digital facsimile

A digital facsimile, often referred to as a fax, is a technology that transmits and reproduces documents over telephone lines or radio waves. It works by scanning printed text and graphics, converting this information into digital signals, and then transmitting these signals to a receiving machine. The receiving machine then reproduces a close copy of the original document.

This technology revolutionized business and personal communication by offering a faster and more reliable alternative to traditional mail and telegraph services. Modern fax machines, adhering to standards like Group 3, can transmit a page in as little as 15 seconds by compressing the digital data before transmission. Personal computers can also send and receive faxes with the appropriate hardware and software, and internet fax servers allow for transmission via email.12