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From: [e-mail] (George Pajari)
Subject: Fax (comp.dcom.fax) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) [Part 2/2]
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Summary: Frequently asked questions about fax communications, protocols,
    standards, modems, products, and publications.
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Archive-name: fax-faq/part2

comp.dcom.fax FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) -- Part 2 of 2
=============================================================

This part of the FAQ (part 2) contains lists of:
    - questions and answers;
    - sources of information; and
    - information on products.

Part 1 contains the introduction to the FAQ, the disclaimer, and the
definitions of common terms and various background information on fax.


How to Get a Current Copy of This FAQ (Especially if you are missing Part 1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This FAQ is crossposted to news.answers. As a consequence, this text will also
be automatically archived on many FAQ servers all over the world (e.g.,
anonymous ftp to rtfm.mit.edu in directory /pub/usenet/news.answers). You'll
also find there many other answers to frequently asked questions. This faq is
stored in the directory fax-faq.

Most FAQs (including the posted flat-text version of this FAQ) are available
through Thomas Fine's WWW FAQ archive:
<http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu:80/hypertext/faq/usenet/FAQ-List.html>.

This FAQ is also available on the WWW at <http://www.faximum.com/faqs/fax>. The
WWW version is always the most current version. The text version can lag but up
to a month from the html version.

The current text version is available by FTP:
<ftp://ftp.faximum.com/pub/faqs/fax/fax-faq>. You can also have the current
text version of this FAQ mailed to you. Send any message (content not
important) to [e-mail].

==============================================================================

TABLE OF CONTENTS


  A. INTRODUCTION

  G. GLOSSARY AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

  Q. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

   Q.1 Can I use my * data modem to send/receive faxes?
   Q.1A Can my fax modem transmit data?
   Q.2 How can I fax PostScript or PCL documents using computer-based
       fax?
   Q.3 How can I view incoming faxes on my computer?
   Q.4 How can I print incoming faxes on my computer?
   Q.5 Can fax modems also handle data or voice calls?
   Q.6 What resolution are fax images?
   Q.7 Can I take a fax file and edit it?
   Q.8 Is there a standard program interface (API) for fax
       communications?
   Q.9 How can I share my single phone line with voice, fax, data,
       etc.
   Q.10 How can I send a fax over the Internet?
   Q.11 What legal restrictions are there on the use of facsimile
        devices?


  I. SOURCES OF INFORMATION

   I.1 Standards Related to Facsimile Communication
   I.2 Where to Obtain Standards Documents and Related Information
   I.3 Magazine Reviews of UNIX Fax Software
   I.4 Magazine Reviews of DOS/Windows Fax Software
   I.5 Magazine Reviews of Mac Fax Software
   I.6 Magazine Reviews of Fax Modems (see also O/S specific reviews)

   I.7 Magazine Reviews of Fax Machines
   I.8 Publications Devoted to Fax and Telecommunications
   I.9 Books on Fax
   I.10 Other Sources of Information on Fax
   I.11 Conferences on Fax
   I.12 Associations Related to Fax Technology
   I.13 Fax-on-Demand Phone Numbers
   I.14 Related FAQs
   I.15 Fax-Related URLs


  P. PRODUCT INFORMATION

   P.1 List of UNIX Fax Software
   P.2 List of MS-DOS Fax Software
   P.3 List of MacIntosh Fax Software
   P.4 List of Windows Fax Software
   P.5 List of OS/2 Fax Software
   P.6 List of Fax Modem Vendors
   P.7 List of Fax Board Vendors
   P.8 List of Vendors of Secure Fax Equipment
   P.9 List of Libraries and Related Information for Writing Fax
   Servers
   P.10 List of Vendors of Fax Protocol Test Equipment
   P.11 List of Vendors of UNIX-Based Fax-On-Demand Software/Systems
   P.12 List of Vendors of Fax-On-Demand Software/Systems
   P.13 List of Vendors of Products Delivered by Fax


==============================================================================

Q.1 Can I use my * data modem to send/receive faxes?

   In a word, no. Unless your data modem has specific additional support
   for fax, you cannot communicate with fax devices using a data (only)
   modem.

   Simply put, the problem is that the modulation methods (tones) used to
   communicate data are different from those used to communicate faxes.

   Typically the modulation schemes used for fax are synchronous
   half-duplex while those used for data (at least by most UNIX and PC
   people) are asynchronous and full-duplex.

   Also, data modems, once they have negotiated a modulation scheme, tend
   to continue with the same one through out the session. Fax modems
   switch before and after each page between a high-speed modulation
   scheme used to transmit the image data and a lower (300 or 2400 bps)
   scheme to exchange control information.

   The following table outlines this briefly (see also part 1 of this FAQ
   for definitions of V.*).

  Data Rate                   Data Modulation Std.       Fax Modulation Std.
  ========================+==========================+========================
   9,600 bps              |            V.32          |       V.29
  ------------------------+--------------------------+------------------------
  14,400 bps              |            V.32bis       |       V.17
  ========================+==========================+========================


     _________________________________________________________________

  Q.1A CAN MY FAX MODEM TRANSMIT DATA?

   In a word, maybe. There is a standard proposed by the EIA/TIA/ANSI
   called Binary File Transfer (BFT) that extends the fax Group III
   modulation and protocols for bulk data transfer.

   The problem, of course, is that few fax modems or software packages
   provide support for this mechanism.

Q.2 How can I fax PostScript or PCL documents using computer-based fax?



   In addition to the basic software to drive your fax modem/board, you
   will need specific software that can convert PostScript or PCL files
   into a raster image format compatible with your fax software package.

   GhostScript, for example, is a publically available software package
   that can convert PostScript into raster image format (although there
   are varying opinions on the quality of the font support).

   In the commercial world, most of the vendors of fax software provide
   software that can handle PostScript and/or PCL.

   When purchasing such software (a) check how many different fonts are
   supported (it's a pain to be able to use, say, NewCentury on your
   laser printer only to find it is not included in your fax package),
   and (b) in the case of PCL, check which level of the language is
   supported (PCL-4 does not support scalable fonts, PCL-5 does).
     _________________________________________________________________



Q.3 How can I view incoming faxes on my computer?



   In the PD world, there are a number of image-viewing packages
   available for X (such as xv).

   In the commercial world, most fax vendors provide support for the
   commonly available devices (in the case of UNIX, X; in the case of
   PC-UNIX, VGA and HGA support. Some vendors support other
   graphics-capable terminals such as the Wyse WY-160.)
     _________________________________________________________________



Q.4 How can I print incoming faxes on my computer?



   Most fax software packages include software to convert fax images into
   print data streams compatible with dot matrix, HP PCL, or PostScript
   printers.

   Also the publically available (where?) pbmplus filter kit will handle
   most image formats.
     _________________________________________________________________



Q.5 Can fax modems also handle data or voice calls?



   Not all fax boards can handle data (some are fax only). Most (all?)
   external fax modems can handle data as well as fax.

   Some (but not all) fax modems and software can automatically
   distinguish between data and fax calls and answer them appropriately.

   Some DOS/WINDOWS based products can automatically distinguish between
   voice and fax/data calls and operate as a digital answer machine as
   well as a fax machine.

   Also, several companies sell devices which can switch incoming calls
   between a fax machine, a telephone answering machine, and a modem.
   [Suggestions anyone?]
     _________________________________________________________________



Q.6 What resolution are fax images?



   The standard resolution for faxes is 3.85 scan lines/mm (approx. 98
   dpi vertically) with 1728 pixels across a standard scan line of 215 mm
   (approx. 204 dpi horizontally).

   The optional "fine" resolution is 7.7 scan lines/mm (approx. 196 dpi
   vertically) with the same horizontal resolution.

   Many Group III fax machines use non-standard frames to negotiate
   higher resolutions (typically 300x300 dpi and 400x400 dpi) with other
   fax machines by the same manufacturer.

   Two fax machines (or modems) must negotiate a common resolution, page
   width, and page length before sending each page. The standard requires
   that all Group III fax machines suppport at least standard resolution
   and A4 size so that common ground can always be found.

   Extensions to the Group III standard to support these higher
   resolutions in a standard way have been proposed. Their current status
   is not known [Need more information]. [Need more information on
   resolutions supported by Group IV].
     _________________________________________________________________



Q.7 Can I take a fax file and edit it?



   When faxes exchange information, it is done in the form of compressed
   images (with the exception of BFT). If you wish to edit or otherwise
   manipulate a received fax file you have two options:
    1. edit the file using a "paint" program that will accept the fax
       file (unfortunately there is a wide range of file formats for
       image files and you may have to work to find a format that is
       common between your fax application and your paint program).
    2. pass the file through an OCR program that will attempt to convert
       the image into ASCII (or word processing file format). The problem
       here is that most OCR programs are tuned to work with 300x300dpi
       images and faxes are either 98x204 or 196x204.


     _________________________________________________________________



Q.8 Is there a standard program interface (API) for fax communications?



   There are many API's that are used for fax communications. Words
   marked by -word- are further explained in the glossary in Part 1 of
   this FAQ.

   At the hardware level, the two standards that govern the exchange of
   commands between a host computer and a fax modem are EIA-578 (-Class
   1-) and EIA-592 (-Class 2-).

   At the software level there is one "official" standard and a number of
   "industry standards". The one "official" standard is ITU-T T.611
   ([need more information on this standard]).

   The most widely known industry standards are -CAS- (Communicating
   Applications Standard (?)) invented by Intel and DCA and tied closely
   to the Intel architecture, and -FaxBios- (developed by an industry
   consortium) which is less machine-dependent (implementations for
   MS-DOS and WINDOWS have been published and sporadic work on UNIX and
   other bindings is underway).
     _________________________________________________________________



Q.9 How can I share my single phone line with voice, fax, data, etc.



   There are a number of devices on the market (suggestions from happy
   campers welcome) that will try to distinguish between an incoming
   voice, fax, or data call and route the call appropriately.

   These fax switches attach to the phone line and then the other devices
   (your normal voice phone/answering machine, fax machine, data modem,
   etc.) are attached to the fax switch).

   All devices work on one of two general principles: listening for CNG
   or voice, or listening for distinctive ring patterns (cadences).

   In the first case the device will answer the phone and try to guess
   what it should do based on what it hears. Some machines play back a
   sound of a phone ringing so that humans dialling in think the phone is
   still ringing when in fact the fax switch is listening to see if the
   call is from a fax machine or a human. If the CNG tone (see Part 1 for
   a definition of CNG) from the calling fax machine is heard, then the
   switch connects the call to the fax machine, otherwise the call is
   deemed to be a voice call and is connected to your phone/answering
   machine.

   A slightly more sophisticated approach is for the fax switch to answer
   the phone and play a short recorded announcement. If, during the
   announcement the CNG tone is heard, then the call is switched to the
   fax machine. If no CNG tone is heard but sound is heard after the
   announcement, then the call is assumed to be voice and switched
   appropriately. If nothing is heard then the switch either considers
   the call a data call and switches it to a modem or considers it a fax
   call from a machine that does not generate a CNG and switches it to
   the fax machine.

   The other approach relies upon an optional service available from some
   telcos called "SmartRing", "Distinctive Ring", "RingMaster",
   "Ident-a-Ring", etc. This feature allows one to have more than one
   phone number associated with the same phone line. Incoming calls using
   the different phone numbers can be differentiated by the different
   ringing patterns (i.e. one long ring, two short rings, three short
   rings, etc.) The fax switch distributes the call based on the ring
   cadence it detects.

   The advantage of the first approach is that one does not have to send
   more money to the phone company (or depend upon the availability of
   the "SmartRing" feature being available). The disadvantage is that it
   is not always reliable (especially in the face of fax machines that do
   not generate CNG tones).

   The advantage of the second approach is that it is very very reliable.
   The disadvantage is that it requires the availability of the
   "SmartRing" feature from one's telco as well as sending more money to
   the telco every month.
     _________________________________________________________________



Q.10 How can I send a fax over the Internet?



   There are several services (commercial as well as free) that offer to
   accept e-mail messages and fax them to the specified phone number. To
   obtain information on the free service, send email to
   [e-mail]
   To obtain information on the commercial services, contact:

    InterFax
        PO Box 162, Skippack, PA 19474 USA
        [phone]; FAX: [phone]

    FAXiNET
        32 Woodland Road, Boston, MA 02130.
        [phone]
        E-mail: [e-mail]


   Information courtesy of [e-mail] (Kevin M. Savetz).
   For more information, FTP Kevin's FAQ from:
     *
       ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/internet-services/fax
       -faq
     * ftp://ftp.eff.org/pub/Net_info/Technical/net-fax.faq



     _________________________________________________________________



Q.11 What legal restrictions are there on the use of facsimile devices?

   ***** FCC January 11, 1993 Public Notice *****

    FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

   PUBLIC NOTICE (31291 / DA 92-1716) January 11, 1993

   INDUSTRY BULLETIN
   TELEPHONE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
   TELEPHONE SOLICITATIONS, AUTODIALED AND ARTIFICIAL OR PRERECORDED
   VOICE MESSAGE TELEPHONE CALLS, AND THE USE OF FACSIMILE MACHINES


   The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) is a federal statute that
   was enacted on December 20, 1991, to address concerns about the
   growing volume of unsolicited telephone marketing calls and the
   increasing use of automated and prerecorded telephone calls. The TCPA
   imposes restrictions on the use of automatic telephone dialing systems
   ("autodialers"), artificial or prerecorded voice messages, and
   telephone facsimile machines to send unsolicited advertisements. The
   TCPA also directs the FCC to adopt regulations to protect residential
   telephone subscribers' privacy rights to avoid receiving telephone
   solicitations to which they object.

   The FCC adopted rules and regulations, effective December 20, 1992,
   implementing the TCPA. The FCC will be monitoring complaints about
   automated calls and unwanted telephone solicitations to determine
   whether additional action to limit or to prohibit such calls would be
   appropriate.
   DO FCC RULES BAN UNSOLICITED ADVERTISEMENTS TO TELEPHONE FACSIMILE
   MACHINES?


   Yes. Effective December 20, 1992, FCC rules ban the transmission of
   unsolicited advertisements to telephone facsimile machines. An
   "unsolicited advertisement" is defined as a transmission advertising
   the commercial availability or quality of property, goods or services
   without the prior express invitation or permission of the person or
   entity receiving the transmission.

   Unsolicited advertisements may not be transmitted by any device to a
   telephone facsimile machine unless the person receiving the facsimile
   has given prior express invitation or permission to receive it. If the
   sender and the recipient have an established business relationship, an
   invitation or permission to receive unsolicited facsimile
   advertisements is presumed to exist. However, the recipient may end an
   established business relationship by requesting that no further
   unsolicited advertisements be sent, thus revoking any invitation or
   permission to receive further transmissions.
   WHAT OTHER REQUIREMENTS APPLY TO THE USE OR MANUFACTURE OF TELEPHONE
   FACSIMILE MACHINES?


   FCC rules require that each transmission to a telephone facsimile
   machine must clearly contain, in a margin at the top or bottom of each
   transmitted page or on the first page of the transmission, (1) the
   date and time the transmission is sent (2) the identity of the sender
   and (3) the telephone number of the sender or of the sending machine.
   All telephone facsimile machines manufactured on or after December 20,
   1992 must have the capacity to clearly mark such identifying
   information on the first page or on each page of the transmission.

   [Note, according to the FCC January 13, 1993 Public Notice, the
   requirement to mark faxes with the above identifying information on
   applied to fax machines and not for fax cards used in computers
   pending reconsideration proceedings.]
   WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH FCC RULES ON TELEPHONE
   FACSIMILE TRANSMISSIONS?


   The person on whose behalf a facsimile transmission is sent will
   ultimately be held liable for violations of the TCPA or FCC rules.
   DO THE TCPA AND THE FCC'S RULES PREEMPT STATE LAW?


   The TCPA specifically preempts state law where it conflicts with the
   technical and procedural requirements for identification of senders of
   telephone facsimile messages or automated artificial or prerecorded
   voice messages.

   The TCPA and the FCC's rules do not preempt state law which imposes
   more restrictive requirements or regulations for (1) the use of
   facsimile machines or other electronic devices to send unsolicited
   advertisements, (2) the use of autodialers, (3) the use of artificial
   or prerecorded voice messages, or (4) the making of telephone
   solicitations.

   Thus, depending on state law, the TCPA, the FCC's rules and/or state
   laws could apply to your company's services. You should contact the
   state public utilities commission in each state where your company
   provides the services listed in the previous paragraph to determine
   what laws apply in those states.
   WHERE CAN I ORDER A COMPLETE COPY OF THE TCPA AND THE FCC'S ORDER
   EXPLAINING IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT ACT?


   Copies can be ordered from the FCC's contractor for public records
   duplication: Downtown Copy Center, 1990 M Street, N.W., Suite 640,
   Washington, D.C. 20036 (telephone: [phone]). You should ask for
   copies of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Report and
   Order in CC Docket No. 92-90 released by the Commission on October 16,
   1992 (In the Matter of Rules and Regulations Implementing the
   Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991).

==============================================================================

                            SOURCES OF INFORMATION



I.1 Standards Related to Facsimile Communication



   CCITT (now renamed ITU-T)
          The Blue Book, Volume VII - Fascicle VII.3 Recommendation T.0 -
          T.63

   EIA/TIA/ANSI
          EIA/TIA-602 Data Transmission Systems and Equipment-Serial
          Asynchronous Automatic Dialing and Control


     "This is the standard for the basic Hayes command set."


   TIA PN-2388
          Asynchronous Facsimile DCE Control Standard (DRAFT), Service
          Class 2, (also known as Document TR-29/89-21R8, March 21, 1990)


     "The first draft of the Class 2 standard, voted down, but the basis for
      all current (93Q1) Class 2 modems."


   EIA/TIA-578
          Asynchronous Facsimile DCE Control Standard, Service Class 1

   EIA/TIA-592
          Asynchronous Facsimile DCE Control Standard, Service Class 2


     _________________________________________________________________



I.2 Where to Obtain Standards Documents and Related Information



  VENDORS OF PRINTED STANDARDS

   Bellcore (Bell Communications Research)
          1 800 521 CORE
          Source of telephony standards (i.e. detailed information on how
          the telephone system works included DID, Caller ID, etc. Does
          not provide information on facsimile equipment and standards.)

   EIA/TIA
          [phone] (Yvette Bottoms)
          Source of draft EIA/TIA standards (final stds available from
          Global)

   Global Engineering Documents
          [phone] fax: [phone]
          Distributor for published EIA/TIA standards, as well as ITU-T
          (CCITT) and standards docs from 400 other organisations and
          institutions. EIA catalog of standard available at no charge

   National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
          [phone]

   Philips Business Information Inc. (has acquired assets of OMNICOM)
          [phone] or 1 [phone], FAX: [phone]
          Source of ITU-T (CCITT) and ISO publications

   UN Bookstore
          ITU-T (CCITT) Publications
          [phone] or [phone]

   Action Consulting
          Source of draft communications standards

   Human Communications
          [phone] FAX: [phone]
          Source of draft communications standards

   International Telecommunications Union electronic document
          distribution service (ITUDOC)
          For more information, send a message with the line HELP in the
          body to: [e-mail]. Or telnet to info.itu.ch and type
          gopher as username (no password needed). Or connect to their
          gopher server directly:
          gopher://info.itu.ch/.


  COMMONLY REFERENCED FAX STANDARDS

          [E.451] Recommendation E.451 - Facsimile call cut-off
          performance

          [E.450] Recommendation E.450 - Facsimile quality of service
          on PSTN - General aspects

          [E.452] Recommendation E.452 - Facsimile modem speed
          reductions and transaction time

          [F.162] Recommendation F.162 - Service and operational
          requirements of store-and-forward facsimile service

          [F.163] Recommendation F.163 - Operational requirements of
          the interconnection of facsimile store-and-forward units

          [F.190] Recommendation F.190 - Operational provisions for
          the international facsimile service between public bureaux and
          subscriber stations and vice versa (bureaufax-telefax and vice
          versa)

          [F.180] Recommendation F.180 - General operational
          provisions for the international public facsimile service
          between subscriber stations (telefax)

          [F.182] Recommendation F.182 - Operational provisions for
          the international public facsimile service between subscribers'
          stations with Group 3 facsimile machines (Telefax 3)

          [F.87] Recommendation F.87 - Operational principles for the
          transfer of messages from terminals on the telex network to
          Group 3 facsimile terminals connected to the public switched
          telephone network

          [F.160] Recommendation F.160 - General operational
          provisions for the international public facsimile services

          [T.611] Recommendation T.611 - Programmable communication
          interface (PCI) APPLI-COM for facsimile group 3, facsimile
          group 4, teletex and telex services

          [T.4] Recommendation T.4 - Standardization of Group 3
          facsimile apparatus for document transmission

          [T.30] Recommendation T.30 - Procedures for document
          facsimile transmission in the general switched telephone
          network

          [T.22] Recommendation T.22 - Standardized test charts for
          document facsimile transmissions

          [U.207] Recommendation U.207 - Technical requirements to be
          met for the transfer of messages between terminals of the
          international telex service and Group 3 facsimile terminals
          connected to PSTN

          [V.17 SUMMARY] Summary of Recommendation V.17 - A 2-wire
          modem for facsimile applications with rates up to 14 400 bit-s

          [V.17] Recommendation V.17 - A 2-wire modem for facsimile
          applications with rates up to 14 400 bit-s


     _________________________________________________________________



I.3 Magazine Reviews of UNIX Fax Software



   UNIX WORLD, August 1991, pp. 52-60, "Four Fitting Fax Packages", Rick
          Farris
          Reviews DigiFax, Faximum, TruFax, and VSI-Fax

   UNIX REVIEW, V10n11, Nov 1992, pp. 63-76, "Just the Fax, Ma'am", Tim
          Parker
          Reviews ArnetFAX, DigiFax, Faximum, FaxLink, FaxTrax, VSI-Fax


     _________________________________________________________________



I.4 Magazine Reviews of DOS/Windows Fax Software



   PC Magazine, 8 Dec 1992, v11n21, p275-342, "The Fax Solution", by Joel
          Dreyfus
          Reviews BitFax, DosFax Pro, Eclipse FAX, FAXability Plus, Faxit
          for DOS Faxit for Windows, FaxMaster, Fax Talk Plus, The Fax
          Window, Mirror III Fax, MTEZ Standard with ExpressFax,
          PaperWorks, and SuperFax for Windows.

   PC World, Feb 1993 v11n2, "Windows Fax Software", by Bryan Hastings
          The article discusses: Bit Software Bit Fax/OCR for windows
          v2.05; Caere Fax Master 1.01; Delrina WinFax Pro 3.0; Ellipse
          Fax 1.2; Intel Faxability plus/OCR 1.0; Softnet Faxit 2,.15e;
          and Zsoft Ultrafax for Windows 1.0.

   BYTE, Jan 1993, v18n1, p62-64, "First Impressions", by David Andres
          Discusses Delrina's WinFax Pro 3.0

   BYTE, Jan 1993, v18n1, p68, "First Impressions", by Dick Pountain
          Discusses Trio's Datafax


     _________________________________________________________________



I.5 Magazine Reviews of Mac Fax Software



   MacWorld, Feb 1994 v11n2, "Delrina FaxPro for Macintosh 1.0", by Gene
          Steinberg

   MacWorld, Nov 1993 v10n11, "SupraFaxModem 144PB", by Gene Steinberg
          Discusses SupraFaxModem for the Powerbook
          Information courtesy of [e-mail].


     _________________________________________________________________



I.6 Magazine Reviews of Fax Modems (see also O/S specific reviews)



   MacWorld, Oct 1993 v10n10, "High-Speed Fax Modems", by Matthew Clark
          Discussion and review of 30 modems that run at 9600 bps or
          faster

   NeXTWorld Magazine, Winter 1992, v2n4, p59-60, "Just the Fax" by
          Simson L. Garfinkel
          Reviews Dove, HSD, and ZyXEL.

   PC Magazine, 8 Dec 1992, v11n21, p343-361, "Negotiating the Fax Modem
          Jungle" by Rick Ayre
          Reviews Computer Peripherals, Hayes, Intel, Practical Modem,
          Supra, U.S. Robotics, and Zoom.


     _________________________________________________________________



I.7 Magazine Reviews of Fax Machines



   Consumer Reports, Nov. 1993, v58n11, p722-728, "Fax machines"
          A general consumer product review of various fax machines. The
          article reviews in detail 13 lower-end (i.e thermal paper) fax
          machines and comments on a couple of higher-end (i.e. plain
          paper) machines. The Panasonic KX-F230 and the Brother 600 were
          rated "Best Buys". Get the article to see where the rest ended
          up and why (reprinting the entire list of ratings would exceed
          my interpretation of "fair use" w.r.t. copyright).


     _________________________________________________________________



I.8 Publications Devoted to Fax and Telecommunications



   Communications Standards Review
          [10-12/year, $695/year in N.A.; partial or shorter subs avail.,
          contact publisher]
          757 Greer Road,
          Palo Alto,
          CA 94303-3024 USA
          Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
          e-mail: [e-mail]
          Communications Standards Review is a journal providing current
          technical information on work in progress on communications
          standards (including fax) in US and international standards
          forums.

   EMMS [Bi-weekly, $595 per year]
          published by Telecommunications Reports
          1333 H Street, 11th Floor
          Washington DC 20005
          Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

   Human Communications Digest,
          [Quarterly, $195 per year within US, contact publisher for
          outside US]
          published by Human Communications
          12 Kevin Drive, Danbury CT, 06811-2901
          Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
          A digest of recent developments with fax and related standards.

   NetFax News, published by Davidson Consulting
          [Monthly, $contact publisher]
          530 N. Lamer Street, Burbank, CA, 91506
          Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]
          Also publishes Scouting Reports and Buyers' Guides

   Fax Focus
          [weekly, $250, free with membership in the AFA)
          published by the American Facsimile Association
          Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]


     _________________________________________________________________



I.9 Books on Fax



   "FAX: Digital Facsimile Technology & Applications", 2nd Ed. 338pp.
          by Kenneth R. McConnell, Dennis Bodson, Richard Schaphorst
          1992, Artech House, Norwood, MA. ISBN: 0-89006-495-5
          (Order Book No. H04495, $78, Phone: [phone] or 1 617
          769-9750)

   "C Programmer's Guide to Serial Communications.", 2nd Ed.
          by Joe Campbell; SAMS Publishing; 1994; ISBN: 0-672-30286-1
          (The main addition of the second edition was a monster chapter
          on facsimile including redrawn T.30 flow charts and narratives
          to walk the reader through various scenarios (e.g., EOP, EOM,
          MPS). It's got good source code for T.4 encoding and decoding.
          In general, I believe it's the only intelligible discussion of
          the subject available to programmers.) Information supplied by
          the author, Joe Campbell ([e-mail]).

   "C++ Communications Utilities"
          by Michael Holmes and Bob Flanders; Ziff-Davis
          (Contains a good description of fax software and includes C++
          source and exe code for Class 1 fax sending and receiving.
          Courtesy Bruce Seiler, [e-mail])


     _________________________________________________________________



I.10 Other Sources of Information on Fax



   More detailed information on image file formats and compression may be
   obtained from the comp.graphics FAQ. The latest version of this FAQ is
   available as
   ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/graphics/faq .
   Information on the Microsoft Windows Telephony API spec is kept in the
   following FTP directory: ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/developr/TAPI

   Information on the Internet/fax gateway project may be obtained by
   sending e-mail to: [e-mail]

   A mailing list related to the Internet/fax gateway project may be
   reached through: [e-mail]

   The full text of the DCA/Intel Communicating Applications
   Specification (CAS) may be obtained from
   ftp://ftp.faximum.com/pub/documents/cas.txt.

   If you want comprehensive information on fax-on-demand and/or
   broadcast fax suppliers, contact Sarah Stambler at Techprose, 370
   Central Park West, #210, New York, NY, 10025, [phone], Fax:
   [phone]. She sells a number of reports on FoD and fax broadcast
   technology. See also the section on related FAQs and URLs
   (below).

  VENDORS BBSS

   ZyXEL BBS: [phone]
   Supra BBS: [phone]
   Intel BBS: [phone]
     _________________________________________________________________



I.11 Conferences on Fax



  BIS STRATEGIC DECISIONS



   BIS Strategic Decisions runs several conferences on fax and related
   technologies. Historically they ran the "Facsimile and Image
   Communications Conference" every spring and every fall they held the
   "Annual Computer Fax Conference). In 1995, however, BIS is planning to
   merge these two conferences into a single "FAXWORLD'95" conference.
   Current plans are to hold this in San Francisco from June 5-7th, 1995
   but rumours abound that it will be pushed back to the first week in
   December, 1995.

   EUROFAX'95 is planned for Amsterdam in October'95.

   For more information on BIS conferences, call: [phone] ext 178
   or [phone] ext 178, (Fax: [phone])
     _________________________________________________________________



I.12 Associations Related to Fax Technology



   American Facsimile Association
          Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

   International Computer Fax Association
          Phone [phone]


     _________________________________________________________________



I.13 Fax-on-Demand Phone Numbers



   This is a list of collected fax-on-demand numbers for various major
   computer companies. Please email any additions or corrections to:
   [e-mail]
     * Hewlett-Packard 1 800 333 1917 All Products (?)
     * Intel 1 800 525 3019 All Products (?)
     * WordPerfect 1 801 228-9923 WordPerfect Solutions Guide
     * Frame Technology 1 408-428-6153 FrameFacts


     _________________________________________________________________



I.14 Related FAQs



  FAQS RELATED TO FAX

   FAQ: How can I send a fax from the Internet?
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/internet-services/f
          ax-faq

   FlexFax Frequently Asked Questions
          http://www.vix.com/flexfax/FAQ

   GammaLink intelligent fax boards, Frequently Asked Questions.
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/fax-faq/GammaLink

   Mgetty+Sendfax with Vgetty Extensions (FAQ)
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/fax-faq/mgetty+send
          fax+vgetty

   Object-Fax Frequently Asked Questions
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/fax-faq/Object-Fax

   Windows NT Fax Solutions Frequently Asked Questions
          http://www.mcs.net:80/~sculptor/NTFAX-FAQ.HTML

  FAQS RELATED TO MODEMS

   Digicom Frequently Asked Questions
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/modems/Digicom-faq

   NetComm Frequently Asked Questions List
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/modems/NetComm-faq

   Practical Peripherals Frequently Asked Questions
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/modems/practical-pe
          ripherals-FAQ

   Configuring the Telebit Trailblazer for Use with UNIX
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/modems/trailblazer-
          faq

   ZyXEL Modems Frequently Asked Questions List
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/modems/ZyXEL/FAQ/pa
          rt1
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/modems/ZyXEL/FAQ/pa
          rt2
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/modems/ZyXEL/FAQ/pa
          rt3
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/modems/ZyXEL/FAQ/pa
          rt4
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/modems/ZyXEL/FAQ/pa
          rt5

   ZyXEL U1496 series modems resellers FAQ
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/modems/ZyXEL/resale
          rs-FAQ

  OTHER FAQS OF RELATED INTEREST

   comp.graphics Frequently Asked Questions (Information on compression
          algorithms)
          ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/graphics/faq


     _________________________________________________________________



I.15 Fax-Related URLs



   For the URLs of vendors, please see the Product Information
   section of this FAQ.

  STANDARDS AND RELATED INFORMATION

   ITU (The standards setting body for fax, modems, and telephony.)
          Coies of many ITU (formerly CCITT) standards can be obtained
          through their gopher server
          gopher://info.itu.ch/.

          Standards are in the ITU section. Those related to fax are in
          the T Series, modem standards are in the V Series.



   Gray Associates (manufacturers of fax protocol testing equipment) also
   have an in-depth discussion of fax protocols at
   http://www.grayfax.com/FAXSMNAR.html.


   Supra Corporation has put draft versions of the Class 1 and Class 2
   specs up on FTP (the final, official versions are copyright and cannot
   legally be made available over the net). Download
   ftp://ftp.supra.com/gen_info/class_1.txt and
   ftp://ftp.supra.com/gen_info/class_2.txt.

  WWW VIRTUAL LIBRARY

   Communications Section
   http://www.analysys.co.uk/commslib.htm

   Facsimile Communications Sub-Section
   http://www.faximum.com/w3vlib/fax

==============================================================================

PRODUCT INFORMATION



P.1 List of UNIX Fax Software



  COMMERCIAL

   Format of listing:

   <product >
          <company >
          <URL (if available) >
          <address >
          <phone >
          <fax >
          <email >


     _________________________________________________________________

  NORTH AMERICA

   DFax
          Alembic Systems International
          [phone]
          [e-mail]

   ArnetFAX
          Arnet
          [phone]
          [e-mail]

   NXFax
          Black and White Software
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)
          [e-mail]

   ISOfax
          Bristol

   TruFax
          COS Inc.
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)
          [e-mail]

   DigiFAX
          DigiBoard
          http://www.digibd.com/
          [phone]
          [e-mail]

   Faximum ELS, Faximum PLUS, Faximum Client/Server
          Faximum Software Inc.
          http://www.faximum.com/
          1497 Marine Drive, Suite 300, West Vancouver, BC, Canada, V7T
          1B8
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)
          [e-mail]

   FAXPak
          Ready-to-Run Software Inc
          http://www.rtr.com
          4 Pleasant Street
          Forge Village, MA 01886
          [phone]
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)
          [e-mail]
          Note, FAXPak is a commercially enhanced and supported
          collection of FreeWare and other tools to form a complete FAX
          system, based on Sam Leffler's FlexFax. See below for more
          information on FlexFax.

   ICSW
          800.486.7274 or 602.998.8623

   FaxLink
          Intuitive Technology
          [phone]

   PerfectFAX
          Perfect Byte
          (402) 398-938
          [phone] (fax)
          [e-mail]

   Siren Fax
          Siren Software
          1 800 45-SIREN

   Replix
          SoftLinx, Inc. [phone]
          [phone] (fax) [e-mail]

   FaxTrax
          UniSal System
          [phone]

   VSI*FAX
          V-Systems, Inc.
          32232 Paseo Adelanto, Suite 100,
          San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)
          [e-mail]

   FaxFX
          Company Unknown
          [phone]

   FAXSMART
          Company Unknown
          Phone Unknown

   Fax*Starx
          Company Unknown [phone]


     _________________________________________________________________

  EUROPE

   Com-M-Tex
          comFax
          [phone]

   mix fax
          i link GmbH
          [phone]

   netFAX
          netCS GmbH
          [phone]

   FaxX
          QUEST systems GmbH
          [phone]
          [phone]
          [e-mail]

   i(F)x Faxsoftware for UNIX
          Signify Software Products
          [phone]
          [phone]
          [e-mail]

   smoFax
          SMO GmbH
          [phone]


     _________________________________________________________________

  PUBLICALLY AVAILABLE

   FlexFAX
          For current information on FlexFAX, please see
          http://www.vix.com/flexfax/ or ftp://sgi.com/sgi/fax/.

   GNU NetFax (a.k.a. fax-3.2.1)

   This software may be obtained from
   ftp://ftp.uu.net/systems/gnu/fax-3.2.1.tar.z .
     _________________________________________________________________



P.2 List of MS-DOS Fax Software



   Object-Fax
          Traffic Software
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)
          Outside of USA
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)
          [Need more information]


     _________________________________________________________________



P.3 List of MacIntosh Fax Software



   Global Village Communication, Inc.
          http://www.globalcenter.net/

   [Need more information]
     _________________________________________________________________



P.4 List of Windows Fax Software

   [Need more information]
     _________________________________________________________________



P.5 List of OS/2 Fax Software

   [Need more information]
     _________________________________________________________________



P.6 List of Fax Modem Vendors

  NORTH AMERICA

   AT&T Paradyne
          Class: 1
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)



   Computer Peripherals
          Class: 2
          [phone]
          [phone]



   Hayes
          Class: 1
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)



   Intel
          Class: 1
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)


   MICC
          Class: 2
          [phone]
          [phone]



   Macronix
          Class: 2
          [phone]



   MultiTech Systems
          Class: 2
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)



   Practical Peripherals
          Class: 1,2



   Supra Corporation
          Class: 1,2
          http://www.supra.com/
          ftp://ftp.supra.com/
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)

   Telebit
          Class: 2
          http://www.telebit.com/
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)

   The Complete PC
          Class: 1,2
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)

   U.S. Robotics
          Class: 1,2.0
          http://www.primenet.com/usr/
          (800) DIAL-USR
          [phone] (fax)

   Zoom
          Class: 2
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)

   ZyXEL USA
          Class: 2,2.0
          http://www.zyxel.com/
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)

  AUSTRALIA (COURTESY OF [e-mail] )

   NetComm M4F, M7F
          Class: 2,2.0
          [phone]

   Dataplex DPX-223 DPX-225
          Class: 2
          [phone]

   Interlink Fax Modem 3
          Class: 2
          [phone]

   Maestro 9600XR
          Class: 2
          [phone]

   Banksia BitBlitzer
          Class: 2
          [phone]

  EUROPE

   Dr. Neuhaus ?
          Class: ?
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)


     _________________________________________________________________



P.7 List of Fax Board Vendors



   This lists companies that produce intelligent fax boards typically
   intended for high-volume and multi-line operation. Reliability and
   functionality rather than price are the consideration here.

   Brooktrout Technology
          Operating System: dos,unix,OS/2,others

   Needham, MA
          617-449-4100

   Dialogic
          Operating System: dos,unix
          201-334-8450

   Gammalink
          Operating System: dos,OS/2
          408-744-1400

   [Need more information]
     _________________________________________________________________



P.8 List of Vendors of Secure Fax Equipment



   Mr David COHEN
          SKTT Henry Kam Technologies & Telecommunations
          2d rue de l'Epine Prolongee
          93541 Bagnolet Cedex
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)
          (courtesy of Jean-Bernard Condat)

   Ken Stokes,
          CES Ltd
          146 Papanui Rd.
          Christchurch, NZ
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)
          (courtesy of Arnim Littek, arnim2digitech.co.nz)

   [Need more information]
     _________________________________________________________________



P.9 List of Libraries and Related Information
for Writing Fax Servers



   Black Ice Software
          113 Route 122, Amherst, NH 03031
          1 603 673 1019
          603 672 4112 (fax)
          [e-mail]

        Products:
                TIFF SDK for Windows/DOS; IMAGE SDK for Windows, VB, and
                NT; Fax C++ SDK for Class 1, 2, and 2.0; and other
                related libraries (Demos are available on Compuserve
                under "Go Blackice").


   Diamond Head Software Inc.
          Ocean View Center Penthouse 3
          707 Richards Street
          Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813
          [phone] (phone)
          [phone] (fax)

        Products:
                Image Basic, a VBX control for building imaging
                solutions.


   Metasoft Systems
          2nd Floor 575 Richards Street
          Vancouver, BCm V6B 2Z5
          [phone]
          [phone]
          [e-mail]

        Products:
                Image Maker, "Bolt On Fax Components", a series of
                products which enable users to build custom fax
                applications.


   Stylus Innovation, Inc.
          One Kendall Square, Building 300
          Cambridge, MA, 02139
          617 621 9545 (phone)
          617 621 7862 (fax)

        Products:
                Visual Fax, a VBX control for building fax solutions.

  UNIX-BASED PRODUCTS



   See also Joe Campbell's book in section I.9 above for sample fax code.

     _________________________________________________________________



P.10 List of Vendors of Fax Protocol Test Equipment



   Genoa Technology, Inc.
          5401 Tech Circle
          Moorpark, CA 93021
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)
          email: [e-mail]

        Products:


                Group 3 Basic Test Suite; FaxProbe (Fax Protocol
                Analyser); FaxLab (Fax device emulator with 60 device
                emulations); PostScript Fax functional test suite; also
                many other testing products for printers, IEEE 1284
                Interfaces, IrDA, etc. and etc.

                Also offers courses in Facsimile Technology and Protocols

   Gray Associates
   10760 Hubbard Way
   San Jose, CA 95127
   [phone]
   [phone]
   http://www.grayfax.com/
   email: [e-mail]

   Products:


          GD-Fax Protocol Analyser(TM)- T.30, T.4 & T.6 measurements;
          GD-SYM Fax Emulator(TM) with editable Simulation Library, also
          converts real world calls into simulations. Multiple units can
          operate in one computer; FAX COLLECTOR(TM) archiving system for
          fax. Training & consulting services. All products include one
          year's consulting, warranty & updates.


     _________________________________________________________________



P.11 List of Vendors of UNIX-Based Fax-On-Demand
Software/Systems



   FAXSTREAM
          CALLSTREAM Communications Inc.
          871-9 Equestrian Court
          Oakville, ON
          Canada L6L 6L7
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)
          [e-mail]


     _________________________________________________________________



P.12 List of Vendors of Fax-On-Demand Software/Systems



  DOS/WINDOWS-BASED PRODUCTS

   FaxBack, Inc.
          1100 NW Compton Drive
          Beaverton, OR 97006
          690-6353
          1-800-873-8753
          [phone] (demo line)
          1-800-FaxBack (demo line)
          [e-mail]

   Ibex Technologies
          550 Main Street, Suite G
          Placerville, CA, 95667
          916 621 4342
          1 800 289 9998

  VISUAL BASIC TOOLKITS

   Visual Voice Pro

   Visual Voice for Mwave
          Stylus Innovation, Inc.
          One Kendall Square, Building 300
          Cambridge, MA, 02139
          617 621 9545 (phone)
          617 621 7862 (fax)

  UNIX-BASED PRODUCTS

   FaxStream
          CallStream Communications Inc.
          871-9 Equestrian Court
          Oakville, ON
          Canada L6L 6L7
          [phone]
          [phone] (fax)

  RESEARCH REPORTS ETC.



   If you want comprehensive information on fax-on-demand suppliers,
   contact Sarah Stambler at: Techprose
   370 Central Park West, #210
   New York, NY
   10025
   [phone]
   [phone] (fax)

   She sells a number of reports on FoD technology.

P.13 List of Vendors of Products Delivered by Fax


     * New York Times Newspaper (Fax Edition)
       http://nytimesfax.com/about.html



==============================================================================

                             FAX FAQ LEGAL NOTICE

   COPYRIGHT 1994, 1995 George Pajari ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

   The FAQ has been written in part, and compiled by, George Pajari.
   While reasonable efforts have been made to verify the information in
   this document, no liability can be accepted by George Pajari, Faximum
   Software, or the many contributors for the correctness of the
   information herein. Readers are cautioned to take such measures as
   they deem necessary to verify the information herein before taking any
   action based on this information.

   Limited permission is granted to copy or distribute this faq for
   non-commercial purposes as long as: (a) the FAQ is reproduced in its
   entirety (including this NOTICE) without any changes, and (b) the
   distribution is done for non-commercial purposes.

   Electronic distribution of this FAQ (in its entirely) as part of
   electronic mail and the Usenet Netnews system is specifically
   permitted.

   Including this FAQ in a printed book or CD-ROM is specifically not
   permitted without prior permission from the author and copyright
   holder. Permission is almost always granted. It is just considered
   polite to ask.

==============================================================================

                             FAX FAQ CONTRIBUTORS



   Contributors to and/or Sources of Information Used in this FAQ
   [e-mail] (Adam Donnison)
   [e-mail] (Daniel I. Rosenblatt)
   [e-mail] (Gerard Huysmans)
   [e-mail] (Glen Griffith)
   [e-mail] (herman.r.silbiger)
   [e-mail] (Jean-Bernard Condat)
   [e-mail] (Jeff Freeman)
   [e-mail] (Jim McCormack)
   [e-mail] (John M Hughes)
   [e-mail] (Joe Richmeyer)
   [e-mail] (Rob McKeever)
   [e-mail] (Jim Mintha)
   [e-mail] (Mike Parker).
   [e-mail] (Christian Weisgerber)
   [e-mail] (Paul O'Fallon)
   [e-mail] (Lennart Regebro)
   [e-mail] (KlausRosenauer)
   [e-mail] (Sam Leffler)
   [e-mail] (Kevin M. Savetz)
   [e-mail] (Toby Nixon)
   [e-mail] (Udo Klimaschewski)
   [e-mail] (Uli Zug)
   [e-mail] (Wes Chalfant)
   [e-mail]
   [e-mail] (Robert Wong)

   and of course, the author/editor of this FAQ: [e-mail]
   (George Pajari)