OVER 2 YOU, 146 (09/09/03)

FAX RECORDER

I have searched endlessly for a simple fax recorder, i.e. which can be left on to record faxes (like a telephone answering machine) and accessed by a computer at will.  I refuse to keep my computer going all day in case a fax arrives or keep cutting up reams of poor quality paper.  Can anyone help?

John Warden, via email

An external fax/voice/data modem, such as the US-Robotics Sportster MessagePlus V90 can record phone calls, faxes and data whether the computer is switched on or not. The software supplied is used to download the stored messages, faxes or data, when the computer is next switched on, to be listened to, printed or filed as appropriate.

The modem has LEDs to indicate its status and the number of messages currently being stored and any voice messages can be listened to via a remote dial connection. The Supervoice software that I had with my MessagePlus is not brilliant but, once set up, it does work in Independent Mode reliably.

M. Charlwood

I have been using an Olitec stand-alone modem for about four years now and this has been very successful.  The modem is independent of the computer and it can act in a stand-alone mode or in standard mode.  When in stand-alone mode, it acts as an answer phone and can receive phone calls and faxes whilst the computer is shut down.  It also has a voice function, which tells you how many faxes and messages you have received.    You can then download the faxes on to the computer and you have a choice of listening to your phone messages or downloading them.   Olitec is a French firm and has a website at www.olitec.com

Jo Hall

John Warden's requirements can be met simply and at no cost to himself via the Fax to Email service from www.yac.com. This provides a new fax number -- any faxes received are immediately forwarded to your inbox as emails. They can then be printed, saved, forwarded or deleted as required.
Kai Chandler, via email

Your correspondent should try "efax". This is a service which converts faxes to emails which can be picked up in the subscriber's email client exactly like normal emails and so the computer does not need to be left running.  This is a free service to the subscriber but it is paid for by advertising so a certain amount of this will accompany each received fax. I have used this for several years and can recommend it.  Details can be found on www.efax.co.uk
Michael Dewhurst

Tiscali (and surely other ISPs) provide a free Fax to e-mail service. You are allocated a fax telephone number and all your incoming faxes are converted to, and stored as, email - dead simple - it's free and it does voicemail as well.

Ian Booth

CHARGER ADAPTOR

I’m resigned to the fact that when I travel on business I have to take several chargers with me (I’ve yet to find a universal charger with enough power for my laptop) but I despair at all the mains cables I have to take as well. Does anyone know of an adaptor for the different types of connectors on the chargers, specifically the ones shaped like a figure of 8 (camera and mobile phone chargers), the similar round three-pronged connector (laptop and shaver) and the flat three pin connector (video projector)?

Chas Richardson, via email

I found that if you cut through the thin plastic web that separates the two connectors on a figure-of-eight plug (they’re called ‘Telefunken’ or ‘C7’ plugs by the way), it will fit quite snugly into a 3-pin (C5) socket. It’s probably not good practice, but it works!

Ken Taylor, via email

RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

My family gets through a lot of expensive AA type alkaline batteries in all of their gadgets. I’ve tried using rechargeable batteries but they’re simply not as good and last a fraction of the time or won’t work at all (the voltage is too low). I seem to remember reading that alkaline batteries could be recharged, is this so, how well does it work and where can I get a charger from?

Kate Clements, Hendon, London

Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese (RAM) batteries are available in AA and AAA sizes and can be purchase, with a charger from places such as Maplin Electronics and some white goods stores. RAM batteries are the same voltage as alkaline 1.5V and if used properly can last for a year or more. Nickel Cadmium or Nickel Metal hydride is not suitable replacements as they have a lower nominal voltage of 1.2V. The best way is to recharge frequently for if allowed to fully discharge they only last about 10 recharges. I use them in a digital camera and recharge after each session and this give some 200 recharges and a year of operation. Put the batteries into sets (best to use an CD marker pen and put date on each cell) and keep set together when charged. As they gradually deteriorate move them on to less onerous tasks so that they eventually end up in the TV remote. The cost of 4 AA cells is slightly more than 4 good alkaline. The brand I use is called 'Pure Energy' in a gold colour case. Under no circumstances bother with a dry cell recharger as charging a primary alkaline cell is a waste of time due to the very poor results.

Roger Todd

Ray-O-Vac manufactures a battery charger for size AA and AAA alkaline batteries and its own brand of rechargeable batteries. The charger and batteries can be purchased from branches of B & Q. The charger carries a warning about charging Duracell, Energizer or Ray OVac single use batteries but I have been using mine to repeatedly recharge alkaline batteries with no problems for a considerable time, though obviously you do it at your own risk.
Tony Owen

I use the Goodmans model GBC1100, which has settings for alkaline batteries as well as Metal and Nickel Hydride, and can recommend it highly.

Nik Dennis, Hertford

Rather than purchase a doubtlessly expensive and inefficient alkaline battery recharger, I recommend simply using cheaper batteries. A pack of four Smartprice batteries from Asda costs only 86p, and, although only lasting about half as long as a normal battery, clocks in at way under half the price, cutting battery bills massively! After removing the cost of the recharger, and not forgetting the electricity required to charge the batteries, then this works out quite a bit cheaper (unless quite phenomenal amounts of batteries are consumed) and is well worth considering.
Martin Smith, Lincoln

There are plenty of rechargeable batteries and chargers available, mostly Nickel Cadmium Ni-Cad, which can be charged many times over, the only problem with Ni-Cad batteries is that they should be fully discharged before recharging, if not the charge lessens over time

I would however suggest Nickel Metal Hydride Ni-Mh, as they can recharged as many times as Ni-Cads, furthermore these do not have a 'memory' and can be charged when not fully discharged, an obvious advantage over the Ni-Cad batteries. Batteries and chargers can be obtained in most photographic outlets, '7 day shop [www.7dayshop.com] in Guernsey is very competitive on price
Barry King

CAN YOU HELP?

Somewhat late in life (I’m in my late fifties) I’ve decided to learn to play the guitar. So far I’ve found the various books and teach-yourself CDs very slow going and I’m reluctant to pay for private lessons. Can anyone recommend any websites or on-line guitar tutors?

Alex Chapman, via email

I am about to become Company Secretary of a company newly formed to acquire the freehold of the block of flats where I live. There will be approximately 40 shareholders. Can anyone recommend an inexpensive software package to help take care of the administrative duties involved?

Ken Dimdore, via email

I visit France regularly, and send and collect my emails on my laptop using my UK based mobile phone. Can anyone recommend a cheaper method, I do not want to use an Internet cafe, and I am not on any one place long enough to obtain a French landline connection.
Richard Atwell, via email