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FaxMail-2.3-7mdk.i586.rpm

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.