Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device

Subject: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: Allan C.
Date: 08 Jan 06 - 12:55 PM

I feel certain that there is a gadget out there through which one can receive (land line) phone calls without necessarily disconnecting a modem internet connection. The problem is: I can't think of what it might be called and so I don't know how to go about finding one. Does anyone have any information? I've been to Radio Shack but they didn't seem to know of such a thing.

I should add that I did find one program that required caller ID/call waiting; but that isn't what I was looking for.

At the very least, I would want something that, while I am on the internet, would alert me that someone was trying to reach me by phone.

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Jan 06 - 01:05 PM

It's called a multiplexer, or a mux.

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 08 Jan 06 - 01:40 PM

If you have a single telephone line and it's a simple voice line, which is the basic sort in the uS, when your computer is connected, anyone calling you will get a busy signal, since the line is in use.

If you have "call-waiting" the incoming second call will try to tell the "person who's talking" that there's another call. Since the "person who's taliking" is your computer, this will often break your web connection, but won't necessarily ring the phone.

Since this kind of telephone line can only handle one call/one connection at a time, I haven't heard of a mux that would do you any good. If you get enough calls while you're on the web to interfere with web use, your modem can be set up to include the code to turn off call-waiting when it dials the number for your web connection.

If you're in an area (of the US) where voice line is all you can get, usually the only way to be able to talk and surf at the same time is to have two separate lines.

If you can get a more sophisticated connection, such as a DSL line, where the line can carry two separate communications at the same time, the hardware supplied with the service should take care of separating voice and web. You usually have to install a filter, often on each voice telephone, to prevent the higher frequency signal used for the web from being seen by your voice phones.

This is what's the common situation for US phone systems. There are significant differences in the kinds of services provided in other countries, so some systems may permit multiplexing of calls by the phone service user. There may even be rare US services that a mux-capable, but I haven't heard of any. If anyone has more information on where and how it can be done, it would be of interest here.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: Kenny B (inactive)
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 10:01 AM

Broadband? :>}

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: Allan C.
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 02:37 PM

Thanks, folks. Actually, I phrased the question in the first person for simplicity's sake. I was aksing on behalf of a friend who doesn't have broadband access nor the funds to support anything more than an inexpensive phone access ISP. My own access is by way of satellite, which, if expense weren't such an important factor, I would have recommended to my friend.

John, at least in this instance, anyone calling get an unanswered ring - not a busy signal.

Rapaire, while it is nice to have a moniker to hang on such a device, it would be more helpful to know where one would obtain the correct one for the job. An internet search resulted in numerous links to recording studio equipment.

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: GUEST,Telephone Man
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 02:47 PM

There is a Call Diversion service available in the UK. You'd have to ask your phone company if it's available in the USA. You have an ordinary voice line and dial a code to make incoming calls divert to another number when the main number is busy. Dial the code before you go online, and have incoming calls diverted to your cellphone. Sometimes called Divert-on-Busy.

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: Allan C.
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 04:45 PM

Ah-h-h! Yet another reasonable accommodation found in the UK! So far as I am able to discover, the USA, or at least the area I am in, has no such phone feature.

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 04:45 PM

Telephone Man -

The service in the US is usually called Call Forwarding. A "glitch" in getting it is that, although that function is fairly inexpensive, you can only get Call Forwarding if you also get Caller ID, and Call Waiting, and ... so the "extra services" are really available only as part of "packages" that add noticeably to your monthly bill.


Allan C. -

If you have "call waiting" an incoming call often will break your internet connection, so it's common to set up the dial-on for your internet connection to send the code to disable call waiting before it dials the phone number for the ISP. This should give a caller a busy signal while you're on the web.

If you don't disable call waiting, the caller often will hear it "ring until answered," and of course if you're on the web you won't hear it ring, so it won't get answered.

Note that specific "extra functions" may differ depending on where you are and who provides the service.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jan 06 - 05:48 PM

There is a computer program or device out there that will interrupt you online with a popup window that says "you have an incoming call==do you want to disconnect to receive it?" and then if you take the call it will reconnect you when you finish. I don't know what it is called, but it is here in the U.S. So is AllanC., I do believe.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: GUEST,BT Tech
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 06:43 PM

In the UK there is a system called "1+1 carrier" which allows two comms devices on the one line. It is very dependant on your line's impedance and resistance. ie the further away from the telephone exhange you are the less likely it is to work dependably.
It is generally used where it would be too costly to upsize a cable for up to 50% increase in projected line requirements.

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: treewind
Date: 12 Jan 06 - 07:00 PM

The solution I used once was to have two phone lines.
Later I got the phone line converted to ISDN which gave me two connections at a time - one computer and one phone, or two phones on different numbers, through the same pair of wires to the exchange. ISDN might be available/possible - it depends on the phone service provider and your distance from exchange.

(I'm on ADSL now)

Anahata

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 03:06 PM

The base monthly cost of a phone here in Texas (I've pared off every extraneous service I can) is around $22 a month. DSL is anywhere from $40 to $50. If you have a second line in, you're paying about $44, if you have one line and DSL you're paying $62 to $72 a month. So the second line is a savings between the two, but even a dedicated phone line to the computer runs a lot slower than a DSL line.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: GUEST,Guest Dave
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 04:14 PM

I almost bought a device made here that did what you wanted. It was made by Emerson and called the Emerson Switchboard. We goy RR instead.

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 05:30 PM

SRS -

In my locale, ISDN is offered at a "base price" almost exactly the same as the "base price" for two separate POTS lines. I've asked, but can't get useful information from the providers:

1. Your installation order is assumed to be a "verbal contract" but they refuse to provide a copy of the contract prior to installation.

2. Additional hardware is required, but the refuse to provide even a generic description of what hardware will be required/used.

3. Additional hardware may require purchase or lease fees, but they refuse to provide any information on such costs in advance of installation.

4. A specific ISP must be used, and a long-term contract is implied, but they refuse to reveal the terms prior to installation.

5. Specific software must be installed on your computer, and they refuse to provide even a generic description prior to installation.

... I could add another several items, but have to ask - doesn't it look like I'm dealing with a bunch of swindlers if I sign up? I'm pretty sure it would cost more than what's quoted in their frequent (and frequently changing) ads.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 07:18 PM

John,

I have been an Earthlink customer for years, through it's various iterations (first it was Sprynet, a part of Prodigy, then it was part of AOL, who sold the Sprynet part to Mindspring who merged with Earthlink. . .). For me it was simply a matter of my same provider having the service in this area. Now if you were to ask me about the subcontractors, I'd have to tell you that the access is provided by SBC (now the owner of AT&T) and the DSL end of things is managed by Covad. It looks a bit like what the banks are doing, buying each other up.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 08:54 PM

Stilly -

My local provider is also SBC, and about the only question they've "answered" is that I must go through Yahoo in order to get the service. This is one of those "there's a contract but you can't see it" things I find too annoying to accept.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: GUEST,teggere
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 09:55 PM

It's called internet call waiting, I have it at home. You get to see who is calling, and you can answer, you will lose your internet connection, or put them on hold, or ignore them.

Subject: RE: Tech: Telephone/Computer switching device
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jan 06 - 10:10 PM

That sounds right. Is it a separate program or a feature from your Internet Provider? It makes a lot of sense--it used to drive me nuts when I was trying to reach my ex's house to talk to him or one of the kids but the phone was busy for hours. He finally got DSL and now if there is a busy signal I can assume a human is on the phone (and/or it might be too early for my daughter's free minutes on her cell phone to kick in. . .)

SRS