Buzz
In professional settings, the request for your fax number is not uncommon when dealing with document transfers. But do you truly understand the essence of fax and fax numbers? Join the exploration in this article brought to you by Mytour.
1. Fax
The term 'Fax' is a Vietnamese translation of 'electronic mail'—a technology innovated by the British scientist Alexander Bain. Subsequent generations of scientists continued to research and develop fax machines into the modern form we have today.
In the early stages, fax machines could only transmit signals through wired connections. However, by 1924, a significant breakthrough occurred, enabling the use of radio waves to send electronic mail through wave oscillations. This marked a substantial leap in the development of fax machines.
A fax machine possesses the capability to scan and read the original document, encode it into signals, and then send it to an output fax machine at a specified address. The receiving fax machine reads the transmitted signals and prints the document.
In today's era, people tend to use email for sending letters, documents, or information. However, the use of fax machines remains essential. Cyber threats can easily compromise information sent via email, and in some countries, personal signatures are only accepted if sent through a fax machine, not via email.
Fax numbers, similar to phone numbers, allow fax users to distinguish addresses for sending and receiving documents. Users can opt for either individual or shared fax numbers based on their needs.
2. Fax Machine Varieties
In today's market, there is a plethora of fax machine types, distinguished by the printing technology each employs. When considering purchasing a fax machine, it's crucial to identify your usage needs to select the most suitable type.
2.1. Thermal Fax
Thermal fax machines have a simple structure yet offer high stability during operation. They use a special rolled paper for printing, and while cost-effective, they are a great choice for those not well-versed in technology.
However, prints from this type of machine tend to gradually blur over time due to the thermal printing process. Therefore, long-term storage of prints is not feasible unless you reprint using a regular printer or scan them into a computer.
2.2. Film Fax
This fax type comes at a slightly higher cost than thermal printers but lacks the same level of stability. Film fax machines use a film roll, similar in structure to carbon paper rolls, to create printed images, allowing for more durable print storage—an advantage thermal fax lacks.
The print quality of film fax depends on the type of carbon paper used. Since it uses a roll of carbon paper, it tends to deplete quickly. To save on costs, people often resort to rewinding the carbon paper for reuse. Nevertheless, this practice requires stocking up on multiple carbon paper rolls, posing inconvenience for those who don't frequently shop or live far from stores selling fax film carbon paper.
2.3. Inkjet Fax
Inkjet fax machines come at a reasonable cost (similar to film fax machines). They use an ink cartridge and can print in various colors, making your fax more vibrant if color is needed.
Since it supports color printing, the printing process is convenient, and fax prints can be preserved for a longer duration. However, it's worth noting that the ink cartridge for inkjet fax machines is specialized, expensive, and not widely available, making the upkeep cost quite substantial.
2.4. Laser Fax
This fax machine, as the name suggests, utilizes Laser printing technology to produce the best print quality. Although the cost of a Laser fax is slightly higher, it's well worth the investment given its functionality. With a large ink reservoir, the need for ink replacement is infrequent, and you can even use standard printer ink for laser fax machines.
Laser faxes are manufactured by many reputable brands, such as Panasonic and Canon, making them easily accessible from trusted office equipment suppliers.
Thank you for reading this article about the definition of Fax and Fax Numbers, along with some insights into various fax machine types. We hope this Mytour piece has been informative for you.
