I just thought that before I nuke my computer I'll post some ideas.

I believe that there should be simple cheap 8 bit computers that can access Ethernet as well as access telephony.

We didn't stop using bicycles just because of the invention and progression of automobiles (cars, trucks, etc) , so why shouldn't there be simple communication devices that are purposefully featureless. I use my steak knife for steak, my butter knife for spreads and butter, and my 8 bit computer to connect to a local area code telephone BBS (bulletin board services).

Why?
If you have a computer that boots into basic, and can dial out using Hayes Modem AT commands on a serial port connected to a US robotics or Hayes 56K modem or built in telephone jack, and it has a bare bones boot ROM that you can burn yourself, You power cycle it and it's clean, back to factory fresh, no malware, no bios root kits, no keylogging, no beacons, just the ROM (that you can compile and hash and then burn with an EPROM burner) with a variant of a Free software BASIC. Put in a floppy disk with the BBS dialer/reader software written in BASIC, and call a local area code # for the BBS. No clunky OS required.