Frequently Asked Questions About TFLX and DUET
Q:
What is TFLX?
A: The
TFLX system is a hardware and software product. The software is installed
on a Macintosh and the hardware unit connects to the Macintosh, via the serial
port, and the telephone line, via a standard RJ-11 phone plug. The TFLX software
is a powerful, flexible Picture Programming Language(c) (also referred to
as "GUI" or Graphical User Interface) which enables you to build a flowchart
"script" for virtually unlimited voice mail, fax on demand and fully interactive
telephone applications that run on a Macintosh computer.
Q:
Yes, but I'm not a programmer! Even an easy-to-use interface sounds complicated.
A: No problem! Every TFLX system comes with sample Scripts which can be
easily modified for your own use. We have made every attempt at getting our
customers over the "new program" blues... the learning curve... and our Tech
Support personnel are always ready to help you!
Q:
Why would I want to choose TFLX over another voice mail product?
A: TFLX was the very FIRST iconic flowcharting telephony system on the
market. Introduced in 1988, long before Windows and look-alike products, TFLX
was the only product of its kind available to the general consumer. TFLX has
over 6 years in-the-field use and testing so that you can be assured that
it is well proven and reliable. TFLX is also designed for "mission-critical"
applications, so that the system can recover from the types of situations
which can commonly bring a system down, such as power shutdowns, disk crashes
and system errors.
TFLX has been enthusiastically received and lauded by the telephone industry and Macintosh enthusiasts alike. TFLX is used by virtually every "Baby Bell" in the USA and Canada for prototyping larger systems; TFLX provides a fast, flexible way to develop and test phone systems by phone industry Research and Development teams. TFLX won the award for Most Innovative Voice Application for 1988/1989 from telephone industry's MEDIA DIMENSIONS. And in 1995 TFLX, along with DUET, was selected for Editor's Choice recognition from TELEPHONY magazine.
Q:
Who uses TFLX?
A: Practically anyone can benefit from TFLX's voice technology. Besides
the "big players" in the telephone industry, TFLX is used by doctors, schools,
government agencies, home offices, small to medium businesses of every kind.
It is used by Value Added Resellers to create stand-alone voice application
systems for sale and it is used as an answer to virtually any voice, fax,
call back application need imagined.
Q:
Is the TFLX hardware unit a modem?
A: NO. The compact TFLX II hardware unit is actually a single-line voiceboard.
It contains hardware for analog to digital sound conversion and touch tone
detection. Although it connects to the telephone line, it is NOT, in any way,
a modem. Unlike many voice mail/fax modem combinations that are on the market,
TFLX uses hi-fidelity proprietary sound recording and NO LOSS file compression
routines.
Q:
What is the minimum computer/system configuration needed to use TFLX?
A: TFLX will run on a Macintosh Plus or better (except the Mac fx), running
System 6.4 or better and at least 2.5 Mbs RAM. We recommend a hard drive with
a disk access speed of 20 ms or better. A TFLX system is a great way to give
those orphaned Mac Pluses a purpose other than a doorstop!
Q:
I don't really understand what "Picture Programming" or "GUI" mean. Can you
explain?
A: The TFLX software is a ICONIC FLOWCHARTING LANGUAGE. This means that
we've taken specific programming "routines" and encapsulated them in Task
Icons. For example: to speak a prompt or message, you would use an icon which
looks like a talking MOUTH! (the SPEAK MESSAGE Task Icon). We have tried to
make the icons a descriptive representation of the task, so that it is easy
to understand what each task is and a Script becomes easy to follow by simply
looking at the icons.
Q:
How do I determine what size hard drive I use?
A: Drive storage/size will be determined entirely by your own needs. A
good guideline to consider is to allocate 12 Mbs per hour of recorded sound.
This would include both the sound files which the Script uses (prompts, messages,
etc.) and messages which callers will be leaving.
Q:
IÕve heard fax/modem voice mail systems and think the sound quality is totally
unacceptable. How do I know your system won't give me the same poor quality
sound?
A: Easy! We use our OWN hardware and our OWN recording and compression
routines. TFLX records sounds at 11K and 22K per second and then compresses
the files using NO-LOSS file compression. The compressed files are reduced
to half the original file size with no loss of detail or quality.
Q:
IÕd like to develop voice mail systems to sell to clients with specific needs.
Will TFLX allow me to create and sell "canned" systems to other people?
A: Absolutely! Because TFLX has both a creator, or source generator, application
and a runtime application, you can create fully custom stand-alone applications
for customers which can be installed at their site. YOU keep the source code.
The customer gets the "runtime" Script which is installed with the TFLX Runner
application on a Macintosh. Since TFLX requires the TFLX II hardware unit,
developers can obtain site-license and discounts for multiple purchases/installations.
Q:
I would like to offer callers FAX BACK. Can TFLX do this?
A: Yes. You must purchase the FAX ON DEMAND Module in order to add faxback
capability to TFLX. In addition, since TFLX is NOT a fax/modem, you must also
provide the fax/modem and compatible software.
Q:
Which fax modems and software is TFLX compatible with?
A: TFLX is compatible with fax modems which run with FAXstf v. 2.x, QuickLink
II and MacComCenter fax software products.
Q:
Can TFLX send a page?
A: Yes. Besides being able to dial out to ordinary pagers and send a phone
number, if you have the Notify! software product from ExMachina, you can also
have TFLX send alpha-numeric pages, including text notes with the number.
Q:
Can I have MULTI-LINE with TFLX?
A: Our DUET system is a true multi-line system. However, if a strictly
Macintosh solution is what you want, and you require more than one line, it
is still economical to install up to five or 6 individual TFLX lines. It requires
a Macintosh, a site license and a TFLX II hardware unit per line. If you need
lines capable of sharing a DATABASE, they can be networked together.
Q:
How can I integrate a TFLX system into my business telephone system?
A: TFLX requires an RJ-11 phone connection. Many business phone systems
do not use an RJ-11 connection. Therefore, you would first have to have an
RJ-11 phone line connection installed in your office system. Your phone supplier
is capable of providing this simple service.
Q:
Yes, but can TFLX control my office phone system? For example, can it transfer
a call to an extension?
A: That depends... if the system in your office can be controlled by ordinary
touch tone, flash hook, like a home phone, then the answer is probably "yes".
If you could bring in a normal touchtone home phone and perform those control
switches, then very definitely yes. To find out if TFLX can control the office
phone may require a little detective work on your part. The business phone
documentation may offer some of the information. However, more than likely,
you may have to contact the phone system supplier and ask them if you could
use a HOME PHONE with their system and if it could act like the system phones
(and what keys you'd have to press to achieve this!) PLEASE NOTE: It would
NOT be wise to tell them you want to install a voice mail system like TFLX.
They are in the business of selling those systems, so they may just hang up
on you if you do!
Q:
What is DUET?
A: The DUET(tm) System forms a powerful partnership between Magnum Software's
TFLX Picture Programming(c) and Ram Research's multi-line capable DAX(c) telephony
software on the DOS PC.
DUET is a combination software-only product. It is a cross-platform multi-line system which uses the Macintosh and a special DUET version of the TFLX Picture Programming(R) software to develop voicemail, fax back, and other telephony applications to run on a voiceboard equipped PC or compatible.
Q:
I don't really understand what "Picture Programming" means. Can you explain?
A: The DUET Creator software on the Mac is an ICONIC FLOWCHARTING LANGUAGE.
This means that we've taken specific programming "routines" and encapsulated
them in Task Icons. For example: to speak a prompt or message, you would use
an icon which looks like a talking MOUTH! (the SPEAK MESSAGE Task Icon). We
have tried to make the icons a descriptive representation of the task, so
that it is easy to understand what each task is and a Script becomes easy
to follow by simply looking at the icons.
Q:
What is the difference between TFLX and DUET?
A: The primary difference between TFLX and DUET is that TFLX is a single
line system running exclusively on a Macintosh, while DUET is a multi-line
system and runs on a DOS PC.
Because DUET is easy to use and addresses virtually every popular voice and/or fax board currently on the PC market, even a PC neophyte can create and install a true multi-line telephony system in the shortest possible time.
The
DUET Creator offers many features found in the TFLX Creator, plus others...
True MULTI-LINE capability: from 2 to 128 lines running at the same time!
A broad choice of scripting icons
Built-in script error checking
Script-wide automatic find/change/updating
Access to low-level coding
Expandable Scripting environment
A sound recording/editor which can generate PC-compatible files
Interline communication
COM port communication
Digiboard compatible
Independent source and runtime files
Q:
Why would I want to choose DUET over another software product?
A: DUET is compatible with virtually every popular voice, fax, modem board
and Digiboard on the market. Therefore, you have a HUGE selection of hardware
configurations possible. But more importantly, DUET is an easier, more intuitive
and faster way to create multi-line telephone applications. With the inherent
ease of TFLX's iconic programming language and error-checking, a user spends
less time having to fix programming errors and more time creating a powerful
application.
Q:
What boards are compatible with DUET?
A: Most voice board/fax board/modems and Digiboard from Rhetorex, Dialogic,
BiCom, Eletech, Pika, NewVoice, JTDual, Talking Technologies.
Q:
Yes, but I'm not a PC/Mac fan (pick one!). How do I deal with working on two
different computer platforms?
A: We will admit that DUET is more suited for someone who is familiar
with BOTH the PC and the Mac. However, we've paid particularly attention to
making the process of installing and using the software on the PC extra easy.
DUET comes with a special PC INSTALLER so that IT does the job of creating
all of the necessary directories, and placing key files where they belong.
And the DUET software on the Macintosh is not only astonishingly easy to create
apps with, but it can also create PC-compatible sound files for use with the
PC voice board.
Q:
What is the minimum system requirements for DUET?
A: On the Macintosh, you need the DUET Creator software installed on a
Mac Plus or better running system 6.4 or later and a hard drive. You will
need 2.5 Mbs of RAM and software to enable the Mac to read PC disks, and Mac-to-PC
file conversion software such as Apple File Exchange.
On the PC, you need the DUET runtime software installed on a 386 DX-33 IBM PC or compatible, or better, running MS-DOS 5.0 or later. Minimum 4 Mbs RAM and with a compatible voice/fax/modem board installed. When considering how large a hard drive the system will need, calculate 10 Mb per hour of sound/storage. You also need a database software application such as the Paradox(tm).
Q:
How do I integrate DUET into my office telephone system?
A: DUET could work as an add-on to your current system, or it could take
over all or part of the chores your current operator and phone system are
now handling.
Since there are so many combinations of hardware/configurations/etc. possible, it is impossible to answer this question simply. We urge you to contact our partner, RAM RESEARCH for additional assistance. They can make recommendations and help put you in contact with PC board manufacturers.
Q:
I want to develop telephony systems for my clients. Can I site license DUET?
A: Absolutely. We offer an Unlimited Runtime License to developers and
VARS.