Computer as answering machine?

[Sagittaria]

My first computer came with software that would enable the computer to
act as a phone answering machine. I never used it and now I am curious,
but it's many years later and I assume there must be even better
software out there now. BOYC for all suggestions.

[Rosanne]

Post by Sagittaria
My first computer came with software that would enable the computer to
act as a phone answering machine. I never used it and now I am curious,
but it's many years later and I assume there must be even better
software out there now. BOYC for all suggestions.

I got Megaphone as bundled software with our first computer (Gateway).
I liked it so much that when we got the Dell, I went back to their site
and bought their latest Megaphone offering. I use it for fax, not
answering machine (I power my machine down when I'm not using it), but
it's been a really good product for me.

http://www.megaphoneco.com

~ Rosanne

[vj]

vj found this in alt.callahans, from Rosanne
<***@REMOVEsneakemail.com> :

]and bought their latest Megaphone offering.

what has always confuzzled me is if it would work with DSL?


-----------
@vicki [SnuggleWench]
(Books) http://www.booksnbytes.com
newest creations: http://www.vickijean.com/new.html
-----------
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America,
and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples,
promising liberty and justice for all.

[Jerry Hollombe]

Post by vj
vj found this in alt.callahans, from Rosanne
]and bought their latest Megaphone offering.
what has always confuzzled me is if it would work with DSL?

Generally, to do phone stuff with a computer and DSL, you need to have
a regular modem connected to the phone line as well. That's how my fax
software works. When we got DSL, I left the modems in place
specifically so we could do things like that.

[vj]

vj found this in alt.callahans, from Jerry Hollombe
<***@earthlink.net> :

]Generally, to do phone stuff with a computer and DSL, you need to have
]a regular modem connected to the phone line as well. That's how my fax
]software works. When we got DSL, I left the modems in place
]specifically so we could do things like that.

DARN! that's what i was afraid someone was going to say.
**sigh** i'll have to see if there are any left laying around
anywhere. thanks for the answer, tho!

we're 'sharing the night, again!'

Mike - please - put Jerry's distilled water on my tab again tonight!


-----------
@vicki [SnuggleWench]
(Books) http://www.booksnbytes.com
newest creations: http://www.vickijean.com/new.html
-----------
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America,
and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples,
promising liberty and justice for all.

[Jerry Hollombe]

Post by vj
vj found this in alt.callahans, from Jerry Hollombe
]Generally, to do phone stuff with a computer and DSL, you need to
]have a regular modem connected to the phone line as well. That's
]how my fax software works. When we got DSL, I left the modems in
]place specifically so we could do things like that.
DARN! that's what i was afraid someone was going to say.
**sigh** i'll have to see if there are any left laying around
anywhere. thanks for the answer, tho!

Don't forget the DSL filter on the modem line.

Post by vj
we're 'sharing the night, again!'
Mike - please - put Jerry's distilled water on my tab again
tonight!

And I'll cover whatever she's having. What the heck. Us computer
tinkerers have to stick together.

[vj]

vj found this in alt.callahans, from Jerry Hollombe
<***@earthlink.net> :

]And I'll cover whatever she's having. What the heck. Us computer
]tinkerers have to stick together.

thank you! [Mike hands vicki a double-Blessing to help her sleep
SOMETIME tonight]

now, please, WHAT is a DSL filter for a modem????????
**sigh** somehow, i just KNEW this wasn't going to be easy!


-----------
@vicki [SnuggleWench]
(Books) http://www.booksnbytes.com
newest creations: http://www.vickijean.com/new.html
-----------
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America,
and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples,
promising liberty and justice for all.

[Jerry Hollombe]

Post by vj
vj found this in alt.callahans, from Jerry Hollombe
]And I'll cover whatever she's having. What the heck. Us
]computer tinkerers have to stick together.
thank you! [Mike hands vicki a double-Blessing to help her sleep
SOMETIME tonight]
now, please, WHAT is a DSL filter for a modem????????
**sigh** somehow, i just KNEW this wasn't going to be easy!

When you got your DSL modem, did it come with filters for the phone
lines so it wouldn't interfere with your telephones and vice versa?
You need one of those on the modem line, too.

[vj]

vj found this in alt.callahans, from Jerry Hollombe
<***@earthlink.net> :

]When you got your DSL modem, did it come with filters for the phone
]lines so it wouldn't interfere with your telephones and vice versa?
]You need one of those on the modem line, too.

ah - i'll have to ask the resident expert when he awakens - thanks.

i'm going to need to make sure it's done before he leaves for good.

thank you, sweetie!


-----------
@vicki [SnuggleWench]
(Books) http://www.booksnbytes.com
newest creations: http://www.vickijean.com/new.html
-----------
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America,
and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples,
promising liberty and justice for all.

[Stan]

Jerry Hollombe wrote: }vj wrote: Jerry Hollombe :
}>
}> ]And I'll cover whatever she's having. What the heck. Us
}> ]computer tinkerers have to stick together.
}>
}> thank you! [Mike hands vicki a double-Blessing to help her sleep
}> SOMETIME tonight]
}>
}> now, please, WHAT is a DSL filter for a modem????????
}> **sigh** somehow, i just KNEW this wasn't going to be easy!
}
}When you got your DSL modem, did it come with filters for the phone
}lines so it wouldn't interfere with your telephones and vice versa?
}You need one of those on the modem line, too.

FIRST, check the DSL modem for a second RJ-11 jack marked PHONE.

You can run a jumper from this to the analog modem without a DSL
filter, since the DSL modem filters that jack.

Stan.

[vj]

vj found this in alt.callahans, from
***@delete-this-crap-xprt.net (Stan) :

]FIRST, check the DSL modem for a second RJ-11 jack marked PHONE.
]
]You can run a jumper from this to the analog modem without a DSL
]filter, since the DSL modem filters that jack.

i had to leave [read run away from home] for the weekend, so i'm just
now getting back to catching up.

from what i understand, David had them do a different type of
installation for us, so the DSL and the phones were split into
separate lines before they came into the house. so, in theory, all i
need to do is to put a modem back into my computer.

we'll see -- if it doesn't work, i'll be back with more questions!


-----------
@vicki [SnuggleWench]
(Books) http://www.booksnbytes.com
newest creations: http://www.vickijean.com/new.html
-----------
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America,
and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples,
promising liberty and justice for all.

[Frank McCoy]

Post by vj
vj found this in alt.callahans, from
]FIRST, check the DSL modem for a second RJ-11 jack marked PHONE.
]
]You can run a jumper from this to the analog modem without a DSL
]filter, since the DSL modem filters that jack.
i had to leave [read run away from home] for the weekend, so i'm just
now getting back to catching up.
from what i understand, David had them do a different type of
installation for us, so the DSL and the phones were split into
separate lines before they came into the house. so, in theory, all i
need to do is to put a modem back into my computer.

That "separate line" has to have a DSL filter. If it doesn't, you
have to add one.

The instructions on our DSL said (incorrectly, mind you) that you have
to put a DSL filter on *each phone and fax* connected. However,
knowing a bit more about electronics than they ass-u-me you do, I know
differently. You need any LIN* except that connected directly to the
DSL modem to be filtered ... and the DSL line NOT filtered.

So, I broke the incoming line into two lines, filtered the one going
to the whole house, and did NOT filter the line going on to the room
with the DSL modem in it. Then, once past the modem. I added a filter
for the phone and computer connected on the other side ... ONE filter
for both machines.

So, using only TWO filters (instead of fourteen), all the phones,
faxes, and computers in the house get filtered lines, while the DSL
modem is unfiltered.

The DSL filters, AFAIK, are just simple low-pass filters.

Post by vj
we'll see -- if it doesn't work, i'll be back with more questions!
-----------
@vicki [SnuggleWench]
(Books) http://www.booksnbytes.com
newest creations: http://www.vickijean.com/new.html
-----------
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America,
and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples,
promising liberty and justice for all.

[David Ball]

Post by Frank McCoy

Post by vj
vj found this in alt.callahans, from
]FIRST, check the DSL modem for a second RJ-11 jack marked PHONE.
]
]You can run a jumper from this to the analog modem without a DSL
]filter, since the DSL modem filters that jack.
i had to leave [read run away from home] for the weekend, so i'm just
now getting back to catching up.
from what i understand, David had them do a different type of
installation for us, so the DSL and the phones were split into
separate lines before they came into the house. so, in theory, all i
need to do is to put a modem back into my computer.

That "separate line" has to have a DSL filter. If it doesn't, you
have to add one.
The instructions on our DSL said (incorrectly, mind you) that you have
to put a DSL filter on *each phone and fax* connected. However,
knowing a bit more about electronics than they ass-u-me you do, I know
differently. You need any LIN* except that connected directly to the
DSL modem to be filtered ... and the DSL line NOT filtered.
So, I broke the incoming line into two lines, filtered the one going
to the whole house, and did NOT filter the line going on to the room
with the DSL modem in it. Then, once past the modem. I added a filter
for the phone and computer connected on the other side ... ONE filter
for both machines.
So, using only TWO filters (instead of fourteen), all the phones,
faxes, and computers in the house get filtered lines, while the DSL
modem is unfiltered.
The DSL filters, AFAIK, are just simple low-pass filters.

Post by vj
we'll see -- if it doesn't work, i'll be back with more questions!

Vicki asked me to explain a little more.

We had to get the professional install from the phone company because
we got DSL with a router and static IP's. The lines are split before
they come into the house and a single filter is placed on the line
that feeds all the phones. The line into the house for the DSL is
totally separate and has ONLY a Cayman DSL router on it. There are no
phones connected to that DSL line. There's a completely separate phone
line into the room that has the DSL router.

Here's an ascii drawing, if you can see it in the font your newsreader
uses.

__________________________________DSL Router
/
/
/
phone company ---|splitter
\
filter
\_______phone________phone____________phone



-- David

[Frank McCoy]

Post by David Ball

Post by Frank McCoy

Post by vj
vj found this in alt.callahans, from
]FIRST, check the DSL modem for a second RJ-11 jack marked PHONE.
]
]You can run a jumper from this to the analog modem without a DSL
]filter, since the DSL modem filters that jack.
i had to leave [read run away from home] for the weekend, so i'm just
now getting back to catching up.
from what i understand, David had them do a different type of
installation for us, so the DSL and the phones were split into
separate lines before they came into the house. so, in theory, all i
need to do is to put a modem back into my computer.

That "separate line" has to have a DSL filter. If it doesn't, you
have to add one.
The instructions on our DSL said (incorrectly, mind you) that you have
to put a DSL filter on *each phone and fax* connected. However,
knowing a bit more about electronics than they ass-u-me you do, I know
differently. You need any LIN* except that connected directly to the
DSL modem to be filtered ... and the DSL line NOT filtered.
So, I broke the incoming line into two lines, filtered the one going
to the whole house, and did NOT filter the line going on to the room
with the DSL modem in it. Then, once past the modem. I added a filter
for the phone and computer connected on the other side ... ONE filter
for both machines.
So, using only TWO filters (instead of fourteen), all the phones,
faxes, and computers in the house get filtered lines, while the DSL
modem is unfiltered.
The DSL filters, AFAIK, are just simple low-pass filters.

Post by vj
we'll see -- if it doesn't work, i'll be back with more questions!

Vicki asked me to explain a little more.
We had to get the professional install from the phone company because
we got DSL with a router and static IP's. The lines are split before
they come into the house and a single filter is placed on the line
that feeds all the phones. The line into the house for the DSL is
totally separate and has ONLY a Cayman DSL router on it. There are no
phones connected to that DSL line. There's a completely separate phone
line into the room that has the DSL router.
Here's an ascii drawing, if you can see it in the font your newsreader
uses.
__________________________________DSL Router
/
/
/
phone company ---|splitter
\
filter
\_______phone________phone____________phone
-- David

Works for me.
My setup is basically the same; except the split is done *inside* the
house, and I add another DSL filter *after* the router, because the
kid's computer (and phone) is located there.


DSL Router Computer----Phone
| ________|________Filter________|
| /
| /
| /
phone company -|]<
|B \
|o Filter
|x \ Phone Phone Fax Phone Computer----Phone
| \___|_______|_______|______|_______|

[Matthew Russotto]

Post by vj
vj found this in alt.callahans, from Jerry Hollombe
]And I'll cover whatever she's having. What the heck. Us computer
]tinkerers have to stick together.
thank you! [Mike hands vicki a double-Blessing to help her sleep
SOMETIME tonight]
now, please, WHAT is a DSL filter for a modem????????

It's a low-pass filter that prevents the high DSL frequencies from
interfering with the modem and/or phones, and conversely prevents any
stray high frequencies generated by the modem from interfering with
the DSL. Any ADSL kit should come with a few.

[vj]

vj found this in alt.callahans, from ***@grace.speakeasy.net
(Matthew Russotto) :

]It's a low-pass filter that prevents the high DSL frequencies from
]interfering with the modem and/or phones, and conversely prevents any
]stray high frequencies generated by the modem from interfering with
]the DSL. Any ADSL kit should come with a few.

thank you.
hopefully, i'm not going to have to worry about it - we'll see.


-----------
@vicki [SnuggleWench]
(Books) http://www.booksnbytes.com
newest creations: http://www.vickijean.com/new.html
-----------
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America,
and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples,
promising liberty and justice for all.

[Wesley Struebing]

Post by vj
vj found this in alt.callahans, from Jerry Hollombe
]Generally, to do phone stuff with a computer and DSL, you need to have
]a regular modem connected to the phone line as well. That's how my fax
]software works. When we got DSL, I left the modems in place
]specifically so we could do things like that.
DARN! that's what i was afraid someone was going to say.
**sigh** i'll have to see if there are any left laying around
anywhere. thanks for the answer, tho!
we're 'sharing the night, again!'
Mike - please - put Jerry's distilled water on my tab again tonight!

I don't know how *old* yur 'puter is, vj, but it should have a modem
in it already. Just plug yur phone line into it (it's smaller than
the line out of your DSL "modem" (or into your DSL "modem' if it is
internal)), and configure your dailup connection. (I assume you still
need to do that,even if all you're using it for is voice messaging...)

Of cousre, caveat connector<G>, and ymmv...

--

Wes Struebing

I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America,
and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples,
promising liberty and justice for all.

[vj]

vj found this in alt.callahans, from Wesley Struebing
<***@carpedementem.org> :

]I don't know how *old* yur 'puter is, vj, but it should have a modem
]in it already. Just plug yur phone line into it (it's smaller than
]the line out of your DSL "modem" (or into your DSL "modem' if it is
]internal)), and configure your dailup connection. (I assume you still
]need to do that,even if all you're using it for is voice messaging...)

well, all of my computers are "home-built". the modems went away when
the networking and the DSL came into the house [i think]. one of
David's jobs before he leaves will be to check on all this and make
sure it's working!

]Of cousre, caveat connector<G>, and ymmv...

understood!


-----------
@vicki [SnuggleWench]
(Books) http://www.booksnbytes.com
newest creations: http://www.vickijean.com/new.html
-----------
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America,
and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples,
promising liberty and justice for all.