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Hello, freebieforce colleagues,
I has occurred to me that some of you might be interested in an activity that I am currently engaged in. The activity is that of putting together the necessary hardware/software package that will permit making telephone calls directly from the computer without the need of a handset. In specific terms, this would mean I could wear a headset mike/receiver combination and mouse click on a telephone number anywhere on my computer and have that number dialed automatically for me.
(Note: This information applies to making the call connection through traditional telephone land-lines, not through the newer VoiP technology that utilizies broadband inteernet onnections.)
It has turned out that this is old technology but, strangely, one that has apparently not enjoyed sufficient participation to have it carried over in large measure to current day computers. Anyway, for those of you that might be interested keep reading, but for those who do not find the prospect either useful or pleasing, you can stop reading at this point. The following gets a little technical.
ELEMENTS NECESSARY FOR COMPUTER TELEPHONY
HARDWARE - THE MODEM
Modems come in many different flavors. Note that using a modem as is described herein will not interfere with those using cable modems for their Internet connection. Also, I THINK that using a modem with the following capabilities is also suitable for making Internet connections. A modem designed for voice telephone capability must have all of the following:
- FULL DUPLEX. This is the feature that permits both parties to be talking at the same time and each be heard by the other party.
- VOICE CAPABLE. Self explanatory
- SPEAKERPHONE CAPABLE. This designation specifically provides receptacles where a headset can be plugged in. However, with current USB capabilities, it might be possible to use a modem with the required capabilities with a headset that plugs in to a USB port.
SOFTWARE
Dialing capability is not a feature of the modem itself and requires separate software. I am currently using DialPro software to do my dialing but, because I do not yet have a modem with the features listed above, I must first have the computer dial the number and then use an attached handset to carry on a conversation. This combination is a vast improvement over having to manually dial the numbers but is still not ideal. (Note: Many modems have the capability of responding properly to the dialing of a telephone number even though the connection they make is useful only with the help of a telephone handset.) With the right modem and headset combination, communications can be carried on completely hands free and a minimum of physical activity.
When I have finally put the entire package together, I will provide the information to anyone that would like to have it. Although I'm currently creating a package suitable for a Windows operated PC, I would imagine that Apple users could do something very similar.
Cordially,
Charles "Chuck" Neely
Midland, Texas cattle, oil, cotton and jackrabbits
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