Why won't they die? The tech we won't forget

You'd think that in a world of 24Mbps Internet, where color printers cost less than $65 and you can get free laptops with broadband subscriptions, fax machines would be as dead as jokes about the dodo. But no.

(Credit: Crave UK)

If you were born, it's highly likely you'll die. Sorry about that. For consumer tech, it's not quite so cut-and-dried. There are some gadgets that just refuse to kick the shiny bucket, in the manner of Daniella Westbrook--the chick whose nose fell off.

Dearest reader, we're about to explore the technologies that defy the wishes of Silicon Heaven's Grim Reaper, and delve into the more pressing matter of why they refuse his cold embrace. Why do real people--not IT departments or tech professionals, but the chap in the street, who's paid taxes on his money--keep buying this obsolete junk? We'll start with something you'd be forgiven for thinking was a bizarre first choice.

Read more of "Why won't they die? The tech we won't forget" at Crave UK.

[Food doc]

Fax machines may be 'dead' technology but for those of us in the medical profession they are essential. Patient data such as labs and other confidential documentation CANNOT be sent over e-mail, due to HIPAA regulations, until the data can be secured. I know that mail can be encrypted by far too many MDs are still not comfortable or proficient enough with that technology to make that a viable alternative. Snail mail takes too long, with that said the one other option, which I've used for years and is now, apparently, dying is to use the fax/modem option. That way faxes can be received on a PC/MAC, converted to .pdf files for storage, and the necessary ones printed out, signed and faxed back to the sender.