If you don't have an answering machine, or if the inner geek within you is pining for more attention, then this quick and easy guide may be for you. With just vgetty (distributed with mgetty, a program commonly found in default installations), a voice modem, and phone-line, you can turn your computer into a simple answering machine appliance.

But the fun doesn't stop there, it shouldn't take a lot of extra work to have the computer send you an email letting you know that you have a message waiting, or even have it page you. If you your computer is networked to an “always on” connection such as DSL or Cable, you could even retrieve messages remotely.

To learn more about setting up your computer as an answering machine, check out this guide.

 
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