Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!cs.utexas.edu!ut-emx!ibmchs!auschs!panews!rchland.ibm.com!seurer+ From: seurer+@rchland.ibm.com (Bill Seurer) Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk Subject: Re: Caller ID problems Message-ID: Date: 10 Apr 91 21:52:27 GMT References: <1991Mar30.043415.7314@odin.corp.sgi.com> <13945@helios.TAMU.EDU> <1991Apr5.212502.22001@eci386.uucp> <1991Apr10.155422.26742@mintaka.lcs.mit.edu>, Organization: IBM Rochester, Mn Lines: 32 In-Reply-To: I have been reading all the various threads about Caller ID for quite a while now (though I can't figure out what they are doing here on comp.org.eff.talk :-) and as several others have pointed out there are basically two requirements that would solve everyone's problems. 1) I have the option of making either anonymous or identified calls. 2) I have the option of refusing to accept anonymous calls. Perhaps certain numbers should be restricted as to what they can choose (businesses can only use identified calls? Tip lines can only accept anonymous?) and maybe a reminder as the call is put through ("This call will be identified") would be nice, but the above 2 points would basically cover what everyone wants. There. If you don't like caller ID, don't use it. Make all your calls anonymously and accept any calls (can't be hypocritical now can we?). If you anonymously call someone who has such calls blocked, you can try again with an identified call. Or not call them. I can't imagine a business not accepting anonymous calls. Most businesses do (or should be doing) everything they can to get customers to call. If someone like Dominoes chooses to only accept identified calls, fine. If you only use anonymous calls you can take your business elsewhere. Allow anyone to set a default when they get their phone service and allow for easy changing when you dial Why wouldn't this make everyone (well, almost everyone) happy? - Bill Seurer IBM: seurer@rchland Prodigy: CNSX71A Rochester, MN Internet: seurer@rchland.vnet.ibm.com