Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2006-05-19 00:40:50 - Graham Ellis
When we first set up this website, we had a phone number and fax number that most people called us on, and an email address that was occasionally used. We provided a link to a map and directions for people driving, and a link to a railway timetable that we had to put online ourselves for people coming that way. People thought I was pretty odd when I added our OS reference to the map.
How times have changed; most communication is via email, the train timetable is still there but has been enhanced by a link to tell you whether the train is cancelled or on time, and I've added our latitude and longitude to the map in addition to the grid reference. On the phone number side, we've got extra 0845 or "locall" numbers which, for UK clients, may save them money when calling us.
From a simple telephone answering machine we've moved on to a computer system too - it IS one of those ones that can be programmed to offer you loads of options and can send you in circles around a series of menus, but that's not how we use it. Phone us, and we'll pick up after 2 rings (Leah), 3 rings (Lisa), or 4 rings (Graham). If none of us is available to answer, we'll take a message that will be emailed to us around the world, as will be faxes. So don't be suprised if you hear back from half a world away.
And now, we're set up on VOIP - Voice over IP. Experimental for the moment, but Lisa and I are set up as wellholisa and wellhograham on Skype. Lisa can usually be reached at work via her account, but I'm a little trickier to get hold of that way - I simply can't be interrupted while I'm standing up in front of a class. But I do expect that we'll be chatting amongst ourselves using this medium while I'm away in future.