SDB:Setting up a Fax Printer with Hylafax

From openSUSE

Version: 8.1

Situation

After having successfully set up Hylafax, you are able to send PostScript files with tools like SuSEFax and sendfax. However, you also want to send faxes comfortably from different applications without needing to create a postscript file first.

Important: This procedure implies that you have already installed and configured Hylafax. If you want to use Hylafax on a server in a network, the Hylafax package must also be installed on the clients. Refer to /usr/share/doc/packages/hylafax/ for further details concerning the set up.

Procedure

In this case, a 'fax printer' is usually required. These "printers" are directly displayed in the printer dialog of supported applications and can be selected instead of a usual printer.

KDE enables you to set up a fax printer in the KDE printing system. This fax printer can be accessed from all KDE applications and, thanks to the KDE tool kprinter, from many others applications, too. In addition, the office package OpenOffice allows you to set up a fax printer. Both approaches are described below.

Setting up a Fax Printer in KDE

To set up a fax printer in KDE, proceed as follows:

• Press Alt + F2 and enter kdeprintfax in the opened dialog
• Confirm by clicking "Run"
• In the menu, select "Settings" -> "Configure Kdeprintfax"
• Click the "System" icon
• Select "Use HylaFAX system"
• An entry should be already displayed in the lower field. If there is not such an entry, insert:
  /usr/bin/sendfax -n -h %server %res -d %name@%number -x %enterprise -c %comment -f %email %files
• Click "OK"
• Select "File" -> "Quit"

Now you can activate the print function in any KDE application as usual. Select "Send to Fax" as the name in the print dialog. When doing this, the already familiar kdeprintfax mask will be displayed. Enter the necessary data, like fax number, and click "Send Fax". The document is transmitted to Hylafax then sent.

Printing via KDE from non-KDE Applications

To use this function from non-KDE applications, enter the KDE application kprinter instead of the command lpr. As an example, we show how to send a fax from Acrobat Reader. The following steps are required:

• Select "File" -> "Print" in the menu of Acrobat Reader
• Insert kprinter in the "Command" field.
• Click "OK"

At this point, the usual KDE print dialog is displayed and you can proceed as described above.

Setting up a Fax Printer in OpenOffice

Regardless of the print system you use, OpenOffice allows you to set up a fax printer directly. Proceed as follows:

• Start a shell
• Enter "sux -"
• Enter your root password
• Enter /opt/OpenOffice.org/spadmin
• Click "New Printer" in the printer administration dialog
• Select "Connect a fax device" and click "Next"
• Choose "The default driver" and click "Next"
• Enter the following line:
  sendfax -n -d (PHONE) (TMP)
• Click "Next"
• If necessary, the printer name can be modified. Then click "Finish"
• Click "Close"
• Leave the root shell with exit

Now OpenOffice can be started as usual to edit or load documents and to select the print function. The print dialog offers you the possibility to select the fax printer. After confirming the print job, OpenOffice asks for the target number then passes the fax to the Hylafax system.

Neither the Installation nor the Advanced Support service provide support for this issue!