jeffj@pedsga.UUCP (Jeff Jonas) (12/23/89)
I just a flyer in my phone bill that CLASS service is available. This
displays the phone number of the calling party on a display...
<<< enter wish mode I wish I had...>>
Rather than having separate lines for voice and data, I'd like a board
to my computer (like the Watson board) where it answers the phone with
an outgoing message.
If you want voice, just leave a message. If you want data, enter a
digit (say, '1') and the voice disconnects and the modem connects.
(ah, but how to get uucp chat scripts to do this) Me - I'd enter a
security code and use the telephone as a terminal:
input: the keypad
output: tones and speech synthesis
What could I control? Anything that a X10 controller can handle
(ex: start dinner as I leave the office,
stop dinner if I'm delayed)
The modem also gets the phone number ANI. This can be used for
authentication, or at least log users.
When the phone rings, should I pick it up? I don't know if it's a
person or a modem at the other end before I pick it up EXCEPT if I
know the number of the caller is a modem (from previous registration).
Perhaps if the computer recognises the originating number as that of a
modem, the modem would answer immediately rather than requiring an
entry to connect the modem.
This has good security potential. If I use a PC as a smart console, I
can log all phone calls on the console (rather than the publically
accessable system).
This console also monitors that system and sounds an alarm for unusual
activity (such as unusual set-UID programs reported by PS). I'd then
have a log of when the phone call started, the originating number, and
I'd then start logging the serial line (use a line monitor to capture
both sides of the session). I emphasize the use of a separate
computer for the console and data logging so that the hacker cannot
'cover his tracks' and it's harder to defeat the alarms.
Is there a number I can call that tells me what number I dialed?
I need this to check my auto dialer. Perhaps auto dialer
manufacturers offer such a diagnostic service (like Panasonic, or any
phone manufacturer?) My neighbor had a lot of grief when her parent's
autodialing phone misdialed her phone number. All I could say was to
reprogram the phone. I wish I could have her parents check it for
themselves and verify that the number was misprogrammed, or test if
the dialer was misdialing.
[Moderator's Note: If the distant end answers, *ask them* what number
you reached. If the other end is not in service, an intercept message
will tell you what number you 'reached' (actually, dialed) in the
course of telling you it is not in service. That resolves two possible
cases. PT]