Silica

Name: Silica
Rating: 4.75 (5 reviews)

1.2

23 October 2005

Caller ID with Address Book integration.

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Overview

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 in Silica

Version 1.2:

More robust phone number lookup.
Custom call handling via AppleScript.
Minor bug fixes and efficiency improvements.

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20 Silica Reviews

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Great idea, however it doesn't work on my 17" Powabook (OS X 10.4.1 / 1.33 GHz G4). Modem Model: LastDash Interface Type: USB Modulation: V.92 SKU Name: UCJ Hardware Version: 4.0 Firmware Version: APPLE VERSION 2.6.6 Driver: InternalUSBModem.kext (v2.6.6)

Version 1.0

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

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

1 answer(s)

MacUpdate-Lon

07 March 2006

Have you emailed the developer? He has an email addy on his site, see the 'feedback' link.

Version 1.2

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

1 answer(s)

Gregw

12 January 2006

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

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

2 answer(s)

Gregw

12 January 2006

Consider it on the to-do list for 1.3.

Version 1.2

Gregw

12 January 2006

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

Fantastic app! Can i ask if it works trought an airport extreme with modem? Thanks.

Version 1.2

1 answer(s)

Anonymous

24 October 2005

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

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

1 answer(s)

Anonymous

14 October 2005

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

The icon looks like someone sneezed on the screen! LOL!

Version 1.1.2

1 answer(s)

Anonymous

12 October 2005

Wow. If you're sneezing hunks of rock, you've got bigger concerns than who's calling you.

Version 1.1.2

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

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

Silica

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