i'm helping someone set up their internet (dial up) and i was looking for a program that lets you answer calls while your online. anyone know of any??

My friend has a way of doing this. I think it's part of his browser though. There are hardware solutions, but well maybe try a general search or take your chances with filesharing (not recommended).

Either way I will check with him and get back to you if someone hasn't already.

No matter what, this requires some sort of hardware. Whether it be a call-waiting supporting modem or a seperate box that supports call-waiting. There is no other way to do it. PLUS the person has to be sure to pay for the call-waiting service. It's pretty simple if they do both these.

-AntonK

Have used CallWave for a couple of years but it only took messages (which you heard while OnLine) and just recently added the ability to answer the incoming call - no hardware required.

In any case, having also tested ActionTeks and NetoDragon's Call Waiting MoDems, your internet connection will be disconnected.

Am currently trying out a product from RingCentral called BuzMe - purely software - which offers several intriguing options including; ,,,,,,answer call (and interrupt OnLine session)
,,,,,,pick a pre-formatted response like "I'll call you back in nn (selectable) mmm, hh, (also selectable),
,,,,,,,or even type a response while staying OnLine and have a text to voice engine read it to your caller.

These latter two services involve a fee, small, about 7$ USD per month.

As to hardware - Call Waiting MoDems - versus Software, I've had conflicts between the two i.e.. running a software only answering system through a hardware (and, inevitably, software) system/MoDem.

With the hardware systems you also need service provider participation, phone company and/or ISP and/or both.

Hope this helps, HBH