Possibly another method of notification would be some type of communication like instant messenger. Some of us leave our computers on overnight, and with the volume put up all the way, I'd be awakened by a message. All the important info could be in the message. But....how many people are we talking about in my "address" book in case I had to do the notifying? LOL
If your computer is on all night, instant messenger is great. I, for one, however, do not leave my computer on all night, and if I left it on, I just know one of my nutty friends would be beeping me at all hours :) For some reason they are much less likely to call on the phone unless it is an emergency. Probably because the phone would wake everyone.
On the other hand, it sure would eliminate the fears some people have of releasing their phone number. Then all we would have to do is arrange for Freepers to sleep next to their computer! That might be difficult.