telephoning w/ my array mic and computer speakers

[Wesley]

Is is possible to make and receive calls on my land line using the array mic and computer speakers? It would be great if I could jump from dictating in Dragon to answer the phone. Even better would be if an address/phone book was there to save the caller ID and dial for me. It would also be nice if I could export addresses from that book to Word.

thanks for any suggestions or confirmation that it can't be done

[Patonb]

I've Tried some programs that made calls, could use as voicemail, but then found out my moden didn't do voice.. so I stopped.

Phone (http://tucows.com/preview/323179) looks good, also general Tucows search (http://tucows.com/search?search_terms=phone&search_scope=win&search_adv=0&search_size=&search_size_multi=b) gives these

Good Luck

[bob clark]

Is is possible to make and receive calls on my land line using the array mic and computer speakers? It would be great if I could jump from dictating in Dragon to answer the phone. Even better would be if an address/phone book was there to save the caller ID and dial for me. It would also be nice if I could export addresses from that book to Word.

thanks for any suggestions or confirmation that it can't be done

Hi Wesley,

A few years ago I tried to do what you are and it kinda worked for me. But I had to wait a couple of months until the software was updated. I was unfortunate in the Creative ModemBlaster Modem (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=7&subcategory=40&product=52) that I bought was XP compatible but the SuperVoice® 2.0 software (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=7&subcategory=40&product=52&nav=softwareBundle) wasn't. It was designed for Win98/ME. This has been fixed now and everything should work as advertised with the included SuperVoice® 2.2 software. You can use a headset or a mic and speakers. There's always better audio quality with a headset unless you keep your speakers low and away from your mic. And a uni-directional mic would be preferred.

The software was easy to understand and was laid out nicely. It had an answering machine, call screening, address book, and speed dial etc. The downside is that you need to keep your computer on 24/7 for it to act as a telephone, answering machine and call screener etc. Some people leave their computer on 24/7 anyway.... I don't. In any event, you'll need a DUPLEX (two way communication) voice modem for any telephone software to work. Most newer modems are. And a decent soundcard helps too but if you have your audio integrated into your motherboard that should work too. I think the option you'll want to look for in the audio integrated into your motherboard is called TAD-In. Telephone Answering Device. It's quite common.... look in XP's Volume Control under Properties.

You can buy the Creative ModemBlaster modem with the included software for $35 at Newegg. I think I still have mine lying around here somewhere!!

Do you use a dialup phoneline modem or do you have a broadband modem?

If you have broadband then you'll need to buy a Duplex Voice Modem like the one I linked to above if you don't already have one in your computer. Whether they'll be a conflict between the two I wouldn't think so. But you'll probably need to do some configuring on it... using the broadband modem for Internet and the SoundBlaster Modem as your telephone center.

It may be a good idea to update the SuperVoice® 2.2 software (http://www.supervoice.com/asp/register/register_oldstyle.asp) at their website. It should be a free update if there are still any known problems with version 2.2.

Here's a modem and software that will do what you want for just $10. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16825137102)

Microphone and speaker I/Os for full duplex speakerphone function
Data/Fax/Voice communication software suit provided.

But try the phone center software that Patonb linked to or try Voice Call Central (http://www.voicecallcentral.com/advancedcallcenter.htm) free for 30 days.

If you would just like not missing incoming phonecalls while you're online and you only have one phoneline you can try CallWave (http://www.internetstuff4u.com/callwave/) free for 30 days. Then you need to pay a monthly subscription of around $8 but you can only talk for 10 minutes! For $10 a month you can talk for up to an hour. At these rates you may as well have another phoneline installed!!! My sister used it and really liked it. It used to have a basic service that was always free but no longer. Grrr....

Best of luck.

[PN]

Hello Wesley:

You may need a phone/computer switch (http://google-cnet.com.com/Fellowes_phone_computer_switch/4014-8309_9-30213544.html) for your Dragon NaturallySpeaking set up. I recall Liz recommending (using) GN SeleCT (http://www.gnnetcom.com/US/EN/MainMenu/Products/Accessories/GN+SeleCT.htm) for her wireless headset but I think this phone/computer switch would work with your microphone.

[Wesley]

Hello Wesley:

You may need a phone/computer switch (http://google-cnet.com.com/Fellowes_phone_computer_switch/4014-8309_9-30213544.html) for your Dragon NaturallySpeaking set up. I recall Liz recommending (using) GN SeleCT (http://www.gnnetcom.com/US/EN/MainMenu/Products/Accessories/GN+SeleCT.htm) for her wireless headset but I think this phone/computer switch would work with your microphone.


I can't tell how this switch would work. Do you have to answer a call by using a telephone (like you would do w/ a telephone headset) or is the switch tied into the computer so that toggling the switch opens the line? It would be nice to have only one button to push for these quad hands.

[bob clark]

I can't tell how this switch would work. Do you have to answer a call by using a telephone (like you would do w/ a telephone headset) or is the switch tied into the computer so that toggling the switch opens the line? It would be nice to have only one button to push for these quad hands.

Hi Wesley,

1- Do you want your telephone and your PC to share the computer headset and/or mic and speakers?

If this is the case then you'll need a PC/telephone switch like the one PN linked to.

2- Or do you want to use your computer as a telephone center without using a regular telephone?

If you want to use your PC as a telephone center without another regular telephone involved, the PC telephone software rings just like a regular telephone would but through your computer. And it will even blink when you get an incoming call since an icon sets in your taskbar tray or a message or icon will pop up on your monitor. You just hit a key on the keyboard to open up the PC phone program and you can screen your calls or choose to answer it or set the answering machine up just like any other to answer with a recorded message (pre-spoken wav files are included) or create a personal one yourself like this one (http://bcee1.home.comcast.net/AnsMach_-_Pot_Smokers.wav). :)

For example, if you were busy dictating something using Dragon NaturallySpeaking and the telephone rang then you would just close up that document and save it (MSWord or whatever) and answer the phone via your PC. Either by hitting a key on your keyboard or by clicking your mouse or you could probably even program Dragon NaturallySpeaking to answer the phone by saying "Answer the damn phone" (or whatever!) and linking that phrase to the keystroke on the keyboard that would answer the PC phone.

I'm a para and have full hand function but I always use a speakerphone. I like having my hands free... I might need to use the computer or drink a beer etc. The newer, higher quality speakerphones sound pretty good.

So another solution would be just buy a good speakerphone. Maybe try them out at the store first or read some reviews of them. Some sound good and others sound like your talking in a metal garbage can!

WARNING

I wouldn't suggest buying the Creative ModemBlaster even with the newer version SuperVoice® 2.2 software. At the SuperVoice® website they say the included software (v.2.2) is outdated and will no longer work with the newer versions of WinXP. And the software upgrade costs $34.00. Alone it costs $69! Creative shouldn't be selling that product anymore without first upgrading to SuperVoice 2.6.

I was pissed at Creative when they sold me the XP compatible ModemBlaster but with the Win98/ME compatible software. What good is that!? After awhile I was able to upgrade the software for free but had to do so through the software company, NOT Creative. Oh, and Creative's tech help isn't a toll free number. I spent hours on hold and talking to idiots and that cost me about as much as the whole damn modem and software did. I paid $60 for it a few years ago. I may try installing the Modem Blaster again and trying out the SuperVoice 2.6 software (free 30 day tial) and see if it works much better than version 2.2 did. I really liked the (GUI) looks and ease of use of the SuperVoice software but it was buggy! Hopefully v 2.6 works well.

If you don't already have a full duplex voice modem and want to try using your computer as a phone call center then I would suggest buyig that cheap $10 Amigo modem with the included software suite. It's only 10 bux! Plus S&H.

Good luck.

[PN]

Hello Wesley:

After reading what Bob wrote you can understand that there is more than one technology that can be used with Dragon NaturallySpeaking and the telephone or voice-over-IP. I don't use a phone/computer switch so I asked Liz (by e-mail) if she could address this issue. Also, you will not have to close Dragon if the phone rings but you will have to use a verbal command such as "stop listening" or simply left click on the microphone in the upper left-hand corner of your monitor.

[Lizbv]

Hello Wesley:

You may need a phone/computer switch (http://google-cnet.com.com/Fellowes_phone_computer_switch/4014-8309_9-30213544.html) for your Dragon NaturallySpeaking set up. I recall Liz recommending (using) GN SeleCT (http://www.gnnetcom.com/US/EN/MainMenu/Products/Accessories/GN+SeleCT.htm) for her wireless headset but I think this phone/computer switch would work with your microphone.

I have the above mentioned gn netcom switch at my job setup. I'm pretty sure you can use this w your headset too. If dragon is running, you click the mic off on dragon, flip the switch on the above mechanism to the phone side and I think I hit a button on the phone (i think the process can be reduced w button pushing too). If your not using dragon when phone rings then just keep the switch to phone side, then u can just answer your calls with headset. (looks like gn netcom has another model of this too)

If you want to go a step further for complete hands free operation on phone answering, there is also a lil button on my wireless headset battery pack that if you push it, gn netcom makes a "hanset lifter" which you can purchase that lifts the handset automatically so you don't even have to be at your phone when you hear it ringing.
http://www.twacomm.com/catalog/model_1000RHL.htm

I dont know if itworks w other wireless units, etc.

for fyi, here is my wireless unit: (its the blue button u push) to lift the handset thing
http://www.gnnetcom.com/US/EN/MainMenu/Products/Wireless+Solutions/GN+Ellipse.htm
its pretty cool. you can be about 300 ft away. if u r toofar, u hear a beeping noise in headset your out of range.

Now, You likely should investigate further other companies that make these setups as theres got to be others too. I got this setup in early 04. I'll try to look n ask the dragon trainer if she knows any others. Lunis prolly has some listed in his www.knowbrainer.com (http://www.knowbrainer.com) forum too.

YaY 4 Dragon users!:) :) I was amazed how great Dragon was once it got setup right!

[Wesley]

Thank you all very much for your thoughtful respones. You given me enough to get syarted. This should be fun.