Incoming calls

[rorythedog]

Hi folks. I've just started a new job. Hooray. Only problem is I'm 'on call' a lot. I need to be able to move at very short notice.

I have a dial-up connection. Is there any software, or hardware, that will alert me when there is an incoming call while I am on-line? I need this job, but I need to browse also. Any ideas or help would be great. Cheers.

BTW my OS is XP.

[Rex_Mundi_Incarnit]

You can get ISDN with a router. That way you automatically get 3 more "phone numbers" so to speak. At least that's what my parents have, even though they switched to cable internet now. So one is internet, another one is home phone, another business phone, and the last one is fax for instance.

I'm not sure that when you're online, you can get a notice that someone is trying to reach you. With dialup you are practically making a phone call already (only to the internet), if you know what i mean.

I think a router is the best solution :chinese:

[plover]

It partially depends on what is available in your area. If you can get DSL or cable internet your phone would not be occupied when you are online.

I have a vague memory of reading about a dialup modem that could put itself "on hold" in some fashion for incoming calls, but I have no idea where I saw this, and can't remember the particulars well enough to give a more meaningful description.

[Tokelil]

I have a vague memory of reading about a dialup modem that could put itself "on hold" in some fashion for incoming calls, but I have no idea where I saw this, and can't remember the particulars well enough to give a more meaningful description.My memory is about as vague as plovers, but Im sure that some modems supports this! Maybe modems that follow the v.90 standard, but Im not sure. I think your ISP needs to support it too though, so you could give them a call to see if they support it.

Edit: I did a google and came up with a few interresting pages. Seems like call waiting is the only services that the tele company has to support for some modems to work.

http://www.56k.com/reports/callwait.shtml
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=201&page=1
http://www.modemsite.com/56k/callwait.asp

[Hanzo]

Hey yo, congrats for your new job dude.

First, you'll need a V.92 modem and the drivers for it properly configured. Plus your ISP will need to support V.92 as well so this feature can work properly. It's pretty much a standard on V.92 modems, but there are not many ISP's that support it.

When all of this happens, the modem will suspend your browsing and will let the call in so you can pick it up, either using another regular phone connected to the phone jack in the back of the modem or via mic and speakers using your sound card. If you have everything really well configured you can even let people leave a message in your computer and it'll be recorded on your hard drive as a wav or something, so you can have your PC as your answering machine, although if you have a regular answering machine you can connect it to the modem's phone jack and use it regularly.

I saw a demo of all those features not too long ago when I was on training for my current job.

[Todd The Kiwi]

whoah , all this stuff sounds really cool .
the only reason i have a cellphone is to avoid dsl charges
i'm thinking of getting a wireless connection from WOOSH! (http://www.woosh.com/UserInterface/Woosh/Static/Homepage/Home.aspx)
which will cut out :skull:Telecon:skull: all together , nice.

Rory >
is a cellphone not an option man?
i suppose it could end up costing more than all the above combined...

[Hanzo]

whoah , all this stuff sounds really cool .
the only reason i have a cellphone is to avoid dsl charges
i'm thinking of getting a wireless connection from WOOSH! (http://www.woosh.com/UserInterface/Woosh/Static/Homepage/Home.aspx)
which will cut out :skull:Telecon:skull: all together , nice.

Rory >
is a cellphone not an option man?
i suppose it could end up costing more than all the above combined...
Cellphone would be sexier IMO and cheaper I guess. The feature I'm talking about is called "modem on hold"

:D

[rorythedog]

Thanks for all the advice folks. As luck would have it, circumstances may be about to change. Rumour has it we may be getting broadband in our area after all :knocked-o

I'm keeping everything crossed ;)

Anyway, thanks again.

Everybody, have a tea on me.

[traveller]

:globe: Don't know if you can get it in Scotland, but over here in NC, our main telco (Telus) offers a program called Internet Call Director wich alerts you to incoming calls while you're connected. Neat tool; gives you calling number display and several options for handling the call (transfer, voice mail, "Sorry" message). Of course, we have to pay for this, but it might be worth checking with your telco. :)