I have an answering machine.  People call, they leave messages. 
Sadly, I must eventually delete their messages to make room for more.
That sucks.

One (wrong) solution would be to get a modem card with answering
machine software.  That sucks for many reasons I won't explain.

A better solution: a company that I forward my calls to after, say, 4
rings that receives the message and then...

1) emails me the message as a sound file in a non-proprietary format

AND/OR

2) provides a phone number to call to retrieve my messages

AND/OR

3) a web page with my messages

I will supply my area code IF needed.

Extra info for excellent researchers: I have a regular tel# and an
800# that ring the same line.  I'd like the service to work with both,
so if you can, gimme heads up on if/how the 800# affects the
availability/billing.

---

Request for Question Clarification by expertlaw-ga on 06 Sep 2002 17:12 PDT

Are you looking for an answering service that does this (where your
callers would speak to a live person), or a voice mail service (where
your callers listen to a recorded message, and then leave their own
messages)?

---

Clarification of Question by donphiltrodt-ga on 06 Sep 2002 18:19 PDT

Thank you for pointing out the ambiguity.

People will hear a pre-recorded outgoing messsage.  No live operators are involved.

Hello donphiltrodt-ga,

Thank you for your question! I believe that the answer lies in the
concept of a "Unified Messaging" service. This is pretty amazing - as
the name implies, all the different forms of communication are
seamlessly unified for retrieval in one place and via several methods.
Imagine, "listening to your email" and "seeing your voicemail in your
inbox"! Having used one of them myself (J2), I felt that I had the
lead I needed to get started on your question. I checked out many
other sites, but didn't recommend them for several reasons (doesn't
meed your requirements, inadequate features, poor presentation
(general dodginess), etc.). The ones that made it are listed as
follows :

+----------------------------+

J2 Global Communications
http://www.j2.com

"Access all your communications via phone, including email, voicemail
and fax headers. Reply to an email with a voice message and forward
faxes to the nearest fax machine. "

"Receive voice messages via email — listen to them over your computer
speakers, and store them in your email. Record your message and send
it as an email attachment — to one person or broadcast to a group. "

Premier Account at $12.50 a month lets you add more than one number,
so both your 1-800 and regular number can be redirected to your J2
account.

+----------------------------+

Orchestrate
http://www.orchestrate.com

"Orchestrate captures your voice, fax and email messages in your
message center. You'll have only one place to check and retrieve all
your important messages."

"When you're mobile, Orchestrate goes with you! Get new message
alerts, listen and respond to your email and more - right from your
cell phone."

"Get rid of multiple phone / fax lines and voicemail services, slash
long-distance and conference call costs."

Two pricing plans : $9.95 and $19.95 ; one-time activation charge of
$15.00.

No mention of how to add more than one number.

+----------------------------+

K7 Unified Messaging, free Fax and voicemail to email
http://www.k7.net/

"Sign up for K7, the world's leading web-based unified messaging
system that channels your free voicemail and fax messages directly to
your e-mail. K7 Unified Messaging provides you with a free phone
number. This number enables you to have your voicemail messages and
faxes delivered directly to your computer. You also have the option to
view and listen to your messages right here on the K7 Web site.
K7 now provides free online email you can access on the K7 Web site. "

Does not have phone access capability.

Price is free (advertiser-sponsored on website).

No mention of how to add more than one number.

+----------------------------+

Tornado Electronic Messaging System (TEMS)
http://www.tems.com/

"TEMS is a messaging revolution that leverages the portability, ease
and power of the Internet. TEMS is Unified Messaging technology that
takes your e-mail, voice mail, faxing and paging and integrates them
all into a single Web-based Inbox that you can access from any
Web-enabled computer, Web TV browser, or touch-tone telephone,
anywhere in the world. "

Price : $9.95/month

No mention of how to add more than one number.

+----------------------------+

Callwave -- Internet Call Waiting
http://www.callwave.com

"No more busy signals! Your callers can leave a message that you'll
hear over your computer speakers! "

"CallWave works with the "Call Forward On Busy" feature of your phone
line to answer calls while you are online. Once activated, callers no
longer get annoying busy signals when you are online. Instead, callers
will hear a brief CallWave greeting after which they can leave a short
message at the tone--that you will be able to hear instantly! Best of
all, it takes less than five minutes to install and set up the
CallWave software."

Does not have phone access capability.

CallWave offers a free basic service and a range of premium services
priced from $2.95 to $9.95 per month

No mention of how to add more than one number.

+----------------------------+


That's the cream of crop! I highly recommend the first one, J2 Global
Communications as I have firsthand positive user experience with them.

Well, I hope this answers your question and that you find the ideal
service for you. If you need further information please do not
hesitate to request for clarification. Thank you for using Google
Answers!


Best regards,

kyrie26-ga

This is exactly the sort of write up I was hoping for.  Thank you.