Here I Am

"Here I Am" (HIA) will automatically re-program my call-forwarding based on a set schedule and/or which PC I am currently using.

Each time one of my home or work PCs goes out of (or enters) idle state *and* the current Windows user is me, the HIA application on that PC will change my main phone number's call forwarding appropriately.

I need HIA since there is no cell phone coverage at either of my houses, and it is important to me to have only one phone number (781 648-1500) where people can call me without having to know my location. (I also don't want to give out my current call-forwarding number, since it could change over the years.)

At the moment, I am using Verizon's Ultra Forwarding (VUF) service to have my home office line (781 648-1500) either (a) ring at home or (b) forward to my Linx account, which can then call up to four of my numbers in parallel. Linx does have a web interface, but unfortunately VUF does not.

HIA Specification

1. HIA should have rules for which PC means which locations/numbers, and info on how to reprogram the call-forwarding system in use (which could be telephony commands in Hayes format).
2. HIA should also allow me to setup a schedule, so that call-forwarding systems without built-in scheduling can be automatically programmed to go to certain numbers at certain times of the day.
3. Each PC where I install HIA can have its own rules? Or should they all share one rules file (updated from my master PC?) which provides the rules for each PC?
4. One scenario is to install HIA on only one PC, and to have it then reprogram call forwarding (as necessary) on both the idle-deactivated and idle events.
5. HIA will use a standard Windows installer and will be developed in C# with Visual Studio .NET. It should let the user choose the installation directory, and whether or not to install a link to itself on the Start menu and/or the desktop.
6. HIA should be invoked at Windows startup, invoked to run silently in the background.
7. If HIA is invoked interactively (via Start menu etc), it should open its configuration dialog.
8. If HIA needs to reprogram the call-forwarding system in use via a phone call, only one of the HIA PCs needs a telephony modem. If the user activates an HIA PC without a telephony modem, the local HIA program will send new forwarding instructions to the telephony-equipped HIA PC who will then dial the call.

This should also work directly with systems such as Linx, Wildfire, VoicePulse, etc.

Sample Verizon Ultra Forward (VUF) Session

1. Call VUF at 1-800-414-9898
2. Wait, enter my phone number (781 648-1500#)
3. Wait, enter my password (XXXX#)
4. Wait, enter 1 for call forwarding options.
5. Wait, enter 1 again to activate call forwarding.
6. Wait, enter the phone number where you want the call to be forwarded (1-781-370-1011#)
7. Wait, enter 1 to confirm.