The Screen Machine Anti-Telemarketing Device

Описание: The number of individuals and families for whom the telephone perpetually rings with loquacious telemarketers, fundraisers, and scammers seems rapidly burgeoning. For most, the only defense is that provided by Caller ID service. If an unrecognized number is calling, the call is ignored. Evidently, such practices are commonplace in most families who wish not to be endlessly disturbed by unsolicited offers of free cruises and Windows technical support scams. The only drawback to similar practices is the obligatory interruption if and when the telephone rings.

Mobile telephone numbers, for the most part, are immune to telemarketers and the like. Landlines, however, are fair game. For many, the do-not-call list is of no help, and in some cases, calls have increased after adding the telephone number to this list!

Devices to battle those societal pestilences are available, but their dependence upon Caller ID service to work is a shortcoming--admittedly, for very few.

Sundry telephone service providers supply Caller ID service at no extra cost. Others have determined it appropriate to charge customers in excess of $15 a month for the feature! Forgoing Caller ID does assist in keeping the bill economical, but open oneself up to the scads of telephone troublemakers. Therein lies the trouble; without Caller ID, the majority of call blocking devices are ineffective.

One device in particular, the Screen Machine, was adept out filtering out good callers from bad by requiring so called "invited" callers to press a specific button to ring your telephone. This approach eliminates the need for Caller ID, since you're effectively requiring the caller to know a number to dial before their call causes your phone to ring.

It's a pity this and another device, the Telebouncer, were ultimately defeated by the popularity of devices and services which maintain a whitelist and blacklist of telephone numbers. Most are well-served by this concept, but I didn't want to actively maintain a blacklist of unwanted callers and their numbers. Doing so would result in my continuing to be bothered by the phone ringing until the caller was blocked.

Sure, callers would be slightly inconvenienced having to press a single digit to connect their call, but it's a concession I'm amenable to, considering I'll only be receiving calls for those I wish to speak with.