I'm curious to know why calling a phone number was a deal-breaker.
It seemed eminently likely (to me) that it would be an automated system, but, even if it wasn't, talking to someone isn't that big a deal to me. I certainly wasn't concerned about long-distance charges, but I suppose that might be a problem for some.
I thought it was a nice little twist in the problem set.
but, even if it wasn't, talking to someone isn't that big a deal to me.
A lot of people struggle with the phone. I certainly have, though I'm getting better at it. I've noticed many people become spookily compliant on the phone, endlessly listening to and being polite to even the most annoying callers instead of just hanging up.
I live in Norway, so the phone bill is a significant factor. Also, the wife and kids are sleeping in the next room, which would require me to step outside on the porch in the middle of the night with my cellphone.
Yet also, I'm so tired I couldn't have englished very well in my phone anyway. :-)
Edit: Excellent! Back to hacking.