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There are federal laws that telemarketers have to follow. The man who wrote Enigma put together a simple database with a series of questions that the telemarketers have to answer, along with the word for word excerpt of the Federal Regulation.

They have to answer the questions, or they can hang up on you, but it's been my experience that once you start throwing federal law at them, you're in control of the call.

Of course, you can hang up on them, but I liked using the software - if they want to call me at supper time, then I'm more than happy to torture them for awhile. I've always ended up talking to a call center supervisor - and loved the panic in their voices as you go through the questions provided.

The database allows you to keep track of who has called you, and if they repeat the call after you request they put you on their do not call list - if they do, it opens them up to a fine, not much, but a fine all the same.

I don't want to win the battle with telemarketers. I don't want the battle in the first place. I don't even want the phone to be ringing and rolling over to an answering machine where I can screen my calls.

With an unlisted phone number, over 99% of the phone calls you get are from people you want to talk to. The remainder are people who misdial and generally apologize when you tell them you don't know anybody named Rachel or Rastus.

Thanks, Tenn-Bob! I was wondering what kind of program was there, since the web site does little to describe it. I was actually suspecting a telephone answering program that works through the modem to deter telemarketers. Which wouldn't help me much since I'm on a cable setup.

Personally, since I answer the phone all day at work, I tend to ignore it at home. I let the machine pick it up. If its important, they'll leave a message. :^)