Stop missing who called while you were away from the desk
You step away from your computer, the phone rings, and by the time you're back you have no idea who it was. fonXL Call Display Screen Saver handles that. It's a screen saver that doubles as a call display unit, so the caller's details are on screen when you return.
Quick facts
- Vendor: Oleg Afonin
- Version: 1.0.2
- Price: free to download and use
- Platforms: Windows (listed for Windows 95/98/ME, NT/2000, XP and Vista)
- You also need: a Caller ID compatible modem and Call Display service from your phone company
How it works
Call Display information is a telephone company service. The phone company sends it between the first and second ring as a series of special codes. The screen saver works with your modem to read those codes and show you the call. Without Call Display service from your phone company, it can't tell what number is calling. Call Display is available in North America and some other countries.
Key features
See the caller's name, number and call time on your screen
The screen saver shows the caller's name, the time the call was received and the current time. You can also scroll through the list of earlier callers.
Look up an unknown caller with one click
If you're online, click the caller's name to be sent to Infospace.com for more information. This is the reverse lookup feature.
Make it look and sound the way you want
You can pick your own background image and have it play a sound when a call comes in. The number display window can be dragged to any part of the desktop.
Keep a call log and return calls quickly
Incoming calls are logged. You can go through the log and return calls with a single click. The program also includes tips on using your phone company's advanced star services.
Who it's for
It suits you if you still take calls on a landline connected to a modem, you already pay for Call Display, and you want a log of calls on your PC. If you don't have Call Display service or a compatible modem, it won't be able to show you numbers.
Pros and cons
- Pro: free to use.
- Pro: works as a screen saver, so call information is on screen while you're away.
- Pro: one-click return of logged calls and one-click lookup.
- Con: depends on your phone company's Call Display service.
- Con: needs a Caller ID compatible modem.
- Con: the lookup only works while you're online.
FAQs
Does it work without Call Display from my phone company?
No. Without that service the screen saver can't determine the number of incoming calls.
Do I need a modem?
Yes. It works along with your modem, and to see names and numbers the modem must be Caller ID compatible.
Does it cost anything?
Version 1.0.2 is offered by the vendor as a free download.
Can I change how it looks?
Yes. You can choose a background image and a ring sound, and move the number display window anywhere on the desktop.
System requirements
Windows, with a Caller ID compatible modem and Call Display service from your phone company. The vendor's detailed requirements page wasn't available to me, so I'm not listing more.