Everyone knows what a ringtone is, but you may or may not have heard about "ringback" tones, which basically, when people call you they hear music instead of a ring. Are you still confused? Well, when you call someone, you hear a ringing sound before they answer--it lets you know that your call is going through to the other party. Now, with a ringback tone, you can listen to the sweet, sweet music chosen by your friend, colleague, or family member, instead of that boring, numbing ring.

Ringback tones add a little bit of flavor and personality to the whole phone calling experience, and the music can convey your mood or personality, so that when someone is trying to call you, you can get them into the mood through your ringback sounds. If you are using a particular carrier, you can access Alltell ringback tones or Verizon ringback tones to suit your mood, feeling, or personal identity. It's an interesting reverse on the whole ringtone scenario, because now you get to choose what someone else gets to hear, instead of selecting what you want to hear when someone calls you.

If the whole concept of ringback tones still gets your head ringing, maybe you should slow it down, and go back to that "safe" monotone analog bell ring that you were used to hearing on your old rotary dial telephone. I think I know a website or two where you can find that ringtone.