Frequently asked questions about RKS Fax
Q: How does RKS Fax differ from MightyFax?
The following table gives a comparison of the two: RKS Fax versus MightyFax
Yes - in fact this is how most of our customers use RKS Fax. Create your Word or Office document, and then print it to the RKS Fax Printer Driver.
No - RKS Fax is a new product and requires a separate purchase and serial number.
Yes - most Windows programs use a standard way of printing, so simply create your document, and then print it to the RKS Fax Printer Driver. One exception is the programs Quicken and Quickbooks, which cannot print to the RKS Fax Printer. Another exception is the Paperport software, which also cannot print to the RKS Fax Printer.
Yes - scanner support is built in with the Scan-To-Fax utility (on the Actions menu)
Use the RKS Fax Scan-To-Fax utility (on the RKS Fax Actions menu)
Yes to both. There are several cover sheet templates to choose from, and you can use a cover sheet by itself, or add it to a fax created with another Windows program and printed to the RKS Fax Printer Driver.
Faxes are different than email in this respect. Anything sent by FAX
must first be converted to FAX format (this is not our rule - it is
the basic fax specification). Since there are many, many different types
of file it is impossible for any one program to know how to reliably
convert every type of file to fax format.
RKS Fax accomplishes this need in a different way...
RKS Fax installs a printer driver so that you can fax directly
from Windows software, including Microsoft Word or any other Windows
program. You do this by 'printing' to the RKS Fax Printer Driver,
which creates a fax out of your print job.
Please see the RKS Fax download page for complete information. It is a fairly simple process, and its free.
No to both. The $19.95 is a one time fee. RKS Fax is software. Think of it as a fax machine that has been made into software. It works much the same way. You need a telephone line to dial out on, and all phone costs including long distance are your responsibility.
You may use CABLE or DSL for accessing the internet, but if you want to fax then you must also have a standard faxmodem and telephone line. It is quite common to use DSL for internet access and also use a regular faxmodem and phone line for sending faxes. A normal DSL installation will include a telephone outlet with a dialtone that you can plug your faxmodem into. Click here for a diagram
You may use CABLE or DSL for accessing the internet, but if you want
to fax then you must also have a standard faxmodem and telephone
line. It is quite common to use cable for internet access and also use
a regular faxmodem and phone line for sending faxes. (it is also useful
as an internet connection backup when cable is out)
For a diagram showing an example of using a CABLE modem for internet
access and a standard modem for faxing, please click
here
No - it requires a normal faxmodem and a normal telephone line. It does not work with ISDN
You must provide your own phone service and phone number. RKS Fax just talks to your modem, which in turn is plugged into your telephone line. Think of it as a fax machine that has been made into software. It works much the same way. You need a telephone line to dial out on, and all phone costs including long distance are your responsibility.
Yes... but not at the same time.
The software is not able to send or receive faxes while the telephone
line is in use, nor can it differentiate between incoming voice calls
or fax calls.
Some customers have reported good results using an inexpensive switch
box. The phone line connects to one side of the switch box, and the
other side has phone lines running to the both computer and the telephone.
The switch box routes incoming calls to one or the other as appropriate.
Another alternative, if your phone company provides it, is Distinctive
Ring. This allows you to have a second phone number - on the same line
- with a different ring from the regular phone number. Bell Atlantic
and other phone companies have a 'Ring Leader' device which plugs in
to your phone jack, and routes regular phone calls to your phone and
distinctive ring calls to your computer. It costs about $70 to purchase
and install. There are several other similar devices available from
electronic supply stores.
RKS Fax works directly with the modem. It does not use your internet connection. Just as you could not use a fax machine while also using the internet on the same telephone line, you also cannot use RKS Fax and your internet connection at the same time.
Unlike email which is stored by your Internet Service Provider until you retrieve it, the telephone company does not provide any capability to store incoming faxes until retrieved. To receive a fax, the computer must be on, and the program must be running in Receive mode.
Not directly. We have had several customers report success with the
following, although we cannot guarantee this will work for you:
Many customers who need to use a single line for voice and fax use
a simple switch box to route voice calls to their phone, and fax calls
to their computer. Switch boxes run about $30 - $40 at consumer electronics
stores.
Some switch boxes also support Distinctive Ring, which allows you
to have a second phone number on the same line, but with a different
ring from the regular phone number. You can publicize one phone number
as your fax number, and the other as your voice number. Distinctive
Ring service is available from most phone companies, which also provide
Distinctive Ring switch devices.
Not at this time.
Not at this time.
Yes. Select the faxes you wish to send, and click the Send button.
Not at this time.
No. It requires a local modem, and the software may not be shared.