[sarahk]

Email spam is bad, junk mail goes in the recycling but fax spam has a real cost - because I have to print the damn stuff. We've been thinking about resuming fax receiving on winfax pro so we can filter the stuff and have as many copies as we like but that's another story...

So I've been getting these police disposal faxes - they had removed me, seems that expired. Lets hope a friendly email works again this time.

But today I got one from James Knoesen, ph (09) 482 1372, flogging his affiliate weight loss program. He tells me that after sending them he realised he hadn't included an opt-out process.

So, if you don't want to wait for James' next fax drop complete with opt-out info give him a call and he'll organise it. If not, post here and I'll follow it up!

[thomasbredman]

Yes illegal SPAM is terrible.

However is there not somewhere like a register that you can log your name and number to be removed from the lists?

I know of one Fax ad company that are highly reputable and they target businesses.

They actually have people OPTin IN as they are that good.

Once on your list they guarantee only 3 per week.

These are targeted at businesses so it is permission based but it is always a problem for a home fax alright.

I used to get them at 1am in the morning!!

[sarahk]

There is info about it here: The Marketing Association of New Zealand - Name Removal Service

However the faxes I get were coming from Australia and they just don't seem to be the kind of people who would both with a teeny thing like consent.

[thomasbredman]

Well getting them from Aussie is interesting.

Do you think they just get all the numbers and just fax or did you end up on someones list somehow?

[kall]

Possibly they just dial random numbers until one is a fax machine?

[edshuck]

Totally understandable that you would be upset.

Is there a way with the pc to set the fax feature to load in the faxes and have them display prior to printing?

I do not know, so I am asking.

[sarahk]

Win2k used to have something that did that and we used WinFax (from Symantec) for a bit. The only problem we had was in outbound faxes interfering with the real fax machine.

If it wasn't for having to sign and fax documents we'd go for PC faxing every time.

[sarahk]

Dennis Smith and WDANZ have joined the fray and are now in the fax spam business promoting their upcoming courses. Funnily enough, one of the courses is called "Unmasked: SPAM".

edit: got a quick response from Dennis, partly posted here to be fair.

Good morning Sarah. Relax, we are not targetting you! Just drop us a note with your fax number and we will put your fax number on our DO NOT FAX list.

FYI
* Every business in the country will get at least one fax per year from WDANZ Sarah, sometimes more, basically whenever WDANZ runs events for the public in their region they will receive at the minimum one fax.

* Since November 2006, fax bureaus have proven to be THE most cost effective advertising for WDANZ events by a factor of 5:1 over all other forms.

[sarahk]

Gosh, this is on a sudden rise, we're getting lots now. I've just run FAXATTACK and asked to be taken off their list after getting a warehouse stationery promo from them. FaxAttack are upfront and give all their info on the sheet. Not everyone does...

[NNY]

people still use fax machines? i thought they were relics from the past

[sarahk]

There are still times when they're very useful. Scan and email takes much longer for signed docs

[NNY]

did you know that most scanners now have software that allows them to send faxes straight from the scanning software, as long as you have an internet connection. Also your email client can most likely send and recieve faxes as well.

but guess it just takes time for the new technology to take over.

[sarahk]

Yes I've seen those but we don't have a need currently for a scanner and the scanner printers don't tend to be laser printers. Given that we only replace our laser printers every 3 or 4 years, and I guess that would follow for most people, I imagine that it does take time for technology to become commonplace.

[NNY]

just a recommendation you might be interested in-

the new cannon range of mfc inkjets can print up to 600 dpi and scan at a pretty high resolution they are cheaper to run too. (we just brought a home one for only $400 and its brilliant).

I would recommend looking into the new inkjet technology in your next upgrade. unless of course their is a specific reason why you require printing from a laser printer.

[sarahk]

Lasers are fast, professional looking (we run a business) and cost <$200

[NNY]

laser printers that cost under $200. i dont believe it what kind?