From: chelf@lunatix.uucp (Chad Helfenberger)
Subject: Re: Caller ID block?
Organization: Lexington Public Access Unix. -KY- (606) 255-9121
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 07:19:10 GMT

In article <1992Dec23.161608.11920@cc.gatech.edu> byron@cc.gatech.edu (Byron A Jeff) writes:

>In article <1992Dec22.212743.1856@lunatix.uucp> chelf@lunatix.uucp (Chad Helfenberger) writes:

>>Hmm.  I seem to remember that people don't always have the same number for 
>>the lifetime of their businesses or selves.  This would be ok, if that were 
>>true.  Everyone lived for a long time without Caller ID, and now it's like 
>>it's a basic human right or something.
>
[trimming down slightly]
>
>My "F-List" described below are for the absolute worst offenders. Not every
>business that calls my house is going to be hung up on. Most will just
>get an answering machine. So if an "F-List" offender changes phone numbers,
>or moves, or whatever I still won't hear from them directly and after the
>change is noted the new number can be moved back to the "F list".

That's great, but it seems like more trouble than it's worth to me.

>>Well, I have dealt with computer dialers, and I agree.  They are annoying as 
>>all get up.  However, yes, I believe the law has passed now.
>
>My wife tells me it's activation is pending some court case.

That's what I thought, but a lot of people on the net have been telling me 
otherwise.

>>The first time the telemarketer calls, tell them if they call again you will 
>>take legal action.  If the droid doesn't seem to understand, ask to speak to 
>>a supervisor.  I get approximately 2 telemarketing calls a YEAR, since I 
>>started threatening them and not passing my number to businesses via CNID.
>
>My wife (a former telecom industry employee) told me three interesting items
>about CNID and CNID blocking.
>
>1) You have to subscribe to the CNID service to get blocking. 

Not in my area, you don't.  I have a basic line and we get free call 
blocking.  By basic line, I mean NO features.  

>2) CNID blocking is for all calls. i.e. there is no way to temporarily turn
>   it off like *70 for call waiting.

Again, not in my area.  When you want to block your number, you simply 
dial *67 + number.

>3) Your number is CNID'd even if you don't have the CNID service

Not at the called parties' end, it's not.  The CO will always have full call 
accounting, but if you dial *67, the person you call has no idea what number 
you are calling from.  They can use call return, I believe, but that doesn't 
show your number.

>Are these correct? Chad do you have CNID? Is your blocking on permanently?

No, I don't have CNID.  No, my blocking isn't on permanently.

[some other discussion deleted]

>Let me give you an example. We moved and got a new phone number. We soon
>found out that the number used to belong to a defunct day care center in
>the area. You'd be surprised how 6AM wake up calls of "Are you accepting
>new applications?" would make you want to have more control over your phone.
>Ended up changing numbers. Baby Bell made another quick $15. The screener
>box would have alleviated the problem's symptoms by shunting off folks to
>an answering machine without ringing the phone.

Don't the corporate scum piss you off?  I had the same problem after moving 
into a new apartment.  People kept calling and asking for a guy named 
'Barry'.  I eventually got sick of it and told them that he was dead.  I 
know it sounds cruel, but hell, they'll find out otherwise eventually.

>>How can you say it will not be large?  If you add every telemarketer that 
>>calls you onto the 'F' list, then it *will* become QUITE large.
>
>No No NO! only the cronic ones (you know the ones you bitch out, cuss out
>the manager, and their computer keeps calling you.) All the others are on
>the default list and get the answering machine without ringing the inside 
>lines.

Ok, that's fine.  But if you don't add every one, you're still going to have 
to deal with telemarketers.  Either that, or take steps to remove your 
name/number from these lists.

[some other stuff deleted.. this is getting long]

>>I won't laugh when you build it.  I wish you luck.  However, I think that 
>>this little black box is just a way to avoid telemarketers.  I find it fun 
>>to cuss them out, when they call.  I don't find it an annoyance, except in 
>>some cases.. Anyway, my opinion doesn't really matter.  I was just throwing 
>>that out there..
>
>I know and appriciate you comments. I'm just trying to figure out how to
>best utilize CNID without dealing with the privacy aspect. I find my time is
>too valuable to be bothered asnwering the phone to folks I don't want to 
>talk to. CNID gives me additional info about those folks calling.

Your welcome, but I must reiterate.  My opinions don't really matter.

>BTW something else to add to the fire. Yesterday (12/21) I got a strange call
>from a woman claiming that prank calls were coming from my house. I don't
>know if she got the number from CNID or *69 ringback service. I'm certain
>that it wasn't true (I was on the phone at the time she said the calls were
>made) but just intersting about how information can be used against you.

That's very strange.  Could you determine by talking to her what happened?  
Could you convince her that you were, indeed, not the harassing caller?  
Anyone else have any other things to add on this?

>Later on dudettes and dudes.
>
>BAJ
>---
>Another random extraction from the mental bit stream of...
>Byron A. Jeff - PhD student operating in parallel!
>Georgia Tech, Atlanta GA 30332   Internet: byron@cc.gatech.edu


-- 
Chad Helfenberger
(chelf@lunatix.uucp)