h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I think I remember something like that from the two weeks we tried DSL (direct service line). It is better to have the answering machine, as it almost always works, and the DSL only worked sometimes, plus shorted out the phones when it stormed. Anyway, I would loose way to much business without one. ... and never get to take even a twenty minute nap, as the phone begins ringing every time I lie down.
I bet there's some way to have an auto answering system, even with your current modem set-up.

To be honest, we don't really need an answering machine. People will either try again, or send a text message if it's urgent (or call at the work place).

I see how that might work.
Well, our home IS our work number, and I don't have text. (At least not that I know of. I still haven't altogether figured out how to work all of our phones except the old rotary dial ones.) Besides, I don't think I could sleep through a ringing phone unless the machine took the call.

Oh, if all the doors are closed I don't hear the phone ringing - which makes my friends and family wish I had an answering machine.

Ah, now I understand!

(Being a musician, I can hear the cell phone ring next door, so no closed door would help.)

.. and she forgets her mobile, so often misses text messages too!

Guilty as charged.

Sometimes it is nice to be unreachable. I am for four weeks each year. I work a few hours most days, but no phone or e-mail, which makes it a pretty effective vacation.(And I don't have to turn in any vouchers for it, either. Just try to remember to put my gate pass in the car before I drive all day ...Oops.)

I think I'd better keep pleading ignorant about text then, as I would get into too much trouble if people thought they could send me some. I already am sure I can't figure out how to retrieve missed calls on the cell, so I leave it off unless I'm making a call.