stuvian Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 I'm sentimentally attached to my land line number 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted November 20, 2019 Author Share Posted November 20, 2019 Just now, stuvian said: I'm sentimentally attached to my land line number I don’t WANT to get rid of it. I just want to get rid of the robocalls, which made me realize how virtually useless it is. It’s more trouble than benefit, yet I still hang on for some reason. It just seems like you should have a home phone. @plenzmd1 will tell you how old I am. I still remember party lines and the early days just before the wheel. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Brown Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Yeah. It's a good backup through the Spectrum bundle. If I can't get a hold of my wife or kids on their cell I'll call the landline. It's also useful to give out to older relatives. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, stuvian said: I'm sentimentally attached to my land line number This too. I got Wife and I cellphone numbers 20+ years ago. The last 4 numbers of those are same as last 4 of landline. The exchange* is just first number different. I am on the "3", she's on the "5." Landline has local area exchange first three numbers. *Exchange is NOT area code. Not last 4... But middle 3 or so I always thought going back to named exchanges. My inlaws are in 80s... That's all they really know is our landline, but MiL is starting to call the cells... Edited November 20, 2019 by ExiledInIllinois Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 8 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said: How do cells work with 911 systems? Are VOIPs handling them properly now? Once again... Safety. A landline is 24 volts. How do you charge your cellphone in case of an emergency. Landline can provide emergency power: 8 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said: Want E-Lighting? That's assuming POTS distribution node still has power But yeah, Ma-Bell is sending out quite a bit of free electricity. Even if you're not a subscriber 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark80 Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Cheaper to get cable package with phone than without so we have one still. The ringer is on mute and the phone hasn't been used in over 5 years since I've lived in this place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greybeard Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 16 hours ago, LabattBlue said: Went from Verizon landline(~$65 a month for basic service) to Time-Warner Triple Play, to no landline. Been without for 4-5 years now. Don't miss it. Anyone who needs to reach us, has our cell numbers. I've got the same thing but I interpreted any phone connected to any solid line, like cable, as land line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 management made a notice to entire for possible landline damage due to construction i let them know i haven't had one for 12 years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Say When... Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 i work from home 3-4 days/week. call me old school but nothing frustrates me more than one of my team has a poor cellular connection whilst on a conference call, facilitating, presenting or otherwise so i got a land line specifically for company use, it's negligible, $29/mo bad thing is it runs through fiber so internet goes down so does the phone so it's not a true landline IMO. i don't force my team to have them but i highly recommend it, you're saving $$ from working at home so you can reconstitute some of the cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted November 20, 2019 Author Share Posted November 20, 2019 4 hours ago, Mark80 said: Cheaper to get cable package with phone than without so we have one still. The ringer is on mute and the phone hasn't been used in over 5 years since I've lived in this place. Turning the ringer off may just be the answer for us. I don’t know how it happens, but once in a blue moon we get a “real call” on the home phone. That just might be the price we have to pay. Leave a message and I’ll call you back and give you my cell #. Robocalls LIE, btw. They say “we’ve been trying to reach you. This is your LAST CHANCE.” But they just keep calling! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 18 hours ago, row_33 said: just to the bullpen Please don't let Familia answer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jokeman Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 I have a Spectrum Home Phone but it's more of a VOIP then traditional landline. Yet only 4-5 people know the number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 37 minutes ago, Gugny said: Please don't let Familia answer. i was in a packed to capacity NYC sports bar and whathizzname... oh yeah.... Armando Benitez was throwing and it seemed like 1,000 people shouted out at the same time: SIT THE ****** DOWN!!!!!! a treasured moment of my life.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 1 minute ago, row_33 said: i was in a packed to capacity NYC sports bar and whathizzname... oh yeah.... Armando Benitez was throwing and it seemed like 1,000 people shouted out at the same time: SIT THE ****** DOWN!!!!!! a treasured moment of my life.... That is classic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 21 hours ago, teef said: we do but it's not even hooked up. i think it was one of those deals with spectrum where it would cost more if we didn't get it. same. I tried to cancel my land line but it would cost me more. We have about 1000 voicemails on it that are the sound of a fax machine screeching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 when i cancelled my landline they still hit my credit card for 3 more months, had to call them 4 times to get this to stop and issue me a full credit disgusting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thenorthremembers Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 We just got one. My wife stays home with the kiddos now, and we share a cell phone. Aside from the calls I get from her, the only time the land line is used is when my mother in law calls. Its kind of an incasestuff phone, but without separate cell phones its helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gomper Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 We got one last year because her oldest gets home from middle school at least an hour before anyone else. It's an in case of an emergency thing. Once both boys can be trusted not to lose a cell, out it goes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted November 20, 2019 Author Share Posted November 20, 2019 2 hours ago, gomper said: We got one last year because her oldest gets home from middle school at least an hour before anyone else. It's an in case of an emergency thing. Once both boys can be trusted not to lose a cell, out it goes. My kids rarely lost a cell phone, it was virtually attached to them. They would break it instead. The youngest got a new cell phone for Christmas one year. He went to a friends to compare loot, and dropped it in the pool. It lasted less than 4 hours. That insurance comes in VERY handy with kids! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuvian Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 16 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said: This too. I got Wife and I cellphone numbers 20+ years ago. The last 4 numbers of those are same as last 4 of landline. The exchange* is just first number different. I am on the "3", she's on the "5." Landline has local area exchange first three numbers. *Exchange is NOT area code. Not last 4... But middle 3 or so I always thought going back to named exchanges. My inlaws are in 80s... That's all they really know is our landline, but MiL is starting to call the cells... I've had the same number since 1986 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Not to nitpik, but I would not consider those with a phone using VoIP(phone service through cable provider) to be a "landline". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bills_fan Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 I don't have one any longer. But it sure came in handy when NYC had the blackout in like 2003. Nothing worked except the landlines. Cell phones did not work at all. I often wonder if I should get one just for emergency purposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virgil Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 What the hell is a landline? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALF Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 On 11/19/2019 at 5:29 PM, Not at the table Karlos said: Cable and internet are cheaper with it. It rings 25 times a day because of robo calls or scams. If Spectrum triple play use there nomorobo ( one ring ) and peace and quiet . Block numbers that get thru. If I don't recognize a number on caller ID let it go to voice mail . A scam rarely leaves a message. Numbers and names on caller ID can be faked. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 5 hours ago, Virgil said: What the hell is a landline? Okay boomer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoTier Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 I was an "early ditcher" of the landline, about 10 years ago. I got tired of paying to give telephone solicitors and political robocallers easy access to annoy me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 3 hours ago, /dev/null said: Okay boomer Can't be a boomer. Every boomer I know knows how to use google to make themselves not look silly when asking questions. Maybe a buster? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jokeman Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 3 hours ago, ALF said: If Spectrum triple play use there nomorobo ( one ring ) and peace and quiet . Block numbers that get thru. If I don't recognize a number on caller ID let it go to voice mail . A scam rarely leaves a message. Numbers and names on caller ID can be faked. It works great for me that and the Do Not Call.gov list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 17 hours ago, LabattBlue said: Not to nitpik, but I would not consider those with a phone using VoIP(phone service through cable provider) to be a "landline". you are one who boasts about cutting cable but has 12 other online services that run up twice the cost of cable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted November 21, 2019 Author Share Posted November 21, 2019 12 hours ago, Virgil said: What the hell is a landline? It’s that thing on the wall above your phone book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virgil Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 1 hour ago, Augie said: It’s that thing on the wall above your phone book. What the ***** is a phone book?!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted November 21, 2019 Author Share Posted November 21, 2019 18 minutes ago, Virgil said: What the ***** is a phone book?!!! Please try to keep up, it’s right below the landline on the kitchen wall. It only works of you know your ABC’s. How are you there? It’s like your contacts in your phone, except it has everybody, so it’s much less exclusive. Some people opt out of being included, which is what I want from these stinking robocallers! (Just got another!) To be serious, I really don’t remember when they went away. I remember we had them, then at some point we didn’t. Maybe now you could find one at a pay phone? You know, if you could find a pay phone....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrader Posted November 21, 2019 Share Posted November 21, 2019 My house was built 4 years ago. I did have phone connections placed in a couple rooms. But now that I think about it, those lines aren't actually connected to anything. Whoever it is that actually provides the service for a landline nowadays would have had to come out and connect that line to the house the same way my internet provided did when I signed up, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 4 hours ago, Virgil said: What the ***** is a phone book?!!! It's the fat book with the white pages that is sitting under your Yellow Pages book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 8 hours ago, row_33 said: you are one who boasts about cutting cable but has 12 other online services that run up twice the cost of cable? Huh??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 45 minutes ago, KD in CA said: It's the fat book with the white pages that is sitting under your Yellow Pages book. It was the original booster seat, as I recall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keukasmallies Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Yep, have a landline. Wife has an implanted defibrillator that communicates with her cardiologist over the phone line. That's the sole reason for a landline in my mind; my wife is firmly grounded in the 50's and can't imagine living w/o a landline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 On 11/19/2019 at 3:30 PM, Augie said: Do you still have a landline? I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and my wife brought up ditching the home phone just last night after yet another robocall. I average 4-6 robocalls/day and they seem to be getting worse. I don’t need a car warranty, I don’t have any federal student loans and I don’t need a lower interest rate on my credit cards. Half the time there isn’t even anything on the other end, just silence. I block the numbers, but I don’t think that even slows them down. For us it’s not the cost (but that IS is a real thing), just the annoyance of robocalls. We still have the home phone for two reasons. We can call our cell phone if we can’t find it (very rare) and it will tell emergency services where we are if we ever need to call 911 (has NEVER happened, and hope it never will, but....) It’s gotten to the point that legit calls come in (very rarely) and I start out with a nasty, disgusted tone until I realize it’s real and someone I need. How about you? We still have our landline phone number, but it's no longer a landline. It's a free Google Voice VOIP number. We've had this for years - maybe 5? Advantages: -keep the landline number various blast from the past friends and relatives have -EXCELLENT spam blocking. Google Voice keeps a registry, and the robo-calls have plummeted -unlimited call blocking -messages and transcription -can forward landline calls to a cell phone and take your landline calls from anywhere in the world that has cell service -still have 911 location services for a small annual fee -ditch the costs of the landline Disadvantages: -if your internet goes down, so does your landline -occasionally get poor voice quality and need to reboot router to make it work (maybe 1-2x a year, usually after a storm) -occasionally need to upgrade firmware on Obibox to keep it working -you do need some degree of technical savvy to set it up - not much, but some. The expenses involved are internet service (which we would have anyway) and a $12 or 15 yearly fee to Anveo for 911 location services. (The local 911 dispatcher kindly verified for us that it works). Setup required a 1x-purchase of a device called an Obibox that plugs into the router and the landline phone to allow Google Voice to work on ordinary house phones (about $70) and a 1x expense of a sim card for a cell phone (about $5, we used an old Blackberry Pearl cell phone and just bought the card). There are several blurbs that describe how to do it if anyone wants to give it a try. You need the cell phone sim card to keep your landline phone number because you can't transfer a landline number directly to Google voice. You initially transfer the landline number to the cell phone sim card, then transfer it to Google voice. I consider it a best-of-both-worlds solution. Sounds like Hypnotoad has a similar setup but he didn't mention the 911 thing. On 11/19/2019 at 7:16 PM, KD in CA said: Why do so many of you have robo calls? The Do Not Call registry still works. True story. Used to get next to no robo calls on my cell phone. Registered cell phone number with state and federal DNC lists Now get dozens I swear, unscrupulous telemarketers mine those lists as sources of verified good phone numbers. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 I am up late watching my college hoops team in a tournament. It’s far from over. I was up late last night after watching the same tournament. The robocalls started at 9:02am this morning. They don’t even have anyone one the other end, they just ring the phone, invade my house and wake me up! Then silence.......nobody to yell at! That’s just wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said: True story. Used to get next to no robo calls on my cell phone. Registered cell phone number with state and federal DNC lists Now get dozens I swear, unscrupulous telemarketers mine those lists as sources of verified good phone numbers. Huh. I was actually being serious...haven't had a spam call on my home phone in years. Cell phone is getting bad though -- I never answer a strange number. But most of it is not scam/spam type of stuff, it's jr sale reps trying to sell me ***** since my cell phone doubles as my business number. Edited November 23, 2019 by KD in CA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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