When sending faxes you are generally given three choices. One, find someone with a fax machine. Two, send a fax from your computer using fax software and the built-in fax modem. Or three, send a fax using one of the online fax services like eFax or RingCentral.
First we will take a look at faxing from a machine. Load your document face down and make sure it is accepted by the machine. Next dial the number of where you are trying to send it and then press the send key.
If you have done everything correctly you will hear a dial-tone and a series of beeps and static before getting the flatline tone of the other machine. As long as the other machine is set to auto-receive your fax will begin to send immediately.
For receiving faxes you face a few more challenges. You will need to make sure the machine has toner, it is set to auto-receive and there is enough paper to print your fax.
When sending from a computer using the built-in modem, here is the process.
One, open your computer software such as winfax. Two, make sure your phone line is plugged into your laptop or computer. If you only have one phone line you will want a switch box so you are not swapping out the cables each time you need to send a fax.
This is probably my least favorite way to send or receive a fax because of the following. One, the software seems to almost always have a conflict with another device on my system. Two, my modem never seems to work out of the box with the software. By the time I get everything configured I am usually getting calls from people saying, can I send it now or have you sent it? How professional does that make you look? Not very.
Then there are the online services. I have to give these the gold star approval for simplifying my life. I no longer have to be in one location to receive my faxes. As I write this I am sitting in a treehouse in Phuket, Thailand. What’s more is I don’t have the faintest idea where to send a fax other than right from my computer.
Can you imagine what the long distance charges would be to send a fax in a local store? I have only met three people from United States since I have been here. How do you even dial from here?
To send a fax online you just open up your email, enter the fax number followed by the extension for your servicing company. For RingCentral you will add @rcfax.com. Then you attach your files and click the send key. Of course you will need to be a registered client so they recognize your from address and pass the fax through.
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Article Source: EzineArticles.com
