Do you still use a fax machine? If so, how often?

[SpaceGalaxy]

[exitseven]

I never use a fax machine. It has been many years since I did.

[exitseven]

Thanks for the MHO

[AFretiredTXn]

Yes a couple times a month.

[SaoirseS]

Yes, almost daily. Some places still require fax or snail mail, and won't process anything by e-mail.

[SpaceGalaxy]

can you please provide some examples of places which prefer fax vs. email?

[SaoirseS]

Medical facilities and death certifiers, due to HIPAA privacy considerations, mainly because they don't trust internet security.

[convo_king89]

It’s probably easier to keep a physical copy for records, then they could print of a copy of the email. I am sure it’s because the laws haven’t been updated to allow for email since email didn’t exist at that time.

[SaoirseS]

@convo_king89. I deal with doctors, medical examiners, and record offices all the time. Eventually I think everyone will be on board processing death certificates and other medically related information electronically (via the web, but not e-mail). It cuts down on time, and results in fewer mistakes that require correcting. We're not there yet, but one state I work with and a couple of counties are foregoing fax and doing things electronically.

[Guardian45]

I can confirm governments love fax

[convo_king89]

@Guardian45 outdated laws, and updating isn’t a priority since it’s not national security. They have more pressing matters like Sheldon cooper sent feces that someone light on fire and fbi is still working on it.

[D_Bone_Steak]

lolz... hell no. In Japan that was still a thing though. Now I use my scanner and we e-mail or text it over to wherever it needs to go. In many cases, your cell can basically scan it and do the same thing. Fax is just too old school.

[DryGermanGuy]

Twice or thrice a year it comes in handy (e. g. doctors and hospitals still rely on fax)... I have a very capable color laser printer with scan and fax functions.

[Red_Arrow]

I have sent faxes on one of the machine the company I work for has. They find it easiest to send copies that their customers can receive by fax.

[horatiohornblower]

Not an actual fax machine. But an online service for faxing. Maybe once a week.

[Anonymous]

I use an HP smart printer. It has an app where I can fax with my mobile phone. Unfortunately I have to fax.

[Sparkie460]

Yes I still own and use a fax machine. I use it once a week to fax invoices to a customer

[Quackthulu2]

Still? I have never even seen a fax machine

[SaoirseS]

Some people haven't, not surprised. Funny because a lady who just started working for me a couple weeks ago heard that distinctive sound of an incoming fax, and said "OMG what is THAT?"

[DryGermanGuy]

@SaoirseS
I wonder what she would say to one of those old-school needle printers... now that was a sound to wake up the dead. :-D

[SaoirseS]

@DryGermanGuy. Oh I definitely remember dot matrix printers from when I was a kid, noisy as all get out.

[Quackthulu2]

I have seen a dot matrix printer in use, and even heard one of those old dial up modems. Apparently my office building has a fax machine somewhere but email exists now so I don’t know if anybody even knows how to use the thing.

[SaoirseS]

They're still around. I have one. Medical facilities, medical examiners, pharmacies, and funeral homes often still have them. They're easy to use: put document in feeder, dial number, press send.

[Guardian45]

Do you own an IPhone or an Android phone?

[SaoirseS]

I own an iPhone but I don’t use it for fax.

[SaoirseS]

Sorry, that question may not have been for me.

[Guardian45]

Both iPhone & Android phones have multiple fax apps.

[SaoirseS]

Yep. Never have used them though. I use the noisy desktop machine.

[Quackthulu2]

@Guardian45 They also have TTY mode but not even Deaf people use that.

[Guardian45]

You would be surprised. Most government agencies use it.

[Quackthulu2]

@Guardian45 I work for a government agency.

[Guardian45]

Then you know what I'm talking about.

[Quackthulu2]

@Guardian45 Also it turns out I lied... Just had a fax forwarded to me yesterday. Sort of, somebody had to scan it and email it to me.

[Guardian45]

LOL!🤣

[Guardian45]

Typical government!

[Quackthulu2]

@Guardian45 Not our fault. The fax came in at like 2:00 am because the person sending it was trying to be as anonymous as possible. Turns out it was just a salty contractor pissed off that his company didn't get the big job the bid on. So they were reporting the company that got the contract.

[Guardian45]

Yup. And your Apple or Android have fax apps