[comp.dcom.modems] Smart telecom box ...

rwi@naucse.UUCP (Robert Wier) (10/28/88)

 I would also be interested in a smart box, which could be
 used to set forwarding (or remote dialing), probably involving
 an incoming and outgoing phone line.  My situation is this:

 1) I have all my personal Mac equipment, modem, etc at my office
 at school (on campus).

 2) The school is not willing to pay the costs of long distance 
 phone calls to Phoenix to connect in with the national data 
 network ports (HEY! TELENET, GENIE, COMPUSERVE, etc...HOW ABOUT
 PUTTING IN A PORT HERE!!!)

 3) It is possible for me to place long distance calls from the
 school switchboard using a calling card, but of course you
 have a surcharge for an operator assisted call, and the per
 minute charge is quite a bit higher than if you direct dial.

 4) I can forward my home phone to a desired number (long distance),
 rush to school, call my home (a local call), which will then be
 forwarded on long distance to Phoenix.  However, I have to pray
 that no one calls my home number, which will also initiate a 
 long distance call.

 So I could use a box which I could call from school and either
 a) switch the call forwarding on or off at my home number or
 b) have a second line into my home to control the box, and relay
 the outgoing long distance call to the desired number.

 Actually, in thinking about it, I DO have an Apple II Plus which 
 has been sitting on the shelf for a couple of years, which has
 a modem in it.  I would suppose you could write a program to
 give it instructions about placing and unplacing forwarding
 on a single line.  Wonder if anyone's done that?

 thanks -
 
 -Bob Wier at Flagstaff, Arizona   Northern Arizona University
  NAU Box 15600                    *usual disclaimers*
  Flagstaff, Az.                   ...arizona!naucse!rwi
  86011                            602-523-2052