Abstract: A voice messaging system. The voice messaging system includes a set of geographically distributed devices in which voice messages are stored and logic that causes voice messages to be stored in respective devices in the set of devices from which messages can be efficiently retrieved. The logic may cause voice messages to be stored in a device from the set of devices closest to a location from which the user has retrieved messages. A voice message system comprising logic that receives and stores messages from callers for respective users and logic that selects and plays a message not left by a caller to a user. The message is selected based on information about the user, and the message not left by a caller may comprise an advertisement. A method of storing messages in a voice messaging system that has a plurality of voice mail boxes associated with a plurality of subscribers.

Abstract: A laminated heater paddle is provided, in which a heater element having a symmetrical pattern is brazed within a heater channel defined between a first layer and a second layer. The laminated heater paddle provides brazed junctions between dissimilar metals. The heater element, having a stainless steel outer surface, is plated with nickel, and is then squeezed between the aluminum lower and upper layers. Aluminum shim stock is used between the first layer of aluminum and the second layer of aluminum or nickel plated stainless steel, wherein the aluminum shim stock provides a brazing medium. The assembly is then subjected to a vacuum, before being heated near the melting point of the aluminum. Alternative heater embodiments include guide tubes or cooling tubes between two or more brazed layers. The brazing process can alternatively be used for other applications.