the phone

[mlb3c]

I have been calling...
and

calling....no answer.

Maybe if there was a "code" that I could have, so you would know it was me?
Anyone have any suggestions? How do I know if it rings just once? and if the answering machine (or service or whatever it is there) picks up, and I leave a message, do you hear it then? or do you have to retrieve it somehow?

 

[Gary_M]

Eh???

 

[mlb3c]

you must know that a "british" ring is different from an 'american ' one....so when I call....does one ring ring (british) equal to one ring (american)???

and.....we have answering machines over here, that when someone calls, you hear it, and can decide to pick up, or not....there if you have BT, you can have your messages "picked up" automatically.....do you hear the message when it is given at the time, or do you have to retrieve it at a later time??

 

[Softus]

The system is here is the same in the USA, AFAIK.

You can have a physical answering machine, and screen calls as they're being recorded.

Also, or alternatively, you can use an answering service (one of which is provided by BT) - in this case you have to retrieve the message in order to hear it.

 

[securespark]

Do you mean can we tell if a call coming into our line is from outside the UK?

Not by the ring, only if we have CLID, and then it would probably only say "INTERNATIONAL CALL".

 

[ETHunter]

I have to phone colleagues and other researchers in other countries on a regular basis and it is true that when you phone outside the Uk you often, though not always, get a different ring tone for the telephone.

I have noticed this is less true when phoning mobile numbers, but it is with hardwired systems.

Regarding the telephone system, being from across the pond originally, I can honestly say that the telephone system in the UK is far superior to that of the US, however the manner it is implemented is different, but I would put this down to cultural differences rather than technology.

 

[kevplumb]

failling all that you could tell me when you are going to ring dear

 

[Moz]

lol @ kev

 

[mlb3c]

failling all that you could tell me when you are going to ring dear

well.....DEAR.....if you were online, I wouldnt have to wonder, now would I??

 

[Steve]

From watching lots of American movies, I know that in america, when phoning someone, the ringing is one long purr then silence, repeating. (Though i appreciate the Matrix isn't real life . . . or is it . . . )

In the UK, the ringing is 2 shorter purrs, with a short gap and a longer gap. The 2 short purrs is one ring.

BT 1571 answering service answers after 7 rings - this is on many landlines, and is a remote voicemail service, similar to the system on mobile phones. It is free for us to retrieve messages left. It is not possible for users to record thier own greeting, BT always answers with the automated voice.

If you hear the person you are trying to call, talking to you, as a recorded message on an answering machine, then if anyone is in, they probably CAN hear you. Though many modern digital phone sets dont play the answering machine out loud.

If you hear bleeping, its probably engaged and they dont have BT 1571. Try later.

Only users with caller ID will see your number / ID. This service is growing in popularity here, as it becomes a free service with BT privacy, if i remember correctly. Though as someone has said, international numbers will not appear, it will simply state "international caller" or similar. Many lines here withhold their numbers, which i find rude, frankly. I dont see the point. I wont answer withheld calls. If they dont want me to see whos ringing, why ring me?