Phone Dialer

[greggb]

Does anyone know if it would be possible to make a phone dialer (client side) on a web page? For instance, to be able to automatically dial a phone number (through a modem) when the record comes up in the database.

 

[BillyRayPreachersSon]

You might be able to do it using an ActiveX or Java object (or possibly VBScript, at a stretch), but it cannot be done using plain old JavaScript.

Hope this helps,
Dan

 

[tviman]

Here's something to think about... assuming that you can create a dialer, if your user is using a dial-up account to access your page, the whole thing wouldn't work because as soon as the "dialer" dialed the number, it would get a "line busy" error message because the modem line is already connected to the users ISP. So, this would only work for broadband users.

There's always a better way. The fun is trying to find it!

 

[greggb]

Thanks to all for their responses. What I had in mind is would be in a controlled environment used only by broadband users.

 

[WizyWyg]

And if someone has broadband, why would they have a phone connected to their computer?

 

[tviman]

WizyWyg...

I have broadband and I also am connected to a phone line - 2 reasons: 1) if broadband is down, I can access the 'net via modem (this has never happened in 3 years) and 2) I use a computer telephone answering system that handles my office and personal calls. So, it's concienvable and practical to have both but in greggb's situation he's probably working with an intranet system.

There's always a better way. The fun is trying to find it!

 

[WizyWyg]

odd indeed. everyone I know who has broadband doesn't even have modem or use their telephones with their computer. IF they do have a lanline, the just put a cheap answering machine on it (better than a computer one).

I dont even own a lanline anymore since my cell plan was better and cheaper than having a lanline. I've nevre ran ito problems with my BB service either.

 

[tviman]

. IF they do have a lanline, the just put a cheap answering machine on it (better than a computer one).

A cheap answering machine is fine for residential users or those small businesses who don't need anything more, but the computerized ones have so many more features that let you create multiple "voice mail" boxes. The one I use sounds like the many you've heard: press 1 for this, press 2 for that, etc. Then, within each of those there can be additional options. And the messages that the user hears are completely customizable (make your own or use ready-made). Additionally, I can access any or all of the voice messages remotely via telephone or email, add, delete, or alter my responses remotely via telephone, and have any message converted to text and forwarded to an email address!

In the US, it be cost prohibitive to use a cell phone as the only means of telephone communication - sometimes as high as $.10 cents per minute - as compared to a flat fee of as little as $20.00 per month for all the local calls you can make.

There's always a better way. The fun is trying to find it!

 

[ChrisHunt]

Another culture difference - in the UK we pay for local calls :-(

Be aware greggb that some security software may block your dialler program. The reason is that unscrupulous types build web pages that try to make your PC dial premium phone numbers without you knowing (don't ask me how, I wouldn't say here even if I knew). Your page may be falsely identified as such a page.

More on such scumware at

http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/

-- Chris Hunt

http://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk

http://www.napitalia.org.uk

http://www.leicesteryha.org.uk

 

[tviman]

Chris...

This is off-topic but I was curious... how much are you charged for local calls? I have a new client in Romania (phone service there sucks like a new vacumn cleaner!) and she tells me she pays the equivalent of 27 cents (US) per minute!!! Yikes - no wonder cell phones there are as common as fleas on dogs!!!

There's always a better way. The fun is trying to find it!

 

[BillyRayPreachersSon]

-[ Off topic, but in response ;o) ]-

If you visit British Telecom's website:

http://www.bt.com/Pricing/call_pricer.jsp

You can use the call pricing tool ;o)

A standard local-rate call lasting 30 minutes, in a weekday evening would cost you 30p ($0.55).

In the daytime, that same call would cost you £1.18 ($2.17), and nationally would cost £2.37 ($4.36).

I'd say that until recently, we were being fleeced by the telecos... And still are to some degree (although with cable becoming more accesible, price wars are always good for the consumer!).

Mobile phones are almost cheaper to own now than landlines - if not more so... No wonder they're advancing so fast technology - billions must be spent on R&D.

Just the opinions of a closet geek ;o)

Dan

 

[WizyWyg]

A cheap answering machine is fine for residential users or those small businesses who don't need anything more, but the computerized ones have so many more features that let you create multiple "voice mail" boxes.

You haven't seen the new set-top type answering machines have you? Built right into my phone. Its digital. I have 7 mailboxes. No tapes, nearly 4 hours of message taking; doesn't use space on my HD, and I dont need to have my computer on 24/7 or worry that my computer crashes while im away; I still can get my messages. And I can access my messages from anywhere by calling my phone number and entering a code.

In the US, it be cost prohibitive to use a cell phone as the only means of telephone communication - sometimes as high as $.10 cents per minute - as compared to a flat fee of as little as $20.00 per month for all the local calls you can make.

I have to disagree. With cel phone plans becoming competitive (Cingular so far has some of the best plans, though Im not with them - they have no service within my state), a lan line is becoming obsolete. Many Cel plans include internet connection and with loaded amt of minutes, I've never gone over my alloted times (though Rollover minutes with Cingular is mighty tempting).

My state it costs $33 to own a lanline without LD. You can get free LD from the phone company, but it aint worth it. My cel plan is $29 ($31 with all the taxes) a month, including LD, 1st minute free; unlimited weekend and night minutes (nights start at 7 pm) and 400 anywhere/anytime minutes and internet. I use my phone ALOT but I've never gone over 400 minutes.

 

[tviman]

Mobile phones are almost cheaper to own now than landlines

Dan... thanks for the reply.

Interesting... in the US it's just the opposite. I pay a monthly service fee of about $16.00 US. This allows me to make all the local calls I want, any time of the day or nite. Long distance calls run anywhere from .03-.25 cents per minute regardless of the time. Cellular rates vary by company but usually for a fee of $30-$50 dollars monthly you can get from 350 to 1500 minutes. After that, it's anywhere from .10-.25 cents per minute. This is what makes cellular so prohibitive in the US for internet access through a PC. (I checked into this a few years ago and the adapter for my cell phone was $295.00!!!)

I think that at the end of the day, land lines will go the way of the dinosaur. In the US, at least, the "teleco's" have literally billions upon billions of dollars in equipment that supports the land lines, not to mention the trillions of miles of phone cable cris-crossing the country. Take that money, and the labor needed to keep it running, and dump it into cellular and you've got an efficient, easily maintained communications system!

There's always a better way. The fun is trying to find it!