CUPS, Unix, and OSX

[Joseph Bento]

Hey Mike,

We actually use similar serial modems to control microwave link control
in conjunction with Adtran 600's.

This configuration wasn't actually particularly difficult once I
understood what to do, though it was cumbersome.  I wouldn't recommend
it to someone that isn't comfortable dabbling at system level command
line stuff.

Being a serial modem, I don't believe the modem itself is designed for
any operating system in particular.  Its box in fact states it works
with Windows, OSX, Linux, Unix, etc. though only Windows FAX and
terminal software is provided.  I guess it comes down to getting your
machine to talk to the serial port properly, which I was finally able to
accomplish.  I use a Kingston USB / Serial adaptor, which supposedly is
one of the better adapters available, and has updated OSX drivers.

The built in FAX capability of OSX is very nice - now that I can use it.

Hammer and anvil?  Yeah, I'm a bit anal that way.  :-)    I think I have
residual nightmares of the old 'Win-Modems' and trying to get them to
work under Linux eons ago.  From that point on, I've preferred external
serial modems. While I like my Mac, I don't believe that Apple
accessories or software are the only way to go.  My memory upgrade would
have cost hundreds more if Apple were the only source - which
unfortunately, they lead you to believe.

Joe, N6DGY


Mike O'Dell wrote:
> If your Mac does not have a built-in modem, the Apple USB modem is quite inexpensive.
> It also works with Windoze equally easily and avoids the haywiring with the serial thing.
> Fax modems are notorious for using dataset control signals in creative ways and frequently
> do not make nice with USB serial converters. T.38 is the most unforgiving serial-based protocols I've ever see, so even if all the signal get there, there is no guarantee of success.
>
> Another other alternative is using one of several services offering fax that can also provide personal fax numbers if you need inbound fax as well as outbound. The cost of these is usually diminimus if nonzero.
>
> To be honest, this was a pretty "hammer and anvil" approach to use when a simple one was available. This approach would not have been particularly easier, possibly even harder,
> on Linux or the BSD systems so I would not fault the Mac in particular. This is an example of a Windows-designed device operating in a non-Windows environment and that is often challenging.
>
> Having fought with fax modem hardware for years, and then compounding the headaches with a page scanner, I gave up long ago and bought a cheap'n'nasty fax thing at Costco and when I can't email a PDF, I print it and then fax it with a real fax machine (even though finding where I stored it last is always something of a snipe hunt). "It just works."
>
> Joe, I  admire your tenacity. "You're a better man than I, Gunga Din".
>          
>           Cheers
>           -mo
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Mar 31, 2011, at 9:10 PM, Joseph Bento <joseph at kirtland.com> wrote:
>
>