I want my computer to act as a super answering machine, storing messages as sound files indexed by the number of the caller. I tried some Windows software a while back and bought an external modem to work with it, but it didn't work terribly well.
I'm trying Vonage VOIP mainly to get such features (the amount I will save on long distance calls is marginal). The problem is, the temporary number they have assigned me does not allow such features, only outgoing calls. I have to surrender my MTS number to even try it out.
If I give up my MTS number, which I hadn't intended to do before a good trial, I will have only one phone in the house and it will die every time Shaw Cable goes out.
Does anyone out there have experiences to share about VOIP service providers? Is there software +/- hardware that will allow me to use my computer as an answering machine (with call display info) on regular phone lines?