Abstract of INFO-MAC archived Text file
   'info/hdwr/fax-modems.txt'
  Uploaded 12/06/1992   32845 bytes

Date: Fri, 4 Dec 1992 20:10:31 -0800 
From: Justin D. Bukowski <jdb@ocf.Berkeley.EDU>
Subject: [*] Fax modem answers 

I received several responses to my questions about Fax modems
for the Macintosh. I've compiled them in the following report,
and I've included another report written by Mark Scrivener, a
poster on comp.dcom.modems, about a poll he took between the Supra
V.32bis and the ZyXEL U-1496 (also V.32bis). Mark, in turn, included
a report from Paul E. Platt on a modem "shootout" between the Supra,
ZyXEL, Gateway Telepath, and Zoom. Also discussed in Paul's report are
the Practical Peripherals, Courier HST Dual, AT&T and Motorola modems,
though he didn't test them. Thanks to Yoshio Turner for sending me
Mark's report.

My original post to the digest follows:

>Date: Sun, 15 Nov 1992 23:45:53 -0800
>From: Justin D. Bukowski <jdb@ocf.Berkeley.EDU>
>Subject: Fax modem info/reviews wanted
>
>I've become interested in purchasing a modem with at least
>send fax capability. Receiving might be nice, too. I'd like a
>source of information and/or reviews on what's available. I've
>looked in the archives and found some recommendations but I'd like
>to know more. Some specific questions:
>
>How are fax modems different from normal modems? Software only or
>do they have special hardware? (ROMs, etc?)
>Are they reliable for transmission? What about receiving?
>How does speed compare to a stand-alone fax machine?
>What software is available? Recommendations?
>Can a modem be set up to pick up on incoming calls, scan for a fax
>transmission signal, and if none, let the call through to an
>answering machine? If so, what software and hardware is required?
>
>Please reply through e-mail or to the digest. Pointers to discussions
>on the net or in the Mac magazines would be appreciated. If I get
>a decent amount of information I'll compile a report for the archives.
>
>Thanks.
>Justin Bukowski   jdb@ocf.berkeley.edu

I was really looking for answers to my questions and not recommendations
on what to buy, since there are already some reports in the archives
on just that (/info-mac/report/fax-modems.txt, /info-mac/report/
inexpensive-modems.txt, also a nice report on modems in general is
/info-mac/report/modem-guide-10.txt) but it seems that the offerings
change rapidly so I'm grateful to those who included their opinions.

First, the six responses to my post: