Outgoing message (telezapper!)

[Bennett]

However, there is one HUGE feature missing that is making me look at other available products--telezapping. I know you can automatically hang-up on calls, but that just warrants repeated callbacks. I want to be able to play a pre-recorded outgoing message for certain numbers. (And as an added bonus, Ascendis could include some default messages, like the standard 3-tone-this-number-is-no-longer-in-service message or "Please add this number to your do not call list.")

I'm not interested in a complete call center. I don't want an answering machine and multiple mailboxes and fax center, etc.. I just want to play an outgoing message. Since you already have all the TAPI overhead in place, this should be a very minor addition to answer a call and stream a sound file to it. (And, of course, the user would need a voice modem.)

Despite the ease of use and otherwise great features of Caller ID, without the option to play an outgoing message, I'm exploring other available products. (All of which I've found so far are either too little or too much when compared to Caller ID...<sigh>)

[Bill Root]

Thank you for your suggestion.

This is a popular request, and one we'd like to implement. I noted your vote in our feature request database and we'll see where it falls relative to other user requests.

[OHolloway]

Yes this is a great idea.I've been using caller id for a long time and that is one feature I always wanted.Bill Root makes a fine product and I hope to see this feature implemented very soon.

[Pauley]

I also would like to see this feature added to an already awesome program!!

However, there is one HUGE feature missing that is making me look at other available products--telezapping. I know you can automatically hang-up on calls, but that just warrants repeated callbacks. I want to be able to play a pre-recorded outgoing message for certain numbers. (And as an added bonus, Ascendis could include some default messages, like the standard 3-tone-this-number-is-no-longer-in-service message or "Please add this number to your do not call list.")

I'm not interested in a complete call center. I don't want an answering machine and multiple mailboxes and fax center, etc.. I just want to play an outgoing message. Since you already have all the TAPI overhead in place, this should be a very minor addition to answer a call and stream a sound file to it. (And, of course, the user would need a voice modem.)

Despite the ease of use and otherwise great features of Caller ID, without the option to play an outgoing message, I'm exploring other available products. (All of which I've found so far are either too little or too much when compared to Caller ID...<sigh>)

[Stu Gale]

Ditto for me! Bill's done an incredible job on this software but boy would that feature be handy!

[TR0N]

Are there any 3rd party programs out there which can be run which will give the same result? ex: Set a catagory up to activate another program which will play the wanted sound file to the caller.

[Bill Root]

That's a good idea, but I haven't found one yet. The difficulty in handing off a call makes it more difficult than one would think.

Finest regards,
Bill Root
Ascendis Software

[Bill Root]

I just posted beta version 1.8.0.4 which includes a "PhoneSound" command in scripted actions. (It is not available in Easy Actions at this time.) You can read about the new command in the beta announcement:
http://ascendis.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=160

Finest regards,
Bill Root
Ascendis Software

[Frostye]

A great feature.

I can't seem to get it to work though. Is there a TAPI command I need to put in the Andvanced scripting? My modem can and does do the hangup command but answer send wav file and then hangup seems to be at issue.

Suggestions?

[Bill Root]

Hi Frostye,

If your modem doesn't support the command or the modem is misconfigured as far as voice support, you should see a message in the Activity Log.

I can diagnose the problem better if you send a Technical Support Report (Help menu, Technical Support Report) right after the problem occurs. We don't recommend posting reports in the forum because they often contain phone numbers, but you can send it to support "at" ascendis "dot" com and I'll have a look.

Finest regards,
Bill Root
Ascendis Software

[Frostye]

Here you go Bill,

Took your advice - I was getting a USB cable modem anyway - so I removed the duplicate Modem

After I removed it - I wasn't getting caller ID to Show up regularly until I disabled and re-enabled the soft modem and restarted Caller ID. Activity log says I cannot play sound over the phone - so I need another modem then?

Here's the activity log:


3/20/2005 08:35:11 AM - The device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" cannot play sounds over the phone
3/20/2005 08:35:11 AM - The device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" cannot play sounds over the phone
3/20/2005 08:35:11 AM - The device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" cannot play sounds over the phone
3/20/2005 10:37:51 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 10:37:57 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 10:38:03 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 10:38:09 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 10:38:13 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 10:42:06 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 10:42:12 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 10:42:18 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 10:42:24 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 10:42:28 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 10:47:18 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 10:47:24 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 10:47:29 AM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 12:21:18 PM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 12:21:24 PM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 12:21:30 PM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 12:21:36 PM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 12:21:41 PM - Call is nil while phone is ringing
3/20/2005 12:30:05 PM - Line "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" was closed outside of our control (this could indicate an incorrect or malfunctioning driver, loss of power (is the device on?) or a hardware failure) -- we will attempt to reopen it; check the Line Monitor for more information
3/20/2005 12:34:17 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:34:17 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 0
3/20/2005 12:34:17 PM - Could not access TAPI device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" because it is not open. Please make sure the device is connected properly and turned on.
3/20/2005 12:34:26 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:34:26 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 0
3/20/2005 12:34:26 PM - Could not access TAPI device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" because it is not open. Please make sure the device is connected properly and turned on.
3/20/2005 12:35:11 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:35:11 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 0
3/20/2005 12:35:11 PM - Could not access TAPI device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" because it is not open. Please make sure the device is connected properly and turned on.
3/20/2005 12:35:12 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:35:12 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 0
3/20/2005 12:35:12 PM - Could not access TAPI device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" because it is not open. Please make sure the device is connected properly and turned on.
3/20/2005 12:35:13 PM - End of modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:36:59 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:36:59 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 0
3/20/2005 12:36:59 PM - Could not access TAPI device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" because it is not open. Please make sure the device is connected properly and turned on.
3/20/2005 12:37:07 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:37:07 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 0
3/20/2005 12:37:07 PM - Could not access TAPI device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" because it is not open. Please make sure the device is connected properly and turned on.
3/20/2005 12:37:14 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:37:14 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 0
3/20/2005 12:37:14 PM - Could not access TAPI device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" because it is not open. Please make sure the device is connected properly and turned on.
3/20/2005 12:37:15 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:37:15 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 0
3/20/2005 12:37:15 PM - Could not access TAPI device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" because it is not open. Please make sure the device is connected properly and turned on.
3/20/2005 12:37:20 PM - End of modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:41:39 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:41:39 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 0
3/20/2005 12:41:39 PM - Could not access TAPI device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" because it is not open. Please make sure the device is connected properly and turned on.
3/20/2005 12:41:41 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:41:41 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 0
3/20/2005 12:41:41 PM - Could not access TAPI device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" because it is not open. Please make sure the device is connected properly and turned on.
3/20/2005 12:41:42 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:41:42 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 0
3/20/2005 12:41:42 PM - Could not access TAPI device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" because it is not open. Please make sure the device is connected properly and turned on.
3/20/2005 12:41:42 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:41:42 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 0
3/20/2005 12:41:42 PM - Could not access TAPI device "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" because it is not open. Please make sure the device is connected properly and turned on.
3/20/2005 12:43:31 PM - End of modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:43:35 PM - Shutting down

3/20/2005 12:46:03 PM - Started
3/20/2005 12:46:03 PM - Caller ID Version 1.8.1.0 (1/30/2005 2:13:14 PM)
3/20/2005 12:46:03 PM - C:\Program Files\Ascendis Software\Caller ID\CallerID.EXE
3/20/2005 12:46:18 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:46:18 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 10
3/20/2005 12:46:19 PM - Command to enable caller id is "AT+VCID=1<cr>"
3/20/2005 12:46:40 PM - Beginning modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)
3/20/2005 12:46:40 PM - Modem is on TAPI Line ID 10
3/20/2005 12:46:40 PM - Command to enable caller id is "AT+VCID=1<cr>"
3/20/2005 12:46:42 PM - End of modem test for modem "SoftV90 Data Fax Modem" (0000)

[Bill Root]

Hi Frostye,

Took your advice - I was getting a USB cable modem anyway - so I removed the duplicate Modem

After I removed it - I wasn't getting caller ID to Show up regularly until I disabled and re-enabled the soft modem and restarted Caller ID.

I'm guessing you "uninstalled" and "reinstalled" the remaining modem -- from the Phone and Modem Options control panel or from the Device Manager -- which is the right thing to do. When two winmodems are installed, one usually stomps on the other's drivers. The log entries starting at 12:46:18 PM indicate that Ascendis Caller ID was at least able to talk to the modem in "Repair Modem". I don't see any caller information -- if you didn't call it to test it that's ok, otherwise there's something wrong. Generally a modem uninstall/reinstall fixes this, if the modem is caller id capable (and I think you had it working before?).

Activity log says I cannot play sound over the phone - so I need another modem then?

Yes, unless the modem is supposed to have voice features but doesn't have the correct drivers. Usually the drivers from the manufacturer are required to get caller id and voice functions working.

If you purchase another modem I recommend the Zoom External 3049C. It has a hardware controller and voice support. Other modems are mentioned on our modem page but we don't have any other recommendations at this time:
http://ascendis.com/callerid/modems.php

Finest regards,
Bill Root
Ascendis Software