why can't fax be simple

March 13, 2006 8:14 AM

Is there any decent fax software for Windows XP?

I've tried Winfax pro - absolutely terrible, created more problems than solved. I like the built in windows xp fax ok, but I'd prefer being able to save faxes as pdf, and being able to automatically email a copy to any email address, or at least integrate with the outlook inbox. I'm currently using the built in and a pdf printer driver to automatically convert incoming faxes to a pdf, but I'd prefer a more integrated solution. Also, xp fax does not let you share across the network. Any better solutions that aren't full of a ton of features that aren't necessary?

posted by striker to computers & internet (8 comments total)

An online service like eFax?

They run the phone number and you get all your faxes as email attachments. You send faxes by emailing documents to their fax server. There are probably about a billion other providers of the same service, like VOIP providers.
posted by GuyZero at 8:19 AM on March 13, 2006

I've always found WinFax pro does what I need it to.
posted by kenchie at 8:29 AM on March 13, 2006

While I like the idea of the online services, they won't work for my needs. Thanks for the suggestion though!
posted by striker at 9:15 AM on March 13, 2006

I'm also curious as to why your experience with WinFax Pro was so bad as to dissuade you completely? While it is a remarkably graceless and ugly program with a UI straight out of 1992 or so, it does integrate with Outlook/Exchange address books, and can be set up on a networked machine for send and receive. I've never tried to save and archive faxes as PDFs, but if Winfax doesn't do that, wouldn't something like Paperport achieve the same ends?
posted by meehawl at 9:42 AM on March 13, 2006

I know you discounted the Efax service, but it DOES do everything that you require above, including the PDF printing and integration to Outlook. "Integration" may be subjective, but it's the service that I use for my primary faxing needs, and the outlook integration is just fine for me. When was the last time you looked at them?
posted by TeamBilly at 9:46 AM on March 13, 2006

Re Efax: I tried them out for a while and really disliked the service. It required installing intrusive software and getting all of the faxes in their proprietary format (they could be saved after the fact as TIFF files, but it was a bigger hassle than I cared to deal with). Cancelling was also a pain in the ass, since they tell you that the only way to cancel is via their browser-based chat service, which I couldn't get to work on any browser I tried it in. Finally had to call their tech support and just get a real live person ("Keith" from Uttar Pradesh) to do it, even though doing so requires ignoring the options they explain to you over the phone.

As far as web-based fax services, I found MyFax much simpler -- they just e-mail you a PDF of the document.
posted by camcgee at 10:53 AM on March 13, 2006

Winfax caused big problems with outlook 2003 (for example, when attempting to exit outlook, it would close but not really leave memory - icon remained in system utilities bar) it also would randomly freeze. I've tried it on a couple of different computers and found problems all around. I like the myfax/efax idea but I don't want to change fax numbers.
posted by striker at 11:24 AM on March 13, 2006

I used to be a WinFax Pro devotee - until XP.

Best thing for my use now is, oddly enough, the software that came with (and is downloadable from HP.com) an all-in-one printer, the T45.

There are no bells and whistles, but it does what it has to easily and well. Perhaps there is something alike that woud meet your needs?
posted by DrtyBlvd at 8:08 PM on March 13, 2006