eli@chipcom.com (09/07/89)
Hi folks... I'd like your opinions regarding my future telecom needs for my home (apartment). Right now, I have one residence line and a DID voice mail number. The voice mail service i am using now is cheap, but has been losing important messages for me due to busy signals. I'm trying to decide whether to go with a commercial voice mail/pager service or a second phone line with answering machine. The commercial service allows me 150 calls per month (.20 each beyond 150), and a pager to indicate when i receive a voice message. I would forward to voice mail when I am on a modem or other long phone call. (I HATE CALL WAITING!). This service would cost me about $25 per month. My other option is to get a second phone line with minimal outdial service, and an answering machine. The phone line would be $60 to install, $10 a month for service. I'm wondering about answering machine cost -- and whether there are answering machines which provide full access from a remote touchtone phone. Any recommendations re machines like this would be appreciated, as well. The cost of my two options seems to be similar -- if I amortize all the costs over a year or two (as long as I'm likely to live there)... the second phone line can come in very handy sometimes... but the voicemail/pager also comes in very handy as well... which should I go for? -- Steve Elias -- eli@chipcom.com (for Chipcom / networking related mail) -- eli@spdcc.com (for metroboston email2fax and personal mail) -- voice mail: 617 859 1389 (send email to both addresses if you like) -- work phone: 617 890 6844