The FaxMail Email-Fax gateway. ****************************** FaxMail is a utility to assist in preparing and sending faxes via the internet's Email-Fax capabilities. This info file describes how to install the program and how to use it to send faxes. Requirements ************ Before installing FaxMail, check that your system contains the following components. * X You must have a running X server....... * Tcl Any reasonably up to date version of Tcl should be fine. * Tk You will need Tk version 4.0 or later. * convert It is possible to fax most popular image formats, but you will need to install ImageMagick if you haven't already got it. The homepage is at `http://www.wizards.dupont.com/cristy/ImageMagick.html'. Installation ************ FaxMail uses a library directory to store the main Tcl script and a guide to the coverage of the email-fax system. Two binaries will be installed, one to check whether a particular fax number is covered, and a wrapper to call the Tcl script. To install FaxMail, proceed as follows: 1. Unpack the tar file FaxMail-2.3.tgz and change into the FaxMail-2.3 directory: `gunzip -c FaxMail-2.3.tgz | tar x cd FaxMail-2.3' 2. Edit the Makefile to specify the installation directories. You must also specify the location of the `wish' program and a low-level mailer such as `sendmail' or `smail'. On some systems (eg SunOS) you will need to uncomment the line to link with `-lresolv'. 3. Run make: `make' At this point you should be able to test the program by running it from the current directory: `./FaxMail' 4. If everything seems fine you can complete the installation by running `make install' The Email-Fax gateway ********************* FaxMail is simply an interface to the Internet's Email-Fax gateway. When you send your email, a central server figures out whether the desired number is covered by the system. If so, it forwards your email to a computer that has agreed to provide a service to that number and that computer places the phonecall. As such the service is as efficient as email is. Several attempts are made at delivering faxes and in all events the outcome will ultimately reach you via email (so you don't have to guess if the fax got there or not). As with almost everything on the internet, it is up to each individual to make sure that they use the service responsibly (So no faxing of PhD theses and the like! ). Several ps files are better sent in succession rather than in one big email. This is likely to be quicker, the only possible drawback being a replication of the cover sheet at the remote end. It is perhaps wise not to send material of a highly confidential or important nature via this means. It's up to you though. Finally, the success of the Email-Fax gateway depends on individuals and organisations agreeing to provide the local fax service. If you have a fax-modem and would like to help, check out `http://www.tpc.int/http://www.tpc.int/servers/jointpchowto.html' for details. `www.tpc.int' is also the starting point for information on the Email-Fax gateway. Faxing ****** The first time you run FaxMail you will be presented with a small window asking you to supply your contact details such as name, address and fax number. These are used to produce a cover sheet for your fax. Once this is done you can hit the `done' button to save the details in your home directory in the `.faxinit' file. To send a fax via email it is only necessary to supply a valid fax number and a message. The number should be input in the fields at the bottom of the window using the IDDD format (only numbers please) which is stripped of international access codes (no leading 0). So faxing to Cambridge UK, would require you to input Country code: 44 Local code: 1223 Fax Number: xxxxxx or if faxing Montreal Canada one would enter Country code: 1 Local code: 514 Fax Number: xxxxxxx The behaviour of the buttons is pretty much self-explanatory: * `FAX:' When you are happy with your fax, you send it using the `FAX' button. * `RESET:' Clear the entire fax message, including the list of files to be attached. * `PERSONAL:' Amend your contact details. * `COVERAGE:' Test whether your chosen number is accessible via the email-fax system. * `ABOUT:' Addresses for fanmail. * `ADDRESSES:' Access the address book feature, described in the next section. * `ADD:' Select a filetype from the drop-down menu to include a file into your fax. `DELETE:' Remove the highlighted file from the list of included files. `CLEAR:' Clear the test message box. * `CHECK NUMBER:' Identical to COVERAGE button. Addresses ********* You can use FaxMail to keep an address book of frequently used numbers. These are stored in the user's home directory in the file `.fax_addr'. This file is automatically created the first time you select the address book feature from the main window. The address book simply associates an alias with the six fields defining your recipient (country, area and local phone numbers, name, organisation and email address). The left-hand side of the address book shows the names of the currently defined aliases while the right-hand side shows the definition of the currently selected alias. The fields on the right-hand side may be edited at any time. The `USE' button copies the currently selected alias into the main FaxMail window. The remaining address book buttons have the following effects: * `NEW:' The user supplies an alias name and a new blank alias is added to the address book. * `DELETE:' Delete the currently selected alias from the address book. * `RENAME:' Rename the currently selected alias. * `CLEAR:' Blank the currently selected alias. * `CLOSE:' Close the address book window, optionally saving any changes made to the address book. Problems ******** FaxMail has been successfully installed under Linux, SunOS, OSF/1 and HP-UX, as these were the systems available to the authors. As long as you have reasonably a up to date versions of Tk/Tcl you should be able to get FaxMail going. If tryfax.c fails to compile, you may need to link with `libresolv', see the Makefile. If you have problems or think you have found any bugs, you can email Matthew Davey at `mcdavey@mrao.cam.ac.uk'. Also, if you need to make changes to compile on a new system, please let us know. Enjoy! About ***** FaxMail is based on the faxtool program written by David Burns and Shyamal Somaroo. Faxtool became FaxMail in 1997 when the address book and postscript file browser were added by Matthew Davey, the name was changed to avoid a clash with a different package. FaxMail is Copyright 1996, 1997, 1998 David Burns, Shyamal Somaroo, Matthew Davey. The program is issued under the GNU GPL.