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| People often ask whether it is
possible to use a single phone line and have voice, data
and fax calls all route to the right software. I haven't
had much luck with this myself, since my one attempt to
install a voice modem failed completely (and we don't have
distinctive ring here in Moscow). However, I have picked
up a few tips you may want to try:
Some products such as Microsoft Phone and WinFax
include the ability to handle different types of
calls.
Unimodem
V modems are compatible with the "distinctive
ring" service available in some areas. This makes
your phone ring differently for voice, fax and data
calls. You could (at least in theory) set up your
modem to answer only when the ring signals that a fax
call is coming in. Call discrimination -- the ability to route
different types of calls to different programs -- is different
from distinctive ring, but you're likely to find the two
together.
MVP Hal Hostetler (who knows a ton about
electronics) advises that a relatively cheap
alternative is a Voice/Fax/Data switch, which you can
get at a Radio Shack, Best Buy, Office Max or similar
all-purpose office/electronics store. This gadget
connects between your phone line and your
telephone/modem/fax machine and routes an incoming
call to the correct device.
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