Fax

From ArticleWorld

The term fax, short for facsimile, is a telecommunications technology used to transfer copies of documents, over a telephone network. The words telecopy and telefax are sometimes used as synonyms.

Overview

A fax machine is essentially an image scanner, a modem, and a computer printer in one specialized package. The scanner converts the contents of a document into a digital image, the modem sends the image over a phone line, and the printer at the other end makes a duplicate of the document. Fax machines with additional features can connect to computers, can be used to scan documents into a computer, and to print documents from the computer. Such devices are called multifunction printers and cost more than regular fax machines.

History

Fax machines have existed since the mid 19th century, however modern fax technology became feasible only in the middle 1970‘s, as the sophistication, and cost, of the three technologies improved to a feasible level. Fax machines first became popular in Japan, where they had a clear advantage over competing technologies. Over time, faxing gradually became affordable, and by the middle 1980’s, fax machines had become popular around the world.

Alternatives

One alternative for sending a fax is sending an email with one, or more, image files as attachments. This allows color, and is more versatile. At the receiving end, much research has taken place on how to more efficiently process incoming faxes. Digital storage is much cheaper than it was in the 1970s, and junk faxes have become a common problem. Some communications servers do not automatically print out all incoming faxes, but instead store them in a single in-box.