[TriLUG] automatic calling software for school

[jonc at nc.rr.com]

I don't know about. Asterisk is fairly robust these days and the 
system is likely not to be exposed to the slings and arrows of the 
internet.

It should be a no brainer to give them an icon on the desktop that 
opens up a text file and lets them put in phone number (one per line, 
please). Then all they do is dial in, leave a message and let the 
scripting do the rest.

I wouldn't use "modem" cards but real FXO cards for hooking up a few 
analog phone lines. If you want to keep it really secure only allow 
dial-in from a local line directly connected to the Asterisk box.

The same box could also have a text based email list so that folks can 
get the wav file (from the message) blasted to them that way instead...

Asterisk has moved far beyond the experimental stage. It's main stream 
now.

BTW: there are some local Asterisk consultants (probably on the TriLUG 
list) so you can have the best of both worlds: a cheap PBX/autodialer 
and local support.

Good Luck,

Mr. QoS


----- Original Message -----
From: Shane O'Donnell <shaneodonnell at gmail.com>
Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2005 1:51 pm
Subject: Re: [TriLUG] automatic calling software for school

> Don't forget, they have to be able to live with it and use it 
> after you leave...
> 
> Asterisk seems a risky bet, unless you (or another Asterisk wonk) are
> willing to put yourself into potential auto-dialer servitude.
> 
> Shane O.
> 
> On 6/1/05, Aaron S. Joyner <aaron at joyner.ws> wrote:
> > Doug_Newcomb at fws.gov wrote:
> > 
> > >
> > >
> > >Hi,
> > >      My son's school has an automatic calling system to remind 
> parents of
> > >meetings, activities, volunteer events, etc.  It died.  Any 
> suggestions for
> > >a replacement?  I have forwarded info about Asterisk, but that 
> may be a bit
> > >much for them.  Cheapest they have found so far is $2400.
> > >
> > >
> > Depends on what they want it to do.  Provided that you have someone
> > capable of setting it up, Asterisk is a fabulous solution for this
> > purpose.  Take an old computer they have lying around, through a 
> minimal> distro on it, slap in a few $14 modems off Ebay 
> (depending on your
> > requirements for concurrent lines), do a little setup and 
> recording, and
> > you have a good automated dialing system.  It's that "do a 
> little setup
> > and recording" step that requires someone at least vaguely 
> familiar with
> > Asterisk to tackle.  When it comes down to the particulars of 
> how to do
> > it, check out voip-info.org, the Asterisk-Users mailing list, 
> and this
> > list as well -- all will be good resources.  Depending on the 
> cost of
> > the time of the person doing that setup, this is likely a cheaper
> > solution, and certainly a more flexible solution, than anything 
> you'll> find in the commercial world for $2400.
> > 
> > Best of luck,
> > Aaron S. Joyner
> > --
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Shane O.
> ========
> Shane O'Donnell
> shaneodonnell at gmail.com
> (h) 919.847.4687
> (m) 919.395.7367
> (f) 817.796.2086
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