Comments for amy.stinson

Comment on AT&T Privacy Manager – NOT! by Mike

Mike — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 01:01:49 +0000

The situation described here only occurs when the caller records their name, you are not there, and you either have an answering machine or voicemail. The service only instructs the caller that you are unavailable if you don’t have an answering machine or voicemail. When the caller records their name, privacy manager attempts to reach you live to announce the call, but if you are not there then the call is sent to your answering machine or voicemail if you have either one. Since an answering machine or voicemail can’t listen and decide who it wants to talk to or not, the caller is able to leave a message. The situation is arguable worse with the answering machine because the privacy manager service will put the voice screened call through to your line a second time to let your machine answer the call. It is possible that you could answer the then unscreened call manually before your machine does, whereas with voicemail it would be sent straight there. Since you are not there to answer or decline the call, etc. , the service assumes that the caller should at least be able to leave a message which you can do with as you please. At least you were did not personally take the unwanted call. The service is working as it was designed. It is no different than using caller id without privacy manager and deciding which calls to answer, and which ones to let your answering machine or voice mail answer, if you have either one. When you are not there, you have no choice in any event.

Comment on AT&T Privacy Manager – NOT! by Steven Schoch

Steven Schoch — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 04:39:18 +0000

It sounds like you get different types of calls than we do. We have had Privacy Manager for years, and it has seemed to always work the same way. We tested it when we first got it and we found it works this way:

If a call is made from a “Blocked” number, the caller is given the prompt to press 0 to un-block their number. Then it comes through like a regular unblocked call. We get blocked calls from family all the time, but we don’t even realized their number is (was) blocked.

If a call is made from an “Out of area” or “Unknown” line (usually from a solicitor with an old phone system or from a third world country), then they are prompted to press “2″ to leave their name. This hardly ever happens because most of those are automated and their machines don’t know enough to send a “2″.

If they do press a “2″ and leave their name, I get a call from 415-545-0073. When I pick it up I hear their name. If I don’t want to talk to them, I press something (I can’t remember since it hasn’t happened for such a long time), and it rejects their call and disconnects them. If I press something else, then I can talk to them.

If I don’t press anything, then I must not be home, and it’s probably my answering machine, so they ring through again with a different CID number that says “TAKE A MESSAGE”. If I was home, this never happens.

If you never want to get this kind of call, perhaps you can record your outgoing message on your answering machine to send a “2″ to reject the call.

Comment on Size (and weight) Does Matter (when it comes to a hula hoop) by Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:35:49 +0000

i see this is an old post, but for anyone who comes through here – know that when you start, you shouldn’t hoop for more than a couple minutes at a time. after a while of practicing this (as much as a few weeks), you won’t get bruised anymore.

my first week, i was frustrated and overdid it and ended up with egg sized bruises on my hips. i don’t get them anymore.

have fun!

Comment on AT&T Privacy Manager – NOT! by Tanya Ford

Tanya Ford — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:09:25 +0000

Well, Amy! Two years later, and it is still the same! I can’t believe there are no settings to control the handling of the call. I don’t want unknowns to even be given the option to bypass the system. Also, if they bypass the system and I have their number restricted, privacy manager lets the call through and I don’t like that. I don’t know where to turn. Have you made any more progress on this?

Comment on Home Schooling by Charlie Wilson

Charlie Wilson — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:32:28 +0000

i was home schooled too but i would still prefer regular schools..-”

Comment on Home Schooling by Julian Cooper

Julian Cooper — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 05:56:00 +0000

i was also home schooled when i was younger and it is also a great weay to get your education.*.-

Comment on AT&T Privacy Manager – NOT! by 1776blues

1776blues — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:34:08 +0000

I can’t even hear who is calling. It says press one to hear who is calling and I get disconnected. If I wait and say hello, hello I get disconnected!

This only happens on calls that say privacy manager 415-545-0073. I am not sure who’s number that is. My son says it is someone from social services calling him.

The instructions for privacy manager say you have to call to turn it off, heck I want to remove it completely. Calls from unknown are put through all the time. It’s almost as if it works when it wants to.

I too have caller ID and when it reads unknown caller I will not answer. I did not have this privacy manger until I signed up for online all distance or something to that effect. I believe I should be able to manage this online with my other services. I hate calling AT&T as it takes what seems like a lifetime to get through!

Thought I would add my opinion about this “has a mind of its own” service!

Comment on Remembering People by Crasty

Crasty — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:27:26 +0000

Thank you! You often write very interesting articles. You improved my mood.

Comment on Remembering People by Kouba

Kouba — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:43:57 +0000

I added your blog to bookmarks. And i’ll read your articles more often!

Comment on Remembering People by Kouba

Kouba — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 02:34:06 +0000

Very interesting and amusing subject. I read with great pleasure.