If you see flames in Jackson

Published Sun, Dec 4 2005 11:59 | William
It's probably my failed attempt at wiring the crib for VOIP  .  I agree, the biggest problem with VOIP is that you can't use your jacks.  This is pretty easy to work around inasmuch as cordless phones with multiple adapters are cheap, and now, just about every model specifically won't interfere with Wifi.  But there's a lame factor w/ respect to looks and of course, you have to use all the same type of phone. So if you want a killer non-wireless, you're out of gas.  Being honest, I'm not going to be able to rewire the crib, I have too many issues in terms of dextirity and wiring skill (plus, my step-dad keeps making jokes about Recluses and snakes under the house) but this is hella cool nonetheless.
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# William said on December 7, 2005 8:38 AM:

This is not so much a comment on your wiring ability but about the cordless phones you mention. I'm tired of them. We've suffered for a couple of years with some crappy AT&T phones that basically don't allow you to dial. When they deign to your wishes they often duplicate what you press (starting with double 7's will I get a third). Fortunately they have a dandy delete feature to wipe out the last duplicated number.

But that's just a terrible vendor. What I really dislike is their portability. I know that sounds stupid but here's the scenario. The phone starts ringing. First the base rings followed shortly by the cordless unit. The double rings are only the beginning of the problem. Hearing the ring I start toward the base but the phone is *NEVER* there. So now I have to listen for the second ring and attempt to figure out where it was left by the last person to use it. Half the time I end up digging it out of the sofa (at least I get a quarter back for answering the call!). Of course I had to walk twice as far because I was already ON the sofa when the ringing started.

Sometimes I get lucky and the phone is not in the sofa. It's upstairs. On the nightstand. Next to the other base with the cordless phone neatly cradled and recharging. But if they're both in the same place -- and one of them never leaves -- was there a point in having a cordless phone to begin with?

# William said on December 7, 2005 8:53 AM:

"This is not so much a comment on your wiring ability but about the cordless phones you mention." Thanks man, but you're just being nice. Just about every time I try to wire something, fire follows. At a minimum I usually see sparks and zapping sounds ;-)

i've been through a few vendors. Seems like the VTech is the 'best' of the bunch that I've tried although I hate the VTEch form factors. Motorola has the coolest looking ones, but they are tragically overpriced and are incompatible with every other kid on the block. Do you btw have a brand or model that you like?

# William said on December 8, 2005 2:35 PM:

No, no real preferences. I hate the AT&T products. Maybe it comes from my distaste for them buying out one of my old companies and then shutting down the division... Their products suck. I'd buy the "lemon" theory if *one* of the portables didn't work, but not both.

I tend to go for simplicity. Phones exist in my home primarily for my wife. My cell works fine for the irregular calls to mom and dad. For that I figure simple and cheap is better... and when you go cheap you need to go simple because otherwise there's just more stuff to break.

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