1969912 0 #1 October 14, 2006 Boring day. Decided to try Skype VOIP on the cheap. Grabbed the software. Got a cheesy microphone from Dollar Tree for $1, changed the connector so it would fit my soundcard and used my pc speakers to listen. Total cost, $1+ tax. Calls are free in US + Canada until 2007, maybe longer. Worked pretty good considering what a hack job it was. The person I called said it sounded kind of like a speaker phone, probably because of slight feedback from speakers to mic. There was also a fairly large impedance mismatch between mic and soundcard. Currently wiring up and old telephone handset to replace the mic and speakers. "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #2 October 14, 2006 I use Vonage. They send you a router that your phone plugs into and it sounds / works like normal. Been very happy with it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,406 #3 October 14, 2006 My whole company is on VoIP and it's great. We also have unified messaging so when I get a VMX, it forwards my voice mails & faxes to my email which I play/open on my Q cell phone.Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 851 #4 October 14, 2006 I've been on Vonage since their inception. All Cisco gear, sounds like POTS line, internet access to voice mail...great service! Love it and it's the ceapest and best around. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kenneth21441 0 #5 October 14, 2006 I am a firm believer in Vonnage. Where else can you call people across the USA at no long distance fees. I try to tell everyoe so it will put a hurting on those companies that charge you $10 to call someone 30 miles away for 30 minutes..then send you a bill for 30 or more with all those tax this and that... What a rip off......... Stay with Vonnage or your other lower cost VOIP.... Pass the word..Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Cudlo 0 #6 October 14, 2006 my friend has the comcast triple play (which includes voip). the quality is equal to a regular hardline. only problem is he needs a cellphone for whenever the cable goes out._________________________________________ "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." - Kierkegaard Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites okalb 104 #7 October 14, 2006 QuoteI've been on Vonage since their inception. All Cisco gear, sounds like POTS line, internet access to voice mail...great service! Love it and it's the ceapest and best around. Woo hoo....woo hoo hoo...Woo hoo....woo hoo hoo...Woo hoo....woo hoo hoo Now you are gonna be stuck with it in your head for the rest of the day Time flies like an arrow....fruit flies like a banana Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites legorowbot 0 #8 October 14, 2006 I've been on Vonage for a while now too. It works well, but not great. I've had people complain that they can't hear me too well, although that could be just my phone. I occasionally have a little trouble if I'm really taxing my DSL (viewing a webex on one PC, DLing music on another and on vonage), but that doesn't happen often. For the price, you can't beat the level of service you get. I especially lovve getting my voicemails in an email.Why does it say "Append signature to post" when I don't have a signature? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites dbrutherford 0 #9 October 15, 2006 Well I have long distance on my cell phone so that isn't a big problem for me. However I have been looking to get one of those Skype phones they have been pushing at BestBuy. They run anywhere from 20 bucks to 80 bucks. Apparently you can call anyone with an internet another phone for free. It costs you a "small fee" if they just have a regular land line or cell phone. Still seems like a cool PC gadget I "must have" lol Also my work has VOIP and it sounds ok. Vonage seems liek a rip off compared to it. This is just a USB phone. Vonage you need a router to split your internet signal. Most people now adays use cable internet soDSL or dial up and vonage would just be redundant! DBR Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 1969912 0 #10 October 15, 2006 Thanks for the info. Vonage seems to be better developed than most others. Since I have Skype working great now using a hacked cordless phone, I might stick with it for a bit longer. Watching the major VOIP players fight for market share in the next couple years will be interesting. "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites dbrutherford 0 #11 July 2, 2007 I just got a Skype phone finally. I got a GE which has two cordless phones and bases. So I like how I am not "wired" to the computer. Also the phones can be used in dual mode where you can use Skype or a traditional land line. I don't have a home phone so I paid the $30 a year to get my own phone number through Skype. Seems to be working ok. Bummer is you have to have high speed internet the computer turned on and the software running. Other than that it sure beats paying another home phone bill. I already have to pay a cell phone bill each month. DBR"... and I'll jump off that bridge when I get to it...." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Gawain 0 #12 July 2, 2007 Skype works well enough. Vonage is on the verge of going dark, Verizon has them strapped with lawsuits and it isn't looking good. I won't use Cable as the telco because it isn't VoIP, it's a regular circuit and they can't sustain power if the power goes out. So, yeah, I have a regular twisted pair POTS line, DSL, and a cell phone. If I lived in a Verizon telco area, I would try to get FiOS. But, I'm in a BellSouth/AT&T area, and their "U-Verse" isn't available here yet, and it's not true FTTP anyway.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 1969912 0 #13 July 2, 2007 Gawain, Do you know if Verizon FIOS is on backup geneterators systems? "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Gawain 0 #14 July 2, 2007 QuoteGawain, Do you know if Verizon FIOS is on backup geneterators systems? I don't know. However, since they're running it out of their COs and it's a combined service offering, it would stand to say "yes". Fiber costs about $40-50K per mile. I used to sell SONET rings in a previous job for VZ and it paid to keep as many systems up and running as possible in order to recoup investment. However, that's no guarantee. I know that when the power goes out here in Kentucky, BellSouth only maintains power to POTS and the telephone switch, "internet" services halt, so the DSLAM goes dark. Some cable companies have back-up power set up for their telephone service, but it's not universal.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
kenneth21441 0 #5 October 14, 2006 I am a firm believer in Vonnage. Where else can you call people across the USA at no long distance fees. I try to tell everyoe so it will put a hurting on those companies that charge you $10 to call someone 30 miles away for 30 minutes..then send you a bill for 30 or more with all those tax this and that... What a rip off......... Stay with Vonnage or your other lower cost VOIP.... Pass the word..Kenneth Potter FAA Senior Parachute Rigger Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA) FFL Gunsmith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cudlo 0 #6 October 14, 2006 my friend has the comcast triple play (which includes voip). the quality is equal to a regular hardline. only problem is he needs a cellphone for whenever the cable goes out._________________________________________ "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." - Kierkegaard Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
okalb 104 #7 October 14, 2006 QuoteI've been on Vonage since their inception. All Cisco gear, sounds like POTS line, internet access to voice mail...great service! Love it and it's the ceapest and best around. Woo hoo....woo hoo hoo...Woo hoo....woo hoo hoo...Woo hoo....woo hoo hoo Now you are gonna be stuck with it in your head for the rest of the day Time flies like an arrow....fruit flies like a banana Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
legorowbot 0 #8 October 14, 2006 I've been on Vonage for a while now too. It works well, but not great. I've had people complain that they can't hear me too well, although that could be just my phone. I occasionally have a little trouble if I'm really taxing my DSL (viewing a webex on one PC, DLing music on another and on vonage), but that doesn't happen often. For the price, you can't beat the level of service you get. I especially lovve getting my voicemails in an email.Why does it say "Append signature to post" when I don't have a signature? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbrutherford 0 #9 October 15, 2006 Well I have long distance on my cell phone so that isn't a big problem for me. However I have been looking to get one of those Skype phones they have been pushing at BestBuy. They run anywhere from 20 bucks to 80 bucks. Apparently you can call anyone with an internet another phone for free. It costs you a "small fee" if they just have a regular land line or cell phone. Still seems like a cool PC gadget I "must have" lol Also my work has VOIP and it sounds ok. Vonage seems liek a rip off compared to it. This is just a USB phone. Vonage you need a router to split your internet signal. Most people now adays use cable internet soDSL or dial up and vonage would just be redundant! DBR Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969912 0 #10 October 15, 2006 Thanks for the info. Vonage seems to be better developed than most others. Since I have Skype working great now using a hacked cordless phone, I might stick with it for a bit longer. Watching the major VOIP players fight for market share in the next couple years will be interesting. "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbrutherford 0 #11 July 2, 2007 I just got a Skype phone finally. I got a GE which has two cordless phones and bases. So I like how I am not "wired" to the computer. Also the phones can be used in dual mode where you can use Skype or a traditional land line. I don't have a home phone so I paid the $30 a year to get my own phone number through Skype. Seems to be working ok. Bummer is you have to have high speed internet the computer turned on and the software running. Other than that it sure beats paying another home phone bill. I already have to pay a cell phone bill each month. DBR"... and I'll jump off that bridge when I get to it...." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #12 July 2, 2007 Skype works well enough. Vonage is on the verge of going dark, Verizon has them strapped with lawsuits and it isn't looking good. I won't use Cable as the telco because it isn't VoIP, it's a regular circuit and they can't sustain power if the power goes out. So, yeah, I have a regular twisted pair POTS line, DSL, and a cell phone. If I lived in a Verizon telco area, I would try to get FiOS. But, I'm in a BellSouth/AT&T area, and their "U-Verse" isn't available here yet, and it's not true FTTP anyway.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969912 0 #13 July 2, 2007 Gawain, Do you know if Verizon FIOS is on backup geneterators systems? "Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ." -NickDG Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #14 July 2, 2007 QuoteGawain, Do you know if Verizon FIOS is on backup geneterators systems? I don't know. However, since they're running it out of their COs and it's a combined service offering, it would stand to say "yes". Fiber costs about $40-50K per mile. I used to sell SONET rings in a previous job for VZ and it paid to keep as many systems up and running as possible in order to recoup investment. However, that's no guarantee. I know that when the power goes out here in Kentucky, BellSouth only maintains power to POTS and the telephone switch, "internet" services halt, so the DSLAM goes dark. Some cable companies have back-up power set up for their telephone service, but it's not universal.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
