Hello Wolfgang,
on 18-Mai-00 you wrote :
...snipp [ranting about STFax usability]
First I must apologize for the long e-mail.
After reading a part of this this 'mail'
I thought I might trash it,
but then I recognized that I was accused
of flaming Wiz, so an answer is a must.
� So, let's try to bring this discussion to an end. Norbert, I
� don't know if you see that: They say: We don't know the answer
� to Norbert's questions. All we know is, that STFax works fine
� for our needs. Sometimes there are problems wih several modems
� and several Amiga configs, but most answers were given in the
� manual, if we read it. If we can't find the answer there, we
� will try it in the list and HOPE that we will get the answer
� needed...
No, not completely right:
\begin {quote from the STFax docs}
You can obtain support (registered users only - when contacting us
please have your serial code ready) by telephone, facsimile, via
e-mail or, best of all, from the STFax mailing list
\end {quote from the STFax docs}
I've chosen the last option (the best of all?).
If you followed this ML carefully you might have noticed
that I asked kindly for some support on the 12th of May,
sybject 'Massive problems with STFax v4.1'.
But got *no* reply from the 'support' at all.
� I make STFax support for Germany since last year, and I've
� heard of several problems that are not solved yet. But this
� problems appear to be restricted to a very little group of
� users.
�
� It seems, you are one of this little group.
�
� I tried to reproduce the errors described in your first mailing
� here, and for only one "error" I could reproduce it. It's the
� crash when you try to close the main window, if you are
� changing voice settings. But, for heavens sake, why do you need
� to close the main window when changing the voice settings???
I only ran across this problem while doin' a lot of testing
with STFax, so it happened randomly, but definitely it's a bug.
� All other errors you reported, didn't occur on my machine. So I
� can't give you an answer.
Fine for you, but no help for me.
� All I can say is: Buy a good modem and the problems
� will disappear (if your machine is fine).
Oh come on, that's an useless argument.
You might also know that the three major brands
of modem producers are Elsa, 3Com/USR and Zyxxel
(maybe Dynalink), and they're used around the world
and work on all plattforms (I'm using a USR Message Plus
on my Mac without problems, in our company we use the
same modems (more than 50 pieces) with Unix/Linux
also without problems, and as you also mention
they might work with MS/Windows).
� Most problems are reported from owners of USR modems (so am I!)
� and this should be the reason for your problems. No problems were
� reported to me with Dynalink, ELSA, PACE etc. These are
� mentioned in the manual as working modems (in the german
� version). And they do so!
AFAIK Pace modems aren't sold anymore, because the company closed
down. So draw your own conclusions....
AFAIK also Elsa Microlink Modems have problems with
the independent mode.
� You also mentioned the professional claiming of STFax. So,
� think about "professional" software. What makes a software
� professional? Most business users of software think, a
� professional software has to offer all functions needed for
� their business.
No.
First of all professional software does what
the documentation claims it should do,
because someone running a business can't and won't
spend several hours of practice to get the programms
working.
(And having that in mind, users decide whether
the software with it's feature list maybe of use or not.)
Second, if a user runs into problems with the product
there should be a good support available.
That's what I call professional in first place.
� It seems like you are thinking of STFax as non professional
� software, because it is not supporting all types of modems
� produced all over the world.
No.
I don't call it professional because it
doesn't match the two above mentioned rules.
� As you will see in the program, it offers all functions needed
� to fulfil it's job, as mentioned on the package.
The fact that it does offer the functions is nice,
but useless if they won't work.
(It's like buying a garage and the architect tells you,
'yes, yes, there's plenty of room for your new car',
but you can't open the main gateway of the garage.)
It doesn't work, definitely not for USR modems.
And there isn't a single note on the package
that there are problems with such modems,
so if I would be picky I could return the CD
demanding refund!
(But I'won't do so.)
� It is also mentioned in the manual,
� that some modems are not suitable for STFax,
� so ALL functions will NOT work properly.
� For that, STFax works properly, if you install
� it properly and if you use it as mentioned in the manual.
Where is it mentioned? (JOOC.)
But it doesn't do so, is it that hard to understand?
� If you need a voice program, that works fine with your modem
� especially, you should buy a Windoze machine and use the
� program supplied with the modem. It works, but didn't have ANY
� of the features STFax provides...
(Erhmm, I haven't tested it, but you may read this:)
\begin {excerpt from 'PhoneTools')
- working as an faxing machine
- working as an answer machine
- offering Z-Modem capabilities
- offering terminal emulation
- offering an address manager
\end {excerpt from 'PhoneTools')
This program was sold with the modem back in 1996.
So you're argument was just blown away.
(As I mentioned above I haven't tested the programm,
and I won't do so, because I don't use MS/Windows.)
So come on, you're last argumentation is also nonsense.
That's the habit which kills the last
good attitudes of Amiga users.
(Or is it because Haage&Paartner will leave the
Amiga market completely ;-)
� I think, you shouldn't flame Wiz and his program, for he is not
� guilty of "not supporting all modem types of the world". Try to
� get your machine in a clean state first, then retry.
That's definitely NOT TRUE.
I didn't flame Wiz.
If you state such things you *have* to proof them, please!
(BTW, I'm a registered STFax user a long time,
I appreciate Simone's work, but I have the impression
that since STFax turned from shareware into a commercial
product, the things are getting worst, mainly because
the implementation of features were done too fast,
without the necessary, careful tests.)
And you didn't read the thread carefully.
As I stated in an earlier mail, STFax v3.8 worked.
Only one problem, the really bad voice quality
which was caused by fact that the USR voice
compression modes weren't fully supported.
After some e-mail contact with Simone and Chris,
and also some discussion, I tried to help
Simone with some useful links and informations
about other freeware fax projects on other
plattforms and some infos about the USR specs.
(I dunno if that helped to solve the voice problems
or not,...)
But this problems now seems to be solved,
My system config didn't change.
So the new problems might not be caused
by my system.
When resuming your argumentation it comes down
to one point:
I'm using the wrong modem and my system is faulty,
but STFax is fine.
To make it clear again, so that also you might understand it:
STFax v3.8 worked with my current system config
and my current modem, STFax v4.1 doesn't.
- main problems: STFax v4.1 hangs when recording
incoming calls, the recorded
calls are saved but unavailable via STFax
STFax v4.1 crashes when recording
WAV-files for greeting
(STFax v3.8 didn't)
(I've only tested STFax v4.1 answer capabilities up to now.)
� If you encounter any problems after that, write to me at
� [EMAIL PROTECTED], mention that you are the one from
� the mailing list and we could try to find the solutions for
� your probs. Perhaps for your case it is not possible, but until
� now I find the solution for 99.99 of 100 cases ;)
Problems see above.
I think we should really close this discussion now
and get back on the track to solve some problems.
If you like to respond, please via private e-mail.
Regards
NR
--
Remark of the day :
Nothing in life is to be feared.
It is only to be understood.
--
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