[Asterisk-Users] sharing a line w/multiple extensions

[Jean-Michel Hiver]

> I'm particularly worried about acceptance of this "shared line" (or 
> lack thereof) aspect of the system.  My wife will "get" the idea of 
> extensions, transfers, parking, etc. because she uses a PBX at work, 
> though I worry that the habits of how the phone is "supposed to work" 
> at home may die hard with her.  And the kids are a whole 'nuther story.

If you're using VoIP, then you don't have to worry about the "shared 
line" issue. Outgoing calls will work all the time (well, assuming your 
VoIP provider works which is a big IF I guess). You can keep your 
landline for 911 calls.


> The huge selling point, which I'm hoping will overcome any initial 
> resistance, is the idea that one person will no longer tie up the 
> whole phone system for the house when they make/take a call.  And 
> deploying one of my free DIDs to give my 16-year-old "his own phone 
> number" that rings only in his bedroom is the real ace up my sleeve!

Sure thing :)

> Sure, Asterisk will come with a lot of other neat features, but 
> frankly most of them have more geek appeal (though I have high hopes 
> for my favorite feature -- announced caller id over the stereo/tivo 
> while we're making dinner -- to revolutionize the way we deal with (or 
> at least who answers ;-) ) phone calls at that hour), and in some 
> cases I think may face similar "that's not the way it's supposed to 
> work" objections.  For example, while they will acknowledge that 
> voicemail is cool, I suspect they'll miss the simplicity of walking 
> into the kitchen, seeing if the answering machine is blinking, and 
> just pressing the button.

You could use the voicemail to email feature. It's as nice as it gets. 
Who doesn't check their emails like 20 times a day nowadays? :)

Cheers,
Jean-Michel.