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--<Alt> F--may conflict
with your word processor.  Change it to another combination--using left or
right <Shift>, <Alt> or <Ctrl> 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 <F1>.
     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
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     David Batterson communicates a lot via modem, fax and voice.  Send your
comments via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.