Best way to avoid this problem? Don't get a land-line phone. Who needs it anyway? Get cable internet connection (going to be faster/cheaper than DSL anyway), and get a cell phone. If you still just *have* to have a phone at home, get a VoIP phone. Heck use BroadVoice - like 35 countries of unlimited calling for a whopping 25 bucks! And at least for the moment - you won't find yourself published in these criss-cross directories. Just another one of the zillion reasons I had so much fun the day I was able to call the phone company here and tell them to kiss my a** once and for all!

This is the route a DCE bud of mine went. The problem with Cable is that the COMCAST client required by most "cable" connects is loaded with info-slueth COMs. I am leaning towards dropping my TW cable in favor of VOOM.

Maybe a fire with smoldering green-leaves and a blanket will become the rage again:)