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Gefax User Manual Version 0.4
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Faxing With Gefax Version 0.4

Sending a Fax

Changing The Current Working Directory

The currently displayed directory location is shown on gefax's window title bar. You can easily change this directory by clicking on the open button located at the beginning of the main toolbar or, selecting "File->Open" from the menu bar. After the "Open Directory" dialog box opens.

Simply navigate to the directory where files are located by double clicking on the listed directories and then click the "OK" button.
The next time you start gefax, this directory will automatically be opened for you.

Selecting Files

In order to send a fax, you must first select the file/s. Files are displayed in a columned list in the gefax main window as shown below.

There are three columns. The first displays the fax order of selected files or blank if the file is not selected. Simply clicking on a row will select and deselect files. The file list can be configured to display selected files at the top of the list, with remaining files displayed alphabetically unerneath. This option can be accessed in gefax setup
The "File Name" column displays the files in the current directory and the third column displays the file mime type. Gefax uses this mime information to determine if a file can be faxed. If you select "view all files" in the gefax properties dialog(see gefax setup), files that can't be faxed will shown at the bottom of the list in red. You can't select these files, as they aren't supported by gefax.
When sending a fax, the selected files are turned into page files and faxed to all numbers in this list one after the other. In short, this allows you to send the same fax to more than one number unattended.

Previewing a Fax

Before you send a fax it is advisable that you preview the fax to ensure the pages are presented as you wish them to be.
To preview a fax (After selecting the file/s as described above), click on the "Preview Fax" button on the main toolbar or, select "File->Preview Fax" from the menu bar. The fax will be displayed in the gefax main application window.
See gefax fax viewer for instructions on the use of this simple viewer.
On closing the Fax Viewer, you will be returned to the main application with the previous file selections restored.
NOTE:If you have configured gefax to use a cover page, it will not be shown in the preview. Similarily, The header text will not be shown because this is added by Efax when the fax is sent.

Selecting Fax Recipients

To add number/s select the "Add Fax Numbers" toolbar button on the main toolbar or menu item in the "Action" menu. The Select Fax Recipient Dialog will pop up (see below) to allow you to add fax numbers.

Gefax version 0.4 will only allow you to send a fax to a contact available in the currently open address book (see gefax address book).
Simply select a required contact from the "Select Recipients" list and move the contact to the "Recipients" list by clicking on the "Add" button between the lists. Similarily, you can move the recipient back with the "Remove" button if you wish.
When you have added the required recipient/s click on the "OK" button. The recipients will then appear in the gefax main window along with the fax numbers as shown below. Clicking the "Cancel" button will dismiss the dialog without adding any recipents.

Receiving a Fax

Opening the Receive Fax Dialog

To receive a fax,click on the receive toolbar button or, select "File->Receive Fax" from the menu bar. The "Receive Fax" dialog box will open as shown below.


 

Here you have two options.
1."Phone has already been picked up"
This option is useful if you use the same line for voice and fax calls. Efax will attempt to start receiving a fax call immediately, assuming the phone has already been picked up.
2."Wait and automatically pick up the phone"
Efax will wait for a call and pick up the phone after the number or rings specifed. If you select the "Receive more than one fax" check box, Gefax will start Efax again after receiving and therefore keep receiving untill you click on the stop button or close gefax.

Configuring gefax to start waiting for a fax on startup

Gefax can automatically wait for faxes when you run the program or log in to gnome.
To have gefax automatically wait for faxes when it is run, simply set gefax in receive mode and then exit the program. You will be presented with a small dialog box as shown below.


 

Click on the "OK" button and gefax will automatically wait for faximilies the next time you run it.
An alternate method is to set gefax in receive mode and then log out of gnome. Session management will enable gefax to terminate efax and remember to start waiting for faxes the next time you log on to gnome.

Polling a Fax

Accessing the Poll Fax Dialog Box

Many fax on demand services are available. For example, in Australia you can get the latest wheather information including maps and the like. Some companies also provide this service for you to obtain information of their products.
To poll a fax, click on the "Poll" button on the main toolbar or select "File->Poll Fax" from the menu bar. A dialog box similar to the one below will be displayed.


 

Enter a fax number to be polled and click the "OK" button. Efax will attempt to dial the number and receive a fax.
NOTE:This feature may not work (see FAQ).

Managing Files

The purpose of gefax's "trash" feature

The trash feature is provided to prevent the need for the user to open a file manager (or terminal) on order to manage files after they have been faxed.
For example, I create a fax document in a word processor and then print the document to a postscript file in my home directory. After starting gefax and sending the fax, the file can easily be put in the gefax "trash" directory to prevent cluttering my home directory. The file can be retrieved at a later date within gefax or by any other means available.
The gefax trash directory location can be configured in the gefax properties dialog (see gefax setup for details).

Moving files to the trash directory

Moving a file/s to the gefax trash directory is as simple as selecting the file/s in the same way when sending a fax, and then clicking on the "Move Selected File To Trash" button located on the main toolbar, or, Selecting "Trash->Move To Trash" from the menu bar.

Retrieving file/s from the trash directory

To retrieve a file/s, click on the "Retrieve A File From Trash" button located on the main toolbar, or, Selecting "Trash->Retrieve From Trash" from the menu bar. The gefax - Trash dialog will appear as shown below.


 

You can select and deselect all files by clicking on the title bar of the list, or, select each file individually by clicking on the appropriate row. Selecting ok will move the selected files to gefax's current working directory displayed on the main window's title bar. The files will then appear in the File Clist for you to fax.

Deleting all files in the trash directory

To delete all files in the gefax trash directory, click on the "Remove All Files From Trash" button located on the main toolbar, or, Selecting "Trash->Clear Trash" from the menu bar.

Warning All files located in this directory will be permanently deleted (No directories will be affected) A small warning dialog will appear to confirm this action.

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