Vanity: Missing Phone Calls Due to Surfing

27 June 2002 | Kermit the Frog

[Kermit]

A couple years ago, due to missing phone calls, while I was on the internet, I got a second phone line. I need to cut back on expenses now. So, what are the options? Software? Hardware?

I'm especially interested in your personal experiences with the various solutions. Costs?

[Kermit]

First, I labeled this as a VANITY. So, you have no excuse, if you read this and don't like it. Thank you all in advance for your contributions.

[marajade]

Get DSL... You can be on the telephone and the net at same time with one line.

[A Navy Vet]

I've had cable modem for a couple years now - it's amazingly fast.

[Focault's Pendulum]

Since you're on a budget...and I well understand that....you need to get a phone line splitting device. There are several on the internet and one advertised on TV (not sure how reliable)>

Or you can do what I do....wait for your neighbor to go on vacation and get a 100' cable from Radio Shack.

[Freee-dame]

bump

[TomGuy]

For a single phone line and non-DSL (that is, with basic phone service), check out Callwave.

Callwave will pick up, like an answering machine, and allow caller to leave a message when you are online. Basically, the service is about $3 a month, but they will provide it free (with a small ad on the callbar) for special circumstances (including financial or disability or senior citizen).

I've used it for a couple of years, and it works very well.

callwave.com

You will have to have "call forwarding - busy" (I think that is the one) through your phone company. It runs about $1.25 a month.

[balrog666]

Cable Modem - back to one phone line.
+Cell phone - no phone lines and tell the phone company to go bleep themselves.

[inflorida]

RoadRunner is usually very fast and it won't interfere with your phone line. It costs us $40/month and that includes a $10 discount since we also use TimeWarner cable.

[justkillingtime]

I have seen those on commercials.My question is,would'nt an incoming call cause line noise or interference thus causing you to be disconnected? If not, then this would be a good product to have for those of us still using dial-up but who cant really afford expense of additional phone line.

[geege]

I'm old fashioned....I just turn on my cell phone......

[Don Carlos]

Son-in-law told me about a device called Switchboard. He has one installed that seems to work. Plug it into the phone walljack, then plug the modem line into it. I understand it will ring through when you are on-line and allow you to answer, or the caller can leave a message on your recorder.

Hope it works, since I've got one on order.

[ReaganIsRight]

An Emerson device is being advertised on TV, either $20 or $40, I don't watch, I use TV like a radio.

If they monitor the phone line for an incoming ring and can multiplex and buffer the Internet connection it could work. Emerson is an old company. It sounds like you may lose data, but a lot of people are working on VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). They will definitely step on each other and the connection integrity has to degrade.

[Unknown Freeper]

Cable modem. In some cases, you can get a discount if you're already a cable customer. Then renegoiate the rate on your cell phone. See, faster access to FR and more free phone calls. It works for me. Good luck.

[OrangeDaisy]

There is some kind of software that tells you there is an incoming call. You can have it give you a message that someone called and sign off and call them back. I also think there is something you can rig up with call waiting / caller id that allows you to switch over to an incoming call. Of course those features cost more so you'd have to weigh that against DSL, cable, or just missing your phone calls.

[SpottedBeaver]

Neighbors on vacation... Bump!

[leadhead]

Get DSL... You can be on the telephone and the net at same time with one line.

And get a fax at the same time.

[WKB]

There is a little box called "Hot Call" It will let you know when someone is calling. Cost about $90.00

[marajade]

I don't need a fax machine... I have a all in one printer, etc...

[Focault's Pendulum]

I have seen those on commercials.My question is,would'nt an incoming call cause line noise or interference thus causing you to be disconnected? If not, then this would be a good product to have for those of us still using dial-up but who cant really afford expense of additional phone line.

I'm really not sure. It sounds tempting....but then again...it's on TV!

My local phone company guy tells me that it absolutley cannot work.......of course this is the same guy who told me that a lightning bolt can't be discharged through the phone line!!! I got two modems that prove him wrong.

I'm thinking about wasting some money and ordering the TV thing......at worst...I'll give it to my neighbor who insists on voting Dem.

[JZoback]

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