> Backup tapes and cassette tapes are obviously a completely different thing, lets not even go there.Backup tapes are cassette tapes. Audio cassettes and backup tapes are different (not "completely" as the technology is actually quite similar), but backup tapes are magnetic tapes that come in cassette cartridges. They quite literally are cassette tapes.
> Yes, fax machines are still used. That doesn't make them not obsolete.
I guess that depends on your definition of "obsolete". Google defines it as "no longer produced or used" and fax machines are still manufactured and -as I described before- used quite common. So definitely not obsolete.
It should be noted that I wasn't advocating the use of fax, but I feel the need to address your other points since you've posted quite a specific and one sided opinion on facsimiles:
> Fax is ridiculously slow
Sending a fax isn't slower than having to manually scan your documents and then email the resulting PDF. Which is the main usage I see it still being used for. In fact in many instances, the alternatives to fax are more laboured even though the actually communication protocol for fax is slow and outdated.
> [Fax] requires both participants to have fax machines
An endpoint is required with all communication mediums. Even e-mail would require the recipient to have an e-mail address. Plus your point is moot when talking about technology that has already been adopted. If anything, the reason fax is still used is because people already have one so make use of it.
> [Fax is] super insecure.
This is sadly very true. It is probably the best reason not to use fax but it's also worth baring in mind that even for all it's flaws, fax is still no less secure than a telephone conversation (let's all replace telephones with something! :p) or the depressingly high number of SMTP servers who don't default to TLS. Thankfully that e-mail criticism is now changing at a significant pace.
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Please be mindful that I'm not trying to advocate the usage of fax machine nor magnetic tapes. The tone of your arguments would suggest that you think I am promoting their usage, but I'm really not. I'm just being pragmatic about things. :)