E-fax

[dad305]

Ok I have DSL and my fax utilities that came with the computer do not work unless I use a modem and tone.

I've checked a bunch of Fax systems on line including E-fax but you have to register and get a number and bah blah blah, and probably even pay right?

I'm looking for something that I can use with my wireless system and DSL directly from my comp or even my e-mail.

Any ideas of where I can download such software, remember "free" is the magic term (or very inexpensive)? I know I'm a cheapo sometimes, this is one of those.

Oh By the way, has anyone given up their regular phone to use their cell only?

[craigbass76]

I'll poke around Sourceforge and Freshmeat for you (both .net) but you could try too. Everything there is free in the truest sense ot the word (i.e. no spyware) It's all open source software.

Why couldn't you run the phone line into your modem in addition to having the DSL running, they way you used to fax. Or did you not used to fax?

I'm working right now (when I get another problem fixed) on playing with the external modem I had pre-DSL (which was just turned on in late June thank God) and seeing if I can get it to answer the phone itself. This could be used sort of like a voice mail on my computer. I'd also like it if I could configure things so that it would pick up the call waiting calls that I don't answer and give those folks the opportunity to leave a message. We had Verizon voicemail, which I though came free with our package, only to discover that it was 15 bucks a month. Not much really, but when the phone bill is already 70...

[Jackson's Dad]

I use MaxEmail (http://www.maxemail.com). Yes, it's one of those services that you have to sign up for and get a number from! But the basic service is only $15 a *year*. Faxes and voicemail get delivered right to your email, and you can send faxes via their website or email.

[dad305]

Why couldn't you run the phone line into your modem in addition to having the DSL running, they way you used to fax. Or did you not used to fax?

That's exactly what I use to do, but I got tires of tripping on the darn cable and the connecting and disconnecting. It's not lazyness, it's just that I think there's gotta be an easier way. I'll check those places (Freshmeat?)

Thank you Jackson's, 15/yr sounds like a superb deal. I will check it out .

[KDB.One]

Oh By the way, has anyone given up their regular phone to use their cell only?


When we moved in here three years ago we went with just cell phones. two weeks ago we got a land line but only because the wife needed a fax machine. The cell phone thing worked well for us..

[jeffus]

I bought an HP 7210 All-In-One Printer/Scanner/Copier/Fax/Photo Printer last year. 50 page sheet feeder, memory card reader and USB port built-in. Awesome device!

It's a network printer with it's own ethernet connection and I've got it connected to the router and everyody can use it.

Neat feature is that it handles the incoming calls. You hook-up the phone line to it and then the phone/answering machine to the printer. It'll let the answering machine pick-up, then sense if there's a fax machine calling. If it's a fax, it'll take over. If it's a phone call, it'll let the answering machine handle it. There's also the option of working with your computer's modem, but I've never had to use it.

It ain't free, but sending & receiving faxes and managing voice-mail is easy. About 300 bucks last year, probably much less this year. Very convenient and useful.

[craigbass76]

Yes, Freshmeat (No idea what it means, but it can't be as dirty as the ass game here :p)
Clicking on most of the projects there land you over at Sourceforge, but I have better luck sometimes initially searching on FM.