Phone Call Software!! Help!

[brandon184]

Does anyone have any idea where I could find some software that in some way records phone calls, whether it is from my computer using a speaker and microphone or a phone that is plugged into the phone port in my modem?

A common format would also be a big help (.mp3, .wav, .ram)

Preferably free/shareware.

ALSO... I do not have a voice modem. :/

- Brandon

[This message has been edited by brandon184 (edited 07-06-2000).]

[SoopaStar]

I think you are pretty much out of luck. You have to think how a phone works. How are you going to get that phone to your computer? The only real ways possible are 1) using your computer as a speaker phone or 2) holding a mic up to your phone speaker.
Both ways suck. It would be better to get a tape-based in-line phone recorder from radio shack and recording the conversation.
By the way, if you are in the USA, recording a phone conversation with out the other party knowing is agains the US Privacy act. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

Paul

[brandon184]

SoopaStar,

Any parties involved in the recordings would be aware and would approve of it. I am not in the USA but am sure that the same sort of law applies where I am. I am well aware of the US Privacy Act, and do not need to be informed of it.

Yes.. My answering machine. That would be a less convienent solution, but is a good idea if recording the average phone call for fun, thank you for the idea.

Phone Call to Tape > Tape to Digital File. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

- Brandon

[thekingofpain]

My answering machine allows me to record the entire conversation with one button, check yours out...

[Oli]

Try Bitware from Cheyenne. There's a answering machine button (I never try it). It come with a lot of cheap modem but it work.

[wchang99]

At Radio Shack (in the U.S.) you can pick up a little cable for a few bucks that plugs into your phone jack, and your phone in turn plugs into it. It includes a regular mini 1/8" mono line out plug and a 1/16" plug for controlling pause on/off, meant for cassette recorders I think, which you should be able to plug into the computer as a line-in, and use Windows sound recorder maybe?

[Glynn R Harris]

Soopastar & Brandon184;
I'm certainly no lawyer, and I may be totally out of touch-- (wouldn't be the first time)-- but if the laws I remember are still those in effect, the recording of conversations BY A PARTICIPANT is STILL a matter left to individual state law.

While it is true that a conversation should NEVER be clandestinely recorded by a third party without a court order (ie., wiretapping), in some states like Texas, where I live, I can and have the legal right to record my own phone conversations without the prior knowledge or consent of the other party.

It cannot be used as submitted evidence in a court, but is often useful in a function near to that, "record-keeping", where a transcript is prepared which represents what you recall being said, which is all the more credible since you took such care to "maintain a record" of that conversation, "refreshing" your memory.

Therefore, private investigators and lawyers I have spoken to in the past actually advised automated recording devices as a first step in protecting oneself in situations where potential harassment or threats were involved (child-custody and nasty divorces being an example).

If you remember, Linda Tripp was in technical violation of her state law (Maryland) by taping conversations with Monica Lewinski without Ms. Lewinski's acknowledgement.

Tripp's buddy, Lucy Ann Goldberg, the literary agent from New York, advised Ms. Tripp initially to record her conversations (prior to OIP involvement; they later got a judge's permission to provide Ms. Tripp with an "official" tap.)

Well, Lucy Ann Goldberg, a native of New York state, had no doubt you could do all this LEGALLY, because New York state has a "one informed party" law much like Texas.

Maryland actually tried to prosecute Ms. Tripp, and they could have, because Ms. Tripp was in Maryland at the time she was taping; the state's prosecution was hindered by the immunity granted by the Office of the Independent Counsel, leaving Maryland with knowledge that a violation of state law had occurred, but no ability to use the tapes or references to the taped conversations as evidence against Ms. Tripp.

But I guess I am wondering where these references to the US Privacy Act come from in regard to "one informed party" recorded conversations.

The only Privacy Act I am aware of is over a different issue: divulging personal information gathered by government with third-parties. As I say, a law may have slipped past my notice....

I HOPE it is still up to the states themselves; I realize some folks wish laws did not differ from state to state, but I for one like having a right like this around in case I should ever need it. Vive La Difference! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[brandon184]

Cool. The knowledge base, itself has visited my post..

Thanks for the info Glynn.. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

From what I have gathered so far, it is legal to record phone conversations in my province.

http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
- Brandon

[mike L]

Brandon, not sure what your looking for but I ran across this program
http://www.voicecallcentral.com