Maybe I’m the last person on earth to know this, but there are free alternatives to the standard “411” directory assistance phone number.
Try 1-800-FREE-411 next time. It gives you an automated system with voice recognition, and actually worked really well for me. If the automated system can’t understand you, you can get a real person. Now, you do have to listen to a short advertisement, but it’s only a few seconds, and they have to get something for providing this service.
They have a website also, at http://www.free411.com. It was able to find our number just fine, and they have a feature that shows your neighbors as well. For many of them I didn’t know their last name!