Comment by tshaddox
3 years ago
That sounds neat. When you say everyone got their own code, do you mean that each person had a separate code for the call box, and the call box would call one of many separate Twilio phone numbers? Or did the call box always call the same Twilio number, and you instructed each person to then input their special code via the call box? My apartments have always just asked me for a single phone number which they program into the call box, so I’m guessing the latter, although it never occurred to me that the guest might be able to press more buttons after the phone call has been connected.
You're right, it's the latter. Yeah, you can still use the keypad after the call is started. But it's a little clunky. The instructions you have to give people are like "first dial 542, then wait until you hear the prompt, then enter code 867". Which as it turns out is a little too complex for a lot of people. Another reason why it wouldn't have been great as a paid product.
You could also have a fallback that forwards the call to your cell phone after a failed attempt at entering the code. But most of the reason I built this was so it would stop calling me at random times, so I didn't really want that.
Yeah, the call box in general is just not a great system in my experience. I often just tell guests and delivery people to text or call me when they get there, which works for me because my apartment is very close to the lobby. It’s just easier than hoping they figure out how to use the call box and follow my directions to get to my apartment.
Yeah these call boxes are simply awful. That's why I was excited about Doorport, to have something better.
one could put a sign on the door with the number to call + qr code.