What is MacFlex?

MacFlex is a Macintosh client for the Unix-based FAX server software HylaFAX. With MacFlex, a Macintosh user can submit PostScript and TIFF Class F files to the HylaFAX server for FAXing. MacFlex also provides "print-to-FAX" capabilities, allowing a Macintosh user to automatically "print" a FAX and submit it automatically to his or her HylaFAX server. Finally, MacFlex provides some utility features for monitoring a HylaFAX server from a Macintosh.

How can I get it?

MacFlex is available for downloading here. It is distributed as a binhexed, self-extracting archive.

How much does it cost?

Currently, MacFlex is freely available. That's mainly because it still has bugs, and I don't think it's fair to ask folks to pay for something that might not work for them. As I add more features (see below), I may ask for a small shareware fee...I haven't really decided yet. For the time being, grab it, use it, and let me know if you like it. And PLEASE tell me about any problems you have with it.

Who wrote it?

Me :-). I'm Rob Newberry. I started MacFlex while I was an independent consultant, and still support it on my own. However, I now work full-time as a Macintosh developer for Group Logic, Inc. That means that I don't have as much time to devote to MacFlex.

What do I do if I find a bug?

By all means, PLEASE send me a report. If possible, please include as much information as you possibly can. That means: what Macintosh model, what system version, what application were you using, what third-party extensions are you running, etc. Also, if you're brave enough to use MacsBug, tell me that, too -- I may ask you to give me some feedback on a version that has some debugging code in it. The vast majority of bugs I've found have been completely unreproducable on my own machine (a PowerMac 7500). Sometimes I find stuff that works for me, but doesn't work on my wife's Mac (a Quadra 630). So it's very important I know what I'm up against. Also, if you don't mind being emailed a copy of MacFlex, possibly for debugging purposes, let me know.

What are the current problems with MacFlex?

(I'm still working on compiling the list. Since MacFlex is in a transition -- see below -- many of the bugs may be fixed. So I'll start adding to this section as soon as I make the next distribution.)

What is the status of MacFlex? When is the next version coming out?

The first beta MacFlex 1.5 was released in November, 1996. It includes a lot of new features and many, many bug fixes. As I said, I work on MacFlex in my spare time. Unfortunately right now, that means every once in a very long while. But I am working on it, off and on, all the time.

What new features will the next version have?

Currently, I don't have a lot of plans for MacFlex for a while. The one thing I'd like to do is a GX driver, which is pretty far along. But the "FAX Builder" doesn't really work with it, so I may have to delay the release or release a version which doesn't have support for "FAX Builder". By the way, if you use GX, and would like to use MacFlex, let me know -- I haven't seen a lot of demand for it, but I'd be interested to know.