asterisk users - Apr 2004 - Is asterisks the best for a simple DTMF response system?

I received a recommendation to check out Asterisk, as a platform to host
a simple DTMF response system, something like:

    Setup up VoIP endpoint on Linux/FreeBSD system
    Answer incoming VoIP phone calls
    User enters 100#, perl script plays back "foo"
    User enters 101#, perl script plays back "fum"
    User enters 102#, perl script looks up something in
       database, converts to text with festival, speaks it.

How would one get started, using Asterisks on this project, and is
Asterisks the best option?  Is it really good enough for a high volume (though 
sub carrier-grade) solution?  I'm willing to use commercial software also.

                -Bryce

Bryce Nesbitt (mailing list account) wrote:
> I received a recommendation to check out Asterisk, as a platform to host
> a simple DTMF response system, something like:
>
>    Setup up VoIP endpoint on Linux/FreeBSD system
>    Answer incoming VoIP phone calls
>    User enters 100#, perl script plays back "foo"
>    User enters 101#, perl script plays back "fum"
>    User enters 102#, perl script looks up something in
>       database, converts to text with festival, speaks it.
>
100, 101 are built in, no perl needed, 102 may require a short script.
> How would one get started, using Asterisks on this project, 
Read. http://www.voip-info.org/wiki-Asterisk   Also the config files 
that come with it.  It takes some study time to absorb.
Or hire a consultant.
> and is Asterisks the best option?
It's an excellent option, though pretty underutilized for your application.
> Is it really good enough for a high volume (though sub carrier-grade) 
> solution?
Yes