choices too. The Text On/Off switch is for TTL Mode. The Multi - PS/2 switch is for selecting IBM graphics mode or PS/2 Analog Mode. Finally, the side panel has Brightness, Contrast, Horizontal Position, Vertical Position, Vertical Hold and Vertical Size controls. You will most likely just be using the Auto setting and Analog Mode. But the options are there if and when you need them. The RE-5155's cable will work with either a PS/2 or VGA card with standard 15-pin connector. The RE-5155 features superb graphics and text display, and should serve your needs quite well, until the next generation of flat color monitors starts hitting the marketplace (I can't wait for those). For more information and current retail price, contact Relisys, 320 S. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035; 408-945-9000, FAX: 408-945-0587. # David Batterson reviews various PC software and hardware. Contact him via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON. Logitech MouseMan Cordless Radio Mouse Copyright 1991 David Batterson When that cartoon cat used to say "I hate those meeces to pieces," he surely wasn't talking about Logitech mice devices. Logitech has been in the forefront of new mice design for several years now. Its latest advanced mouse is the MouseMan Cordless Radio version. After running it through its paces, I can say it's definitely a winner. But first, let's look at the topic of ergonomics briefly. Logitech has provided some useful information on the subject. Ergonomics (from the Greek "ergon" and "nomos") is the study of adapting the workplace to the human body, as opposed to forcing people to make adjustments to their tools. Good ergonomic design increases productivity and reduces injuries. As one who spends a lot of time at the keyboard, I feel fortunate that I haven't suffered any repetitive strain injuries (RSI) such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. I had not thought that using a mouse could likewise cause RSIs, but evidence indicates that it can--among heavy mouse users. The one advantage is that most "mouse-kateers" alternate between use of the mouse and the keyboard. This reduces the repetitive aspect. Which brings us back to the subject of our review: the MouseMan Cordless. Logitech called upon the expertise of a prominent hand surgeon at Stanford University, ergonomists at Biomechanics Corp. of America, and the famous Frog Design firm to create their new ergonomic mice. The MouseMan Cordless is 10% larger, allowing it to support the whole hand. It also curves toward the back to fit your palm, and it slants to the right. With this design, you rest your hand on the MouseMan, using it with comfort and ease. Here are some specs on the MouseMan Cordless. It features 3 buttons, 400 dpi resolution, and online ballistics/cursor control (with a pop-up MouseMan Control Panel). Unlike some other cordless mice that use infrared technology, The MouseMan Cordless uses low-frequency radio transmission. The MouseMan Cordless doesn't require direct line-of-sight communication, and the receiver can be placed anywhere within transmission range (up to six feet away). Average life for the 2/3 A lithium battery is about one year. When the battery needs to be replaced, you'll see a message on-screen. There's a unique feature that keeps power consumption down: the use of three usage modes. In normal mode, the mouse transmits continually to the receiver. After 10 seconds of no mouse movement, it switches to standby mode and low-power consumption. If there is no movement for 10 minutes, the MouseMan goes into sleep mode, and uses minimal power. The updated MouseWare software equals the top-quality mouse hardware. You control the mouse parameters with the CLICK.EXE utility program. A Windows 3.0 driver is included along with other application menus, such as a mouse shell for Lotus 1-2-3. In addition to 9- and 25-pin connectors, the MouseMan includes a 9-to-6 pin PS/2 adapter. The MouseMan Cordless Radio Mouse has a suggested price of $199. Check around and you'll find it priced for less than $130. The MouseMan Cordless mice are definitely mighty nice "meeces." For more information, contact Logitech Inc., 6505 Kaiser Drive, Fremont, CA 94555; 415-795-8500, FAX: 415-792-8901, BBS: 415-795-0408, TELEX: 757411 # David Batterson likes rodents, but ONLY the computer type. Send any comments via MCI Mail: 273-7218. Mouse Systems PC Mouse III Copyright 1992 David Batterson If you don't have a mouse by now, why not? These little critters are useful for many programs and required for all serious graphics software. There are three types of mice: mechanical, opto-mechanical and optical. Some of us use opto-mechanical mice like Logitech's MouseMan series, while others use a mechanical mouse like the Microsoft Mouse. Mouse Systems Corp. has done well with its line of optical mice. In fact, the company pioneered the development of optical mouse technology. You can immediately recognize the optical mouse since there's no mouse ball, and you have to use a special mirrorized mouse pad. The mouse pad contains a special grid pattern containing thousands of tiny dots. The PC Mouse III works by means of LEDs, a photodetector array and a mirror which directs light reflected from the Precision Mouse Pad to the photodetector. The internal analog/digital circuitry then concerts optical signals into electronic signals which the PC can interpret. So how does this really work? (Well, it beats me. I still wonder how the internal combustion engine works!) The advantage is that there are no moving parts to wear out, and no disassembling of the mouse to clean it. Mouse Systems states that the PM Mouse III "is 100 times more accurate than mechanical mouse products." The PC Mouse III features a "base" resolution of 300 cpi (counts per inch) but this is variable from 30 to a whopping 30,000 cpi through the included Ultra-Res software. This is reportedly the highest variable resolution of any input device on the market. The PC Mouse III is accurate to within .001 percent, according to the company, which is comparable digitizer tablet accuracy. I had no means of verifying this accuracy. Unlike some mice on the market, the PC Mouse III is fully compatible with Mouse Systems, Microsoft and IBM PS/2 standards. It comes with 9-pin cable, along with 25-pin and PS/2 adapters. You can customize the buttons to make it work with "lefties." You can also choose between ballistic, geometric or linear acceleration. The Ultra-Res mouse driver software (built into MSCMOUSE.COM and MSCMOUSE.SYS) lets you control the mouse speed. To change the acceleration level, you press plus the left mouse button. After doing this, you hear one beep. You select a level by pressing a number key from 1 to 9. You then get a two-beep acknowledgment. Also handy is the included CPANEL program. After running it, you click within a graphic interface to access some advanced features, such as reassigning mouse buttons and setting acceleration values. Bundled with this mouse is Power Panel (a DOS shell and utility program), Designer Pop-Up Menus, 1-2 Click and an Applications Toolkit. The toolkit lets you design mouse-driven menus for custom applications. The manual suggests that you "orient the mouse pad so that it is wider than it is tall." I found that rotating the pad 90 degrees worked better for me, as I kept going over the edge while moving upward on the pad. Underneath this mouse is a handy switch. This lets you easily select either two- or three-button mode without reinstalling mouse drivers. This mouse has a very need feel to it, and it takes only light touch to click with the buttons. What else can I say?--I liked it very much. Suggested list price of the PC Mouse III is $154.95, but shop around for the best discount. For more information, contact Mouse Systems Corp., 47505 Seabridge Drive, Fremont, CA 94538; 510-656-1117, FAX: 510-770-1924. # The author has been writing about PCs for many years. Send comments via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON. ScanMan Plus - Hand-Held Scanner Copyright 1989 David W. Batterson While using this scanner, I couldn't help singing "Mr. ScanMan, bring me a dream...." They couldn't have picked a better name! ScanMan Plus is a hand-held scanner used to scan small to medium size photos, drawings, magazine articles, signatures, logos and so forth. You can then import image files to desktop publishing and paint programs. ScanMan Plus is the upgrade to the earlier ScanMan, which I reviewed last year in PC REVIEWS. I had discovered with the ScanMan that it wasn't easy to keep an exact straight line down the image as you were scanning. Wobbling could cause a glitch in your scanned picture. So I used a thick ruler or book as a guiding edge. This helped a lot. But the outer edges of ScanMan were slightly rounded. When I was at COMDEX, I suggested to a tech support person that it would be better if the edges were perfectly straight. This would help while using a makeshift guide. Apparently, great minds think alike! ScanMan Plus changed its edge design, so that using a straightedge works fine now. The maximum width is images is 4.1 inches. A default length for the scanned area is six inches (at 200 dpi), but this can be increased up to about 14 inches. This depends upon available RAM--the default 4" x 6" image gobbles up 120K. At 300 and 400 dpi, more RAM is needed. Using the including PaintShow Plus paint program, you can scan full pages (but at lower dpi). Via the auxiliary screen in PaintShow Plus, you make three passes over a document in horizontal position. Then you rotate the picture 90 degrees, zoom in to edit out repeated images, and save your file. ScanMan comes with a half-slot board (or a full-slot board for IBM PS/2 50 or above). It requires 384K RAM for black & white, or 640K for color. ScanMan Plus features a dither control with three settings, instead of just one. There's also a Line Art setting for text and line art. You always get the best results by using b&w line art. Logitech has added a scanning speed indicator light, which warns you if you are scanning too fast. Also new is a brightness control dial. Scanned images are saved in three methods. One is to scan directly into PaintShow Plus. You are able to see the image on screen right away. Then you can manipulate the images any way you wish: invert, color, fill with patterns, cut and paste, rotate, add text, etc. PaintShow Plus saves images as TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) files, with the .TIF extension. These can be read by PageMaker and WordPerfect 5.0. A second way is to scan directly to a file, from DOS. Using this method, you don't get to see the image on screen. Instead, you save it as a .PCX, .TIF or .IMG file. The .PCX file type is used by PC Paintbrush and other programs. Ventura Publisher, PageMaker, WordPerfect 5.0 and Microsoft Paint can read files in the .PCX format. Programs like Finesse use .TIF and .IMG files. The third way let you scan into the Microsoft Windows (version 2.03 or above) clipboard, with the utility program called WScan. Files are saved as .PCX, .TIF or .MSP files. As I don't use Windows, I didn't try this method. While scanning with ScanMan, you have to have a steady hand. The suggested speed of your hand movement is between 1/2" to 2" per second. A slower rate is recommended for shaded images, and a smooth motion--rather than jerky--is the right way. Practice makes perfect, though. With time you will probably learn to increase the steadiness of your hand, like a surgeon or diamond cutter! There are also file conversion utilities. These convert .TIF files to .PCX files, .PCX to .TIF, and .MAC to .TIF. ScanMan Plus offers 32 levels of halftones. In the recommend setting of 300 dpi, you get 1240 dots/line output. An announced new OCR software is Catchword, which converts most typefaces, 6 to 20 point sizes, into ASCII text files for your word processor. ScanMan Plus requires a minimum of 384K RAM for black & white, or 640K for color. You'll need a mouse for the included PaintShow Plus. The ScanMan Plus is a fun and effective tool. If you cannot afford a full page scanner and do a lot of desktop publishing, you'll find it useful. It costs $339 directly from Logitech, but sells for less at discounters and mail order companies. For more information, contact Logitech, Inc., 6505 Kaiser Dr., Fremont, CA 94555; 415-795-8500; FAX (415) 792-8901. # David Batterson is an independent computer writer. He also does tech writing and desktop publishing. Contact him via MCI MAIL: DBATTERSON. Suncom ICONtroller and CRYSTAL Mouse Copyright 1991 David Batterson The ordinary, standardized mice are still selling like hotcakes, with Microsoft, Mouse Systems and Logitech grabbing most of the customers. Other companies are trying to get some of the business by offering alternative input devices. Two of these new products are from Suncom Technologies. One is an input device designed for laptops/notebooks called the ICONtroller. The other is a somewhat different mouse called the CRYSTAL mouse. The ICONtroller combines the features of a joystick and a mouse. It has a fingertip cursor control knob (like a joystick) with a selectable function button on top. It also has 3 mouse buttons that can be used separately from the control knob. The device has a wedge shape to it, and is compact: about 1 1/4 " wide x 3" long x 1 1/2" high (at one end). It slopes down to 3/4" in front. You attach the ICONtroller to either side of your laptop (or to a keyboard if you're using a desktop), using double-sided joining tape similar to Velcro. Once the device is attached and bonding occurs (within 72 hours), it becomes a permanent attachment. You wind the cord behind your laptop (or keyboard) and plug into the serial port. The ICONtroller supports both Microsoft and Mouse Systems mice, so you'll have no problems with compatibility. After you install the included software (and reboot) you can choose between Mouse Systems and Microsoft with a handy switch in front. You also get a test program. There's a speed selector button below the control knob. Pressing this advances the speed through its four settings: 70 dots per inch (dpi), 110 dpi, 145 dpi and 340 dpi. A speed indicator light lets you know what speed you are using, e.g., two flashes equals speed 2. The button on the control knob can duplicate any of the three mouse buttons. You move a switch at the top, to select one of the three buttons or to disable the control knob button. In the latter case, you would just use the mouse buttons themselves. The ICONtroller takes a little getting used to but works pretty well. It's a useful mouse substitute. Hardcore mouse-users might want to keep their mouse, though. Included with the ICONtroller is an extension cord for desktop use, a 9-pin to 25-pin adapter, carrying case, mounting system, and a screw-in "foot" in case you need to ad support underneath. The other new product is CRYSTAL, the Clear Mouse. It is made of clear plastic like those see-through telephones. Another difference is the shape of CRYSTAL. It is rounded and more like a turtle shape than the usual flatter mouse design. There are three mouse buttons colored green, magenta and yellow. I think CRYSTAL will have particular appeal to children and teens, both for its visual impact and because it seems to fit small hands better. CRYSTAL comes with Microsoft/Mouse Systems drivers, test program and 9-pin to 25-pin adapter. It features three speeds, selectable via software: 50-200 dpi, 200-400 dpi and 400-800 dpi. Check with your local dealer for prices. For more information, contact Suncom Technologies, 6400 W. Gross Point Road, Niles, IL 60648-4567; 708-647- 4040, FAX: 708-459-8095. # David Batterson first used a mouse with his old Apple //c. Contact him via MCI Mail: 273-7218. Dycam Model 1 Digital Camera Copyright 1992 David Batterson Digital still cameras are gaining more acceptance all the time. They are used by photojournalists, ad agencies, real estate firms, personnel departments, police, insurance adjusters, appraisers and others. They haven't been used by PC users that much but this will be changing in the next couple of years or so. Filmless cameras do away with having to take conventional photos, develop/print them, and then scan in for DTP use. The Dycam Model 1 Digital Camera is the first low-priced digital camera made specifically for computer use. This pocket-size, 10 ounce camera can take up to 32 photos and store them in RAM for later transfer to your PC or Mac via the serial port. The Model 1 offers resolution of 376 x 240 pixels. This is adequate for laser printing up to 8" wide, or imagesetter output up to 3 1/2" wide. You may have seen Logitech's new FotoMan digital camera. This is the OEM version of the Dycam Model 1. It's the same camera, but has a suggested retail of $799--about $100 less than the Dycam. We'll explain why in a bit. The Model 1 is easy to use, like the point-and-shoot film cameras we all tend to use these days. The fixed focus lens has a range of 3 feet to infinity. It comes with a neutral density filter for bright outdoor shots. The camera attaches to a charging base called the "host adapter," by use of a knurled knob, and fits into a desk stand. It comes with cables for both PC and Mac, as well as an AC adapter/battery charger. You get DOS, Windows 3.0 and Mac software. For my evaluation, I tested the DOS version only. During the installation program, you select a video display driver. With VGA you can select either 320x200 or 640x480 resolution. You choose a baud rate: 115,200-bps is recommended for 386DX and 486 PCs. I chose 57,600-bps, which is recommended for 386SXs. I originally tried 115,200 but encountered errors. When you run the software, you can choose options to use a different serial port and data rate. This is useful when you switch to another PC. The Dycam software's preview displays small views of the photos stored in the camera. You get information about each shot, battery level and other data here. You save images to disk in expanded TIFF, Dycam compressed TIFF, .PCX, .EPS, Truevision TARGA or as raw binary data. You then clear the camera memory for use again. You can adjust the brightness and contrast of pictures too. Options include Picture Publisher Ltd., a grayscale image editing program. (The Mac version is bundled with the Dycam.) Wide angle and telephoto lenses are available, as is an automobile 12V DC adapter. OK, here's the bad news. This camera needs new design badly. I found a serious flaw while using it. The flaw is the basic vertical design of this camera. Nobody is used to using a vertical camera, so why was it designed this way? You hold the camera using the thumb guides in back and finger guides in front, and press the shutter button in the center of the camera. It is very awkward, and makes no logical sense. Other digital cameras are designed like regular cameras or binoculars, which people are accustomed to. Why Dycam chose a vertical design is a mystery to me. I asked a friend to use it, and he didn't like it either. There's a reason why the Dycam Model 1 sells for $895 while the same camera from Logitech sells for $799 suggested retail. According to the company, their camera transfers photos "four times faster" than the FotoMan because that model doesn't compress the images. Furthermore, the Dycam works with Macs and PCs (DOS and Windows) while the Logitech camera supports PCs with Windows only. But why is there no wrist strap provided with the Dycam? I don't want to drop an expensive camera. The plastic case seemed a bit slippery to me also, and could slip through your fingers. While using the review unit, I used a makeshift wrist strap made of nylon cord just to be safe. The basic idea of this camera is wonderful, and it offers useful features. But it'll need refinement and a lower price before it catches on big. NOTE: Since doing the original review, I've been told by Dycam that design changes are on the way and may be seen sometime in 1992. So you might want to wait for the next model. For more information, contact Dycam Inc., 9588 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Chatsworth, CA 91311; 818-998-8008, FAX: 818-998-7951. # David Batterson is an amateur photographer as well as tech writer and computer journalist. Contact him via MCI Mail: 273-7218. Practical Modem 9600SA Copyright 1991 David Batterson There are innumerable PC users who are just now upgrading to 2400-bps modems. For those thinking of doing so, you might consider buying a 9600-bps modem instead. The increase in speed is impressive. Prices of PCs and peripherals continue to drop as competition gets tougher among manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. The Practical Modem 9600SA has a list price of $699 but one West Coast computer chain sells it for $499.95. I expect the price to drop even more by year's end. One reason for the reasonable price, as well as high-quality components, is that the manufacturer uses Surface Mount Technology. The modems are all manufactured in the U.S. The PM9600SA, from Practical Peripherals, is a full-duplex V.32 9600-bps modem. It features V.42 error-control, V.42bis data compression (with automatic line-speed fallback), MNP levels 2-5 and ASB (Automatic Speed Buffering). ASB allows data flow from computer to modem at throughput rates up to 38,400-bps. Since both hardware (RTS/CTS) and software (XON/XOFF) flow controls are supported, you shouldn't experience any data loss. I especially liked the small footprint (3" W x 5" H x 10" D) of the PM9600SA, since it fit easily on my extremely-crowded desktop. The modem is fully compatible with all domestic (and most international) modem types, including the Hayes Ultra Smartmodem 9600 and Smartcom III communications software. You'd expect that because Practical Peripherals is a Hayes company. I'm not a CompuServe subscriber but one of the BBSs I call supports 9600 baud (most major BBSs support 9600 now). Thus, I was able to test the modem extensively at 9600 speed for a number of weeks. That particular BBS uses a non-V.42 9600-bps modem apparently, since I connected in MNP mode. You determine this by simply looking at one of the 10 LEDs on the front, labelled EC. The EC (Error Control) is a multicolored LED. After you call and connect in normal mode (with no error control), it displays red. A green display indicates that V.42 error control (LAPM protocol) is active. An orange display (which I saw) means you have MNP error control enabled and active. The HS (High Speed) LED is also multicolored: off = 300-bps, red = 1200, green = 2400 and orange = 4800/9600. The DC (Data Compression) LED lights up if V.42bis or MNP 5 data compression is enabled. Once I found out that the BBS always connected in MNP mode, I changed my dialing prefix by adding the AT command, &Q8. By doing this, the modem doesn't waste handshake time, trying to connect via V.42 mode first. How kind of throughput did I get with the modem? While downloading ZIPped mail packets from the BBS using ZMODEM ("DSZ MobyTurbo," to be exact), I achieved over 1115 characters per second. Not too shabby! I could log on, download the mail packet and log off, in less than a minute. This rapid online access saves you time, and it creates more free online time for others. Nobody likes a BBS hog. BBS sysops (and others who want remote access) will appreciate the ability to use a device to remotely power-up the PM9600SA. To do this, you change a "Berg jumper" inside the case; no big deal to accomplish. I don't know how much this means to you, but InfoWorld awarded the PM9600SA its "1990 Modem Product of the Year" (based on a reader survey). The modem comes with the usual Practical Peripherals five-year warranty. "If it fails to perform, it will be repaired or replaced FREE," the company says. This is the only 9600-bps modem I've reviewed so far. I experienced no problems with it, and have no suggestions for improvements (unlike some other products I've tested). To borrow from Joe Bob Briggs: "5 stars, check it out." For more information, contact Practical Peripherals, Inc., 31245 La Baya Drive, Westlake Village, CA 91362; 818-706-0333; FAX: 818-706-2474. # David Batterson reviews various PC hardware/software. Contact him via modem on MCI Mail: 273-7218. Tefax System - Model RA-2110 Copyright 1990 David Batterson If you are in business, you have to have either a fax machine or fax card to remain competitive and on-the-ball. Many PC owners have opted to get the fax board instead. (I reviewed three of them for "PC REVIEWS.") I prefer receiving faxes on a standalone machine, while sending faxes is often better via a fax board. The latter allows easy sending of different documents to different phone numbers, and at any scheduled time. The disadvantage of fax boards is that you need a page scanner for existing pages, even though most allow the use of .PCX and .TIF files. You also need a good printer (preferably laser-quality) for hard copies. If you think that having the capabilities of both would be a good idea, then you'll want to consider the Tefax System from Relisys. I was curious how well it worked, so obtained an evaluation unit. The Tefax (Model RA-2110) is a standalone fax with the usual features of basic fax machines, like half-tones, polling, password, activity reports and diagnostic codes. Plug it in, hook up the phone line, and fax away. But the Tefax also is an exterior fax modem, with the characteristics found in fax boards, but with even more uses. You don't need a scanner since the Tefax is also a page scanner. You don't have to have a printer, since the Tefax is a 200 dpi line printer too, for files saved in the .FAX format. What's nice about the system is you can configure it to receive faxes on the Tefax machine itself, save to disk, or do both. If you choose Fax print only, it will save faxes to disk automatically if the Tefax runs out of paper. From my experience, the biggest problem with fax cards is the software. The Connection CoProcessor from Intel PCEO has the best software, but is still not good enough. The Tefax software is OK, but needs improving too. For instance, the Directory command will only display files with the .FAX extension, not .TXT, .PCX or any other files. The manual indicates that you can simply enter the asterisk (*) to view a window of files--NOT so! This didn't work; it required using *.FAX instead. Using * by itself did nothing. You can only do a Directory of the \FAXDATA subdirectory, where faxes are saved; you cannot change to another subdirectory, either. This was very irritating and needs to be corrected in a later version. There's a minor problem with the five pull-down menus. You cannot use an initial letter, such as D for Directory, but instead must move the inverse block to the command you want. Again, some redesign is called for. I also had some problems with the convert program. CONVERT.EXE lets you convert between .FAX and .PCX./.TIF/.MSP files. Some of the .PCX files I converted came out OK, while others did not. I wasn't able to convert any .TIF file to the .FAX format either. Part of the problem may be that TIFF files are non-standardized, and come in different "flavors." I was able to convert from .FAX to .TIF, but when I tried to import it into PFS: First Publisher 3.0, I got an error message saying it was the wrong type of TIFF file. It wouldn't work with Finesse 3.1 either. To test the Scan mode, I scanned in a photo using the Light and Half-Tone settings. Files are saved automatically in .FAX format. Then I printed it on the Tefax; the print quality was pretty good. While you can print on the Tefax [the actual command is Copy, not Print], it only works with .FAX files. If you Copy a regular ASCII text file, the Tefax software converts it to .FAX format and then prints it. You can also convert a text file to .FAX at the DOS command line, using the TXTTOFAX.EXE program. This is not documented in the manual, but I tried it and it worked. The graphics conversion programs can be run in this way too. Windows users (that doesn't include me) will be happy that Tefax has bundled FAXit for Windows at no extra charge. FAXit allows you to fax directly from Windows programs such as PageMaker, Excel, Designer and others. FAXit supports standard Windows fonts, and has a driver for Bitstream FontWare fonts. There's also an optional OCR software program for Tefax, called READ-IT, from Olduvai Corp. Free tutorial Tefax demo disks are available, to "test drive" the Tefax in simulated fax sessions. Call Relisys for these interactive disks. For those who want the best of both fax worlds, the Tefax may be just what the doctor ordered. With improved software, it could be a real winner. Tefax has a suggested price of $1095, but I've seen it advertised locally for $895. For more information, contact Relisys, 320 S. Milpitas Boulevard, Milpitas, CA 95035; 408-945-9000, FAX: 408-945-0587. # David Batterson reviews various PC applications. Send any comments or questions via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON. The Complete Communicator - Fax, Voice Mail and Modem Copyright 1989 David W. Batterson Fax boards and computerized voice mail have been around for awhile, but they weren't cheap enough for the average user until recently. The Complete Communicator is an integrated fax/voice mail/modem board, and it all works on one phone line. You can send or receive Group III faxes, download/upload files or access online services via the 2,400-bps modem, create customized greetings for different callers, receive phone messages, and even deliver voice messages to other phones automatically. The Complete Communicator requires at least 640K RAM (expanded memory highly recommended), hard disk with at least 4 MB available, Hercules/CGA/EGA or VGA card and monitor, and a printer (preferably laser). Useful options are the hand scanners from The Complete PC or full-page scanners, and a speaker (Radio Shack Mini Amplifier-Speaker is recommended). Installation of the board is not too difficult. Be careful to set DIP switches exactly, or you'll have problems. These switch settings configure the board's I/O address, the modem's COM port, and the IRQ (interrupt) for the scanner or COM port. Plug in the phone line and phone, along with scanner and speaker if you have them. Pop in disk #1, and type A: INSTALLC. And away we go! You then set Hardware, PC, Print and Mailbox configurations, input phone system information (default values should be OK), set hot keys, and the like. Once you use the program awhile, you'll probably need to run INSTALLC again and do some fine-tuning--I did. For instance, the default hot key for Send/Receive-- F--may conflict with your word processor. Change it to another combination--using left or right , or along with any letter, number or function key. You might also want to change printers, mailbox ID length, or allow/delete password protection for PC access. (A password is ALWAYS required for access to your mailbox from a phone.) The Complete Communicator's software runs in background (TSR mode) and in foreground mode. Faxes and voice messages are sent/received in the background, while you're running other software, or out having lunch. To access the menus, and perform fax, modem and voice mail functions, you must run the foreground program, CCOM. (NOTE: CCOM won't run as a standalone program; the background program CCBACK must always be loaded first.) All commands are menu-driven, using either the cursor bar or function keys, whichever you prefer. There is context-sensitive help anytime via . The main menus consist of: The Complete Answering Machine, The Complete Fax, SmartScan, BITCOM, Phone Book, System Configuration, and System Status. Each has several sub-menus too. There's a lot to learn and master before getting The Complete Communicator to do just what you want. Once you have the parameters set, you'll see how efficient it can be for sending/receiving faxes. Cover sheets are generated automatically too, if you select this option. One of the most useful features is being able to send a fax from your word processor, like you do with Intel's Connection CoProcessor. You first set your word processor to print to the Epson FX. After preparing a document, you access the pop-up window, enter a few lines of information, then return to your word processor and "print" it. The data is captured, converted to fax format, and transmitted. The Answering Machine can also SEND messages to any phone number(s) you select. Messages left for you can be forward to another phone. Or you could broadcast a series of messages to a recipient list, just like you can do with faxes. The Complete Communicator can be set to answer automatically for either fax, modem or voice. Callers receive different voice greetings for each, and they may switch to the other two by using a mailbox ID. The manual isn't very clear in explaining this function, however. Another shortcoming in the manual was the poor explanation of how to add a graphics logo (from a graphics program or scanned) to the cover sheet template. There's NO indication of what size or shape to make your logo. I wasn't successful performing this function, so used the default text heading instead. The 2,400 baud modem comes with Bitcom software, but you may specify to use your own communications software, during installation. Bitcom was easy enough to use, but it's not the greatest! If you use your fax and answering machine as much as you do your PC, The Complete Communicator may be just what you're looking for. The suggested list price is $899. For more information, contact The Complete PC, 1983 Concourse Drive, San Jose, CA 95131; 408-434-0145, FAX: 408-434-1048 # David Batterson communicates a lot via modem, fax and voice. Send your comments via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON. Intel's Above Board Plus, With 2MB Copyright 1990 David Batterson When you move to a larger home or apartment (as I did recently), one has little trouble making use of the extra space. It's the same with PC memory. The original IBM PC had 64K, later boosted to a whopping 128K! Even though typical AT clones now come with 640K, that is not enough for many applications. My 286 has 1MB RAM, with 384 reserved (as an option) for Shadow RAM. The Shadow RAM feature lets you execute system and video BIOS through RAM, increasing performance. This leaves me with only 640K. If you use high-end CAD, graphics or DTP programs, you already know that they require more RAM. Publisher's Paintbrush, Ventura Publisher and PageMaker, for instance, can't be used without added memory. One of the easiest (though not inexpensive) ways to add memory is with Intel's memory boards. The one we reviewed is the Above Board Plus (model PCMB4525), with 2MB. There are many PC users who've never even popped open the case to look inside. Not to worry if you haven't, because Intel provides an excellent installation guide for the Above Board Plus. The Above Board Plus provides three kinds of memory: conventional, expanded and extended. The board comes with instructions and software which help you decide how to allocate the extra memory. If your system has only 512K, you definitely need to use 128K to bring your conventional RAM up to 640K. Extended memory isn't used for most DOS applications (Framework II/III and AutoCAD can use it). It's used mainly for OS/2, XENIX, VDISK RAM disk software & similar uses. Nor can 8088 PCs use extended memory. Programs that support Lotus/Intel/Microsoft Expanded Memory Specification (LIM EMS) use expanded memory. You cannot use EMS with OS/2 or XENIX. The board installation is performed in logical steps, and you should experience no difficulty if you follow the instructions to the letter. Unlike most other add-on boards, you don't have to bother with DIP switches. Instead, the hardware settings are done by the software program called SETBOARD. SETBOARD works automatically, unless your system runs at 10MHz or higher (which ATs do). In those cases, you must use the "manual setup." I had no problems with it. Next you must run your own computer's setup program if you will be adding conventional or extended memory. I skipped this step, as I didn't require either one. The next step is optional, but highly recommended. That's the TESTAB program, which does a diagnostic check on the board's RAM chips. Now it's time to run the INSTALL program. Among other things, this easy- to-use software alters your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files automatically. It sets up EMS memory, and lets you add one or more RAM disks and a print buffer if you want them. Another optional program to run is CHKMEM; it tells you the size of conventional, extended and expanded memory in use, and how much available. After the installation procedure was completed, I tested the Above Board Plus with several applications, including PC Paintbrush IV Plus, Professional Write 2.1, Freedom of Press 2.2, and PC TOOLS DELUXE 5.5. It worked flawlessly with each. The Above Board Plus comes with a five-year warranty. DRAMs are still experiencing price volatility, so memory board prices change accordingly. As of this writing (March '90), the suggested list for the PCMB4525 is $995. Check with discount mail order firms for the current best street price. For more information, contact Intel PCEO, 5200 N.E. Elam Young Parkway, Hillsboro, OR 97124; 800-538-3373; or 503-629-7576 for FaxBack service. # David W. Batterson would like a memory board for his brain too. Send comments via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON. GoldStar 1450 Plus VGA Monitor Copyright 1990 David Batterson When buying a color monitor today, there's really no reason to buy an EGA monitor. They don't cost that much less than a VGA monitor, and VGA is so much better. As for CGA, don't even think about it. You might decide on a regular VGA monitor. However, if you're heavy into graphics you should consider one that supports Super VGA. Such a product is GoldStar's new 1450 Plus VGA Monitor. The 1450 Plus is an analog monitor supporting the usual VGA modes of 640x480, 640x350 and 720x400. In Super VGA mode, the resolution is 800x600. Remember that in 800x600 Super VGA mode, you only get 16 colors. It displays 256 colors (from a palette of 256,000 +) in 320x200 resolution. Let's look at some more of the specs. It has a high-quality .31 dot pitch, non-glare CRT (don't buy a monitor with a higher number). It's rated a 14-inch diagonal screen, but the actual exposed area is 13" diagonal. The important controls are right up front: on/off switch and sliding contrast and brightness controls. It's a light gray color, preferable to the usual dull beige of typical PCs and monitors. I would prefer a charcoal or black case if I had a choice. The tilt/swivel base works smoothly, unlike my Tatung VGA monitor which requires a Sumo wrestler to change the tilt. Behind the cabinet are the vertical size, horizontal size, horizontal position and vertical center controls. These are factory set but can be adjusted to your liking. The 1450 Plus comes with some handy anti-static wipes. I used one and it worked very well, keeping away the annoying dust. I've tried Staticide spray on my own monitor, and it still attracts dust. These wipes work. So how does it look to the eye? That's the ultimate test. The colors were very accurate and sharp, as was the text display. I tested the monitor with my built-in Paradise VGA Plus adaptor. I tried different VGA modes with PC Paintbrush IV Plus, including Super VGA. The 1450 Plus supports 43 line, 132 column text mode if you want it. I also used it with Publish It!, GEM, PFS: First Publisher 3.0, SPLASH! and other programs. The picture quality was superior to my monitor. Not all software supports the Super VGA 800x600 graphics mode, but this is changing. Programs that do include Windows, GEM, AutoCad, Ventura Publisher and Framework II/III. With WordStar and WordPerfect, you'll be able to display the 132 column text mode. The 1450 Plus should serve your needs quite well. It has a suggested list price of $699, but the actual cost will be much less. For more information, contact GoldStar Technology, Inc., 3003 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95134-2004; 408-432-1331, FAX: 408-432-6053. # David Batterson reviews PC hardware and software on a regular basis. Send any comments via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON. The Complete FAX/Portable Copyright 1990 David Batterson The laptop/notebook PC market continues on an upward spiral, as more businesses realize the importance of using computers on the road. Two of the leading remote PC uses are for e-mail and FAX. Stand-along fax machines keep shrinking, and they will eventually be used routinely with cellular phones. Right now, most cellular phone owners don't use them for FAX messages. Most laptops have limited slot availability, so internal FAX cards may not be practical. The Complete FAX/Portable is designed for laptop use in hotel rooms, remote offices and warehouses, at airports and similar locations. It's a true pocket-size unit, measuring 5 3/4 x 3 x 1 inches. It uses a standard 9v battery [for up to three hours continuous use] or the AC adapter. It comes with cable, 25-pin adapter and phone cord. FAX resolution is standard 98 x 204 or fine resolution (196 x 204). Requirements include 640K RAM, hard disk with 3MB available, PC- or MS-DOS 3.1 or higher, analog (not digital) phone line, and Hercules, CGA, EGA or VGA monitor. You'll need a printer, of course, if you want hard copies. More than 100 dot matrix and laser printers are supported, so no problems there. If you want to send hard copies, you'll have to carry along a page scanner, like those from DEST, HP, Microtek, The Complete PC and Canon. The Complete FAX/Portable [abbreviated as CFAX/P] allows conversions of FAX files. You can convert to FAX from: .PCX (PC Paintbrush), .CUT (Dr. HALO), .MSP (Microsoft Paint), .PRN (Epson FX) and ASCII formats. You can covert from FAX to: .PCX, .CUT, .MSP. and .TIF (scanners). You don't have to convert any of those files before sending. The software converts them to FAX format automatically. You have the option of converting them beforehand, as it speeds up things somewhat. Like a FAX machine, you can broadcast a FAX to multiple locations, schedule for later transmission, and perform polling (to and from). One handy feature is the ability to fax from within your word processor or spreadsheet program, using a pop-up FAX window. Installation of the CFAX/P software is not difficult. Configuration requires selecting your COM port, printer, page scanner (if any), phone system information and hot key choice. Changes will be made in your AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files, with the old ones saved. I didn't especially like software used by The Complete Communicator (reviewed last year). The CFAX/P software is also somewhat awkward, and needs a major updating. It does the job, but users will find it dated. There are no pull-down menus, for instance. You use F-keys and/or menu bars to select commands, and there is no mouse support. There's another drawback with the CFAX/P. It cannot receive or send FAXes in the background, like The Complete FAX and Connection CoProcessor internal boards do. However, it will convert or print files in the background. Therefore, when CFAX/P sends/receives a FAX, your other applications come screeching to a halt temporarily. Depending on how you configure CFAX/P, you either get a pop-up FAX status window or beep tones during transmissions. Displaying received FAXes is competent enough. You can change the view from the default half page to full page, or zoom in to see detail. You can reverse and flip the FAX images too. As for hard copies, you can configure CFAX/P to print automatically, or just manually print the ones you wish. CFAX/P lets you create cover sheets, and you can customize these with a logo, via a scanner or paint program. I did like the ability to send just a cover sheet, as there is adequate space for average-length text messages. There's a phone book, which can contain up to 999 entries. This lets you select groups or individuals for your automated FAX transmissions. The CFAX/P has its uses, but I still prefer FAX cards to the portable external models. It might serve your needs just fine. The list price is $499. For more information, contact The Complete PC, 1983 Concourse Drive, San Jose, CA 95131; 408-434-0145, FAX: 408-434-1048. # David Batterson reviews various PC hardware and software. Send comments via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON. Megahertz 96/24 FAX/Modem Copyright 1992 David Batterson So you're on the road again, and you want to send and receive some FAXes. Most hotels have FAX machines but if the content of your FAX is confidential, what do you do? (Asking a hotel clerk to put on a blindfold won't work!) One solution is a FAX board for your notebook or laptop PC. Or you can use an exterior portable FAX/modem such as the Megahertz 96/24 FAX/Modem. The exterior design means you won't be filling up a slot in your portable PC. You can also attach it to a desktop PC you might use while traveling. Let's see what the 96/24 FAX/Modem has to offer. It's true pocket-size, measuring 3 3/8 x 2 1/4 x 1 inches. Weight?--not listed but it isn't much. The 2400-bps modem offers V.42/MNP5 error correction and V.42bis data compression, while the FAX offers send and receive capability at 9600-bps. It contains an internal speaker too. Unlike some other FAX/modems that are line-powered, this model requires two AA alkaline (or NiCad) batteries. Or you use the included 9 volt DC adapter. The adapter is NOT a recharger, but only a power source. Battery life is roughly five hours. You hear a beeping sound when there are about 10 minutes of battery life remaining. To conserve battery drain, the pocket modem powers down automatically when the communications software is not being used. Megahertz has bundled the MTEZ communications software from MagicSoft for computer data communications. FAXing is done through the ExpressFax add-on module for MTEZ. MTEZ is a basic communications program that I wasn't particularly impressed with. I'm not sure why modem manufacturers bundle these low-end programs since most users prefer their own communications software like Procomm, QMODEM, Telix, Crosstalk, MIRROR III, etc. I didn't have any problems with MTEZ. If you've never used communications software before, then you might find it acceptable. The ExpressFax module supports the CAS (Communications Application Specification) interface developed by Intel and DCA, Inc. In order to send or receive a FAX, you must first run the CAS resident manager, FAXMAN.EXE. Then you execute MTEZ, and select "ExpFax" from the MTEZ main menu. You have to do a CAS SETUP first, and it's painless. Then you have to configure the ExpressFax module: select resolution, put in name, FAX number, default font, default FAX directory and so forth. Once done, you can send/receive a FAX in the background, while working in another software program such as word processing. If you have PC TOOLS DELUXE 6.0 or higher, you can use its FAX program instead with this product since that software works with any CAS-compatible FAX/modem. Also included with MTEZ is a small program called POCKET.EXE. The manual indicates that you should initialize the pocket modem with POCKET.EXE each time you run your communications program. The reason given is that some communications programs require this. POCKET.EXE wakes up the modem by turning on DTR (Data Terminal Ready) and RTS (Ready To Send). I use MIRROR III for all data communications, and found no difference whether I executed POCKET.EXE or not. With PRODIGY, I did notice a long delay before the modem would start dialing. (I used a PRODIGY utility program to select a different modem string, and that solved it right away.) The 96/24 tested out fine for modeming and FAXing. I used the modem with MCI Mail, several BBSs and with PRODIGY. The only drawback to this otherwise good product is the average software. Suggested retail is $399 but check with discounters for a lower street price. For more information, contact Megahertz Corporation, 4505 South Wasatch Blvd., Salt Lake City, UT 84124; 800-LAPTOPS, 801-272-6000, FAX: 801-272-6077. # David Batterson tests PCs, peripherals and software regularly. Send any e-mail you like via MCI Mail: 273-7218. The Practical Pocket Modem - Tiny but Powerful Copyright 1990 David Batterson Some time ago I reviewed the Migent Pocket Modem, which at the time seemed quite innovative. It was a 1200bps modem, powered by a 9v battery, and would fit in a large pocket. Migent later went bankrupt. Jump to the present, where Practical Peripherals (now a Hayes company) has introduced its Practical Pocket Modem. This modem is REALLY pocket-size: a mere 2 1/4" x 3" x 3/4", and weighing in at only four ounces. There is NO battery, because none is needed. Instead, the PPM uses power from the RS232 port and phone line. Its features include 300/1200/2400bps, compatibility with all popular communications programs, auto answer mode, automatic adaptive equalization, full or half duplex operation, non-volatile RAM for storage of modem configuration, and the Software Speaker program. This modem is obviously fully Hayes-compatible, since Hayes bought the company this year. It also includes a DB25-to-DB9 converter. I evaluated the PPM, using MIRROR III software. The one main difference between this and most other modems is that there's no extra RJ11 jack to plug in your telephone too. But that's no biggie. Installation is simple enough. Plug the PPM into your serial port and pop in the phone cord. If your serial port has a 9-pin connector as mine does, you simply attach the adapter first. Rather than simply firing up Procomm (or whatever) and making a call, the manual suggests a test in the terminal mode first. You do this through some easy AT commands: AT&F (reset to factory default) and AT&C1&D2&W. If you want to use the "visual speaker" mode, you must also use the ATX5 command. Since the PPM is too small to have a speaker, the "visual" speaker displays results onscreen, i.e., dialtone and the dialed number, followed by call progress activity. This is handy for those who are used to a speaker. The PPM worked fine the first time, with no problems at all (not that I really expected any trouble). It continued with flawless performance during my evaluation period. If you do want to use the PPM with a cable for some reason, make sure it is a shielded cable, with pins 2 through 8 and 20. Using a cable wouldn't make much sense to me, though. The only slight possibility of a problem using this modem would be if your serial port does NOT meet the requirements of the EIA RS232C standard. This isn't likely, unless you are using a rather strange breed of PC. The Practical Pocket Modem has a suggested list price of $159, but is being discounted for under $100. It comes with the standard Practical Peripherals five-year warranty. This is a fine little modem, and made in the U.S.A. too, "using highly automated surface mount equipment and rigid quality control procedures," says the company. They seem to be doing things right. For more information, contact Practical Peripherals, 31245 La Baya Drive, Westlake Village, CA 91362; 818-706-0333, FAX: 818-706-2474. # David Batterson reviews various PC hardware and software. Use your trusty modem to contact him via MCI Mail: 273-7218. Intel 9600EX Modem Copyright 1991 David Batterson Now that international standards for 9600-bps modems have finally been established (along with lower prices), we can expect to see huge growth in the market. Intel has already grabbed a significant share with its 9600EX modem, a V.32/V.42/V.42bis external, full-duplex model. Although some of you might be quite happy with your 2400-bps modem, I find them excruciatingly slow after I switched to 9600-bps modeming. This is expecially true when downloading or uploading files. The 9600EX's V.32 modulation allows it to operate in full-duplex. This means the communicating modems send/receive data simultaneously. The modems use a technique called echo cancellation. What this does is filter out the echo--interference caused by the modem receiving its own signal back. This process is all done automatically, and extremely fast. The 9600EX also provides the usual V.42 error control (also referred to as LAP-M, or Link Access Procedure for Modems), and V.42bis data compression (up to 400 percent). This results in effective data throughput of up to 38,400-bps. If the receiving modem doesn't support V.42bis, it reverts to MNP5, the secondary data compression protocol. In addition, the 9600EX uses another technique called trellis-coded modulation (TCM). TCM is an option to the V.32 standard, and uses a fifth bit to recognize and correct any errors. Rather than messing around with DIP switches or jumpers, the 9600EX comes out of the box ready to go. This "plug and play" modem is also configured to use all of its advanced features as the default settings, rather than the simplest ones as with some modems. There's a handy diagnostic program called TESTCOM. It's an option, and it's not necessary to use it, especially for experienced modem users. With the 9600EX you get free software, "Communications by Crosstalk. This is a simplified version of Crosstalk Mk.4. Although some users might try it out, most will want to use their favorite communications software. I tested the 9600EX with my software preference, MIRROR III. It fired up and connected without a hitch on the first try. As an example of how a 9600 V.32 modem saves a lot of time and money, compare a 1MB file transmitted between New York and L.A. At 2400-bps, it's about 35 minutes and $9. With 9600-bps and V.42bis, it's 4 1/2 minutes and only about $1 for the call. As usual, Intel's manuals are as high-quality as its modems and other peripherals. They don't cut corners so you do pay a bit more. No surprise. The 9600EX now lists for $599 (down from an original $799). It will be discounted heavily by many dealers, and look for a street price under $499. You get the usual five-year warranty on this modem. Once again, we bestow five stars for a top-of-the-line PC product. For more information, contact Intel Corp., 5200 N.E. Elam Young Parkway, Mail Stop CO3-07, Hillsboro, OR 97124-6497; 800-538-3373, 503-629-7354, or call 800-525-3019 for FaxBack service. # David Batterson spends a lot of time online. Contact him via MCI Mail, at 273-7218 or DBATTERSON.