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I am getting fed up with my other half constantly running up our
phone bill by calling 411 everytime she wants to look up a number or
address. We have no less than 10 phonebooks and unlimited internet
access at very high speeds. I've talked and talked to her about it, but
she just can't be bothered
to actually look up a number and dial it. I
could call the phone company and have the service blocked, but she'd
just call 'em right back and have it restored. I can't add a password to
the account, either, because we put the phone under her name when
we got it.
We do use an answering machine, though, and it's built into the
charging base. So what I'd like to do is set it up so when she calls 411
(or any other paid directory assistance service) she hears a pre-
recorded message from me saying "look up the number, dial the
number" then the call is disconnected. To change it would require a
passcode be punched into the keypad on the charging base. This
would not be something the phone company can reset with a
phonecall.
Duofone Call Restrictor
http://support.radi...nes/doc48/48829.htm
[Jscotty, Sep 27 2009]
[link]
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You're in a no win situation [21Quest] let it be. |
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We use the internet for almost all phone research. Is she comfortable with the computer? |
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If both of you think you should control her access to the phone, change it to be in your name. |
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How would this be set up so it can be requested by a party other than the registered subscriber? |
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(Transatlantic translation: 411 = directory enquiries. Not sure about ROW, sorry) |
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"Sorry 'bout that incident with the intruder last week, I'm sure I told them to block *four* one one." |
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I have had to block numbers from stalkers. BT charge for the service. I think you'd be charged for blocking that. Would it be cheaper in the long run? |
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Perhaps we need a new category for "Product: domestic
conflict resolution". I would post an invention which, every
time an extension lead is not re-coiled properly onto the
spool after use, would cause the same user to suffer a mild
but disconcerting electric shock next time they used it,
whilst automatically transferring £10 from their bank account
to mine. Mrs. Maxwell would probably post an invention
which automatically stubs the toe of anyone caught winding
the hoover cable too neatly back onto its little winding-up-
around hooks. AND another thing.... |
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I was thinking along the lines of a hardware block. The phone
would detect the number being dialed, and a switch inside would
physically hang it up, using the answering machine to play the
prerecorded message right before the hangup. No need for the
company to be involved in any way, so how could they charge
me? |
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Put Google-411 in her speed dial, maybe she'll use it. Or just leave her alone, she's an adult presumably. |
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Technological solution to a problem which is fundamentally about your relationship [-] |
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It could easily be programmed not to block 911, even if it's
entered by mistake. |
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{{{{Ting}}}}, 8th of 7, that was a funny one. |
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Sounds like the issue is with the missus, not the phone!
Maybe if she had to pay the phone bill the calls would
stop!
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From what you have said, this feature (blocking numbers) is
widely available, it's just tha your partner knows the
password. Any system will fall down if she has the ability to
switch it on or off. |
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Well yes, but this would be something she doesn't *have* the
ability to switch on or off. It's like the difference, with a
cellphone, between protecting your phone from unauthorized
use with a SIM lock code, which can be bypassed by calling the
phone company and obtaining the PUK code, and using the
phone's proprietary built-in security code feature, which the
phone company cannot reset or unlock. |
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You are missing the point. She has the ability to switch it off
because she has the password. You are suggesting a whole
new level of security to go over the one that already exists,
and is quite adequate.
There is no need for this, as the current system works
perfectly well unless you give your partner access to it!
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Let me put this another way... Imagine you want to keep your partner out of your house, however she has a key. The solution is not put another door over the original door, the solution is change the lock (or take her key off her). |
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Radio Shack used to stock a device that worked for this purpose. (I know this because I bought one for a similar problem) You could either connect it in series from the main phone block and it would shut off the line if it detected a certain number or you could connect it in parallel in a hidden location within the house and then it would create an annoying high pitched buzzing noise if it detected any unauthorized numbers or pre-selected number sequences. (e.g. 1+ any number or anything starting with 976) I wish I knew where my unit was or what the RS stock number was. I'd like to have this on hand for circumstances just like this! |
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Ok.. I found it! Duofone Outgoing Call Restricter Cat# 43-952 |
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Change your partner. Sorted. |
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Suggested category change ;-) |
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Suggested category change:
Health: Birth Control |
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Last of the 411 Interceptors. Be a shame to blow it up. |
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Knowing a little about women, were you to put this in place it would be a sure way to ensure you don't miss "Fight Night" on CNN. It would show an utter lack of respect for her right to exercise free will; a right she retains even through marriage she voluntarily agrees to temper with your wishes. So; for a poorly thought-out solution to a problem [-]... but still it is a valid idea for (e.g.) corporate use [+] = []. |
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I think that part of the appeal of this idea over a password change is that it might be able to be installed surreptitiously, and might be beyond the scope of Madame [21Quest]'s abilities to foil. Also, there's just something more permanent about actually, physically blocking the use of 411. Something more retaliatory about it. i like it. |
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Why do you even have a landline? Cell phones, man! I got one, let me tell you about it. No wires! And, a shiny screen get this: it's a freakin' digital camera, too! I'm boning this because I had a bad breakfast. |
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my house is a black hole. No cell phone signal past the event horizon (read "doorway"). |
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I have a landline because if i put a mobile number in my Yellow Pages ad, it would look really shoddy and i would lose lots of clients if i changed my number anyway. And i have a DECT 'phone. |
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