Advantages: Free, Easy to Setup
Disadvantages: Can block calls you might want; cannot stop Text messages

...The TPS (http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/) is an 'opt in to opt out' service..... You can also call to register on 0845 070 0707 The UK, for whatever wisdom, has determined that you may register you preference to not receive those frustrating 'cold' calls from sales and marketing companies. Note - unless you actively opt out via this service, you are deemed to have opted in if *any* company has legitimately acquired your contact details !!!! The Data Protection Act stops much of your personal details being passed around without you permission, but how many times have you carefully read those tiny messages on forms and ticked the box to stop this? Did you know that there is no regulation that says you have a consistent tick to opt in or opt out? One tick might stop your telephone number and personal details being passed on... Read review

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Advantages: Inexpensive to buy. (Shop around) Brilliant clarity. Lots of useful features.
Disadvantages: Not a lot!

...~ ~ Having recently installed a new wireless broadband system I was keen to investigate the possibility of getting rid of my old hard-wired telephone system entirely. Especially since Eircom, the main telephone supplier here in the Republic of Ireland for years, were the main reason I had waited 6 years or more to obtain broadband in the first place, the antiquated copper wire connections they supplied to my property being totally unable to sustain a standard DSL broadband connection. So imagine my delight when I came across a new VoIP telephone service here in Ireland called "blueface.ie" (review to follow) which allows me to make unlimited calls to land lines in Ireland, the UK, The European Union, the USA and Canada, and Australia and New Zealand for a flat rate payment of only €24.99 per month. ~ ~ But subscribing to this new... Read review

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Advantages: MP3, MultiMediaCard, rigorous dictaphone, metal body and rich complete set
Disadvantages: Price, low data rate

...Is this simple mobile telephone? I think, that no. Actually we have: MP3 player, digital dictaphone, organizer, which is "friends" with Outlook, portable information carrier and plus to this also GSM 900/1800 telephone. And all this in compact, smooth aluminum body. However, let's be pass under the order. Complete set of delivery SL45 is delivered in a translucent plastic box. By opening it, it is possible to detect inside following things: - telephone with MultiMediaCard 32Mb, - standard Li-ion the battery 540mAh, - charge device, - instruction in various languages, - brief brochure with trial functions, - CD with software, - stereoheadphones with a microphone and button, - cradle, - cable for connection to COM port. The set is excellent, everything, that is necessary, is present. The instruction is written... Read review

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Advantages: Stops them calling
Disadvantages: Sad buggers like me like to get junkmail

...and says conspiratorially, “Excuse me sor, but me an the lads ‘ave got a bit of the old black stuff left over from workin’ on the M1 an’ sure wouldn’t it look fine an’ dandy on yer drive?”, then I’m afraid I can’t help you. However, woe betide the same fellow if he telephones, sends you a letter, FAX or E-mail. Oh yes, the DMA’ll have his guts for garters if he does that, don’t you worry. That’s always assuming of course that they ever found him… DMA? The Direct Marketing Association, that’s who the DMA is. They’ve got a spiffy little website called www.dma.org.uk and you can schlep over there and avail yourself of their preference service free and for gratis. How about that then? Actually, there are five preference services to choose from... Read review

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Advantages: Strong and durable, keeps kids away from your phone, bright colours and lights
Disadvantages: hurts when you get hit on the head :p

...Kids have a huge fascination with phones and they love to mimic mummy and daddy on the telephone. Although a part of growing up and intended to be innocent fun, letting your child play with your own telephone can lead to trouble as I know so well. Quite recently my young son was happily playing with his toys in the middle of the room and I went out into the kitchen for just a couple of minutes. I could hear babbling in the background and just thought I’d go and check what he was up to and lo and behold he had the receiver in his hands and he was pressing the numbers on the keypad. I replaced the receiver and a few minutes later the telephone rang and it was the emergency services calling back to check that everything was ok as they had received an incoherent phone call. I was so mortified as I explained to the woman... Read review

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Advantages: Free, stops unwanted calls
Disadvantages: None

...I don’t get any calls from double glazing companies interrupting my life. Nor from anyone else trying to sell me goods which I haven’t asked for. My number is still listed in the phone book but these annoying calls just don’t happen anymore. Why? Because I’m registered with the Telephone Preference Service, and its illegal for anyone to make a direct marketing call to me if I haven’t asked for it. This wonderful service is available FREE on any UK land line. ~~~~ My Experience ~~~~ I registered with the TPS at the beginning of November. A week after I signed up I received a letter confirming my registration and telling me it would be 28 days before it was effective. Its now been nearly a year since I registered and I havn't received a single direct marketing call. Companies who I have given my number... Read review

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Advantages: Paying less for my telephone calls
Disadvantages: Having to change my ISP

...Last month I received a flyer from Telewest advertising their telephone service at £25 per month and it prompted me to do a bit of research. It looked as though it would save me some money and you know what I’m like when there’s a good deal involved! You see - since I have stopped full time working I tend to ring my mom during the day for a bit of a chat. Well, if you’re anything like me, the words ‘telephone call’, ‘mom’ and ‘short’ NEVER appear in the same sentence so my telephone bill has been between £80 and £85 per quarter at best for some time now. Anyway I got all the information about the Telewest telephone service and realised that for the £25 per month I would get the following:- Unlimited local and national telephone calls – excluding calls to mobile numbers... Read review

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Advantages: High educational value alongside a lot of fun
Disadvantages: Quite loud

...Not only is this a great educational toy but it has an on/off button too! Our son received this for his 2nd birthday and it has been well used since. I wasn't a fan of VTech before this toy came into our house. For me, VTech symbolised sitting a child down with an electric book that reads the story to the child without having the interaction of another person. OK so I was wrong on that too, I have since seen a 4 year old use a Leapad and I was very impressed with the comprehension skills it encourages. I won't bother describing the phone too much as you can see it above but it is a reasonably big toy measuring approximately 23cm by 23cm. The telephone receiver fits snugly into the base so it doesn't fall out the minute you knock it although it doesn't need much strength to get it out either. Bob's hand slides to select which... Read review

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Advantages: Good tool to use if you are hard of hearing
Disadvantages: None that I can see

...Clarity Phone Think you are getting hard of hearing; want a telephone that has a high frequency with enchantment; that is adapted to suit your needs? Let me tell about Clarity. Clarity is a Walker product. It has been around since December 1997. It does have some unique features, what I like amongst other things it is that it has Clarity Power Control, which allows you to control conversations, it accomplishes this by increasing or amplifying frequency in sounds that are high; with this unique feature, you can hear clearly. Another feature it that it has a Power button which has a slide button, that allows you to control the volume of the caller or your own voice When the telephone rings, a sound indicator level flickers. The ringer volume has three settings, off, low and high. It is also useful if you need to wear... Read review

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Advantages: Ease of Installation, total package, easy solutoin to legislation
Disadvantages: annoying minor faults

...Parrot Rhythm N Blue. I bought this unit on Ebay just over two months ago, paying about £140.00 including delivery. Purchased essentially I felt this would be the easiest way to comply with the new legislation regarding use of mobile phones in a car, and having in the past bought manufacturers fitted options was fed up having to buy a new car kit whenever I upgraded my telephone. One of the main reasons for my choice in this instance was “ease of fitting” – the unit comes with standard ISO connections, so providing the vehicle is less than about fifteen years old it should be a ten minute job fitting the stereo. I currently drive a 1996 Landrover Discovery with the correct connections so the most complicated procedure is fixing the microphone, again supplied with the kit. At this stage it is probable useful to point out... Read review

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