Guide to getting a fax machine?

[Diesal]

Hi, I am not sure if this is the correct forum but we do have an ADSL line and would like to get a fax machine and anything else that is required for us to send and recive faxes?

How would one go about doing this?

 

[Pada]

Ensure that the fax machine goes through an ADSL filter if connected on the same line as the ADSL.

If you're using the telephone number already for voice calls, then you'll have to get another telephone number for the Fax I suppose.

I'm not sure how you have to organise these things though.

 

[ChilliGirl]

Hi, I am not sure if this is the correct forum but we do have an ADSL line and would like to get a fax machine and anything else that is required for us to send and recive faxes?

How would one go about doing this?

Few things to consider:
is there a spare wall jack to plug fax into or will you share the wall jack.
Will it e a lot of faxes being recieved? (this is where you decide between ink & laser fax/printer) look at cost per page on printing.
Remember: laser unit cost more than inl units but in the long terms the cost of printing per page is less. Ink units cost less but replacing the ink generally is more expensive than that of the laser units.

 

[Mars]

Na, Just get internet fax from one of the many people providing this service. That in conjunction with a scanner will save you a lot on paper and printing. You recieve faxes to your email and you can send faxes via your email by buying credit from them. I have found it to be simple and easy. And unless you are sending hobbes of faxes its cost effective.

 

[Diesal]

Ensure that the fax machine goes through an ADSL filter if connected on the same line as the ADSL.

If you're using the telephone number already for voice calls, then you'll have to get another telephone number for the Fax I suppose.

Filter is ok, getting another telephone number?

Few things to consider:
is there a spare wall jack to plug fax into or will you share the wall jack.
Will it e a lot of faxes being recieved? (this is where you decide between ink & laser fax/printer) look at cost per page on printing.
Remember: laser unit cost more than inl units but in the long terms the cost of printing per page is less. Ink units cost less but replacing the ink generally is more expensive than that of the laser units.

All that is ok, we going with a laser printer.

Na, Just get internet fax from one of the many people providing this service. That in conjunction with a scanner will save you a lot on paper and printing. You recieve faxes to your email and you can send faxes via your email by buying credit from them. I have found it to be simple and easy. And unless you are sending hobbes of faxes its cost effective.

Hmm, multiple people will be using the fax and I don't think it would work well. I'd rather use the tried and tested way.

-----
Forgive me as I don't really want to phone Telkom and ask them, they tend to be very biased, as we saw in their last newsletter

 

[deweyzeph]

You do know this is the 21st century....right? Why not get a typewriter too and complete the whole 70's office vibe.

 

[ozoned]

I use a proper thermal fax machine, the one with the rolls of paper

You need a combination line splitter & adsl filter. No need for extra telephone numbers, lines etc.

Looks something like this:

               > --------------------->Modem/Router jack---->
Wall Jack>------->LINE
               >---------------------->Telephone/Fax machine jack

 

[Diesal]

You do know this is the 21st century....right? Why not get a typewriter too and complete the whole 70's office vibe.

Not particularly helpful now is it?

I use a proper thermal fax machine, the one with the rolls of paper

You need a combination line splitter & adsl filter. No need for extra telephone numbers, lines etc.

Looks something like this:

               > --------------------->Modem/Router jack---->
Wall Jack>------->LINE
               >---------------------->Telephone/Fax machine jack

Thanks, so there would be no need to get any extra service from Helkom, in other words it would be sort of plug n play?

 

[Mars]

Thanks, so there would be no need to get any extra service from Helkom, in other words it would be sort of plug n play?

Yea, it would use your normal voice line tho.

Regarding internet fax, how is buying a archaic fax machine and having it physically sitting in your office consuming power/toner/paper easier than sending an email? Don't even get me started on thermal paper.
Each person could have their own fax number and receive their faxes in their email in-box. And again each person could send faxes from their mail client. Without leaving their desk.
Unless you maybe have to fax large amounts of signed documents? That would be the only reason to have a physical fax.

 

[MyWorld]

I must say I use a fax maybe once a month, but still, I need it for the office.

The other option would be to print out the document, sign it, scan it in and then email it.
Or have your signature as a jpeg somewhere and just insert it into the document.

Now try and do the above mentioned in a office where people still ask you how to create a folder on their PC and you will see that the old way is the way of less resistance and sanity.

BTW: No need for another number, just plug in the fax machine where your phone was plugged in and away you go. The fax machine can double as your office phone as well so no need to get fancy. Just make sure, like mentioned, you have your micro filter fitted otherwise the internet is going to drop each time you receive or make a call.

 

[ozoned]

I used to be in the demolition business. Paper fax was needed there because that's how
the building industry okes wanted things. Fax you a tender, you put your pricing on their
faxed tender, stamp, sign and fax or post back.

Nothing wrong with internet fax. It's just horses for courses -- easier to teach ppl to fax than compute