Hello, I have been searching for a free way to answer my phone calls on my pc (by connecting my landline to my modem) I have tried searching for some, but all I have found is VOIP software.
any help is appreciated.
thanks

Voice generally means that the modem is capable, with appropriate software, of supporting telephone answering machine functions: the modem can 'record' and 'play' to the Windows wave device. The answering machine software will also use the sound card on the machine to play and record. The software may also include functions to dial or answer calls using your sound card's microphone and speakers or headphones.

To place and recieve calls there is nothing better than a standard phone (POTS: plain old telephone service).

I did find a post here: http://forum.skype.com/lofiversion/index.php/t75238.html
He makes sure you know there are several caveats. IT's hard to setup and use. Requires some technical expertise and may cost $$$ to obtain/support.

On the other hand you could switch to VOIP service and still use your old telephone number. Depending on who provides the service you may get 911 or you may not. Cable and phone companies tie your phone # and address. Places like Vonage do not.

Then there is skype. they offer a range of services.

any suggestions about how to simply plug my landline into my computer to intercept my phone calls (just to answer them and use my headset to talk and use the computer instead of running out of my office and trying to find the phone:D) thx

(if you dont understand what im getting at just ask me. ill try to explain it better if that doesnt work )

cheers

Would it not be far easier to just invest in a twin cordless phone setup, plug the base in at the socket and plug the second phone in by your computer, bearing in mind it only needs to be able to talk to the base unit and doesn't need a physical connection?

I'm sorry but it seems you're trying to make a mountain out of a molehill here whereas a cordless phone sounds like it may solve your problems (plus you'll be able to make and receive calls when the computer isn't on).

This post has been edited by Neil Jones: Nov 6 2007, 06:40 AM

I'm interested in the same thing. The Windows Dialer program is not really applicable since it only receives calls through video conferencing. The issue isn't to use a cordless phone or speaker phone...I don't want either when I'm on my computer. I have Caller ID software on my computer through an old modem that tells me (literally, with voice synthesization) the name and number of the party calling me. Instead of leaving my computer to answer the phone, I'd like to be able to click an icon and talk through a headset. There should be an easy solution through software to accomplish this. I will keep searching.

I had this feature on my first PC. That was a Gateway back in late 90s or early 2000s. I plugged the cord from the wall into the modem. On screen there was a dial pad. Calls went through my computer speakers and computer mic. The program also took messages when I did not answer. I don't remember the name, but have been looking for this type of program again the last few years. I am about ready to dig through my old cd roms looking for the old program. I would think something would be available today, but so far I can't find anything out there.

you might look into Majic Jack. While this doesn't user your land line, it will allow you to use standard telephones and even have a standard telephone number. I'm considering getting this myself. I do know a few people who have it and say it works great. Problem is that I don't have any pots telephones around anymore. I've been a cell only user for about 10 years.

Have you solved this problem?

I need to do the same thing.

I need to record a tele-training class on my pc which is taking place via a landline.

Please advise

Thank you

It's been 2 months - if you still need a suggestion, I think you could use Roxio Easy Media Creator's audio capture to capture the in-bound audio as it is played through your sound card. You would need to use Skype or something like it to dial-in to the conference; Skype would play the proceedings through your sound card, so you could record them with Roxio.

Neil, wouldn't it be far more intelligent to have simply said that you do not know; rather than trying to change his mind. I doubt it's as if he doesn't know that cordless phones exist. The question is actually one that I have as well. Given the fact that my business is fast paced & some of us actually type & multi-task while talking, an option which allows us to answer the land line call via the modem would be more efficient. If anyone has an actual answer or workable suggestion to the initial question...please let us all know.

Kind Regards,

lawfca

This answer is a little late. This doesn't fit the requirement of being "free", but it's not too expensive. You might try Call Soft or Call Soft Pro ( http://www.mycallsoft.com ). I use it as an answering machine on my pc for my landline phone, but it also has answer and call functions. Unfortunately it hasn't been updated in quite a long time, so I'm not sure if it can be used with Vista ( I use XP Pro ). There's a 30 day free evaluation period so it'll cost nothing to see if it fits your needs.

You can buy a device that connects to your telephone line and records the calls directly to your PC.

Here is a USB phone recorder that connects to the telephone line in parallel (high-impedance):
http://phonerecording.net/usb-phone-recorder-1-channel.html

It comes bundled with easy to use software with convenient user interface for listening of recordings: