Can I use My Computer As a Phone

[nasttcar]

I have broadband internet and have no need for a modem. However, I spend alot of time on the internet and when the phone rings I need to get up and go answer the phone.

I plan to add a phone line to the location where my computer is, but I would really like to have a pop-up dialog box when the phone rings and then slip on a headset and one click with the mouse to answer the phone.

Is there such a solution that works with any type of modem?

I'm not talking VoIP, but just plain on phone.

Obviously I could just set a phone on the desk and be done with it, but I would rather let the computer be the phone, caller ID, call log, etc.

I look forward to hearing what you are doing or recommend.

John

 

[NathanBWF]

Yeah it can be done. I had this way back in like 1997, just had a phone line plugged into the modem in my PC. There is all kinds of software you can get for what you are looking for (although I can't remember any names at the moment), you can just Google it. Eventhough you don't want to, I'd still recommend just getting a regular phone on your desk instead of using your computer though.

 

[WW]

there's a lot of caller id software packages available, however all require a modem (a real modem, not a cable 'modem'). You can buy a cheap modem like:

cheap modem

but you'd need the phone line.

If the problem is you don't want to drag a phone line over, you could try a wireless phone jack, (which isn't wireless, it uses the power lines in your house):

phone jack

or how about a cordless phone that can have multiple handsets? you put the base unit and one handset with your phone line, and the second unit by the computer. If you have a wireless router, try a 5.8ghz phone...

just some ideas...