Slashdot Mirror
Using My PC For Plain Old Telephone Service?
TheJerbear79 writes "I recently accepted a work-from-home job that will involve using my landline to talk to customers. When I log into the phone queue, my landline will ring, I'll put in a three digit code, and then calls are routed to the phone line I'm on. It essentially turns my landline into a softphone. Rather than using a regular handset or obtaining a nice business phone with a headset and speakerphone, I would like to use my PC's modem in conjunction with a normal PC headset and soundcard. I know the hardware is capable, but the modem didn't come with appropriate software. Has anyone found anything cheap/free that would suit this kind of usage? Just for clarity, I don't want to use a VOIP solution; I need to use my plain old landline. My reason is this: if I'm watching a movie or listening to an MP3 while I'm waiting for a call, I don't want it to ever be apparent to the person who is on the phone with me, and I want to route all the audio I use through a single headset. I've scoured Google for anything close to this application, and all I've managed to find is information on VOIP software or programs that turn my PC into an answering machine, neither of which will work."
Correction:
Dear slashdot, I am a phone sex operator and want to watch porn during business hours. How do I stop callers from listening in? My budget is exactly $0.
Do you even know what a compressor/limiter does? What use would a piece of studio equipment (rack mounted, at that) have in his setup?
That's nice and all, but I suspect "movie or mp3" is nerd code for porn here and this guy will be doing a lot of "hard work" from home.
'Thats they exact same thing a banana wrench monkey.'
I bet OP is in his 50s and listens to Spice Girls cover songs of Metallica, AC/DC and Eminem songs. Its not just the swear words that are embarrassing, its the music itself.
Or maybe he's listening to mainstream movies with suggestive titles: Die Hard, Dirty Harry, The Italian Job.
So listen to some New Age Mediation music and watch Fried Green Tomatoes.
Problem solved!
I thought your medication was supposed to control those urges?
Well you see, a compressor takes air... no wait that doesn't have anything to do with audio. Ok here we go, a compressor....
Of course I didn't RTFA... why would I do that? You really are new here aren't you? Don't let my UID fool you.
Really, if you don't tell us what OS you are using, it will be hard to suggest software. Not all /.ers still run slackware.
Well, sure, not on all of them... Gotta admit, that young upstart Debian makes a heck of a desktop machine. But still Slackware on all the "important" machines, naturally.
Could you do that? really? Can I order a beowulf cluster of them please? Please!!!
America, Home of the Brave.
Oh yes, here we are on slashdot, where no one has EVER done anything on work time except work diligently.
Apparently. If you knew what a compressor does, you would not be recommending refrigeration equipment when clearly what is required is audio equipment.
I'm sure there are lots of people here who are just dying to know which. I'm also sure there are quite a few who aren't that fussy.
Only three things are certain; death, taxes, and apocryphal quotations - Ben Franklin.
A compressor makes the sound smaller, so you can transfer it faster. By adding a compressor to the line, he can handle a larger volume of calls.
This of course is only useful if he is paid per call. If he is paid for time spent on the phone, then he should get something that will convert everything into a WAV or AIFF file so it takes forever to come through.
Can do - what's your phone number?
Karnal
Sir, I'm a recruiter from Monster Cables. We like your style and wonder if you'd like to come work for us...
Might your friend happen to be largely deaf now?
He could use the Mute button on his keyboard and a normal phone. Isn't this request pretty much just, "I want to solve a trivially-easy problem in the most complex way possible?"
Comment of the year
He could use the Mute button on his keyboard and a normal phone. Isn't this request pretty much just, "I want to solve a trivially-easy problem in the most awesome way possible?"
fixed
Specialization is for insects. -Heinlein
What's all this talk about assuming he's in 'tele-marketing' and having 'high call volumes'?
He could very well have a legitimate job for one of 900 number line 'chat with a sexy girl' things.... yes I said he.
I say don't drink and drive, you might spill your drink. Before you get behind the wheel just stop and think.