robotech_master

Posted August 27th:

I've been told that a couple of relatives tried for two days to get in touch with me unsuccessfully. This left me scratching my head, as I never saw any signs they actually tried to contact me at all. I guess it's time for me to make clear what the best means of getting in touch with me are.

Updated April 16th:

I have just finished switching over my phone numbers to Indianapolis-local 317 area code numbers. If you haven't already heard from me exactly what they are, contact me and I'll let you know.

Amusingly, with this number change, this is no longer true of me:

Updated November 13, 2016: 

I dropped my old mobile number a few months back since I switched to Project Fi.
 

In order of preference:

1) Email. I check my email several times a day, including on breaks at work. My main e-mail is robotech (at) eyrie (dot) org, though it redirects to robotech (dot) master (at) gmail (dot) com. Either one should reach me, though the gmail one has one fewer layer of spam protection. Not that it should matter, since I use a Bayesian filter on Eyrie that's generally pretty good at separating spam from good stuff. Still, if I don't respond, you might want to check me via one of the other methods.

2) Facebook. If you're a FB friend, you can private message me and I'll see it. 

3) Twitter. I don't check Twitter as often, but I get mentions and private messages texted and emailed to me. So if you don't have the time or ability to send an email, a tweet to @robotech_master will find me on my preferred platform.

4) IM. I'm usually logged into my Skype and Google Hangouts accounts. (AIM not so much anymore.) I have them on my phone, too, so I should be able to see them even if I'm at work.

5) Project Fi number. It's the one that goes 317-662-****. (If you're a close enough friend or relative you need to know it and don't yet, contact me by email and I'll send it you.) If you want to reach me by phone, this is the way to do it. Just bear in mind you may not get me directly and I'll have to call you back. Much better to contact me by one of the other methods above.

Still, Project Fi can be a reliable way to get through to me. A text message sent to this number will reach me via email and my cell phone. If you can send text messages at all, I greatly prefer those to phone calls if the message is short enough to fit. I don't have to drop what I'm doing and hurriedly fumble for the phone that way. If you don't have a cell phone yourself, Google Voice sends text messages and it's free to sign up! There are other services that can let you text from the computer or WiFi devices, too.

A call to this number will ring my cell phone (if my cell phone is on), as well as the VOIP session in my Gmail account. I probably will not answer, because I'm at work or in some other situation where I can't have my cell phone on. But if you leave a voicemail, Google will transcribe it and email and text it to me and I'll get it next time I check my email or cell phone and can then call you back. (Or you could leave a text and I'd be able to see exactly what you meant without any weird Google Voice transcription errors.)

Don't try to reach me at my old cell phone. (The 317-528-**** number.) It no longer functions, because the above number is now my cell phone number too.

Sometimes I may call or text you from my cell phone, just because it's what I have at the time, or you may have it in your phone for the sake of caller ID, but don't assume that just because I've contacted you from that number in the past that you can text or call me at it at any random time and have it work. (Though, to note, it probably will work now, at least if I have the phone on me and turned on. But if I have it turned off and charging in my bedroom, I won't see anything you send it 'til I next turn it on.)

(Of course, you can disregard this if we're out shopping together or something and you know for a fact I have my phone turned on and with me. But even then, I'd rather you call or text the Project Fi number, because it will also show up on my cell phone. Keep in the habit.)

I no longer have a landline number, so I've removed the section about it.

Clear?