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1994-03-04
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VOX-Mail v0.99 (evaluation)
---------------------------
(C)1994 written by Michael Fung
Email: jf4y+@andrew.cmu.edu
Valid up till May 1994
Address: 1060 Morewood Ave, Box 1334
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3827
U.S.A.
Telephone: 1-(412)8623692
In the summer (May-August)
Address: Blk 14, #10-03
Ghim Moh Road
S(1027)
Republic of Singapore
Telephone: (65)4670761
What it is!
-----------
VOX-Mail is a voice mail system designed for the Atari Falcon 030
computer. It utilizes the sound hardware available in the Falcon for
playing as well as recording sound directly to hard disk in real time.
A hardware board interfaces the computer to the telephone line.
At present, VOX-Mail detects incoming calls, picks up the line, plays
customized announcements/tones and records messages to the hard disk
with line monitoring. In other words, it acts exactly like a good
answering machine, with messages stored digitally. These messages can
be loaded into a sample editing program, e.g. the System Audio
Manager.
Requirements
------------
VOX-Mail runs on an Atari Falcon 030 system in 640*480 (16 colors) or
higher video modes. The hardware plugs into the mic/speaker jacks, the
joystick port as well as the printer port. Power to the hardware is
supplied by the computer; a separate power supply unit is not
required.
VOX-Mail requires about 300K of free RAM and a hard disk is highly
recommended for recording samples. There should be at least 5Mb of
free disk space for recorded messages, since sound samples are
notoriously large. If you are expecting many messages, more free space
should be allocated.
Evaluation notice
-----------------
This is an evaluation version of the VOX-Mail system. You can launch
the program and tinker around. Try out the recording functions as well
as the playback of messages. For full operation, the hardware
extension is required. To have a listen to what VOX-Mail sounds like,
call my voice number listed above. (I have VOX-Mail running as my
answering machine!)
Some notes:-
- In the answering machine mode, you can simulate an incoming ring by
pressing the space bar. During playback/recording, pressing the left
mouse button will stop the playback/recording
- To record messages, connect a microphone to the MIC jack
- VOX-Mail utilises 8195 Hz sound samples (it doesn't make sense to
use higher speed samples as the phone lines are not high quality).
There is a convert sample function in VOX-Mail to allow you to convert
samples for use with VOX-Mail.
- the sound sample data files used for announcing the time should be
in the same directory as the announcement file
- in converting stereo sound samples, VOX-Mail takes only the right
channel since the telephone line is only monophonic
Limitations
-----------
Currently, VOX-Mail does not run perfectly under Multi-TOS. Recorded
messages are also not compressed. These will be improved in future
releases.
Shareware Notice
----------------
You are free to distribute the VOX-Mail program provided that it is
not modified in any way and the documentation files are intact.
VOX-Mail is shareware. If you like what you see (which I think you
would), fill out the registration form and mail it to the above
address. The registered version of the software, complete
documentation as well as the hardware will be mailed out to you upon
receipt of the registration.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to call me
at my voice number or send an email to me.
Ideas for the future
--------------------
- implementation of touch-tone detection
- scripting language for customizing of voice-mail system, including
features that allow for an information system with multiple menus,
password controlled access to pre-recorded information (e.g.
individual messages for specific people)
- remote recording of announcement/messages and remote recall of
recorded messages
- automatic call transfer by calling you up at your office (or any
number that you designate) and putting the caller on a 3-way
conversation. Automatic paging when you have a message on the machine
Registered users will receive free updates of the software. Depending
on the nature of the touch-tone detection implementation, a hardware
upgrade of reasonable cost might be necessary to utilize the features
that require touch-tone recognition.
Disclaimer
----------
In no event shall the author be responsible for any damage caused
directly or indirectly by the use of VOX-Mail and its hardware. By
using VOX-Mail, the user is deemed to have expressed agreement to this
disclaimer.
VOX-Mail's hardware extension has not been submitted for FCC approval.
However, the hardware has been designed to meet FCC requirements by
complete electrical isolation between the phone lines and the
computer, with interference kept to a minimum. Clamping circuitry is
also present to diffuse spikes of reasonable magnitude, preventing
damage to the computer and phone line. Its has been tested out
extensively and its use should not have any adverse effect on the
telephone lines.
My thang
--------
The idea of a voice-mail system has been in my head ever since I was
using the Atari Mega ST. However, the hardware on the older Atari
could not handle a voice-mail system at reasonable cost. With the
Falcon, the built-in sound hardware is excellent for the job and I set
out to build the system.
I have now developed a fully working answering machine out of the
Falcon and besides just being cosmetic, it has some real potential.
Imagine a low cost voice-mail system that allows full scripting and
information access with multiple menus. With the Falcon and VOX-Mail,
a simple answering machine or a full featured voice-mail system is
within the reach of all Falcon users. Voice-mail is no longer a dream
for me now, it is here!
The development of the system did take quite a bit of time, but I have
my sights set on developing an much more powerful voice-mail system. I
hope to get good response on this as it will be a strong motivation
for me to carry on developing the system.
The Falcon is indeed a great computer, and I am truly amazed by the
power of this small little computer.
- End of documentation March 4, 1994 -