NAME

       Device::Modem::FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions list about the "Device::Modem" perl
       extension

   What is "Device::Modem"?
       "Device::Modem" is a perl extension written in pure perl that allows on to communicate
       with modems, or generically with "AT command set compliant" devices connected to your
       computer via a serial port.

   Who is the author of this work?
       Cosimo Streppone (cosimo@cpan.org), an italian guy who works and enjoys writing perl
       programs and objects. If you want to know more, go to
       http://www.streppone.it/cosimo/work/perl/

   BTW, what is Perl?
       If you are asking that, probably you are in the wrong place.

       Perl is a wonderful programming language, that cuts development times, helps developer
       keep mental health, good life-style, doesn't pollute developer's mind, allows one complete
       freedom of style, and (from perl manual), gives you enough rope to hang yourself.

       Some starting points:

       •   <http://www.perl.com> - Reference site for Perl programmers

       •   <http://www.perl.org> - Perl Mongers home

       •   <http://cpan.perl.org> - Comprehensive Perl Archive Network

       •   <http://www.perlmonks.org> - Higher Perl souls

       •   <http://use.perl.org> - Large Perl community

   What is an "AT command set"?
       It is a set of standard commands, also called "Hayes", in which (almost) all commands
       begin with "AT" prefix and they allow one to control a modem, router, whatever device.
       Also cellular phones work with a subset of standard "AT" commands.

   What is a modem?
       What the heck are you doing here? http://www.google.com/search?q=Tech+glossary+modem

   What are the requisites of "Device::Modem"?
       You must have:

       •   A working computer with a standard RS-232 serial port

       •   An AT-compliant device (a modem will do perfectly here :-)

       •   A working Perl installation

       •   "Device::SerialPort" module installed if you are on some unix platform.
           "Win32::SerialPort" module installed if you are on Win32 platform.

   Is it multi-platform?
       "Device::Modem" works close to the serial port communication layer, which varies on many
       platforms. It relies on "Device::SerialPort" and "Win32::SerialPort" modules for all low-
       level communication layer.

       It tries to build a platform independent layer above these two low-level modules, so
       developers don't need to distinguish among different platforms.

       It's been reported to work on "Win32", "Linux", "Mac OS X", "FreeBSD", "NetBSD",
       "OpenBSD", "ARM-Linux" and "Solaris".

   Can I use it for my commercial application?
       Yes, it is allowed by its license, that is the same as Perl language.  If you are using it
       in a commercial package, or plan to do so, please inform the author (Cosimo Streppone,
       cosimo@cpan.org <mailto:cosimo@cpan.org>).  Thank you.

   Why the [insert_you_preferred_feature_here] does not work?
       This is an open-source software developed in my little home spare time and for my personal
       interest and amusement. This module has a test suite, but it is not very extensive, so it
       is possible that some feature X does not work, or it is not implemented yet or I cannot
       test it.

       If you are in this situation, please contact me <mailto:cosimo@cpan.org> and provide the
       following information:

       •   Your operating system version and architecture.  Complete output of "perl -V" command
           is good for this.

       •   Your perl version.  Again "perl -V".

       •   Your "Device::Modem", "Device::SerialPort" and (if you are using it) "Device::Gsm"
           version.  In case of doubt, send the output of:

                   perl -MDevice::Modem -le 'print Device::Modem->VERSION'

       Thank you.

   Do XModem transfers work?
       This is definitely reported to be working by several users, who also contributed patches
       and tested the feature.

       Otherwise, just look at Aaron Mitti's Device::SerialPort::Xmodem CPAN module.

   XModem sucks. What about ZModem?
       It might seem that XModem and ZModem should be well over dead at this point.  But, looks
       like several old/new devices still support them.

       So, ZModem support has been contributed by a user, and will be added to the main release
       Soon(tm).

   Why I keep getting "can't open device: /dev/xxxxx at .../Modem.pm line 468" errors ?
       First of all, be sure to use Device::Modem version 1.52+.

       Probably you don't have the correct permissions to access your modem device (usually
       /dev/modem, or /dev/ttyS0 on unix and COM1/COM2/... on windows).  Or you are trying to use
       the examples that come with Device::Modem distribution with an older version
       (Device::Modem <= 1.33).

       In this case, you should upgrade to Device::Modem 1.52+.

   Why I get the error "Can't call method "purge_all" on an undefined value at .../Modem.pm line
       545" ?
       Again, upgrade to Device::Modem version 1.52+.

       If you get this error, it means that the communication port could not be opened.  Most
       probably you don't have permissions to access your serial port, or you have used a wrong
       device name (check your device entry in "/dev" folder).

       Since version 1.52, "Device::Modem::connect()" will try to automatically reconnect if your
       port connection shuts down, or the "Device::SerialPort", or "Win32::SerialPort" underlying
       object is deleted or invalidated.

       You should really upgrade to Device::Modem 1.52+.

   Can I make voice calls with this modem?
       No. What you can do, is voice call dialing.  After the dialing though, you have to speak.
       Your computer can not do that, unless you have a PBX board, at least not with
       Device::Modem.

   This module is pretty slow. What can I do?
       Make sure you are using that latest version. From version 1.30, the main "send-command" /
       "wait-answer" cycle has been sensibly improved for speed, though you now have to specify a
       timeout if you want the module to wait an answer if modem is not ready.

       Probably this is the better compromise...

   Can I make a [insert_your_preferred_number_here] euro donation to you for this fantastic
       module?
       Oh, yes!  Please feel free to contact cosimo@cpan.org to decide details about this... :-)

   I think you are a ?#!x$*z!#(!* and your software sucks
       Uh.

       Please contact me, so I can improve my software design, ideas and coding, but only if you
       explain the reasons of your criticism. Thank you.