phone answering program

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ceg

My wife is wanting an answering program that will take a message if somebody
calls while she's online. She has a dial-up modem, WinXPHSP2. She's
currently paying ICM $4.95/mo.
Thanks!
 
whoa.... wait a minute....

the only thing I know that can do something similar to that is v92 if the
ISP provides its full functionality
and you have the modem that is v92 compilent, then while you are still
online you get a notification that
someone is calling you, then you can pause the internet without being
disconneted and you can talk on the phone.

read about it here http://www.v92.com/about/modem-on-hold.html
 
John Jay Smith said:
whoa.... wait a minute....

the only thing I know that can do something similar to that is v92 if the
ISP provides its full functionality
and you have the modem that is v92 compilent, then while you are still
online you get a notification that
someone is calling you, then you can pause the internet without being
disconneted and you can talk on the phone.

read about it here http://www.v92.com/about/modem-on-hold.html
Click to expand...

I asked this very same question on here some months ago and was informed
that software that comes with the modem had it built in. never mentioned
what brand of modem I had I just recieved a few replies that you could do it
"usually" with the software that comes with the modem. How does AOL do it
with any modem used?
 
take a look at this too

http://www.v92.com/about/netwaiting.html



John Jay Smith said:
whoa.... wait a minute....

the only thing I know that can do something similar to that is v92 if the
ISP provides its full functionality
and you have the modem that is v92 compilent, then while you are still
online you get a notification that
someone is calling you, then you can pause the internet without being
disconneted and you can talk on the phone.

read about it here http://www.v92.com/about/modem-on-hold.html
Click to expand...
 
NetWaitingT
NetWaiting (a BVRP application) is bundled with the Conexant V.92 modem
chipset and driver. In NetWaiting's initial release, Call Waiting is
supported for the US, Japan, China, Israel, France, Italy and Singapore.
Call Waiting CID is supported for US, Japan, Israel, France and Italy. More
countries will be added over time.
NetWaiting, like all MOH applications, requires the user to have Call
Waiting service with their telephone company. Additionally, Call Waiting
must be enabled. Some ISPs (e.g. AOL) automatically turn off Call Waiting in
their dial up scripts.



more here http://www.v92.com/about/netwaiting.html
 
ceg said:
My wife is wanting an answering program that will take a message if somebody
calls while she's online. She has a dial-up modem, WinXPHSP2. She's
currently paying ICM $4.95/mo.
Thanks!
Click to expand...

That's like going into Best Buy and saying you want an answering
machine that takes a message when someone calls while you're already
talking to Aunt Bertha. It just doesn't work that way.

The best you can get is something the pops up and tells you that you
have a call and tells you who is calling. You'll need the following: a
v92 modem, a MOH application running that monitors the modem and
supports caller ID, regular caller ID (through your phone company),
call waiting (through your phone company), and call waiting caller ID
(this is DIFFERENT than regular caller ID).

Other services do what you want by having you forward your phone number
to them while you're on line. The call goes to them and they IM you a
notification that you got a message. Your line can't do two things at
once; your computer can talk or a person can talk.
 
Eric said:
That's like going into Best Buy and saying you want an answering
machine that takes a message when someone calls while you're already
talking to Aunt Bertha. It just doesn't work that way.

The best you can get is something the pops up and tells you that you
have a call and tells you who is calling. You'll need the following: a
v92 modem, a MOH application running that monitors the modem and
supports caller ID, regular caller ID (through your phone company),
call waiting (through your phone company), and call waiting caller ID
(this is DIFFERENT than regular caller ID).

Other services do what you want by having you forward your phone number
to them while you're on line. The call goes to them and they IM you a
notification that you got a message. Your line can't do two things at
once; your computer can talk or a person can talk.
Click to expand...

I wonder why no-one hs developed an app that will do both
simultaneously, its no great technical challenge, and ISPs offering
this could ask more for the dialup service.


NT
 
Eric wrote:
Click to expand...
I wonder why no-one hs developed an app that will do both
simultaneously, its no great technical challenge
Click to expand...

It's not only a "great technical challenge", the phone line can't do
it, no matter what app you develop. One POTS line can only be
connected to one other POTS line at a time - it has nothing to do with
software.

If you can figure out how to make two calls on a single line at the
same time (just the concept, not the technical details), you and I can
become wealthy. (I can write the software if you can figure out what
it should do.)
 
Al said:
It's not only a "great technical challenge", the phone line can't do
it, no matter what app you develop. One POTS line can only be
connected to one other POTS line at a time - it has nothing to do with
software.

If you can figure out how to make two calls on a single line at the
same time (just the concept, not the technical details), you and I can
become wealthy. (I can write the software if you can figure out what
it should do.)
Click to expand...

An understandable assumption, but in fact this one was solved a century
or so ago in the days of the telegraph. Google 'telegraph duplex line'
and you'll probably find the first method used. There is more than one
way to do it. Here are 2 slightly more modern approaches:

1. digitise and compress the speech, transmit down the line digitally,
and use all the gaps for internet data. This will allow you to use the
net while talking on the phone via the pc. Your surf speeds will be
affected of course, as theres only so much data one can squeeze down a
4kHz line.

2. Simpler and compatible with standard telephones: transmit speech
analoguely as now, and add the digital data at an amplitude level well
below the speech. Since both use the same bandwidth one must use a
robust error detecting coding, which implies considerably reduced data
throughput. This is the method used during the second world war, but
no. 1 would be better, with much higher data throughput. During WW2 the
data was at such a low level it was more or less inaudible, and I'm
trying to remember the data rate but it was under 20 baud iirc. Todays
technology would manage far higher rates.

It would be great if someone does code it.


NT
 
Yes, technically it's possible to multiplex signals, DSL does it today.
However, both ends have to agree on all the protocols. That's not
something you're going to get changed on a standard land-line and
having a program running at just your end isn't going to help at all.

With dial-up, you can't even get every ISP to support V92.

If this "talking to someone else while on the 'net" thing is a big
issue you are better off doing what I did: get DSL (or cable).
 
Eric said:
Yes, technically it's possible to multiplex signals, DSL does it today.
However, both ends have to agree on all the protocols. That's not
something you're going to get changed on a standard land-line and
Click to expand...

I wouldnt be so sure. Modem standards have changed and been agreed on
many times. First there aws 110 baud, today we have 56k, and there have
been many other standrds inbetween. The key is desire: if users desire
it, some will pay for it. And where theres money theres people looking
to compete for the money.
having a program running at just your end isn't going to help at all.
Click to expand...
With dial-up, you can't even get every ISP to support V92.
Click to expand...

yes, but thats because its not in their financial interest. Although
V92 is a great idea, refusing to implement it and watching customers
upgrade to fraudband pays better.

Combined net and talk is useful for the large numbers of people that
dont have the broadband option.

If this "talking to someone else while on the 'net" thing is a big
issue you are better off doing what I did: get DSL (or cable).
Click to expand...

sure, but a huge number of people dont have that option, and for most
of those it doesnt look like it'll come along any day soon.


NT
 
An understandable assumption, but in fact this one was solved a century
or so ago in the days of the telegraph. Google 'telegraph duplex line'
and you'll probably find the first method used. There is more than one
way to do it. Here are 2 slightly more modern approaches:
Click to expand...
1. digitise and compress the speech, transmit down the line digitally,
and use all the gaps for internet data. This will allow you to use the
net while talking on the phone via the pc.
Click to expand...

Only if the person you're talking to is also the person your modem is
connected to. You *CAN NOT* connect to two numbers at the same time
on a single POTS line.
2. Simpler and compatible with standard telephones: transmit speech
analoguely as now, and add the digital data at an amplitude level well
below the speech.
Click to expand...

See above.

You'd have to get the telcos to change the telephone switches to allow
you to make 2 calls (or make one and accept another) on the same line
at the same time.
 
Only if the person you're talking to is also the person your modem is
connected to. You *CAN NOT* connect to two numbers at the same time
on a single POTS line.

You'd have to get the telcos to change the telephone switches to allow
you to make 2 calls (or make one and accept another) on the same line
at the same time.
Click to expand...

I seem to remember someplace in the cobwebs in the back of my head that
there used to be a program that made use of the call waiting thing where you
could switch back and forth between two different calls. The program
allowed for taking a voice message from one line then switching back to your
internet connection. This was back in the days of DOS...maybe Win3.1...so
it's possible not many people remember it or have even heard of it nowadays.
 
ceg said:
I seem to remember someplace in the cobwebs in the back of my head that
there used to be a program that made use of the call waiting thing where you
could switch back and forth between two different calls. The program
allowed for taking a voice message from one line then switching back to your
internet connection. This was back in the days of DOS...maybe Win3.1...so
it's possible not many people remember it or have even heard of it nowadays.
Click to expand...

It's called Modem-on-Hold (MOH) and it's part of the v92 standard. You
need an ISP that supports MOH, a modem that supports v92, a MOH
application (often modem specific, I had to call my manufacturer and
push to get the program) that watches for the signal, and call waiting
on your land-line. If you want to see the ID of the person calling you
also need caller ID and call waiting caller ID (AT&T sells them as two
seperate items).

Then, when a call comes in a box pops up asking if you want to switch
over. It tells the ISP that the carrier signal is going to drop and to
wait for you to return instead of hanging-up. All data transmition
STOPS at this point. You generally have only 3 to 5 minutes (set by
the ISP) to get back before the ISP will drop you anyway.

You can then answer the call WITH THE PHONE ATTACHED TO THE PHONE-OUT
PORT MODEM. Trust me, I tried this. The other phones in the house
acted "odd"

When you are done you should be able to hit the "resume" button to
reconnect with the ISP. Warning: some sites came back all freaked-up,
MOH really hates to pause and resume when an active transfer is going
on (page loading, downloads, stuff like that) and other times it just
didn't work for no reason. I had it for about a little over a year and
it was a 50/50 kind of thing.
 
I seem to remember someplace in the cobwebs in the back of my head that
there used to be a program that made use of the call waiting thing where you
could switch back and forth between two different calls. The program
allowed for taking a voice message from one line then switching back to your
internet connection. This was back in the days of DOS...maybe Win3.1...so
it's possible not many people remember it or have even heard of it nowadays.
Click to expand...

Old trick and it works - as long as both you and your ISP have your
modems set to not disconnect on carrier loss of less than <pick a
large number> seconds. Most ISPs disconnect on 10 seconds of loss or
less. (when you switch to the incoming call the modems both show loss
of carrier until you come back to the modem call. And, if your
software isn't set to hold on loss of carrier, it'll hang the call
up.)
 
Al said:
Only if the person you're talking to is also the person your modem is
connected to. You *CAN NOT* connect to two numbers at the same time
on a single POTS line.
Click to expand...

This is elementary. Youre connecting to the exchange, and both calls
are routed to that exchange as usual. There is nothing challenging
about them multiplexing 2 calls, the technology has bene around a long
time.

The real gotcha is that you need an agreed standard and you need your
telco provider to support it. In most cases they do support new
standards, but V92 has proven an exception.

See above.
ditto

You'd have to get the telcos to change the telephone switches to allow
you to make 2 calls (or make one and accept another) on the same line
at the same time.
Click to expand...

they already do this


NT
 
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