Readers Answer: Do You Still Use a Fax Machine?
In the previous PYW Asks, I asked readers if they still used a fax machine. This question was actually inspired by an article I wrote entitled “The Fax Machine: Reports of its Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated“. Here’s what readers answered:
Anne Wayman of The Golden Pencil came out with a strong “Heck no”, saying that she has only one client who requests that she fax a contract rather than email it.
Rob Mitchell had the same sentiments, saying that he’d rather not deal with faxes from other people. He also added that “Fax is a technology whose time has gone. Put the fax machine with your rotary dial phone and your cassette recorder”.
Sandie Law from Geekedoff said that she can receive faxes through email, so she occasionally receives a fax. However, she pointed out that “The fax is mostly used by people who don’t understand how to use the printers to scan things at work.”
I mostly agree with what Sandie said, although there are some industries that require a paper trail, hence the necessary faxing. These industries include finance, health, and pharmaceutical companies. Which is why, as Ian Furst from Wait Times pointed out, he frequently sends and receives medical reports through fax.
As for me, I have to send or receive faxes roughly once a year. Some of my clients don’t have scanners, so they can’t send back signed contracts that way. I’m thinking I might try out an efax account, just so my potential and current clients have other ways to contact me.
How about you? How often do you use a fax machine? Do you think it’s obsolete?
Photo Credit: Image by Joanna Kopik from sxc.hu
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POSTED IN: PYW Asks
3 opinions for Readers Answer: Do You Still Use a Fax Machine?
Kelly
May 17, 2008 at 3:42 am
I have two fax machines - one at home, one of the office.
Lawyers are notoriously techno-phobic and even though I can send faxes by computer, I prefer not to. I want the little time stamp on each sheet so that I can show opposing counsel that the fax DID go through. Additionally, not many lawyers use digital signatures or encrypted files so there are questions of security when sending sensitive files via email.
Robin Capper
May 17, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Maybe once this year. About as often as I use a chequebook…
Joanna L. Irazu
Jun 26, 2008 at 12:48 pm
How do I receive fax from my fax machine. I have a brother’s fax?
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