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INTERNET INFO FOR REAL PEOPLE: Free FAX

By Bob Brand

In the course of handling personal business, someone may request "sign the

form and FAX it to us." For many, this becomes a problem. Few people using a

home computer own a FAX machine. As an alternative, use the modem connecting

to an ISP (Internet Service Provider) that has "FAX capability." However,

special software (usually not provided with the computer) is required. Sending

faxes with a modem, even with reliable, easy to use software, is problematic

and can easily be frustrating. Through the magic of the Internet, this has now

changed.

A New Service

At the Website http://www.fax4free.com anyone can send free faxes by using a

web browser to any location in the United States. The process is remarkably

easy and the price is right -- free. When a surfer reaches the Website, the

first task is to click the green "First time users sign up here" button. A

registration form appears asking for the usual information: User ID, password,

name, e-mail address and a few personal questions. After agreeing to the

lengthy (18 paragraphs) terms of service agreement, the account is ready for

use. It should be noted that the privacy policy is clearly spelled out.

However, like so much on the Internet, abuses can occur. Be careful. (Note:

the Internet does not carry the same protection as private telephone

conversations.)

Send Where?

Naturally, anything new requires testing before widespread application. As

discussed previously, free FAX to e-mail using eFax enjoys high praise from

Internet users. For people who do not have friends with a FAX machine, an easy

solution is to FAX a message to your free eFax account. (Note: setting up a

free eFax account was discussed in detail in March 1999 in an article: "FAX to

E-mail.") Essentially, faxes are delivered free via e-mail through a personal

phone number supplied by eFax. The FAX is received via an e-mail attachment.

It becomes displayed (and printed, if necessary) using special eFax reader

software available from the eFax Website. Setting up an eFax account takes

only a few minutes.

My Experience

Composition of a simple FAX message takes almost no effort and is very simple.

Go to the Fax4free.com Website, enter the user ID and password. After striking

the ENTER icon, a page appears offering choices: Compose a FAX and FAX a

Document. (Note: in addition, there are also paid services for sending FAXes

outside the United States.) Click the Compose a FAX link. A three-step process

becomes activated. Step 1: displays a fill-in form for the Cover Page of the

FAX. Step 2: compose the message. Step 3: Enter the name, company (optional)

and phone number of the recipient.

In my case, I entered my Illinois eFax phone number. Make sure to click "Add"

to the recipient list. Finally, click the "Continue" icon at the bottom of the

screen. At this point, it takes a few seconds for the software to process the

FAX. If no mistakes are found, a new screen appears providing a confirmation

that the document was faxed to the phone number entered and a confirmation via

e-mail was also processed.

Next, I checked by e-mailbox. In less than five minutes, the FAX arrived. The

process was indistinguishable from magic. Very slick.

Observations And Comments

Faxing attachments poses some limitations. Document files are limited to a

maximum of 250KB. In addition, only Microsoft Word (.doc), Microsoft Excel

(.xls), Word Perfect (.wpd) and Microsoft Works (.rtf) documents can be sent

as file attachments. With the current "virus hysteria" surrounding

attachments, many Websters are justifiably paranoid about receiving any

Microsoft attachments. Both senders and receivers of the attachments should

use up-to-date virus checkers. I used the Fax4Free service several months ago

and found both the cover page and the document contained advertisements at the

margins. That has since changed. Now, the receiver sees few (or no) ads;

however, the sender receives a conformation e-mail containing several. In

addition, the Website displays banner ads. Also, there is an occasional

request for "an opinion" to be given before a FAX can be sent. Since

advertising pays for the free service, I find these minor inconveniences a

very small price to pay. Give it a try. Highly recommended.

URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) of interest:

http://www.fax4free.com

http://www.efax.com

Note: This is the 164th of a series of elementary articles designed for

surfing the Internet. Next, The Free Website on the Net is the subject on tap.

Stay Tuned. Until next week, happy travels through cyberspace. Previous issues

of Internet Info for Real People can be found: http://www.thebee.com. Please

e-mail comments and suggestions: rbrand@JUNO.com or editor@thebee.com.