To use a computer to dial a telephone number, usually by using a modem, although a new telephony device can do the same. From your PC you can send instructions to your modem, which is connected via a serial port to the PC. The modem is plugged into a telephone socket and can be used to dial the access number of an online service or bulletin board such as CompuServe, or can be used to take the grind out of dialling your friends and colleagues. To use your PC as a telephone book, you will need software that can instruct the modem to dial a number. In Windows you have a program called Cardfile that does the same job as a real card index. The only difference is that it can automatically dial numbers via a modem. Once the telephone is answered, pick up the telephone handset and carry on as normal.
