The LineLok won't give you control of your phones

We're kind of torn here. On the one hand we have a shiny metal phone-plate with an LCD and built-in DSL filter; you program it to control incoming and outgoing calls based on call distance and schedules. On the other hand, it's not like you couldn't just walk your laptop and DSL modem to any other phone, or grab a cellphone to make that call; that is to say, for the LineLok to be effective, you'd need to outfit every jack you've got. And at $50 a pop, we have a slight feeling no parent would spend a few hundred bones just to keep their kids off the phone at night when for free they could more easily simply take the phones or laptop away.

[Thanks, Mike]

[Trevor @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

No way, dude. This thing is for little Jenny's bedroom. She wants to talk privately with her friends? No sweat. She can talk between 7:00 and 8:00, then she has to do her homework and go to bed. It keeps mom and dad from going to her room at 8:01pm every night and confiscating the phone and computer.

[Lucas @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

put this in at the phone's point of entry in the residence. then just add a punch block and punch the phone lines throught the house to it. since they're all parralel anyway it shouldn't matter.

the only problem is that all (or most, depending on how you have your house wired) of your phones will be affected.

also, it might be difficult in older houses.

also putting this in one or two rooms would allow for decent controll of the lines like Trevor said. it's not to keep EVERYone from using the phones...

if you wanted a system that could controll ALL the phone lines then there are units that do that. but they're not $50. they're on the line of $1K or more.

and if you want to limit internet access then use a crappy linksys router. or even just use linux. the kids'll be too confused by a lack of graphics.

[Cynde A @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

It's easy to say that you will take the phone or computer out every night, but after a few days you will forget. Yes there are ways around anything but it is another tool. It definitely helped us out.

[John Sainato @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Easy to say, hard to implement. I have two teenagers and I've done everything from removing the phones/ computers to shutting off the power to their rooms. If they want to talk they will, we as parents need a little help from time to time. I just ordered this product, because I think it will help, and keep a little peace in the family. not because it will do it all.