Computer Faxes

Computer faxes, that's sending faxes directly from the computer, is a regular feature in most offices nowadays because it is a cost-saver. Fax technology has evolved to such a huge extent that it is now possible to receive and send fax via email via email fax server. Computer faxes is now so much a part of life as evident in many business organisations installing on-demand fax machines for outsiders to call in to look up stuff such as flight schedules, share prices, and weather reports. People are also using computer faxes for simple applications such as faxing to radio stations for song requests, ordering pizzas from the local retail outlets, spare parts requests, or checking up prices of goods in a departmental store.

Decades ago, standalone PCs were installed with facsimile boards to emulate fax machines, but the applications were limited to transmitting ASCII files. The problem with this gadget is that it gives poor quality reproduction of highly visual documents. But those days are over because advances in technology have enabled a large number of users to enjoy the power of fax and the convenience of desktop communications, including send fax from email ( i.e. via the internet ).

For those who are still stuck with legacy operating systems such as Windows 95, they can also enjoy electronic fax services using an installed program called Microsoft fax. All that is needed is a fax-capable modem which needs to be hooked up to a regular phone line. Many organisations are still basically using this approach. What they do is install a computer fax program into their PC, and fax their documents directly from their PC. Many such fax software are sold under the shareware concept which is basically a use-first-pay-later concept. A handful are even distributed free called freeware. It's very easy to find and download such programs from the internet. The price to license shareware once the trial period is over? Answer: Usually very affordable.

However, there now exist web-based fax service, sometimes referred to as internet fax. This means that the sender can send fax via internet using their web browsers, and no internet fax solution installation is necessary in most cases. Some of these internet faxing service is even provided free of charge, as they make money via the support of advertisers.

Faxing from computer or PC has several distinct advantages. For one, the sender can create the fax right from the computer, thanks to the "what you see is what you get" (WYSIWYG) graphics environment. With so many types of graphics software available in the market, the sender can add in all the bells and whistles into the documents as he/she pleases using cut-and-paste functionality. Once completed, the fax does not have to be printed out (saves money on paper, fax and printer ink) in order to fax it directly to a traditional fax machine. Computer fax tools also have other solutions or options to select, for example, it can receive fax from normal fax machines and store them as files in the hard drive.

Technology has increased the functionality of computer faxes so much that sending faxes online is helping to create a truly paperless environment. Stiff industry competition also means pricing of computer fax machines and related products & accessories keeps coming down all the time and better support services.

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