Orchid V4, V4+ and Ranger 400 phone users

A question about : Orchid V4, V4+ and Ranger 400 phone users

Great idea Heinz!

Thank you very much for all of your effort in getting this off the ground and keeping things up to date.

Best answers:

• Glad that this is now off the block
• Thanks again Heinz, an excellent hassle free way to optimise your communication costs.
• Great idea - thanks for this. I hope that we'd be able to recover our CWClient account if it doesn't work out.
  What does it assume as a baseline? I'm on Primus Saver2, but I imagine that others may have different setups. Are you going to go firm on the current setup, or let us know what it is when you're ready to go live.
  Finally, I occasionally use 09 numbers, so can we allow these? If not, I'm not sure how I'd get round the block...
• Without meaning to be difficult... don't Primus (assuming that is your CPS provider) state that they block (some) premium rate calls?
  Does the program bar 128009? If so, I guess dialling 121 1280 09xx would be a workable, if somewhat convoluted, solution to make premium rate calls.
• ... don't Primus (assuming that is your CPS provider) state that they block (some) premium rate calls? They used to block all 09 calls but the carrier they use changed.
  Does the program bar 128009? If so, I guess dialling 121 1280 09xx would be a workable, if somewhat convoluted, solution to make premium rate calls.No, it used to be a 'suggested possible additional' item - so, if your Orchid is programmed with it still, that sequence will overcome it.
  heinz121@gmail.com
• Thanks for the help, Heinz. I think I'll definitely be signing up, as I occasionally find I'm using out of date numbers or the rates have changed. I must admit I hadn't realised that you were updating your suggestions post in the other thread, so I was doing the same research myself each time :rolleyes:
  Do you need any assistance to help run this?
• I have an Orchid 400 but find it completely incomprehensible to set up using the software supplied. in fact it took me a week of daily effort to even launch the software.
  I can manage to use the manual set-up but this will not let me program depending on time-of-day. I cannot use your program Heinz as you assume everyone is on Primus.
  Any other suggestions?
• Thanks Heinz this is a great service.
• As someone else has mentioned - not everyone is on Primus - I use a dialler at work and we are stuck with our provider as they offered half price line rental providing we signed for a few years - well worth it but no free calls so route evrything through 18xxx.
  Would it be possible to have 2 Heinz (cos we all know there should be 57 )
  One on Primus, one on "BT"?? I know its more work and would be happy to maintain the "BT" one if you want.
  I did also have mine set up so mobile calls went via one 18xxx number, daytimes another and evenings and weekends another - meant I could easily see exactly what we were spending on which type of call but gets a bit convoluted Was handy originally as could then make reasoned decision on which supplier to go with - e.g. "free" daytime calls for £X - am I spending more than that even using 18xxx if so then might as well make life easy and go with that supplier etc. If you wanted to be really snazzy you could offer this to newbie users and then swap them to Heinz 1 or 2 depending on which works best - but probably too convoluted
• I think you answered your own question in your final paragraph there David.
  However, I can tell you that variations on the basic program were considered but the probable number necessary - to take account of the sort of things you mention - made it obvious that it would quickly become impossible to maintain.
  For example, my daughter, for whom the Heinz program was originally devised, has now changed to Sky Talk Unlimited because Sky will LLU her exchange this summer meaning she can get free broadband and 'free' 24/7 calls to UK 01/02 numbers and to 10 countries for Ј5/month. That's version 2.
  Another possible variation would be someone who, like yourself, has no free or inclusive calls package and routes all calls through 18xxx. That's version 3.
  Please remember I make a point of saying in a footnote to the program:
  Quote:
• It would be good if we could retain control of CWClient account but also have the ability to receive the emails from Orchid and have your adjustments applied, but then tweak out those where it thinks we have free calls - minimal adjusting but always on top of latest deals?
  I will stick my home phone on the list as we have Primus there and will just have to manually tweak work to fit for now
  I think there really only needs to be 3 "simple" settings as you have stated
  1) No free calls
  2) Eve & weekend free
  3) 24/7 free (although why anyone would bother with orchid then is beyond me )
• Heinz,
  Thanks for the update - it all went seamlessly, and was both painless and effortless.
  I for one am happy to let someone do ALL the work for me for nothing and not complain that it isn't what I wanted
• I believe most people would regard dialling 123 to find out the time or to get an accurate time check as unnecessary now that numerous sources of the precise time (e.g. radio-controlled clocks and watches, Teletext), are so readily available.
  Calls to BT 'TimeLine' (123) are charged at 30.1p (fixed fee) at all times and, following the ethos of MSE, I am considering adding a 'BAR 123' rule to the program for Orchid diallers.
  Doing so would, of course, have a possible added advantage of preventing 'toddler' calls (the 1, 2 and 3 buttons do appear to attract little fingers - particularly those in the very early stages of grasping the rudiments of counting).
  Before I do so though, has anyone any strong views against?
  EDIT 00:10 6/3/07 - unless any strong 'anti' views (with reasons) are forthcoming before I post the next program update, a 'Bar 123' row will be added at that time.
• nope not by me
• No objection here either!
  At the same time, may I make another money saving suggestion. I see you currently recommend 118226 as the best value DQ service (23.5p per 2 enquiries). Now that 118118 has introduced their 'advertising supported' free DQ service on 0800 118 3733 (= "Free" on the phone key pad) may I suggest this number is used in future.
  V