rufwoof wrote:Keep thinking about getting one of those skype phones you plug into the ethernet so that you don't need the PC to be booted up in order to make/receive calls - but haven't yet got around to actually buying one yet.
I bought and fitted a small Linksys box that connects to my router [modem and router need to be powered and booted].
I then plug in [to the box/adapter] an ordinary landline type phone [or my DECT wireless phone].
If I remember right, I had to take out an account with some web phone service [cannot remember the details now].
I haven't yet bothered to pay any money toward the account so that phone is only able to ACCEPT calls [these are FREE calls received = cost NOTHING].
If I pay money to the account I could make low-cost calls to landline phones and mobile phones [local or worldwide].
I was able to choose which area code to use...
i.e. If I chose a London area code, people residing in London could make calls to that number at local rates.
I remember a guy in Canada saying he had relatives in Glasgow, Scotland, so he chose a Glasgow code so his Glasgow relatives could make calls to him in Canada at local Glasgow rates.
That phone sits there almost never used.
It NEVER gets any nuisance/marketing calls.
My wife was the only person who ever used it, so when it rang I knew it was her calling.
Everyone else uses our "normal" phone [the answering machine blocks the marketing calls].
We need to be more adventurous.