(FACSimile) Originally called "telecopying," it is the communication of a printed page between remote locations. Fax machines scan a paper form and transmit a coded image over the telephone system. The receiving machine prints a copy (a facsimile) of the original. A fax machine is made up of a scanner, printer and modem with fax signaling.
Group 1, 2, 3 and 4
Fax standards were developed starting in 1968 and are classified by Groups. Groups 1 and 2, used until the late 1980s, transmitted a page in six and three minutes respectively. Group 3 transmits at less than one minute per page and uses data compression at 9,600 bps. The Group 3 speed increase led to the extraordinary rise in usage in the late 1980s. Group 3 resolutions are 203x98 dpi in standard mode, 203x196 in fine mode and 203x392 in super fine mode.
Group 3 is the common standard, but Group 4 machines can transmit a page in just a few seconds and provide up to 400x400 resolution. Group 4 requires 56 to 64 Kbps bandwidth and needs ISDN, Switched 56 circuits or DSL lines. See fax/modem, Internet fax and e-mail.
A Different Kind of Fax Machine
This earlier portable fax machine from Reflection Technology weighed eight ounces, worked with most cellphones and stored 25 fax pages. Its virtual display simulated a 12\" monitor, and its \"virtual keyboard\" (lever and buttons on top) let you select menu options. (Image courtesy of Reflection Technology, Inc.)
Group 1, 2, 3 and 4
Fax standards were developed starting in 1968 and are classified by Groups. Groups 1 and 2, used until the late 1980s, transmitted a page in six and three minutes respectively. Group 3 transmits at less than one minute per page and uses data compression at 9,600 bps. The Group 3 speed increase led to the extraordinary rise in usage in the late 1980s. Group 3 resolutions are 203x98 dpi in standard mode, 203x196 in fine mode and 203x392 in super fine mode.
Group 3 is the common standard, but Group 4 machines can transmit a page in just a few seconds and provide up to 400x400 resolution. Group 4 requires 56 to 64 Kbps bandwidth and needs ISDN, Switched 56 circuits or DSL lines. See fax/modem, Internet fax and e-mail.
A Different Kind of Fax Machine
This earlier portable fax machine from Reflection Technology weighed eight ounces, worked with most cellphones and stored 25 fax pages. Its virtual display simulated a 12\" monitor, and its \"virtual keyboard\" (lever and buttons on top) let you select menu options. (Image courtesy of Reflection Technology, Inc.)
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- 32bit Fax 09.11.01 (Windows)
- You will be receiving fax and sending fax in a few minutes from now with this full featured fax program. Single Computer and Modem; or Network with Multiple Modems. Options include: Send faxes by fax modem, send faxes by email, send fax over the Internet, and the ability to forward...
- Software downloads 2009-11-02
- 32bit Internet Fax 09.11.01 (Windows)
- Send and Receive Multiple faxes from Single Computer and Modem or Network with Multiple Modems. Optionally Send fax via the Internet using our built in fax API. If your fax recipient has an email address, this fax software program will fax email it to them by attaching the fax to...
- Software downloads 2009-11-02
- FaxAmatic 09.11.01 (Windows)
- "Send and Receive fax with single computer and modem or network with multiple modems. FaxAmatic will add a fax generating print driver to your system, giving you the ability to generate a fax from any document and send to any fax machine in the world. Popular with oil companies. The...
- Software downloads 2009-11-02
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- Software downloads 2009-11-02
- FaxMail for Windows 09.11.01 (Windows)
- FaxMail adds a Fax button to Windows programs giving you access to all the fax machines in the world, making them become your printers. It integrates faxing into your Windows environment. It can print a fax from any program with print capabilities. You can send faxes to individuals or groups...
- Software downloads 2009-11-02
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- Software downloads 2009-11-02
- Advanced TIFF Editor 3.1.10 (Windows)
- Advanced TIFF Editor is a multipage FAX, TIF, PDF, EPS, PS, AI, DCX, JBIG, DICOM viewer, editor and converter, offers you a full solution for viewing, editing, printing, saving, converting. Advanced TIFF Editor can show all kinds of FAX images, multipage FAX and TIFF images. Advanced TIFF Editor supports many...
- Software downloads 2009-11-01
- HP Officejet J4550 All-in-One - multifunction ( fax / copier / printer / scanner ) ( color )
- HorribleI bought this on discount at Sam's Club, always hearing how wonderful HP printers are. I don't particularly care for their computers anyway, but I said 'what the hell' and just bought it.I've owned this for around a year and have already had to exchange it once because the scanner...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-31
- Joyfax Server 4.63 build 1025 (Windows)
- JoyFax Server is a client/server-base fax software that allows you to send and receive faxes in a network environment by using a public phone line. Our easy-to-use Fax software also can offers the ability to manage your group faxing and the fax contact lists. The Fax server receives incoming faxes,...
- Software downloads 2009-10-31
- Contactizer Pro 3.8.3 (Mac)
- Contactizer Pro is the amazing all-in-one solution for managing, sharing and organizing your personal and business information. Following the prodigious success of it first release, Contactizer Pro 3.8 raises your contact management experience to be more efficient, productive and enjoyable. Contactizer Pro brings a wealth of powerful PIM features, an...
- Software downloads 2009-10-29
- Messenger for eFax 4.4.0.514 (Windows)
- With eFax Messenger fax software, it's easy to save, view, and edit your eFax faxes from any computer. Free with your eFax Plus or eFax Pro subscription, use eFax Messenger to create and send faxes complete with text notes, highlights, and your signature stamp. You can also use Messenger to...
- Software downloads 2009-10-28
- FacsBridge T37FSP 3.0.2 (Windows)
- facsBridge T37FSP is a Windows fax driver that bridges the gap between Internet Fax Gateway and Windows Fax Service, so that you can enjoy intuitive and easy to use Windows desktop faxing. The product provides native Windows Fax Service / Windows Fax Printer integration with 3rd party Internet Fax Service...
- Software downloads 2009-10-27
- Google Voice extends voicemail features to mobile users
- You may have heard about all of the cool features that come with Google Voice, the one-number-for-life service that allows you to transfer calls to any phone. But for those who aren't willing to start over with a new phone number, Google is offering the next best thing to actual...
- Blog posts 2009-10-26
- Integrated Notification System (IVR) 7.5.3 (Windows)
- INS is highly configurable IVR Interactive Voice Response software designed to send messages through your computer and let your computer handle incoming calls. It allows you to send messages to pagers, mobile phones SMS, fax machines, as voice file or as e-mail. At the same time you can configure the...
- Software downloads 2009-10-25
- VoxOx 2.0.5 (Mac)
- VoxOx by TelCentris is the only service that unifies all of your communication channels voice, video, IM, text, social media, e-mail, fax and content sharing into a single, intuitive interface, giving you full control of your interconnected lifestyle. VoxOx enables you to manage all of your connections and contacts holistically,...
- Software downloads 2009-10-23
- Snappy Fax 4.33.1.1 (Windows)
- Our flagship product, Snappy Fax is a fax application and document management system. While the use of a scanner is entirely optional, it is one of the few applications that can actually turn your scanner and fax modem into a fully functional fax machine. You can also receive faxes and...
- Software downloads 2009-10-22
- Your weekend modder project: getting your rotary phone to work with Vonage
- Mine worksI have one of the early Vonage Motorola VOIP adapters and it handles my rotary phone just fine. It handles FAX well also.
- Discussion threads 2009-10-21
- Bang & Olufsen tries to make land-line phones cool again with BeoCom 5
- No one wants a land-line anymore for other reasons1. The landline service is too expensive considering that all the 'infrastructure' is already there for them. $30 dollars a month is VERY expensive for a landline, and that's why my family is thinking of dropping ours.2. Cell phones are simply more...
- Discussion threads 2009-10-21
- Advanced Batch Converter 4.8 (Windows)
- Advanced Batch Converter does exactly what its title suggests, allowing you to easily convert multiple graphics files at the click of a button. You also can view, print, capture, acquire, and edit images (resize, rotate, flip, mirror, and crop, and use filters, morphing effects, watermarks, and color enhancements). The program...
- Software downloads 2009-10-21
- HP MPS solution for AIB
- Allied Irish Bank AIB wanted a Managed Print Services MPS solution at its head office that would improve service quality, deliver cost savings and lower operational risk. One of the IT improvements, A 75% consolidation of the hardware fleet leading to a more efficient and manageable print, copy and fax...
- White papers 2009-10-14
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