Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2017 May 10

= May 10 =

Cache website/user manual

 * While looking for a user manual online I cam across a promising website, however the site is currently down for maintenance. How can I tell if the website has been down for a long time? If it only went down recently I would like to check it everyday until the URL is working properly again. the website is here. 64.170.21.194 (talk) 00:44, 10 May 2017 (UTC)
 * It's up now. Rojomoke (talk) 04:45, 10 May 2017 (UTC)
 * Now it isn't 64.170.21.194 (talk) 22:22, 10 May 2017 (UTC)


 * To answer the question: www.isitdownrightnow.com is a site that specifically does just what you ask. ᛗᛁᛟᛚᚾᛁᚱPants   Tell me all about it.  00:25, 11 May 2017 (UTC)

Programmable cell phones ?
There are some rather basic tasks I'd like to be able to program into my cell phone:

1) Block calls from certain numbers (blacklist) or only allow calls from certain numbers (whitelist).

2) Require callers to enter a secret code and only ring the phone if they do so correctly. Possibly take a message otherwise.  Each contact in the phone should have their own secret code, so I can invalidate it if they give it out.

3) When in "Emergency Only" mode, don't ring unless the caller also indicates that this is an emergency, like "Press 1 for an emergency". I should also be able to block this ability for a given contact, if they abuse it.

I'm also interested in the same capabilities in a land line. Can any do these things ? (I asked a similar Q long ago, but offerings may have changed since then.) StuRat (talk) 17:23, 10 May 2017 (UTC)


 * Well, there are call blocker aps out there that will do the first one. I would recommend a paid one, having tried out a few free ones and being disappointed.
 * As for the others, I believe that a call forwarding service might be what you want. Essentially, you need to be able to connect the call from the caller to a service that prompts for and accepts the codes, then responds based on that. I would assume that a home phone with call forwarding enabled, plugged into a small computer like a raspberry pi might be able to be set up to do that. However, without doing any research, I would bet money that there are commercial call forwarding services who offer those features, or something similar. ᛗᛁᛟᛚᚾᛁᚱPants   Tell me all about it.  17:56, 10 May 2017 (UTC)


 * It might be helpful to know which "cell phone" you have. Or are you seeking to purchase a "cell phone" that will perform all of those functions? Thomprod (talk) 23:46, 10 May 2017 (UTC)


 * The latter. My current cell phone won't do any of it. StuRat (talk) 23:49, 10 May 2017 (UTC)