Equipment Options For VOIP Communication
by: Ron King
The marriage of computer and telephone technology goes by the funny name of VOIP
(Voice Over Internet Protocol). But the cost savings are no laughing matter.
The Simplest Solution -- Headphones
Attach a headset to your computer?s sound card and you can try VOIP for free!
Download any one of the many VOIP software packages -- Skype, Gizmo, Free World Dialup, and Net2Phone are some of the big names. Install and invite your buddies to install the same software.
It?s that easy to set up. Special features like call display, call forwarding, voicemail, and conference calls are also free as long as both parties are using computers.
It's even easier to use. Just click on a name to start a call. Most of these so-called "soft phones" allow you to place and receive calls at no charge to and from anywhere in the world, so long as you are not connecting to cellular or landline phones.
Internet Phones
The next step up from headsets is Internet phones. They plug into the USB port or sound card of your computer.
Because you still need VOIP software installed on your computer to make and receive calls, these phones are also considered soft phones. But they seem more like "real" telephones because they ring, have regular number pads and are used like conventional phones.
Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA)
Progressing up the VOIP ladder, ATA is next. It allows you to connect a regular analog telephone to a broadband modem. It is usually free when you sign up with a provider, similar to signing up with a telephone company. There is a monthly charge for this service, and you may have to sign a contract committing you to that provider for a specified period.
Using an ATA for Internet phone calls is straightforward. You pick up the phone and dial a number. Anyone calling you won?t even know that you are using VOIP.
A computer is not needed for this kind of link. It connects to either a DSL modem linked to your phone line or cable modem attached to your cable television connection. Any traditional telephone can also be plugged into an ATA.
You can even take your ATA with you when you?re traveling and receive phone calls from anywhere by connecting it to any broadband modem. Calls to your home phone number will be routed to your ATA (which has a unique identification) at the same cost as the call to your residence.
IP Phone
The final VOIP option is an IP phone (not the same as an Internet Phone). IP phones plug directly into the modem; Internet phones plug into the sound card or USB port of your computer.
An IP phone is a handset that has all the hardware and software built into it. You connect an IP phone to a broadband modem, then make or receive calls the same way that you would with an ATA.
The advantage of an IP phone over an ATA is that it is a completely integrated unit. You don?t need an extra telephone to plug into it. Another IP phone advantage is that your phone numbers are all stored and the display screen provides information about incoming calls.
There you have it: 4 choices that will all add up to substantial telephone savings.
About The Author
Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit http://www.voip-solutions-now.com to learn more about this subject. Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.
|
Where Did Those Cell Phones Come From?
Where Did Those Cell Phones Come From?
by: D Ruplinger
In 1949 the first car phone service was introduced. It was called ?Mobile Telephone Service? (MTS). But the beginning of wireless communication started many years earlier, in 1895, when an Italian physicist named Guglielmo Marconi successfully sent wireless signals a distance of one and one half miles.
In 1896 Marconi was granted the world?s first patent for a wireless telegraphy system. In 1897 he formed The Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company. During that same year he successfully sent wireless signals a distance of twelve miles.
In 1901 Marconi proved the curve of the earth did not affect the successful sending of wireless waves. He proved it by transmitting signals from Cornwall, England to St. John?s, Newfoundland, which was a distance of over two thousand miles.
Marconi, along with other scientists and researchers, continued to work and do research on wireless transmissions....
Where Did Those Cell Phones Come From?
Razr phone > Where Did Those Cell Phones Come From?
Test Fidelity with a Spy Phone
Test Fidelity with a Spy Phone
by: Kingston Amadan
Are you worried that you partner may be cheating on you? With a spy phone it is fairly easy to find out. In today?s world, nearly everyone has his or her own cell phone. In fact, with family plans and extra phones, there is no need to share a phone. Each person?s phone is sacrosanct. This means that it is easier than ever for significant others to cheat on their partners. No worries about the wrong person answering the phone. With a personal cell phone, you know you are the only person to answer. Plus, partners keep their own phones with them, so there is little chance of someone invading the phone book and seeing suspicious activity. A spy phone, however, will cut right through all this.
The latest spy phone is one that you give to your subject. The person then uses it just like a regular cell phone. They can make and receive calls, enter numbers into a phone book, and do all of the things...
Test Fidelity with a Spy Phone
Razr phone > Test Fidelity with a Spy Phone
Giving your Kids a Cellular Child Phone
Giving your Kids a Cellular Child Phone
by: Jay Moncliff
In today?s hectic world, more and more parents are concerned about their children?s safety, and rightly so.
Children today are involved in more and more activities and spend more time at home alone than any other generation.
Many parents are turning to cell phones as a way to keep in constant touch with their children.
As cellphone technology becomes more and more advanced and prices of phones drop further and further, many families are utilizing shared calling plans and prepaid phones to furnish their children with cell phones.
Most parents feel that children can be taught to be responsible with the devices, and the peace of mind that being able to contact your child at any time brings is more than worth the cost of the monthly billing.
Of course, a certain level of responsibility is necessary before a child should be given a cell phone.
Most...
Razr phone > Giving your Kids a Cellular Child Phone
PC To Phone Using (VoIP) With Dial-Up
PC To Phone Using (VoIP) With Dial-Up
by: Christine Hancock
Have you heard that you can make phone calls over the internet cheaply? Have you had a chance to try it? Most people that have had a chance to try it have experienced hit or miss quality, dropped calls as well as some speech delays. But there are some steps that you can take to really improve the quality and consistency of you VoIP calls over your internet Connection.
There is a lot of buzz these days around Internet based communication, VoIP, replacing regular/traditional telephone service. Much of the buzz has been created by/around a company called Vonage, who?s motto is ?Leading the Internet Phone Revolution?.
Even if you do not have a broadband connection, you can still save a fortune by using VOIP service for long distance calls. A broadband connection will give you more consistent, reliable call quality, but similar results can be obtained using a dial up account if some...
PC To Phone Using (VoIP) With Dial-Up
Razr phone > PC To Phone Using (VoIP) With Dial-Up
Equipment Options For VOIP Communication Razr phone perfume
How Often Should I Change My Vacuum Bag?
How Often Should I Change My Vacuum Bag?
by: Kevin Haynes
We're often asked: How often should I change my vacuum cleaner bag?
The answer - there is no set answer. But there are some easy guidelines to follow.
First, understand that vacuum cleaners work by moving air through the machine, and that movement is air is what picks up the dirt. When that air movement is restricted - such as from a nearly full vacuum bag - your performance suffers greatly.
As...
Equipment Options For VOIP Communication Razr phone vacuum cleaners How Often Should I Change My Vacuum Bag?
Razr phone > How Often Should I Change My Vacuum Bag?
Organizing Your Living Room-Family Room
Organizing Your Living Room-Family Room
by: Simon Harris
Generally there is one room in the house where most of the "family living" takes place. In order to have a pleasant and welcoming living area for your family, and a place you can be proud of when you have visitors, you need to come up with some type of organization and storage for your main room, whether it be the living room or family room.
Step back and take a look at your room as a stranger would....
Equipment Options For VOIP Communication Razr phone Organizing Your Living Room-Family Room
Razr phone > Organizing Your Living Room-Family Room
Tropical Christmas
Tropical Christmas
by: Roy Thomsitt
I can recall from my days in England, watching television at Christmas and seeing how others celebrated across the world. At one time I used to think about people in Australia, who seemed to be featured on the news every Christmas Day: "it's not like Christmas, hot weather and going to the beach".
Why I used do think like that I really do not know. I did not like the cold once I got past the age of about 30. Or was it...
Equipment Options For VOIP Communication
Razr phone > Tropical Christmas