Fax capability


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Thread: Fax capability

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    Fax capability

    I am looking for a version of Linux that has the ability to fax documents, preferable built in to a LiveCD iso.

    Looking for suggestions.

    Thanks.

  2. #2
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    If you're talking faxing through an analog modem, you are talking about very old technology. I would suggest you investigate an internet faxing solution. I use the following:

    http://www.smartfax.com/

    It cost almost 7 dollars a month but services like EFax are much more expensive. As an aside, who still faxes in 2011? I'm actually thinking of cancelling my plan because I hardly use it.
    I equivocate, therefore I might be.

    My Linux/Unix Boxes:
    Home: Slackware 10, CentOS 5.3, RHEL 5, Ubuntu Workstation 9.10, Work: RHEL 5, CentOS 5

  3. #3
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    Lots of people still use faxes for many things such as copies of legal documents and other "sensitive" types of information. The main reason; it is a known point to point connection and not nearly as easy to spoof as email, IP addresses, https, etc, etc.

    I am not saying a fax is 100% secure its just more secure than the Internet or at least less likely to be intercepted.
    You can tuna piano, but you can't tune a fish.

    http://www.lunar-linux.org/
    It's worth the spin.

    http://www.pclinuxos.com/page.php?7
    Puts the rest to shame.

  4. #4
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    OK, would a scanner and GPG not let you scan these documents securely? You could scan them to a file, encrypt them and either upload them to a secure site (SFTP) or send them via email with a key.
    I equivocate, therefore I might be.

    My Linux/Unix Boxes:
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  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by klackenfus View Post
    OK, would a scanner and GPG not let you scan these documents securely? You could scan them to a file, encrypt them and either upload them to a secure site (SFTP) or send them via email with a key.
    That's not the point. A fax starts and ends with two known verifiable numbers with the likely hood of it being intercepted low in comparison to email, storing it on a server, etc.

    If I needed to send some one a document with my SSN and a lot of other type info and have to choose between a fax or doing it your way; fax wins every time.

    And that is all I will say as I have already diverted this thread from the OP and didn't really want to do that.
    You can tuna piano, but you can't tune a fish.

    http://www.lunar-linux.org/
    It's worth the spin.

    http://www.pclinuxos.com/page.php?7
    Puts the rest to shame.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 1999
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    3,202
    Need a fax capable modem that is Linux supported (US Robotics is what I used) and hylafax.

  7. #7
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    Well OK Then...

    So, if you have your heart set on literally faxing, we're back to internet faxing as the best way to do it. Once again, let me suggest:

    http://www.smartfax.com
    I equivocate, therefore I might be.

    My Linux/Unix Boxes:
    Home: Slackware 10, CentOS 5.3, RHEL 5, Ubuntu Workstation 9.10, Work: RHEL 5, CentOS 5

  8. #8
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    Apr 2011
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    I see no point in using internet faxing when I have a perfectly usable fax modem.

    As other posters have said, it exposes info to others.

    My reason for all this is that Windows XP disabled fax capability with their
    last service pack. (Shame on Microsoft.)

    I will see if my HSF modem is Linux capable.

    I guess that not many Linux users see a need for faxing since I will need to see if my modem is supported.

    Andy

  9. #9
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    As other posters have said, it exposes info to others.
    I work for a company that requires us to manage bank account numbers, credit card numbers and Social Security numbers. We have to pass security audits every quarter and we always pass. Oh and we use internet faxing. Trust me, it's secure. OK, if you're stuck on a modem, any old US Robotics fax modem should work fine. At least mine did in Linux, when I still actually faxed but of course, that was in 1999. Things do change, it is 2011, last time I checked.
    I equivocate, therefore I might be.

    My Linux/Unix Boxes:
    Home: Slackware 10, CentOS 5.3, RHEL 5, Ubuntu Workstation 9.10, Work: RHEL 5, CentOS 5

  10. #10
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    I can't find any version of Linux that will install on a partition, they all require the whole hard drive.

    I use a second hard drive for backing up files and don't want it tied up with a new O.S.

    Andy

  11. #11
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    Try Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com. It dual boots rather nicely.
    I equivocate, therefore I might be.

    My Linux/Unix Boxes:
    Home: Slackware 10, CentOS 5.3, RHEL 5, Ubuntu Workstation 9.10, Work: RHEL 5, CentOS 5

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by mint77581 View Post
    I can't find any version of Linux that will install on a partition, they all require the whole hard drive.

    I use a second hard drive for backing up files and don't want it tied up with a new O.S.

    Andy
    Ubuntu is best for what you want as an uninitiate....however all distros will install on any partition you desire.
    "I was pulled over for speeding today. The officer said, "Don't you know
    the speed limit is 55 miles an hour?" And I said, "Yes, but I wasn't going
    to be out that long."

    How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
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  13. #13
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    boot from a ubuntu live_cd & use open office:-
    http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/...-openofficeorg

    also try HylaFAX (http://www.hylafax.org).

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