# How Do I Configure My Computer So That I Will Be Notified... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 14, 1999, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920 "1999-10-14T22:56:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 1999, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/1 "1999-10-14T22:56:00Z")
…in some way or another when I’m on the Internet and a call is coming in? I’ve got a Gateway Essentials PC. I have Megaphone software, I use Netscape Navigator, and I use a local ISP. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 1999, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/2 "1999-10-14T23:24:00Z")
First of all, you need call waiting. Then don’t deactivate it when you go online. Viola! It’ll knock you offline every time someone rings you up. Cool, huh? [Note: This message has been edited by Nickrz] ---
**Author:** ![typertrphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@typertrphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typertrphy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 1999, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/3 "1999-10-14T23:30:00Z")
Nick? I never argue with you, you are brilliant and lethal. Till now. There is a service out there JUST for this problem. Call yer local phone people. Tell them you want Internet Voicemail. If the phone is busy, your call will roll to your voicemail. Voila. No " Call-Waiting Boots" It’s fairly cheap. 🙂 Typer ---
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 1999, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/4 "1999-10-14T23:38:00Z")
In the “What’s New” section of last month’s Popular Science, they have a story about a company that makes a 56K call-waiting modem that retails for $120. I was interested in having the same feature since my friends always give me Hell when my wife is on the computer in all the AOL chatrooms. Once you read the story though, you’ll see it’s not as cool as it sounds. You can answer the call and have 7 seconds to talk before you lose you Internet connection. Presumably, this gives you just enough time to tell the person “I’m on-line and I’ll call you back in a half-hour” and rudely slam down the phone before they can say anything, which I though was a pretty lame feature. So if you find anything better (short of breaking down and getting another phone line) I’d like to know about it as well. * * * ---
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 1999, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/5 "1999-10-14T23:38:00Z")
In the “What’s New” section of last month’s Popular Science, they have a story about a company that makes a 56K call-waiting modem that retails for $120. I was interested in having the same feature since my friends always give me Hell when my wife is on the computer in all the AOL chatrooms. Once you read the story though, you’ll see it’s not as cool as it sounds. You can answer the call and have 7 seconds to talk before you lose you Internet connection. Presumably, this gives you just enough time to tell the person “I’m on-line and I’ll call you back in a half-hour” and rudely slam down the phone before they can say anything, which I though was a pretty lame feature. So if you find anything better (short of breaking down and getting another phone line) I’d like to know about it as well. * * * ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 1999, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/6 "1999-10-15T00:48:00Z")
I knew that modem was out there. I just couldn’t find the reference. I know I won’t be running out to buy one, if that’s how they work. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 1999, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/7 "1999-10-15T01:06:00Z")
I have the service from Bell Atlantic that takes a message if I’m online. The message is the same no matter if I’m not home or on-line. I just say “blah, blah, blah, not available right now. Leave a message”. Then if you have a message your phone makes a funny tone. You dial in and get your messages. That’s the cheapest way- about 6 dollars a month or so. * * * Some mornings it just doesn’t seem worth it to gnaw through the leather straps. [http://www.angelfire.com/ny3/zettecity/index.html](http://www.angelfire.com/ny3/zettecity/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 1999, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/8 "1999-10-15T01:09:00Z")
Here’s something you might want to check out: [Callwave Internet Answering Machine](http://www.callwave.com./) This is a free service that will take messages, then forward them _immediately_ to a small window on your screen. All you have to do is get “call forwarding” from your phone company, so that instead of getting a busy signal, callers will be forwarded to a toll free Callwave number, where they are prompted to leave a message. When the message is completed, it is then forwarded to you, and you can log off and call them back. The only drawback is you can’t make a custom message in your own voice; callers get a generic message from Callwave (oh yeah, there’s a small banner ad in the Callwave window, but I position it up in my browser buttons, and I don’t even notice it. * * * TT “Believe those who seek the truth. Doubt those who find it.” --Andre Gide ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 1999, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/9 "1999-10-15T15:18:00Z")
There is supposed to be a $49 gizmo from some comp in my city [wish I could find it] that BEEPs when someone is calling you & you are online to let you know someone is calling you. Appealed to me and then did not since im deafened, perhaps I can get them to put a light on it. On the otherhand, if anyone finds their web site, post it. ---
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 1999, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/10 "1999-10-15T15:26:00Z")
Quick follow up to my last reply: That 7-second call waiting modem device I mentioned is made by Actiontec. Read the FAQs though to see all the crappy limitations [http://www.actiontec.com](http://www.actiontec.com) ---
**Author:** ![Keeves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f05b48/32.png) [@Keeves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeves)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 1999, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/11 "1999-10-15T15:51:00Z")
Zette, you may have misunderstood the Bell Atlantic service, or maybe yours is different than mine. Press 9 for options, and then 1 for greeting. From that point, 1 will let you record the general greeting for when you are not home, and 2 for the greeting for when your line is busy (such as when you are either online or talking to someone else). ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 1999, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/12 "1999-10-15T16:02:00Z")
I finally gave in and got a second line. Not too expensive ($12/Mo.), and it sure is convenient. Esp. when you need to call the techies. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Alphagene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Alphagene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alphagene)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 1999, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-configure-my-computer-so-that-i-will-be-notified/3920/13 "1999-10-16T05:26:00Z")
Then there’s HotCall, a device you hook up that lights up and rings when you get another call while you’re online. Check out [http://www.command-comm.com/](http://www.command-comm.com/) for more info. ## But [www.hotcall.com](http://www.hotcall.com) is totally unrelated to this product… “The world ends when I die. And as far as I’m concerned, the rest of the universe might as well call it a day too.” – Matt Groening