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I like using whocalled.us to look up phone numbers. If a number is in their top 10 list for the day, they are almost certain a robo call.

http://whocalled.us/lookup/6157247999

caller ID is spoofed, but here's a sample of calls using that ID.

Uh.. those perks have been available in England for years.

You're missing the point. In communist US, it's mandated by law that when someone calls a cell phone in the United States, they can not get a surcharge for it (it has to be the same price as if you're calling a landline). This forces the person being called on his cell phone to bear the entire cost of those calls.

This law was intended to protect the US consumer, and it does protect us -- it's just that few people notice it (and just like most commie laws, the law has some unintended consequences as well). In the UK, there is no such regulation, so you have either option, but almost everyone chooses the mobile option that makes the other party pay (just like we have 900 numbers in the US, calling a mobile in the UK that's prefixed with the number (7) will incur a surcharge). And on average, the Europeans (or the Americans calling European mobiles) are the *ones* that are getting screwed on their bill, it's just that no one in Europe really talks about the outrageous cost it takes to *call* mobile phones over there.

And the nuisance calls.. I bought a brand new phone and gave my number to maybe three people. I've received over a dozen calls from unknown numbers, all of which Google has identified as scam callers. And I've been charged for being called by these so-and-so's.

Hmmm... I'm assuming that you're talking about "Google" Search (or something like whocalled.us), not Google Voice. If you used Google Voice to filter/screen your calls, you wouldn't be charged for them. I'd suggest you try to get your own google voice number (right now, since you're in the US, you should be able to register for one. Google Voice isn't opened to Europe, but even if it was, it wouldn't make as much sense over there -- since spamming millions of mobile phones with recorded messages in Europe isn't really free for the spammer).

Get yourself a computer projector (if you do your research, you can get a very good one for a decent price). Experiment with projecting on the wall (or on the ceiling of your basement). If your basement doesn't have a good spot for projecting on to. Build yourself your own custom projection screen (see the instructables web site to see how it's done right). Hang it from the ceiling, and use some ropes and a couple of mini-pulleys to tilt it to the angle you prefer (assuming you do want it tilted, also if nothing else, this pulley system could be used to fold the screen toward the ceiling if the screen gets in the way when not in use). Also, I suppose you could use some nylon strings and some metal hooks if you don't like the idea of ropes and pulleys.

Now a projector and a projection screen may not be the perfect set up for reading text, especially reading pdfs, but I think it's getting better (although admittedly, I would never read an entire ebook with it). And perhaps, the other slashdoters could suggest ways to optimize such a set up to facilitate reading (I'm hoping).

Now putting that question of readability aside for someone else: once your budget allows, you can start adding accessories to help with the navigation. Wireless mouse. Wireless keyboard. Wireless tablet. The clapper, clap on -- clap off, when you're in bed (currently sold at Walgreens for not too much I think, thought I have no idea how it would affect the projector cutting its power off, and turning it back on, like that). An additional LCD screen. Two or three cheap laser pointers (preferably of different colors), to be used when your friends are coming over (and yes, you may get some friends coming over more frequently because of this), and since only one person is usually in control of the mouse when everybody is looking at the screen (on occasion, it helps to give your friends laser pointers). iPod Touch, a remote control, or an existing smartphone to be used as a wireless remote control (the thing is, a good remote control device doesn't have to be too elaborate to be useful -- since you will be doing most of your reading/browsing on the screen anyway, and using your own cell phone gives you the added benefit to pause the sound/pause the movie whenever you receive an important call, and also possibly get additional caller-id on-the-fly from http://whocalled.us/ ).

And on the topic of the FoxIt PDF reader, that's an awesome piece of software, but it's been getting bloated and buggier in the past few months (or in the past year?). I'd suggest that if you have an old copy of Foxit, that you hold on to it, back it up, and/or burn it to a disk or something. And lacking an old copy, I'd suggest you try PDF xChange Viewer, that's a good alternative in my opinion.

Now I know that some people have their pdf ebooks read to them by their computers (with different computer voices and at different speeds depending on the ebook) but I've never liked that option and I don't think that option would work for most people (even with the better voice reading technology). May be you should try to have your mom (or your girlfriend -- whichever applies in your case) come down to the basement and read to you what's on the projection screen while you're lying in the Hammock with your eyes closed. That last option sounds kind of nice actually. :-)

I want to *99 the call and have them automatically stabbed in the testicles with a red hot ice pick.

In our home I'm the one who pays for and has the only connected landline telephone in my room (it is only for the internet and everyone has cellphones for regular use). I've been getting calls for other family members from less-than-honest companies.

Now I always let the phone go to voicemail and delete the messages afterwards. Batch processing, baby!

One of these companies especially is a persistent harasser, asking after anther family member. Their messages are approximately 50% pre-recorded ("We have a very some very important information on your account for you...") and 50% live.

I have answered one of their calls once, some months after they first began calling. I confronted them about it being a marketing call and they tried to assure* me that it wasn't. "I assure you that this isn't a sales call, Sir". * I know that because he used the word 'assure'.

The insidious thing is that no one in the family has ever had an account with this company; they're just trolling for business, trying to foist a credit card with rates only fit for the mathematically naive, on somebody.

This is even more insidious because I've personally just sorted out a mountain of debts that the person they are targeting had amassed. She definitely does not need another credit card!

Anyway, if I have any trouble identifying the callers (who rotate numbers quite often), I've found services like whocalled.us to be very useful.

Fortunately for me they don't call often enough (just three times per week on average) that it has become a huge deal, but I will be changing my telephone number soon anyway.

In my opinion too many people treat the telephone as an open and freely accessible door into your home. If you don't know me and I haven't given you my number personally you have no business calling me, period. That's my opinion.

You might want to check out the site Who Called Us. It's an attempt to construct a database of such calls and could be useful for coordinated efforts with other victims coming forward.

You can use http://whocalled.us/ to coordinate investigation. Even though the number is spoofed, as long as they are using it consistently it is still an identifier. As everyone shares facts they discover it's possible to find the true identity.

And whocalled will tell her that her phone number and her address are the source of the scam calls.

That's not the solution... that's the problem.

1) Still opt-out style. Unless you add yourself to the list, you are fair game for callers

2) Still ineffective against pollsters, politicians, and fundraisers

It's better than nothing, but there are certainly ways to make it better.

I don't see how being forced to buy something by law means you give it a "glowing review", alas..

Another way to fight against unsolicited calls is to figure out who called you and take further actions that they are exposed, and possibly shut down.

I use this often seems to work nicely.

http://www.whocalled.us/

I've had a couple calls from them and when I ask to speak with a supervisor, I get hung up on. They also list their number in the recording where you can call back, which prompts you to leave a voice mail or to hold on to talk to a representative. I think I called back about 25 times, each time holding for a minute and requesting to speak to a supervisor, each time I was hung up on. Oh the fun of Skype-Out calling the telemarketers wondering who is calling THEM! =)

whocalled.us has done the same thing for telephone lookups.
http://whocalled.us/lookup/2035551212

I've done it personally years ago before mod_rewrite ever existed. Every time you enter a URL you are submitting a "query" for a resource.

I want the patent office to keep granting rediculous patents ... sooner or later their laziness will cause the whole patent system to loose whatever ounce of credibility it has left.

'I've searched the web for the caller-ids, and it seems this happens all over the country.. some folks were successful at tracking down who actually makes the calls (often a Florida address), and some interrogated the people who picked up when you 'press 1' finding they're just working for some unknown entity out of their basement. The caller-id numbers are from all over, sometimes local, sometimes from other states, and others 'Blocked', but often it's the same message."

Check out whocalled.us, if you haven't already. You get a way to connect with others who get the same calls, perhaps organize something.

I find this site handy to learn about the origin of unknown callers (but with caller ID).

Precisely. I have a VoIP line at home and get a number of calls (4-8 a day) from a company which I refuse to talk to (apparently a surveying company - they are exempt from the Do-Not-Call list).

My solution: Route all their calls back to them. They still try to call, but at least it solves my problem.

BTW, a very relevant link: Who Called Us. If you get repeated calls from a number you don't recognize, type it in there and very likely you'll find out about those trying to call you.

http://whocalled.us/

Cool site

http://whocalled.us/ You can use to report a good many if you are already DNC, and still you can report them as well. We have a voip line here, unless its family/friends/work related, I usally dont answer, most will hang up when voice mail kicks in, if I do randomly pick up (wonder who it is calling) a good example is.

Hi Im calling to sell you a newspaper? What??! Im blind, send it in braile. *click*

Most of the time I ask them questions regarding how they should handle this call, or tell them I want to speak with their supervisor. Since I have done marketing/funding calls in my youth, I still try and keep updated as to the laws, etc.....but when they constantly try to rebuttal my remarks - then I see if I can make them cry. Its also fun to tell them (since Im with child) they are upsetting my baby and do not call back.....I am evil....it is Monday.