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I'm supporting a SCO Unix 5.0.6 machine. I don't want to spend $1700 on
a "fax server solution". Instead, I'm looking for a fax modem for which
there are drivers for SCO or generic enough for Unix in general. I also
need "fax software" to enable the whole endeavor.

All I'm attempting is what is done quite readily in Windows: print to a
psuedo-driver which, in turn, invokes the fax s/w that solicits the
phone number to fax to and any other required info. I don't need all
kinds of fancy options like choices for cover pages, etc. The
application used by my client is strictly text-based - no GUI.

Any advice for public-domain - or inexpensive - software to accomplish
this is much appreciated.

Regards,

David

On Fri, Apr 18, 2008, David wrote:
>I'm supporting a SCO Unix 5.0.6 machine. I don't want to spend $1700 on
>a "fax server solution". Instead, I'm looking for a fax modem for which
>there are drivers for SCO or generic enough for Unix in general. I also
>need "fax software" to enable the whole endeavor.
>
>All I'm attempting is what is done quite readily in Windows: print to a
>psuedo-driver which, in turn, invokes the fax s/w that solicits the
>phone number to fax to and any other required info. I don't need all
>kinds of fancy options like choices for cover pages, etc. The
>application used by my client is strictly text-based - no GUI.
>
>Any advice for public-domain - or inexpensive - software to accomplish
>this is much appreciated.

It's been a long time since I did this on OpenServer. All our
faxing is now done on Linux systems using the open source HylaFAX
system, with *EXTERNAL* Multitech modems. I think that JP Radley
is using HylaFAX on OpenServer so probably has it available,
compiled, for download.

I have tried quite a few modems over the years, but the only ones
that have never given me problems are the Multitechs. Telebits
were excellent as well, but are no longer available (I still have
three WorldBlasers and a Trailblazer on the shelf in case we
ever need to go back to dialup uucp :-)

IHMO, one should only use external modems as their serial
interface has been standard for decades, and it's far easier to
power cycle a wedged external modem than to reboot a system to
clear one.

Bill
--
INTERNET: bill@celestial.com Bill Campbell; Celestial Software LLC
URL: http://www.celestial.com/ PO Box 820; 6641 E. Mercer Way
Voice: (206) 236-1676 Mercer Island, WA 98040-0820
Fax: (206) 232-9186

Memoirs -- Bill Clinton is getting $12 million for his memoirs, and his
wife Hillary got $8 million for hers. That's $20 million for memories from
two people who for eight years repeatedly testified they couldn't remember
anything.

Bill Campbell wrote:
> On Fri, Apr 18, 2008, David wrote:
>> I'm supporting a SCO Unix 5.0.6 machine. I don't want to spend $1700 on
>> a "fax server solution". Instead, I'm looking for a fax modem for which
>> there are drivers for SCO or generic enough for Unix in general. I also
>> need "fax software" to enable the whole endeavor.
>>
>> All I'm attempting is what is done quite readily in Windows: print to a
>> psuedo-driver which, in turn, invokes the fax s/w that solicits the
>> phone number to fax to and any other required info. I don't need all
>> kinds of fancy options like choices for cover pages, etc. The
>> application used by my client is strictly text-based - no GUI.
>>
>> Any advice for public-domain - or inexpensive - software to accomplish
>> this is much appreciated.
>
> It's been a long time since I did this on OpenServer. All our
> faxing is now done on Linux systems using the open source HylaFAX
> system, with *EXTERNAL* Multitech modems. I think that JP Radley
> is using HylaFAX on OpenServer so probably has it available,
> compiled, for download.

I like HylaFAX, especially since I wrote the SunOS port of it, and some of the
early Linux ports. It's extremely robust, and hte new updates at Brian White's
website support PCL transmission using the ghostpdl package.

> I have tried quite a few modems over the years, but the only ones
> that have never given me problems are the Multitechs. Telebits
> were excellent as well, but are no longer available (I still have
> three WorldBlasers and a Trailblazer on the shelf in case we
> ever need to go back to dialup uucp :-)
>
> IHMO, one should only use external modems as their serial
> interface has been standard for decades, and it's far easier to
> power cycle a wedged external modem than to reboot a system to
> clear one.

Well, for other platforms, Rocketport makes excellent cards, including some
new PCI-X cards with multiple modem ports directly built in. But entegrating
such tools with SCO Openserver would be asking for pain, due to the operating
system's age, limited deployment, and lack of driver updates.

But with the HylaFAX clients, you *COULD* send the fax requests to any other
HylaFAX server on any other platform, if you needed it.

Bill Campbell wrote:
> On Fri, Apr 18, 2008, David wrote:
>> I'm supporting a SCO Unix 5.0.6 machine. I don't want to spend $1700 on
>> a "fax server solution". Instead, I'm looking for a fax modem for which
>> there are drivers for SCO or generic enough for Unix in general. I also
>> need "fax software" to enable the whole endeavor.
>>
>> All I'm attempting is what is done quite readily in Windows: print to a
>> psuedo-driver which, in turn, invokes the fax s/w that solicits the
>> phone number to fax to and any other required info. I don't need all
>> kinds of fancy options like choices for cover pages, etc. The
>> application used by my client is strictly text-based - no GUI.
>>
>> Any advice for public-domain - or inexpensive - software to accomplish
>> this is much appreciated.
>
> It's been a long time since I did this on OpenServer. All our
> faxing is now done on Linux systems using the open source HylaFAX
> system, with *EXTERNAL* Multitech modems. I think that JP Radley
> is using HylaFAX on OpenServer so probably has it available,
> compiled, for download.

I like HylaFAX, especially since I wrote the SunOS port of it, and some of the
early Linux ports. It's extremely robust, and hte new updates at Brian White's
website support PCL transmission using the ghostpdl package.

> I have tried quite a few modems over the years, but the only ones
> that have never given me problems are the Multitechs. Telebits
> were excellent as well, but are no longer available (I still have
> three WorldBlasers and a Trailblazer on the shelf in case we
> ever need to go back to dialup uucp :-)
>
> IHMO, one should only use external modems as their serial
> interface has been standard for decades, and it's far easier to
> power cycle a wedged external modem than to reboot a system to
> clear one.

Well, for other platforms, Rocketport makes excellent cards, including some
new PCI-X cards with multiple modem ports directly built in. But entegrating
such tools with SCO Openserver would be asking for pain, due to the operating
system's age, limited deployment, and lack of driver updates.

But with the HylaFAX clients, you *COULD* send the fax requests to any other
HylaFAX server on any other platform, if you needed it.

On Apr 18, 2:04*pm, David <djpog...@complexNOSPAMnet.com> wrote:
> I'm supporting a SCO Unix 5.0.6 machine. *I don't want to spend $1700 on
> a "fax server solution". *Instead, I'm looking for a fax modem for which
> there are drivers for SCO or generic enough for Unix in general. *I also
> need "fax software" to enable the whole endeavor.
>
> All I'm attempting is what is done quite readily in Windows: print to a
> psuedo-driver which, in turn, invokes the fax s/w that solicits the
> phone number to fax to and any other required info. *I don't need all
> kinds of fancy options like choices for cover pages, etc. *The
> application used by my client is strictly text-based - no GUI.
>
> Any advice for public-domain - or inexpensive - software to accomplish
> this is much appreciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> David

As others have said HylaFax is a solution.and is Free. There is also
VsiFax and has been used on SCO for many years.

David wrote:
> I'm supporting a SCO Unix 5.0.6 machine. I don't want to spend $1700 on
> a "fax server solution". Instead, I'm looking for a fax modem for which
> there are drivers for SCO or generic enough for Unix in general. I also
> need "fax software" to enable the whole endeavor.
>
> All I'm attempting is what is done quite readily in Windows: print to a
> psuedo-driver which, in turn, invokes the fax s/w that solicits the
> phone number to fax to and any other required info. I don't need all
> kinds of fancy options like choices for cover pages, etc. The
> application used by my client is strictly text-based - no GUI.
>
> Any advice for public-domain - or inexpensive - software to accomplish
> this is much appreciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> David
>
>

I have installed ActiveFax from Volger Software www.actfax.com for several
clients needing to fax from SCO.

ActiveFax runs on a Windows platform and accepts print jobs from UNIX
on any port you care to set up. I customarily choose port 9100 and then
set up a netcat printer to print to the Windows host IP on port 9100 using
the HPLaserJet.net interface.

ActivFax simulates an HP LaserJet printer. So anything you would normally
send to a LaserJet, you can send to ActivFax. You can embed the phone number
you want the fax to be sent to using the string @Fnnn text for field@. In the
below example the subject is "cost Quote for Computer, the recipient phone
number is 816-525-5076 and field F316 is placed on the cover page.

@F307 Cost Quote for Computer@@F320 816-525-5076@@F316 Here is the quote you req
uested.@ 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 920 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 930 1 2
3 4 5
2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 920 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 930 1 2 3 4 5
3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 920 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 930 1 2 3 4 5

ActivFax is not cheep. The last copy a client licensed was $695 for 5 users
(up from $495 when I first started using ActivFax). The good thing is that
UNIX print jobs are all considered as from one user. We've never had to
purchase more then the base license.

I had one client with two separate companies in the same office space. I was
able to set up ActiveFax with customized cover pages for each company.

Note: I am not a dealer for ActiveFax. I have my clients' purchase directly
from www.actfax.com website. You can download a fully functioning demonstration
program that will fax but puts a big "demo" banner across the sent fax pages.

Because it is hosted on a Windows machine, you also get windows drivers that
allow you to print from any Windows application. If you don't have embedded
fields, the Windows drivers will pop up the ActiveFax client that allows you
to select recipient from a phone book, add text to the cover page, preview the
resulting fax and then send it.

Echoing Bill Campbell, we always use Multitech External modems.


--
Steve Fabac
S.M. Fabac & Associates
816/765-1670

Steve M. Fabac, Jr. wrote:
> David wrote:
>> I'm supporting a SCO Unix 5.0.6 machine. I don't want to spend $1700
>> on a "fax server solution". Instead, I'm looking for a fax modem for
>> which there are drivers for SCO or generic enough for Unix in
>> general. I also need "fax software" to enable the whole endeavor.
>>
>> All I'm attempting is what is done quite readily in Windows: print to
>> a psuedo-driver which, in turn, invokes the fax s/w that solicits the
>> phone number to fax to and any other required info. I don't need all
>> kinds of fancy options like choices for cover pages, etc. The
>> application used by my client is strictly text-based - no GUI.
>>
>> Any advice for public-domain - or inexpensive - software to accomplish
>> this is much appreciated.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> David
>>
>>
>
> I have installed ActiveFax from Volger Software www.actfax.com for several
> clients needing to fax from SCO.

That means buying and supporting another Windows box. Why not just run it with
HylaFAX on the SCO box itself, or another UNIX or Linux box, and get full
incoming and coutgoing fax and dial-up modem services? The software's free: it
does take some attention to set up correctly, but for a simple setup it's
pretty trivial.

Nico Kadel-Garcia wrote:
> Steve M. Fabac, Jr. wrote:
>> David wrote:
>>> I'm supporting a SCO Unix 5.0.6 machine. I don't want to spend $1700
>>> on a "fax server solution". Instead, I'm looking for a fax modem for
>>> which there are drivers for SCO or generic enough for Unix in
>>> general. I also need "fax software" to enable the whole endeavor.
>>>
>>> All I'm attempting is what is done quite readily in Windows: print to
>>> a psuedo-driver which, in turn, invokes the fax s/w that solicits the
>>> phone number to fax to and any other required info. I don't need all
>>> kinds of fancy options like choices for cover pages, etc. The
>>> application used by my client is strictly text-based - no GUI.
>>>
>>> Any advice for public-domain - or inexpensive - software to
>>> accomplish this is much appreciated.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> David
>>>
>>>
>>
>> I have installed ActiveFax from Volger Software www.actfax.com for
>> several
>> clients needing to fax from SCO.
>
> That means buying and supporting another Windows box.

No, who does not have a plethora of Windows system in their office?

Just pick a system, Win 98 to Win server 2003, and install ActivFax
server software & Client, Hook up a modem and Bam, your done. To print
from UNIX use the ActiveFax setting to enable RAW server and select your
port. Set up a netcat printer and Bam, UNIX faxing.

ActiveFax Will also accept jobs via rlp, and Windows Share folder
(place a file in a specified windows share, ActiveFax will see it,
grab the file and fax it).

Why not just run
> it with HylaFAX on the SCO box itself, or another UNIX or Linux box, and
> get full incoming and coutgoing fax and dial-up modem services?

ActiveFax does full incoming and outgoing fax as well as fax on demand and
will work with T1 phone links to deliver faxes to specific inbox based upon
phone number destination of the incoming fax.

And your statement "That means buying and supporting another..." just
as easily can end as Linux or UNIX box. Again, who does not have all
the Windows boxes they need to press one into service as the ActiveFax
server?


The
> software's free: it does take some attention to set up correctly, but
> for a simple setup it's pretty trivial.

Every time I've tried to set up HylaFAX it defeated me.

None of my UNIX users use X-Windows and viewing Faxes are then problematical.

With ActiveFax, just fire up the ActivFax client on any Windows pc and it searches
the network for the ActiveFax server. Click on Outgoing -> sent, and view all outgoing
fax transmissions. Click on Incoming -> unread and see newly received fax messages.
Create archive folders and move fax messages to archives by client, or any
criteria you select.

Do what you like, the OP asked for options. HylaFAX, VSI Fax, Faximum,
and ActiveFax are all options he can investigate.



--
Steve Fabac
S.M. Fabac & Associates
816/765-1670

Steve M. Fabac, Jr. typed (on Sun, Apr 20, 2008 at 02:27:24PM -0500):

>> Why not just run it with HylaFAX on the SCO box itself, or another
>> UNIX or Linux box, and get full incoming and coutgoing fax and
>> dial-up modem services?
>
> ActiveFax does full incoming and outgoing fax as well as fax on demand
> and will work with T1 phone links to deliver faxes to specific inbox
> based upon phone number destination of the incoming fax.
>
> And your statement "That means buying and supporting another..." just
> as easily can end as Linux or UNIX box. Again, who does not have all
> the Windows boxes they need to press one into service as the ActiveFax
> server?
>
>> The software's free: it does take some attention to set up correctly,
>> but for a simple setup it's pretty trivial.
>
> Every time I've tried to set up HylaFAX it defeated me.

I've used it for both outgoing and incoming faxes on 5.0.6, 5.0.7, and
6.0.0. In what way did it defeat you?

--
JP

Steve M. Fabac, Jr. wrote:
> Nico Kadel-Garcia wrote:
>> Steve M. Fabac, Jr. wrote:
>>> David wrote:
>>>> I'm supporting a SCO Unix 5.0.6 machine. I don't want to spend
>>>> $1700 on a "fax server solution". Instead, I'm looking for a fax
>>>> modem for which there are drivers for SCO or generic enough for Unix
>>>> in general. I also need "fax software" to enable the whole endeavor.
>>>>
>>>> All I'm attempting is what is done quite readily in Windows: print
>>>> to a psuedo-driver which, in turn, invokes the fax s/w that solicits
>>>> the phone number to fax to and any other required info. I don't
>>>> need all kinds of fancy options like choices for cover pages, etc.
>>>> The application used by my client is strictly text-based - no GUI.
>>>>
>>>> Any advice for public-domain - or inexpensive - software to
>>>> accomplish this is much appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> David
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> I have installed ActiveFax from Volger Software www.actfax.com for
>>> several
>>> clients needing to fax from SCO.
>>
>> That means buying and supporting another Windows box.
>
> No, who does not have a plethora of Windows system in their office?

A plethora of desktop Windows installations, I'm sure most of us have such. A
plethora of server-class insallations for proper industrial services? Those
aren't so common.

> Just pick a system, Win 98 to Win server 2003, and install ActivFax
> server software & Client, Hook up a modem and Bam, your done. To print
> from UNIX use the ActiveFax setting to enable RAW server and select your
> port. Set up a netcat printer and Bam, UNIX faxing.

So you're going to run a critical service for incoming and outgoing business
documents *on Win98*? That's begging for security and service pain.

> ActiveFax Will also accept jobs via rlp, and Windows Share folder
> (place a file in a specified windows share, ActiveFax will see it,
> grab the file and fax it).

Well. good. How well does it handle cover pages and how does it determine the
target phone number with such Windows share dropped targets? And publishing to
a Windows share from a SCO box sounds.... fairly painful. I assume this share
is on the ActiveFax server itself, and thus you'd need to set up an SMB
mounted access to it on the SCO box?

> Why not just run
>> it with HylaFAX on the SCO box itself, or another UNIX or Linux box,
>> and get full incoming and coutgoing fax and dial-up modem services?
>
> ActiveFax does full incoming and outgoing fax as well as fax on demand and
> will work with T1 phone links to deliver faxes to specific inbox based upon
> phone number destination of the incoming fax.

The incoming phone number delivery is a cute trick. I loath sending business
documents over email due to mail storage and security issues, and prefer to
provide notification to recipients of a secure, web-accisslble location for
such documents.

> And your statement "That means buying and supporting another..." just
> as easily can end as Linux or UNIX box. Again, who does not have all
> the Windows boxes they need to press one into service as the ActiveFax
> server?

I find it much easier to take a modest box and install a Linux than a Windows.
The licenses are cheaper, it runs on less powerful hardware than a modern
Windows, and it's historically vastly easier to keep updated and secure.

My SCO experience is limited to OpenServer, but my UNIX experience goes back
to BSD 4.1, and my Windows experience back to DOS 6.22. For industrial class
services, one-off UNIX and later Linux boxes have always been easier to
install and support.

>
> The
>> software's free: it does take some attention to set up correctly, but
>> for a simple setup it's pretty trivial.
>
> Every time I've tried to set up HylaFAX it defeated me.

Now, that's unfortunate. Can you remember the issues? I'm expert with it (I
did the SunOS port!), and would be happy to help solve the issues for you and
help prevent similar problems for others in the future.

> None of my UNIX users use X-Windows and viewing Faxes are then
> problematical.

*OH*. You want Irfanview! It works very well for Windows viewing of TIFF and
TIFFg3 fax files!

> With ActiveFax, just fire up the ActivFax client on any Windows pc and
> it searches
> the network for the ActiveFax server. Click on Outgoing -> sent, and
> view all outgoing
> fax transmissions. Click on Incoming -> unread and see newly received
> fax messages.
> Create archive folders and move fax messages to archives by client, or any
> criteria you select.

See, 'firing up the ActiveFax client on your Windows PC' means installing and
using it from Windows. That's not real helpful for Macs, Linux, or UNIX clients.

> Do what you like, the OP asked for options. HylaFAX, VSI Fax, Faximum,
> and ActiveFax are all options he can investigate.

Fair enough. I'm surprised at the difficulties you had with HylaFAX.