Reply #76: Sure - but not a likely thing.

[KTM]

Sure, it could do that - that is exactly what it is for. It is basically a cellular modem, that attaches to either a network or a single machine. It would be a cinch to hook it up to a Windows machine.

However, I HIGHLY doubt that this is what we are talking about in this case - but it would be a cool and easy way to do it !

I'm fairly certain she meant the standard Digi multiport serial board, which is used in conjunction with either:

a) Standard modems if, for instance the machine was the central system and was receiving inbound data (GEMS Host ?)or,

b) perhaps what we call "Short-Haul" modems, which are devices that hook into a serial port and convert that signal into one that can be sent over a phone line - often used to connect something that needs to be connected via serial cable, but is too far away to use a serial cable (something like 50 feet, I believe, maybe less). Maybe a way to hook a central computer in a voting location to a bunch of stations in the same place ? I have to admit, I haven't really looked at the voting hardware setups.

Anyway, thats PROBABLY what she was describing.. I was just venting because her lack of technical knowledge always leads to the stories lacking critical information... makes it easy to jump to random conclusions, easy for the avearge Joe or Jane to get confused.

This is the GSM device, if you are curious.. cool, eh ?

This is what she probably meant

Actually, with their low-budget crap, it was probably one of these, or older...