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A Whitelist for Phone Calls?
javacowboy asks: "I've been getting lots of strange phone calls lately. Most of the time, my phone would ring less than three times and then stop before I can answer. Then, a couple of nights ago, I got a call at 3am in the morning. It had stopped ringing by the time I woke up. *69 revealed a number with an area code of 632, which does not exist. I called the number, and the call would not complete past the area code. I want a product or service with which I can set up a -whitelist- of numbers that I allow to make my phone ring. Any number not on the list, or an unlisted phone number, tries to call me, and the phone doesn't ring at all. I would pay as much for this service as I would pay to have my number removed from the phone directory. Is something like this possible? If so, how would I do it?"
I'm getting fed up with: wrong numbers; callers hang up on me as soon as I speak into the phone; telemarketers; crank calls; late night calls; people I know that I no longer wish to speak to; etc. My telco charges $8 a month for call display, which is exorbitant. Still, a call display won't prevent my phone from ringing. A do not call list will not prevent my phone from ringing. Getting my phone number removed from the phone directory will not prevent wrong numbers. How can filter out the calls that I don't want to deal with?"
Their people printed our number on their fliers. Most of the folks were nice when we told them they had the wrong number, but a few got really pissed and insisted that they had the right number. I really wanted to say after they "insisted" rudely for a few times, "OK, you got me! This really is the Marriot and because I, Joe Schmoo, gave you a hard time, you can have the presidential suite and a bottle of Dom every night - free of charge. Here's your confirmation #." And then I would then let them go.
My wife vetoed that. Sign....
I prefer Flambe as apposed flamebait.
> Whitelists will prevent
> 1. your stranded grandma from calling you
Why she can't call your mum is beyond me! Why is granny your problem?
> 2. friends calling from their friends house
Geeks don't have friends, remember. They have online acquaintances who use IM or
VoIP these days. Worst-case they might email you.
> 3. that cute girl you just met
Calls from girls? You're mistaking us for people who actually know how to talk
to girls!
> 4. various official phone calls that you really needed to receive
When was the last time you were required to receive a phone call? If it's that
important they kick in your door and confiscate your computer equipment using
rent-a-cops looking for any music at all.
> Luckily, whitelists will still allow your mom to call from upstairs when dinner is ready.
Damn, the one person I dont' want to call. Mum just doesn't make enough geek food
like pizza and she confiscated all my twisties. How am I supposed to write code with
broccoli and mash as the fuel?
I drink to make other people interesting!
>> 3. that cute girl you just met
> I'm married.
Then you DEFINITELY want that call to forwarded to another number!
The dangers of excessive individualism are nothing compared to the oppressiveness of excessive collectivism