BlackBerry Forums Support Community
              

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 08-27-2004, 10:42 AM   #1
Mark Rejhon
Retired BBF Moderator
 
Mark Rejhon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Model: Bold
Carrier: Rogers
Posts: 4,870
Default Faxes to/from Blackberry or any email [Third Party Services]

Please Login to Remove!

Faxes To/From BlackBerry Or Any Email

This was originally posted in a thread, but there are many people who are figuring this out, so I have reposted this as a separate thread. It's more like "3rd party service with optional software". Most useful to self employed people, home office workers, and small companies that want minimal premises, etc.

There are tons of email-to-fax and fax-to-email services; You can even get a fax number with some of these services (so you don't have to have a fax machine on your premises) and you automatically get emailed a TIFF document or a PDF document or even a .DOC attachment as an attachment by email, CC'd to both your desktop and Blackberry. And keeps a copy of the fax on a fax webmail site. Some of these are viewable on the Blackberry itself, or if the attachment is not viewable on the Blackberry, it at least serves as a notification for you to login to the fax webmail service or to your desktop computer.

And many of these services allows you to send outgoing faxes simply by sending an email to a special email address, such as:
Quote:
To: [email address]
From: [email address]
Subject: 18005551212

Hi,

This is a test fax.
And this works too:
Quote:
To: [email address]
From: [email address]
Subject: 18005551212
Attachment: ThisIsATestFax.doc
The phone number in the subject is automatically dialed.
Your email address is registered with the service, so they know it's you and caller-ID is automatically filled with your virtual fax phone number.
The attached .doc and the email body is automatically transmitted as a fax.
The transmittal pages are automatically added for you.
No software to download.
No software to install.
All allow you to send/receive faxes from any Internet connected computer.
No physical line or fax machine needed.
For incoming faxes, they are emailed to you as attachments.
You are billed to your fax account a specific charge.
There's dozens of services like this, just google 'Email Fax'. (example: www.efax.com)

Just find some easy-to-use service, there's dozens of services out there, and many of them don't even require any software at all! Don't bother with installing software, I prefer the ones that allows you to email attachments to (many accepts almost any format of attachments, automatically converting them to faxes). Many of them actually cheaper than paying for a fax phone line too -- and you get a dedicated fax phone number too in any area code, as if you had a fax machine there with no need for PIN's, etc.

The only time you really want to install software is simply if you want to convert fax image files into text files. (free OCR software included with some fax services). Other times, some fax services offer a special printer driver so you can print the document to a fax which automatically gets emailed to the service for the actual transmission. (This works with scanners too for those times you want to fax hardcopies over an email-to-fax service -- you press the "Print" button on the scanner and select the special printer driver). Works best with scanners that have a built-in document feeder so you can send multiple-page faxes just as easily as a real fax machine. A scanner is ONLY needed if you ever need to send hardcopies as faxes to a fax-to-email service.

Hope this helps explain to you exacxtly how email-to-fax services work. They are convenient when you need fax capability without a fax machine!

Quote:
This is a "Mark Rejhon BlackBerry FAQ" article.
Copyright (C) 2005 by Mark Rejhon, All Rights Reserved. Some portions may be Copyright (C) by respective forum members.
Mark Rejhon grants permission to use this article only for private use. For all other uses, please ask Mark Rejhon at www.marky.com to ask for permission to use this article. If any content of this article also contains content by other forum members, please ask them for permission too as well. This includes commercial use, public use, reposting in full/part anywhere on the Internet, publication in magazine/book or any other media, or any other use than private use. This copyright notice may not be edited or removed in any manner. Mark Rejhon reserves exclusive right to edit, remove, or restore this article, and this article may not be edited, removed, or restored by any other individual or organizations.
__________________
Thanks,
Mark Rejhon
Author of XMPP extension XEP-0301:
www.xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0301.html - specification
www.realjabber.org - open source

Last edited by Mark Rejhon; 03-14-2005 at 09:10 PM..
Offline  
Old 09-01-2004, 12:38 AM   #2
MrCynical
Thumbs Must Hurt
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 57
Default

Sir, you have just saved me a headache. I am going to present this to a customer tomorrow, after I finish slapping myself in the forehead. I *totally* should have thought of this, I've been doing things bass-ackwards for a year.
Offline  
Old 09-07-2004, 07:10 PM   #3
cyberhh
Thumbs Must Hurt
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 80
Default

The best service I have found is K7.net.

A seattle based company provides this service for free and the faxes come through to your email as TIFF file attachments.

Have not found out how to read them on the BB (also have not tried)
Offline  
Old 12-09-2004, 05:47 PM   #4
lostegg
New Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 9
Default

Offline  
Old 12-10-2004, 12:38 AM   #5
Mark Rejhon
Retired BBF Moderator
 
Mark Rejhon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Model: Bold
Carrier: Rogers
Posts: 4,870
Default

__________________
Thanks,
Mark Rejhon
Author of XMPP extension XEP-0301:
www.xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0301.html - specification
www.realjabber.org - open source
Offline  
Old 01-11-2005, 08:53 PM   #6
bradberry
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Model: Torch
Carrier: ATT
Posts: 35
Default fax

bes 4 can read tiff but them come in very small. when you enlarge it gets too blurry. how do you use this with tiff to read faxes???
Offline  
Old 01-11-2005, 09:40 PM   #7
Mark Rejhon
Retired BBF Moderator
 
Mark Rejhon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Model: Bold
Carrier: Rogers
Posts: 4,870
Default

Very good question! The BES server likes to downconvert the TIFF files. But there's a very good reason that there's a need to be able to read faxes in their full, original resolution. I wonder if this is a configurable BES option.

Some services have an OCR feature. Does your fax-to-email service have an OCR feature that allows text to accompany the TIFF file? Then you can just read the text in the fax, when you're away from a computer.
__________________
Thanks,
Mark Rejhon
Author of XMPP extension XEP-0301:
www.xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0301.html - specification
www.realjabber.org - open source
Offline  
Old 01-11-2005, 09:48 PM   #8
bradberry
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Model: Torch
Carrier: ATT
Posts: 35
Default FAX

I have just emailed RIM. We'll see if they have a suggestion. No I dont have OCR on my fax program but i guess that would solve the problem b/c it would not longer be an image, correct?
Offline  
Old 01-11-2005, 10:58 PM   #9
mariog7
Thumbs Must Hurt
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Westchester County, NY
Model: 8830
Carrier: Sprint
Posts: 114
Default

Dude, go with efax (www.efax.com). I moved 2 years ago and found out that my apartment can only get 2 lines, so I was stuck w/o a fax machine for my business. I tried efax and dumped my fax machine!!! It is an awesome service. 2 years and no problems whatsoever. You can receive faxes as .efx (their sw), pdf and tif.
Offline  
Old 02-14-2005, 08:29 PM   #10
southparkaddict
New Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 11
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mariog7
Dude, go with efax (www.efax.com). I moved 2 years ago and found out that my apartment can only get 2 lines, so I was stuck w/o a fax machine for my business. I tried efax and dumped my fax machine!!! It is an awesome service. 2 years and no problems whatsoever. You can receive faxes as .efx (their sw), pdf and tif.
It might be important to note that the ability to receive faxes in PDF or TIF format is limited to eFax plus members only. I know there are other BB users out there with eFax free version that can't view faxes, and this is why.

<drops .02 in bucket>
Offline  
Old 02-23-2005, 12:48 AM   #11
Mark Rejhon
Retired BBF Moderator
 
Mark Rejhon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Model: Bold
Carrier: Rogers
Posts: 4,870
Default

Good news!

BES 4.0 and BWC 4.0 have new features that allow you to zoom. This means you can view the fine detail of TIFF fax attachments on BlackBerry now.
__________________
Thanks,
Mark Rejhon
Author of XMPP extension XEP-0301:
www.xmpp.org/extensions/xep-0301.html - specification
www.realjabber.org - open source
Offline  
Old 03-17-2005, 05:25 PM   #12
adjuster11
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
adjuster11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CO
Model: 8703e
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 24
Default

After upgrading to 4.0 on a BB 7750 with Verizon, I am able to see tif's BUT, when you zoom in you find they are unreadable. They are blurred, like you are trying to blow up 2 point type to read it, and it distorts so bad you can't.

I signed up for efax as they will send it out at a pdf or a tif but I still can't read them i (in tif) or open them (in pdf)

I'm still trying to get my faxes redirected from my desktop to my berry to read in the field. I've tried efax, but I believe you still have to have their reader to open and read their .pdf document.

I sent myself 2 test pdfs, one via regular email, and one faxed to efax, which converts it to a pdf and send to to your email.

The first one opened fine as a pdf, and you can really read it fine. The second one from efax just shows page1 and page2 but they won't display anything.

I suspect you have to have the reader to open or read them, and I don't believe that works with a Berry.

I think Winfax Pro should work to forward incoming faxes as pdf's so I could read them on the berry. I've got it, but not smart enough to get it running as advertised.

Rich
Offline  
Old 04-20-2005, 03:14 AM   #13
adjuster11
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
adjuster11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CO
Model: 8703e
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 24
Default Faxes on a Berry

After numerous tries, I got it 90% figured out. I'm working on a BB7750 with a hosted BES through Mailstreet.

I downloaded and installed Reqwireless emailviewer. This program is most frustrating, but what they need to emphasize is you need to set up an an email pop 3 account and "pull" your email off their server. IF you want Yahoo, You HAVE to use Yahoo Plus, $20/year regular free yahoo won't cut it. For the way I want it, I wanted 1 site that doesn't get my regular mail, that I can forward my fax # to on a temporary basis.

Once you have entered in your pop 3 account information in Reqwireless, "the Big Black E" on your ribbon, you tell it to receive your email. It will pull down an email from yahoo's server.

I subscribed to a internet fax service (mine was data on call) $10.00/month, I call forward my fax line to their toll free number, so faxes ring to them. It forwards you an email with a tif attachment (1 page was 54 kb)

On my berry I can click on the link AFTER you have received your email from your pop 3. No passwords or other screens are required, you get your mail in one shot. It opens the email with the tif. On my berry, a box at the top of the screen automatically is highlighted in black called VIEW. Click the trackwheel to submit form.

On my berry it hourglasses for about 30 seconds on a 1 page tif but it will pop up in flyspeck size type. Here's the last 10% I've got to fix. If I click the trackwheel "OCR image" it will convert it, and I can read about 90% of the fax. That's usually enough for me to figure out what I have.

The other 10% I'm working through is I can't yet click the option "Full image" my berry goes into hourglass spinning mode for 10-15 minutes, and I don't have the guts to let it spin all night.

HOWEVER, you do have another option. Using that same Data on Call fax program, you open the email, not the attachment, click "Forward" and send an email to anyfax#@emailfaxservice.com and BOOM, it will send that email with the fax to any fax # you enter. Now their address or "to" is a little cumbersome, as it automatically loads with first namelast name alphabetizing, but it does work.

In short, you can receive a fax, and send it from your berry, as long as it comes in through the data on call site. You can forward it as a tif, in a regular email, or fax it down to the front desk at the fleabag motel you're stuck in, while doing the road warrior game. But the bottom line is, you can get it, and read it to figure if it's worth dealing with.

For you techie types, this might be no big deal, but for someone from Missouri, with a PHD in redneck, this is tall cotton. If I can arm wrestle Alain at Reqwireless about the "full page" issue, I can say I Got R Dun
Offline  
Old 04-21-2005, 02:00 AM   #14
smay
New Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 9
Default

I have been using Protus Virtual Fax for over a year and find it works flawlessly. You get an 800 fax #, which converts faxes to tiffs or pdfs and delivers via email to the berry. I can send faxes via [email address] to clients for signature or print-to-fax anywhere. Great service.
Also, you can use Metamessage, which allows for just the print-to-fax option, without the incoming fax #.
Offline  
Old 04-21-2005, 10:26 PM   #15
adjuster11
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
adjuster11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CO
Model: 8703e
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 24
Default reading .tif documents

Smay

What are you using to read your .tif faxes on your berry? Aftermarket software or blackberry software?
Offline  
Old 04-23-2005, 12:50 PM   #16
Inphektion
CrackBerry Addict
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Model: 9800
OS: 6.0.0.337
Carrier: (¯`·.¸at&t¸.·´¯)
Posts: 825
Default

I use protus as well. I get an 800 number, faxes delivered as pdf so I can easily view on my BB, and I get them delivered to 3 different email accounts (so my wife can see them too). All for like $10-$12 a month.
Offline  
Old 05-08-2005, 01:31 AM   #17
Linda
New Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Model: 7100T
Posts: 2
Default PDA2Print & Fax2Mail

Print-to-fax and Fax to Email at $9.95/mo.,AND you can get an 800 or local ph# from Premiere Global Services,(formerly Xpedite), compared to Protus or eFax.
Offline  
Old 05-08-2005, 04:34 PM   #18
Menceus
Knows Where the Search Button Is
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 27
Default

Has anyone tried Myfax.com?
Offline  
Old 05-16-2005, 09:37 PM   #19
Linda
New Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Model: 7100T
Posts: 2
Default PGS archives Faxes 30 days & you own ph#

Myfax.com only stores a fax history for a wk and Premiere Global Services, NYSE:PGI, stores for a month

plus you own the # not them so they don't resell them or sell to spammers.
Offline  
Old 06-28-2005, 08:10 PM   #20
neutral
Thumbs Must Hurt
 
neutral's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Center Valley, PA
Model: Cu/Bo
Carrier: Verizon/AT&T
Posts: 171
Default

Does anyone know the email address to do mail2fax with efax.com?
Offline  
Closed Thread


Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


Karcher Commodore Due Walk Behind Carpet Extractor #1.008-004.0 picture

Karcher Commodore Due Walk Behind Carpet Extractor #1.008-004.0

$9900.00



Jelenko Commodore LS VPF with Pump  picture

Jelenko Commodore LS VPF with Pump

$875.00



Windsor Commodore Duo 20

Windsor Commodore Duo 20" Carpet extractor w/Lester Charger 25900/Battery/99hour

$3595.95



Vintage Printer Switch box Commodore 64/Sanyo Mountable Computer PC picture

Vintage Printer Switch box Commodore 64/Sanyo Mountable Computer PC

$49.00



Sid Harveys Becket Commodore Rebuilt Motor A140-1R 1/8HP CCW 115V 1725 RPM picture

Sid Harveys Becket Commodore Rebuilt Motor A140-1R 1/8HP CCW 115V 1725 RPM

$31.99



One CSG 6526A Input/Output Clock Chip For Commodore Dip-40 IC picture

One CSG 6526A Input/Output Clock Chip For Commodore Dip-40 IC

$39.99







Copyright © 2004-2016 BlackBerryForums.com.
The names RIM © and BlackBerry © are registered Trademarks of BlackBerry Inc.