As a result, the software for a particular fax board won't work with another fax board from a different manufacturer. The Class 1 standard provides minimal hardware support for sending a fax from a microcomputer, while Class 2 adds over 40 AT-command set instructions and places more functionality into the modem. Note that the Class 2 standard is not expected to be finalized until August, 1992. A fax modem may not be as useful as you'd think. Fax modems are good for sending, but not receiving fax.
Fax machines are easy to use.
Fax modems are not. Anyone that knows how to use a phone can learn to use a fax machine within a few minutes. A fax machine will work no matter what kind of computer you have. It also doesn't matter what operating system or environment you are running on your computer. The DOS software for the fax board is clumsy and hard to use, the Windows software is easy but unbearably slow.