re: #206 Sherlock Hound

A lot of Caller ID boxes are part of corded answering machines. Even the lowest-end Panasonic answering machine consists of two cordless handsets. I have this. You can think of the extra handset as a remote for the answering machine, so it works out in my small apartment.

My answering machine went the way of the dodo back in 2007 when I moved to Philadelphia from near Pittsburgh. Have not had a landline since. Though if I went back to one I’d want Caller ID in some form since I essentially don’t pick up calls on my mobile unless it’s a recognized contact or I am expecting a call. (If it’s important they’ll leave a message.)

A sort of interesting study to look at my “recents” on my cell and see how many of the calls are obvious spoofed marketing calls. From my area code and such - which is on the other end of the state, or from little middle of nowhere towns in the Midwest. Plus one day when my own number called me twice.

(It would be interesting to see some telecommunications law revisions that address some of this. Or has some enforcement behind the existing laws with some teeth.)