Copyright: 1988-2003 Thought Communications, Inc.
Citation: FaxTalk(r) is a registered trademark and FaxTalk Communicator, and FaxTalk CallControl are trademarks of Thought Communications, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.


Introduction

The FaxTalk Program Configuration contains the configuration settings and preferences used by CallControl and FaxTalk Communicator. These include settings for answering the phone, announcement features, fax options, coversheet defaults, and modem configuration.

The Program Configuration can be accessed by clicking Configure on CallControl's right-click menu, clicking the Program Configuration button on FaxTalk Communicator's button bar, or by selecting FaxTalk Program Configuration from the FaxTalk Communicator folder.

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General settings

The General tab in Program Configuration controls how CallControl handles incoming calls. The following options are available:

Automatically Answer all Calls

Enables CallControl to automatically answer all incoming calls based on the number of rings set.

Enable Toll Saver

Adds 2 extra rings to the configured number of rings if NO new items have been received. This allows you to call in and determine if you have new items without incurring toll charges for the call. This option will only appear if FaxTalk Communicator has determined that your modem supports this feature.

Screen Calls

Allows you to screen incoming calls by listening to the caller. If you want to talk to the caller pick up a telephone connected to the phone line and hit the * key to tell the modem to cancel the current operation, enabling you to talk directly to the caller. This option will only appear if FaxTalk Communicator has determined that your modem supports this feature.

When Phone Rings

There are two options that can be enabled to announce when an incoming call occurs:

Pop up FaxTalk Communicator	Loads the FaxTalk Communicator application when an incoming call is detected.
Play Sound	Plays the selected .WAV file when an incoming call is detected. Use the Test button to test the selected .WAV file.

Automatically load CallControl when loading Windows

By default, FaxTalk CallControl loads in the Windows system tray every time you load Windows. If you want to prevent CallControl from automatically loading you can disable this option.

Note

•	The toll saver and screen calls options require specific modem support. If FaxTalk Communicator does not detect support for these options they will not appear.


Announce settings

The Announce tab in Program Configuration sets all of the options to announce new items.

Announce new items

There are several methods to announce that new items have been received:

Flash CallControl Icon	The CallControl icon in the system tray will blink when new items are received.
Flash Keyboard Scroll Lock LED	The Scroll Lock LED on the keyboard will blink when new items have been received.
Play Sound	Plays the selected .WAV file at the configured time interval to announce that there are new items. Use the Test button to test the selected .WAV file.

Pop up FaxTalk Status while sending or receiving faxes

Enabling this option causes the FaxTalk Status screen to appear whenever an incoming or outgoing fax occurs. The FaxTalk Status screen displays status information about the current call, such as fax transmission status and number of scheduled faxes waiting to send.

Automatically Print Received Faxes

Enabling this option will print a new fax automatically after it is received to the selected printer. Use the Setup button to select the printer you wish to use.

Note

•	The Flash Scroll Lock LED option may not work with some screen savers. The flashing of the LED may confuse a screen saver into thinking a key on the keyboard was pressed, and cause the screen saver to stop.


User settings

The User tab in Program Configuration sets all of the user related options for FaxTalk Communicator, such as Fax User ID and default coversheet information.

Fax User ID

This ID is displayed in the Fax User ID field of the fax header at the top of each page. Typically you would use your name or company name so the receiver can use it to identify the fax.

Fax Number

This fax number is displayed in the Fax Number field of the fax header at the top of each page. Typically you would use your fax number so the receiver can use it to identify the fax.

Default Coversheet Settings

The default coversheet settings include whether you want to have a coversheet attached automatically to every fax you send, the logo to use on the coversheet, the name of the person who you want the From: field on the coversheet to read as, and the Callback number to be displayed on the coversheet if the receiver had difficulty with receiving the entire fax.

Headers

Controls whether or not you wish to include header information at the top of each page of a fax you send. When Send Fax Headers is enabled, you can select the specific header information you would like to include.

Tips

•	You can override the default coversheet settings at any time when sending faxes. The Default Coversheet Settings fields are only used for setting the defaults to be displayed in the Send a Fax dialog.

•	It's a good idea to include header information on your faxes to ensure that the receiver knows where the fax came from, the order of the pages in the fax, and when the fax was sent.


Fax settings

The Fax tab in Program Configuration sets all of the options for creating and sending faxes.

Resolution

Sets the default resolution that will be used when creating faxes to send. Fine resolution is approximately 200 x 200 dpi, and Standard resolution is approximately 200 x 100 dpi. Using Fine resolution will ensure a cleaner fax is received, but Standard resolution faxes take less time to transmit.

Orientation

Sets the default orientation, or direction, the pages are created in when sending a fax. The most common format for a fax page is Portrait (tall) mode. You can also create faxes that are oriented in Landscape (wide) mode.

Options

Controls how the transmission of the fax is going to occur. Enabling 2-D encoding tells FaxTalk Communicator to send all faxes in 2-D format if the receiving machine indicates it supports 2-D. Transmitting a fax in 2-D mode will reduce the transmission time by roughly 25%. If the receiving machine does not support 2-D encoding then a standard 1-D fax will be sent. Error Correction Mode (ECM) enables the fax modem to ensure a clean accurate fax is sent to a fax machine that supports ECM. When using ECM the fax modem sends the fax in blocks that are checked at the receiver’s side to verify that no errors were sent.

Retry Options

Sets the number of times you want FaxTalk Communicator to try sending a fax if it was unsuccessful on the first try. The number of retries setting ranges from 0-8. Setting the value to 0 will prevent any retries from occurring. You can also set how long you want FaxTalk Communicator to wait between retries, from 1 to 60 minutes.

Page Size

Selects the default page size used when creating fax pages to send. The options are Letter (8.5 x 11"), Legal (8.5" x 14") and A4 (210mm x 297mm). The A4 paper size is more commonly used in Europe.

Use Fax Wizard when Sending Faxes

Allows you to select whether you want to use the Fax Wizard when you send a fax. If this option is enabled, the Fax Wizard appears whenever you print a document to the FaxTalk 4.0 printer driver or select to send a fax from any FaxTalk screen. When this option is not enabled the Send a Fax dialog will be used when sending faxes.

Tips

•	Error Correction Mode is highly recommended to ensure sharp faxes, especially if faxes are transmitted over cellular phones.


Modem settings

The Modem tab in Program Configuration sets the TAPI modem to be used with FaxTalk Communicator and allows you to configure some of the modem settings used by CallControl.

Selected Modem

Lists the available TAPI modems available for use with FaxTalk Communicator. When the modem is selected, FaxTalk Communicator queries the modem to determine the capabilities available. This process may take a few moments.

Advanced Button

Contains options that are used if FaxTalk Communicator could not determine some configuration options by querying the modem. Normally you would NOT need to change the settings in the Advanced Properties dialog.

Modem Speed

Sets the maximum speed your modem will transmit and receive faxes. The speeds listed are based on the speeds supported by the selected modem. Generally it is a good idea to set transmit and receive speeds to the As Fast As Possible option.

Modem Speaker

Controls the modem speaker when sending or receiving faxes. You can configure the speaker to be active at all times, only until a connection has been made, or off at all times. You can also adjust the volume level of the modem speaker between low, medium, and high.

Dialing Preferences

Displays the currently selected dialing location configured in Windows. You can change the dialing location by selecting another location from the list or create a new one by clicking on the Dialing Properties button.

FaxTalk should always dial numbers exactly as entered

By default, FaxTalk Communicator uses the Windows Dialing Properties configuration and TAPI to perform dialing functions. By using this method FaxTalk is able to dial numbers based on the area code and prefix/suffix settings you configured in Windows. Depending on the dialing requirements the Windows Dialing Properties may cause numbers to be dialed incorrectly. Enabling this setting causes FaxTalk to completely ignore the Windows Dialing Properties and dial the numbers exactly as they are entered in the software.

Tips

•	FaxTalk Communicator uses the Windows dialing location information when sending faxes. The dialing preferences and dialing property information can also be accessed from the Modem Control Panel in Windows.


Advanced modem properties

The Advanced modem properties dialog allows the configuration of a modem that was not recognized properly by FaxTalk Communicator or if problems occur with the driver settings for the modem. It is highly recommended that the settings in this dialog not be changed unless you are absolutely sure the modem hardware supports the settings being selected. The settings found in this dialog can cause the software and modem to stop functioning if not set properly. If an incorrect setting is selected and the software stops functioning with the modem, click on the Reset Defaults button to return the settings to the modem's defaults.

Fax Driver

Sets the default fax driver to be used by FaxTalk Communicator.

Voice Driver

Sets the default voice driver to be used by FaxTalk Communicator. If the driver is set to None, the software did not detect voice support in the modem. Voice functionality is a modem specific feature and the voice features of the software will not function if the modem does not support voice. If the voice driver is set to None, FaxTalk Communicator provides send and receive fax functions only.

Flow Control

Sets the flow control method to be used by the modem. The two options available are Hardware Flow Control (RTS/CTS) and Software Flow Control (Xon/Xoff). Flow control is used to control the sending and receiving of data between the computer and modem. Setting the flow control incorrectly can cause fax transmission problems and voice playback problems. FaxTalk Communicator uses Hardware Flow Control by default.

Silence Detection Sensitivity

Sets the silence detection sensitivity level for the voice driver. This setting should only be changed if the selected modem is experiencing problems with detecting silence on the phone line, or is detecting silence even though the caller is leaving a message. Setting the silence detection sensitivity to low or off causes the modem to not hang up in a timely manner after a caller has hung up, and may record unwanted sound such as dial tone, hang up tones and other phone company originated sounds after a caller has hung up. Setting the sensitivity level too high causes the modem to prematurely detect silence while a caller is leaving a message and hang up on the caller. This is due to the modem detecting the silence while a caller is pausing between words or sentences.

Distinctive Ring / Caller ID

Opens the Distinctive Ring / Caller ID dialog. The Distinctive Ring / Caller ID dialog provides options for configuring FaxTalk Communicator to provide Distinctive Ring and Caller ID functions by working directly with the modem.

Modem Initialization String

The modem initialization string listed is geared to work specifically with the selected modem under the Modem tab in Program Configuration. You should not remove any of the AT commands listed in the field. If there are specific AT commands your modem uses to access special capabilities, such as blind dialing, you can add them at the end of the listed initialization string.

Reset Defaults

Resets the settings back to the factory defaults for the currently selected modem. If changes made in this dialog cause the software to no longer function, the Reset Defaults button restores the changed settings.


Advanced fax modem properties

The Advanced modem properties dialog allows the configuration of a modem that was not recognized properly by FaxTalk Communicator or if problems occur with the driver settings for the modem. It is highly recommended that the settings in this dialog not be changed unless you are absolutely sure the modem hardware supports the settings being selected. The settings found in this dialog can cause the software and modem to stop functioning if not set properly. If an incorrect setting is selected and the software stops functioning with the modem, click on the Reset Defaults button to return the settings to the modem's defaults.

Fax Driver

Sets the default fax driver to be used by FaxTalk Communicator.

Flow Control

Sets the flow control method to be used by the modem. The two options available are Hardware Flow Control (RTS/CTS) and Software Flow Control (Xon/Xoff). Flow control is used to control the sending and receiving of data between the computer and modem. Setting the flow control incorrectly can cause fax transmission problems. FaxTalk Communicator uses Hardware Flow Control by default.

Distinctive Ring / Caller ID

Opens the Distinctive Ring / Caller ID dialog. The Distinctive Ring / Caller ID dialog provides options for configuring FaxTalk Communicator to provide Distinctive Ring and Caller ID functions by working directly with the modem.

Modem Initialization String

The modem initialization string listed is geared to work specifically with the selected modem under the Modem tab in Program Configuration. You should not remove any of the AT commands listed in the field. If there are specific AT commands your modem uses to access special capabilities, such as blind dialing, you can add them at the end of the listed initialization string.

Reset Defaults

Resets the settings back to the factory defaults for the currently selected modem. If changes made in this dialog cause the software to no longer function, the Reset Defaults button restores the changed settings.


Distinctive Ring / Caller ID

The Distinctive Ring / Caller ID dialog allows the configuration of FaxTalk based Distinctive Ring and Caller ID settings for use by FaxTalk Communicator. Using FaxTalk based Distinctive Ring and Caller ID provides additional functionality in FaxTalk Communicator not possible using Windows TAPI based Distinctive Ring and Caller ID.

Use FaxTalk for Distinctive Ring / Caller ID services

In general, Windows TAPI provides Distinctive Ring and Caller ID features for fax and voice messaging software such as FaxTalk Communicator, but Windows TAPI does not support Distinctive Ring with some modems and provides only basic support for others. Using FaxTalk Communicator  to provide Distinctive Ring and Caller ID functions allows for more complete support for these features regardless of the modem used.

Note: Since Windows TAPI does not support sending Distinctive Ring messages to a specific application, such as FaxTalk Communicator, FaxTalk must use a special method in Windows TAPI to access Distinctive Ring messages provided by the modem. Enabling the Use FaxTalk for Distinctive Ring / Caller ID Services option will prevent all other applications from being able to access the modem the while FaxTalk is running and Auto Answer is enabled. You can temporarily disable FaxTalk from controlling the modem by disabling Auto Answer in FaxTalk. Doing so will allow other applications to use the modem but FaxTalk will not be able to automatically answer incoming calls until Auto Answer is enabled again.

Attention: Distinctive Ring and Caller ID features in FaxTalk Communicator require specific hardware support from the modem for these features as well as respective subscription to Distinctive Ring and Caller ID services from your local phone company. In addition, in order to use the FaxTalk based Distinctive Ring and Caller ID services, you will need to know specific information regarding your modem and it's support for Distinctive Ring and Caller ID including, and not limited to, initialization strings, Distinctive Ring ring messages, and message reporting formats. If you do not have this information, please refer to your modem documentation or contact your modem or computer manufacturer.

Use Distinctive Ring services when answering calls

Enabling this option causes FaxTalk Communicator to monitor incoming calls for Distinctive Ring patterns and route calls based on the incoming ring patterns detected. When this is enabled, FaxTalk Communicator will rely on the modem to provide the proper distinctive ring message to determine which line is ringing.

Distinctive Ring modem initialization string

Enter the modem command supported by your modem to enable Distinctive Ring. Please refer to your modem documentation or modem manufacturer for the commands required to enable Distinctive Ring. Enter the specific command for Distinctive Ring only.

Note: Entering an incorrect initialization command can result in the software no longer being able to communicate with the modem and prevent the software from answering the phone or performing basic operations.

Route calls on line x to:

Select the proper operation you want FaxTalk to perform for each Distinctive Ring line (Lines 1, 2, and 3 can each have their own specific action). The possible selections are:

Ignore Calls	This option directs FaxTalk Communicator to ignore and not answer any calls on this line.
Receive Fax	This option directs FaxTalk Communicator to automatically answer all calls and begin receiving a fax on this line.
Voice Mail	This option directs FaxTalk Communicator to automatically answer all calls by playing the greeting of the default mailbox. Note: the Voice Mail option is only available if the modem supports voice messaging capabilities and FaxTalk Communicator is installed with voice messaging features

Distinctive Ring Modem Reponses Properties

Opens the Distinctive Ring Modem Responses Properties dialog. The Distinctive Ring Modem Responses Properties dialog is used to enter the specific ring messages the modem reports for each Distinctive Ring line.

Enable Caller ID detection on incoming calls

Enabling this option causes FaxTalk Communicator to monitor incoming calls for Caller ID information, and if detected, the Caller ID information will be displayed in FaxTalk Communicator. When this is enabled, FaxTalk Communicator will rely on the modem to provide the proper Caller ID information.

Caller ID modem initialization string

Enter the modem command supported by your modem to enable Caller ID . Please refer to your modem documentation or modem manufacturer for the commands required to enable Caller ID. Enter the specific command for Caller ID only.

Note: Entering an incorrect initialization command can result in the software no longer being able to communicate with the modem and prevent the software from answering the phone or performing basic operations.


Distinctive Ring Modem Responses Properties

The Distinctive Ring Modem Responses Properties dialog provides you with the ability to indicate the specific modem messages your modem reports for each of your Distinctive Ring lines. In order for the FaxTalk based Distinctive Ring options to function the proper ring messages must be entered exactly as reported by the modem.

Distinctive Ring line x

Enter the specific ring message (depending on the modem you may have RING1, RINGA, DRON, etc.) your modem reports for each Distinctive Ring line. A separate, specific ring message will be reported by your modem for each line. Please refer to your modem documentation or modem manufacturer for the ring messages used by your modem or for information on how to determine the correct ring messages.

Note: Entering incorrect information in these fields will result in the software not detecting or answering incoming calls and will prevent the software from performing basic operations.