A long time ago I dreamed about a Java Phone, until I realized that Java was not all of that great. No matter the particular technology, what I really wanted was a way to program phone features myself. The telephone company charges substantial recurring changes for things that the telephone device can do for itself, including call blocking, distinctive ring, and so on.
I want a kill file. Most people I care about call me on my cell phone if they are not able to send me email, so people calling on the phone line are not that important to me. Indeed, most of the calls I get on the home line are telemarketers, and some are not even people. I get pre-recorded sales pitches left on my answering machine now.
Larry Wall built his own such thing with an old phone that had a serial interface. Maybe I need to build my own phone with a voice-modem card or something.
Until then, I think I will start talking to the FCC.
