Old-timers from the "old forum"

[Doc]

Gareth wrote:
Oldest post I could find of mine was June '09: "Is there an adapter that lets one use a regular fax machine (i.e. one that isn't multi-function, so it only has telephone jacks) as a printer?"

Nobody answered it back then. Anyone want to now? : ) Though I prefer to forget my stupid questions. If only I could remember why I needed to know that.

If your computer has a modem port and your fax machine has a manual-receive button, you can connect them with an ordinary phone cord to send a fax using fax software, which mimics a printer. The trick is to configure the fax software to send without waiting for a dial tone, which you can either do in the fax pref's or by editing the commands in its connection-script. (Which method to use will depend upon the software.)

It's also possible to put a device inline to simulate a dial tone if you can't get the fax software to "send" the fax without it. There are instructions online for making that kind of gadget with cheap parts from Radio Shack or you could download the tone and play it through your computer's headset jack with a little bit of clever wiring.

Otherwise, you would need access to a second phone line to fax the "print" to yourself. I've faxed stuff to the front desk of hotels while I traveled in lieu of printing. Receiving faxes at hotels is usually free to guests.