Abstract: To alleviate the frustration of telephone tag, if the called party is unavailable (32), the calling party is offered the chance to participate in a game (36). The user can accept or reject the offer (38). If the offer is accepted, a game is played (40), if the offer is rejected, the calling party is connected to the called party's voice mail (42). The game could involve purchase of a lottery, participation in a guessing game, or participation in a knowledge-based game. After the game is played, the calling party is connected to the called party's voice mail (42).

Abstract: Apparatus for a cable television subscriber to log onto a computer network with a modem over an upstream path using a USERID and password. The network validates the subscriber USERID and subscriber password with a stored database of valid USERIDs and associated passwords. After the USERID and password are validated, the modem then provides its electronic serial number to the network for validation against a stored database of authorized serial numbers. Upon additional validation of the modem's serial number, the subscriber is authorized to use the network.