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DESCRIPTION
Silica is a lightweight heads-up Caller ID display that leverages the internal modem and Address Book to let you know who's calling without having to look over at the phone.
WHAT'S NEW
Version 1.2:
  • More robust phone number lookup.
  • Custom call handling via AppleScript.
  • Minor bug fixes and efficiency improvements.
REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.3 or later, Caller ID capable modem and Caller ID service.

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Developer:Greg Weston
Downloads:5,093
  - Version d/l:2,442
Internet:Internet Utilities
License:Free
Date:23 Oct 2005
Platform:PPC
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Silica User Reviews (20 posts)Write A Review
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Mar 25 2007

BMORAES  Hi,

does anyone got it working with the Apple USB Modem? Any tips on that?

Thanks, Bruno  
(Version 1.2)

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Jan 18 2007

JOSE LUIS BENAVENTE  I've been using Silica for a long time (maybe a year) in my eMac usb2.0 with the internal modem, and works great...

but now i'm trying to install on my old iMac 400DV, and i can't get the modem work....i think this modem isn't compatible with caller ID but i'm not so sure about it...

otherwise, the app is great and very unintrusive  
(Version 1.2)

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Mar 7 2006

RYANH  I'm hoping this may do the trick for me. I was attempting to get an app working on my WinDoze machine to block unwanted calls via Caller ID without success. My iMac G5's modem supports caller id and I have Silica showing the caller information to the screen but I can't get it to call any script. I have tried even the sample scripts, but nothing. I am running OS X.4.5. Any ideas?

Thanks and looks great so far. If i get this working it is going to be worth a donation ;-)  
(Version 1.2)

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Mar 7 2006

MACUPDATE ADMIN  Have you emailed the developer? He has an email addy on his site, see the 'feedback' link.  
(Version 1.2)

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Dec 23 2005

JJB  I am running Silica 1.2 in the UK (BT phone line) with the following system …

Modem Model: MicroDash

Interface Type: USB

Modulation: V.92

SKU Name: Euro

Hardware Version: 1.0F

Firmware Version: APPLE VERSION 2.6.6

Driver: InternalUSBModem.kext (v2.6.6)

Country: B4 (United Kingdom)

Mac OS X 10.4.3

Dual 2 Ghz PowerPC G5

I have set Silica to us Internal Modem / ATE0+VCID=1, but I just get "No Caller ID info received" when a call comes in. I know that Caller ID is working, as if I plug a Caller ID phone into the same socket the ID comes through.

Any ideas how to resolve this problem?

One other tiny point – is there a way to minimize the app so that it does not show up next to the Trash icon in the Dock?

Many Thanks, Julian  
(Version 1.2)

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Jan 12 2006

GREGW  As noted inthe trouble-shooting document included with Silica, the most likely problem is simply that the modem you're using only supports one of the several CID protocols in use (which is the case for almost all modems) and your phone service provider is using a different protocol. Unfortunately, there's nothing that can be done about that.

As for the minizing thing, I'd think most people just wouldn't have the front-end running unless they were actively interacting with it and would quit when they're done. You should be able to hide it via the normal means, such as by option-clicking elsewhere on the screen.  
(Version 1.2)

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Dec 21 2005

MACERICG  Not to be pushy to someone who produces software for free, but here's a thought: Why not make Silica able to speak the incoming caller's name?  
(Version 1.2)

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Jan 12 2006

GREGW  Consider it on the to-do list for 1.3.  
(Version 1.2)

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Jan 12 2006

GREGW  You can, by the way, accomplish the same thing with a call handler script through the scripting interface that was added in 1.2.  
(Version 1.2)

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Oct 24 2005

ANONYMOUS  Fantastic app!

Can i ask if it works trought an airport extreme with modem?

Thanks.  
(Version 1.2)

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Oct 24 2005

GREG WESTON  It doesn't. The only device which see's the ABS modem as a modem is the ABS itself. Everything else attached to the ABS just sees it as an IP connection.  
(Version 1.2)

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Oct 13 2005
*****

ANONYMOUS  Fantastic Application! I was going to buy phlink for this same feature... but was able to get it with this app for free. I'm using a rev b 20" iMac and it works great.

Here's a couple feature requests

- a widget to display call history

- if a name doesn't get a displayed, a look up button to query a yellowpages website (hopefully that works in canada too)

- a button to add a number and name into the address book.  
(Version 1.1.2)

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Oct 14 2005

GREG WESTON  1. You know, I've been trying to think of an excuse to write a widget. Good odds that'll be in the next release.

2/3. The major problem with buttons to react to the current call, if you're asking for what I think you're asking , is that I'd have to make the window interactive which means it would capture at least mouse clicks and possibly keystrokes and that might be a bit problematic.

I can easily see item 3 being a checkbox in the prefs, though. If a call comes in with a name attached and the number can't be found in AB, make a new entry, probably as a member of a group set aside to hold such auto-created entries.

The yellow-pages lookup is more of a concern. I can't imagine it being reliably fast enough to be useful for the current call. Maybe I'm wrong; my imagination has been known to be limited from time to time. If you write to me directly - support link is in the help and the about box for the app - we can work out the details of getting new features working.  
(Version 1.1.2)

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Oct 11 2005

ANONYMOUS  The icon looks like someone sneezed on the screen! LOL!  
(Version 1.1.2)

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Oct 12 2005

GREG WESTON  Wow. If you're sneezing hunks of rock, you've got bigger concerns than who's calling you.  
(Version 1.1.2)

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Oct 10 2005

EJI  Sorry, forgot to add my e-mail address. But myabe that's for the best, because I hate spam. Go here for contact info:

http://charlatan.blogspot.com/  
(Version 1.1.1)

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Oct 10 2005

EJI  For some non-US folks, in order to get Silica to work with a phone splitter, you'll need the following info (based on German standards):

TAE-F 6 (4) [i.e. a 6-slot plug with 4 contact points] to WE 6 (4) (RJ II) [i.e. the typical "western" square modem plug with 4 tines]. The numbers on the left of the equals sign are the TAE-F contact points; those on the right are their RJ II correspondents.

1a = 3

2b = 4

3W = 2

4E = 5

I bought mine in Marktkauf, and this is all clearly labeled on the back of the packaging. But be careful: there are a lot of adapters that look exactly alike though they will not work.

The UK phone plug is just a gigantic, flattened version of the RJ II (the contacts should all correspond like to like), so you can pick up an adapter at any Dixon's and use it with the RJ II/RJ II modem cable that came bundled with your Mac. Please e-mail me if you'd like a photo of the adapter just to make sure.  
(Version 1.1.1)

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