Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Replacing Orange's Wildfire with Asterisk?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the a-service-that-was-too-good-to-die dept.

Loconut1389 asks: "In 1994, Wildfire Communications released a telephone based voice recognition agent that kept track of contacts, and given a schedule or a list of numbers where to reach you, would try and contact you at places you might be when someone calls in. Wildfire was in service through a number of companies, until 2005 when Orange pulled the plug. I had the pleasure of being frustrated with misunderstandings, but thoroughly enjoyed the concept, and it was a worthwhile product. Just before they closed up the Wildfire shop, they had a version that didn't require training. In any case, I was wondering if Asterisk, with some extension modules, had come far enough to replace the functionality of the Wildfire service? Has anyone had experience with the original Wildfire product that could recommend a modern equivalent, even if it was commercial?"

2 of 25 comments (clear)

  1. Altigen by acvh · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Since you mentioned Asterisk I assume you're open to a PBX solution. If not, you can leave now.

    We use Altigen as our PBX and it does what you ask. I can give it a list of numbers to try me at when someone calls, and the caller will have the option to do so, or to leave me a message. It can be set to this "One Number Access" according to a schedule. It can email your voice messages, call you with voice messages or serve your voice messages through its client software or a web interface.

    Plus all the usual PBX stuff. It ain't cheap, but it's not as expensive as a traditional system. I would imagine that Asterisk can do most of this, but I have no experience with it.

  2. Why try numbers when your computer can *know*? by Takuan · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Using bluetooth proximity detection, automatically forward calls to the *right* place rather than just guessing. When you're at your desk, your computer detects your bluetooth phone and routes calls to your desk. When you leave, your computer detects the lack of your phone and forwards calls to your cell. When you get home, your computer there picks up your cell and routes calls to your home phone. Yes, with asterisk.

    http://nerdvittles.com/index.php?p=78

    -ben