Author Topic: How to send fax through high-speed internet connection? (Read 59946 times)

superboyac · « **on:** July 07, 2010, 12:59 PM »

Is it possible to send a fax to a regular fax number without having a dial-up modem? I have my cable modem and high speed connection, and I'd like to send a pdf through it. I remember back in the day using Winfax, but that used a regular phone line. Are there any services or software that do this now?

app103 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 07, 2010, 01:19 PM »

There are TONS of services that will do this for you.

First result in google for "send fax online": http://faxzero.com

superboyac · « **Reply #2 on:** July 07, 2010, 02:48 PM »

There are TONS of services that will do this for you.

First result in google for "send fax online": http://faxzero.com
-app103 (July 07, 2010, 01:19 PM)

Yes of course. I was wondering if there was a particular favorite of anyone's around here. I'm fully aware of google's abilities.

Seriously, though, is there any software that can do this? I always prefer software to online apps because with software you can keep the settings locally, logs (if any), etc. Faxzero sounds interesting, but it has only 3 pages max for free. I'm surprised google doesn't have something called Google Fax!

app103 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 07, 2010, 04:09 PM »

I never did any sending of faxes online and only received them. Callwave service supplied me with a free fax number and a small tray app that notified me of incoming faxes (and voicemail) and allowed me to download them as pdf files.

They have since partnered with efax and I don't think they have the tray app that alerts and keeps a record of incoming faxes. (I could be wrong, though) It's not a free service any more and it's also 2-way now, with both sending & receiving faxes by email.

efax has also partnered with OpenOffice and you can now get a plugin to send faxes from within OpenOffice by just clicking a toolbar button. (again, not free)

They also have an additional application that allows you to create, print, and send faxes with text notes, highlights and a signature stamp.

http://www.efax.com/...roducts/internet-fax

Mikethomas · « **Reply #4 on:** July 07, 2010, 04:14 PM »

There are TONS of services that will do this for you.

First result in google for "send fax online": http://faxzero.com
-app103 (July 07, 2010, 01:19 PM)
Yes of course. I was wondering if there was a particular favorite of anyone's around here. I'm fully aware of google's abilities.

Seriously, though, is there any software that can do this? I always prefer software to online apps because with software you can keep the settings locally, logs (if any), etc. Faxzero sounds interesting, but it has only 3 pages max for free. I'm surprised google doesn't have something called Google Fax!
-superboyac (July 07, 2010, 02:48 PM)

Check out Myfax.com. That is who I use and I think it is the best value. I have never had any issues with the service

40hz · « **Reply #5 on:** July 07, 2010, 04:19 PM »

I think it's unavoidable that you'll have to go through a service. Because somebody has to access an analog phone line somewhere along the way to send your fax. There used to be some discussion about creating digital/web fax devices. But that fell apart once people realized cheap desktop scanners and email attachments could provide similiar functionality with no cost to transmit.

As far as services go, I polled my client base. All of those who fax use efax.com and are very happy with the service they get.

From what I can see on their website, they're kinda pricey for personal use.

superboyac · « **Reply #6 on:** July 07, 2010, 04:32 PM »

Thanks everyone. This seems like it's only a one time thing for me anyway.

There's a story brewing in all of this, I'll write about it in a month or two. Stay tuned!

40hz · « **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2010, 05:47 PM »

Oh.

And here I was hoping it was somehow related to your fantasy fiction project.

skwire · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2010, 02:22 AM »

If you have a cell phone with [free] long-distance, you can do what I do when I need to send a fax. I simply forward my cell phone to the fax number and then fax to my cell phone number (which is a local call but forwarded on to the fax number). It works a treat for me on the rare occasion I need to send a fax since I don't keep long-distance on my house's landline.

steeladept · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2010, 08:33 AM »

If you have a cell phone with [free] long-distance, you can do what I do when I need to send a fax. I simply forward my cell phone to the fax number and then fax to my cell phone number (which is a local call but forwarded on to the fax number). It works a treat for me on the rare occasion I need to send a fax since I don't keep long-distance on my house's landline.
-skwire (July 08, 2010, 02:22 AM)

How do you do that from your computer? This sounds neat, but I don't quite get where it converts from a file to a fax? Is this in your phone or do you use something to convert it to a fax before you forward it to the phone? If it is the latter, what do you use to convert it?

skwire · « **Reply #10 on:** July 08, 2010, 08:35 AM »

Sorry, I should have clarified that I do this from a printer/scanner/fax combo (Canon Pixma MP830). Though, I can't see why it couldn't be done from a modem in a computer along with some fax software.

steeladept · « **Reply #11 on:** July 08, 2010, 08:59 AM »

Ah. I took the OP though to mean a way to convert files to fax without using the modem or connecting telephone lines. That was what I thought you were doing and I was curious how that was accomplished. Thanks for the clarification.

superboyac · « **Reply #12 on:** July 08, 2010, 09:01 AM »

Oh.

And here I was hoping it was somehow related to your fantasy fiction project.

-40hz (July 07, 2010, 05:47 PM)

Ah! No, I wish. I haven't worked on that for several months, since changing jobs. But I just got a wacom, so I plan to get back into it soon.

superboyac · « **Reply #13 on:** July 08, 2010, 09:02 AM »

Ah. I took the OP though to mean a way to convert files to fax without using the modem or connecting telephone lines. That was what I thought you were doing and I was curious how that was accomplished. Thanks for the clarification.
-steeladept (July 08, 2010, 08:59 AM)

No, steel...YOU are correct. I'm trying to send files on the computer to a fax with NO modem or telephone lines. Just the internet connection.

cyberjack88 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2010, 10:11 PM »

You can email to a fax machine using the internet infrastructure called tpc.int

Just go to http://www.tpc.int and all will be explained.

There are volunteer fax servers set up all over the world (a list of area codes is provided) and you just email your content to a specially formatted email address (not too tricky) or use the provided client and your email will be forwarded to the fax server via internet and faxed locally.

This project has been online and functioning for years.

Ain't the net magic??

TomD101 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 15, 2010, 03:24 AM »

Hi,

I am writing from Berlin, Germany, so things may be different here.
My ISP gives the AVM FritzBox as cable modem to its customers. (www.avm.de - and they offer an English website also).
This box is a real wonder concerning its possibilities. They also offer a tool for download, that enables the box to send and receive fax. It works with MS Office and almost any Windows.
It is not really easy to use, there is quite some try and error involved to get used to it, but then ... it works.
Maybe you just want to check out the tool itself. I do not think it is "chained" to the FritzBox cable modem.

Thomas

tomos · « **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2010, 04:27 AM »

They also offer a tool for download, that enables the box to send and receive fax.
-TomD101 (July 15, 2010, 03:24 AM)

thanks for that tip Thomas
the info about faxing seems to be only in German
Wie kann ich mit der FRITZ!Box Faxe empfangen, ohne ein Faxgerät anzuschließen?
Wie kann ich ohne Faxgerät Faxe empfangen und per E-Mail weiterleiten?
Wie installiere und konfiguriere ich FRITZ!fax für FRITZ!Box, um damit am Computer Faxe zu versenden?

here's the download page - BUT I just tried to install and it wont install...
---------------------------
FRITZ!fax für FRITZ!Box
---------------------------
Es wurde weder eine FRITZ!Box Fon noch ein AVM ISDN-Controller gefunden!
Die Installation wird abgebrochen.
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------
= cant find FRITZ!Box or AVM ISDN-Controller.
So I guess you need the FritzBox router

superboyac · « **Reply #17 on:** July 15, 2010, 09:11 AM »

You can email to a fax machine using the internet infrastructure called tpc.int

Just go to http://www.tpc.int and all will be explained.

There are volunteer fax servers set up all over the world (a list of area codes is provided) and you just email your content to a specially formatted email address (not too tricky) or use the provided client and your email will be forwarded to the fax server via internet and faxed locally.

This project has been online and functioning for years.

Ain't the net magic??

-cyberjack88 (July 14, 2010, 10:11 PM)

Doh! Now you tell me! i went to Kinko's yesterday to fax 6 pages...it cost $9!! What a rip.

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2010, 11:53 AM »

If you have a cell phone with [free] long-distance, you can do what I do when I need to send a fax. I simply forward my cell phone to the fax number and then fax to my cell phone number (which is a local call but forwarded on to the fax number). It works a treat for me on the rare occasion I need to send a fax since I don't keep long-distance on my house's landline.
-skwire (July 08, 2010, 02:22 AM)

Sorry, I should have clarified that I do this from a printer/scanner/fax combo (Canon Pixma MP830). Though, I can't see why it couldn't be done from a modem in a computer along with some fax software.
-skwire (July 08, 2010, 08:35 AM)

Ah. I took the OP though to mean a way to convert files to fax without using the modem or connecting telephone lines. That was what I thought you were doing and I was curious how that was accomplished. Thanks for the clarification.
-steeladept (July 08, 2010, 08:59 AM)

Thre may be a middle ground here. Many cellphones have to option to connect them to a computer via USB. Part of the driver that is installed (assuming you can find it) is for using the cellphone as a modem ... Add the Windows fax service and you're there.

Just a thought.

superboyac · « **Reply #19 on:** July 15, 2010, 12:16 PM »

Thre may be a middle ground here. Many cellphones have to option to connect them to a computer via USB. Part of the driver that is installed (assuming you can find it) is for using the cellphone as a modem ... Add the Windows fax service and you're there.

Just a thought.
-Stoic Joker (July 15, 2010, 11:53 AM)

Another interesting one! Where were you guys two days ago??

TomD101 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 18, 2010, 10:55 AM »

Hello Tomos,
I am sorry to hear that the PC-fax solution only works with AVM hardware.
There are (very few) other fax over IP solutions out there. If it is something you need frequently, it may be worth spending some time with Google.

Thomas

mdfasano · « **Reply #21 on:** July 18, 2010, 08:44 PM »

How do you send a fax with voip ? [email protected]

superboyac · « **Reply #22 on:** July 19, 2010, 08:46 AM »

Hello Tomos,
I am sorry to hear that the PC-fax solution only works with AVM hardware.
There are (very few) other fax over IP solutions out there. If it is something you need frequently, it may be worth spending some time with Google.

Thomas
-TomD101 (July 18, 2010, 10:55 AM)

If there is something that you know of specifically, please let us know.

mouser · « **Reply #23 on:** August 25, 2010, 08:08 PM »

thanks for this thread -- just sent a pdf fax using faxzero.com, paid $2 for premium fax with no advert/cover, went very smoothly.

mouser · « **Reply #24 on:** September 12, 2010, 12:20 PM »

lifehacker thread on internet fax services:
http://lifehacker.co...ve-best-fax-services