So I wanted to turn my linux box into an answering machine as well as one that records all my incoming calls. I did some searches and found some HOW-TOs that tell me how to do it, but they don't answer all the questions I have.

So using mgetty/vgetty and turning it into an answering machine:
Is there a way to have it set so that it records ALL incoming calls? So if I pick up the phone and start talking to my friend, I want it to record that too, not just the calls I don't get and are answered by the computer.
And on that note, this method also uses a real phone right? As in, I don't have to plug in a microphone to talk back?

Here is a diagram as I imagined it would work:

incoming phone line -->--> Linux Box --> --> real telephone

or is it

incoming phone line --> --> Linux Box --> --> microphone


Through my searches, I also found VOCP. Will this also do all of the above? And then I also found Asterisk@Home, which I don't think does what I want. Thanks for any comments on any these systems or any other ones that might function as an answering machine.

Did you ever manage to do this?