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I want to send faxes from my macbook pro

Z

zgeist

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 25, 2010
18
3
What is the best way to do this?

I've seen that there are online services for this sort of thing, but I was wondering if I could just buy a modem instead.

Is there such a thing as a USB adapter with a phone jack on one end? Do I need a separate phone number?

Thanks.
 
zgeist said:
What is the best way to do this?

I've seen that there are online services for this sort of thing, but I was wondering if I could just buy a modem instead.

Is there such a thing as a USB adapter with a phone jack on one end? Do I need a separate phone number?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure Apple has a USB modem. You can use the same phone number but you have to find a way to decide which device picks up the incoming call. Many ways to address this but none are as god as a second fax number.

Two question:

(1) What's wrong with the on-line services?

(2) Who is still using FAX and why?
 
ChrisA said:
(2) Who is still using FAX and why?
Click to expand...

Many companies for legal purposes require faxed confirmations of signed contracts, agreements, and whatnot; because in court faxed copies are actually legal documents whereas email and such is not.
 
i have efax - which works fine with my MBP and 10.6.3.

numerous service options - one nice thing is you have your incoming fax number that can then forward PDFs of your faxes to your email.

it's expensive and their customer service is abysmal - but - it works.
 
email a PDF instead?

A fax machine may be old school, but they can are handy for documents that require a signature, or for printed material that you don't have in electronic form on your computer. I suppose some businesses may still rely on faxes as part of their work flow or documentation records.

If you want to fax a document you already have in electronic form on your computer, can you send a PDF file instead?

I have scanned my signature and used it with PDF documents without any complaints.
 
@ChrisA - "(1) What's wrong with the on-line services?"

There's a monthly fee and I really only need to send one every now and again. Probably no more than one every other month or so.

As for sending a PDF instead - I have actually tried that a couple of times - it worked with one company, but the other companies email couldn't accept a file that big - and it wasn't that big! So I ended up faxing it anyway.

Basically, I've just needed to send copies of receipts and/or forms every now and then.

So, I think I will try to find a modem because I have never needed to receive a fax.

Thanks for your help, guys!
 
littleman23408 said:
I was with a company, and we had fax systems on our computers to fax documents. It was called Rightfax. I am not sure if this can be used as an individual or if it has to be a company. But after a quick google it looks like this is the website for the information.

http://faxsolutions.opentext.com/fax-server.aspx
Click to expand...

Oh, and btw, that is hilarious because I used to work for OpenText! ;-)
 
modem vs services

The services are fine, but you never know how secure they are. Go on eBay and buy an Apple USB modem. It's small and elegant and OS/X is guaranteed to recognize and work with it. See "printers and fax" under preferences.

When you need to FAX, just plug it in. If you want to receive faxes a service is easier unless you want to keep your modem plugged into a land line all the time.

Some cell phones with USB or BT connections also support FAX service. Many Motorola models do.
 
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