Magic Jack.

[themarker0]

You know of them? Use them? My dad has it, and i just found out that there is a linux client in the works, thought i would share it with you. If we bug them enough we might speed them up :)

[inobe]

skype bypasses voip

[sports fan Matt]

I can't find it, but there was a topic posted before.

[spcwingo]

there is a linux client in the works

Don't hold your breath on that one...they've been saying that for > 2 yrs. ;)

[themarker0]

Don't hold your breath on that one...they've been saying that for > 2 yrs. ;)


Seriously? They are the cheapest/easiest VOIP i can find. :(

[samalex]

Cost-wise Magic Jack is inexpensive, but not much less than Skype which has MANY more bells and whistles. Honestly I'd suggest Skype if it came down to the two.

Sam

[themarker0]

Cost-wise Magic Jack is inexpensive, but not much less than Skype which has MANY more bells and whistles. Honestly I'd suggest Skype if it came down to the two.

Sam

I have certian issues with skype that force me not to use it.

[forrestcupp]

Magic Jack is worthless. It's great when it works, but I haven't been able to get it to work for a long time, except sporadically. Most of the time, I get a dial tone, but can't dial, or someone calls and the phone rings, but it doesn't work when you answer.

It's way too undependable for me. Maybe it's worth the money to have something that actually works all the time without headaches.

[samalex]

I have certian issues with skype that force me not to use it.

What kind of issues? Just curious if they are technical or philosophical.

Sam

[whiskeylover]

Vonage. They have unlimited local, long distance and international dialing for over 60 countries.

[themarker0]

What kind of issues? Just curious if they are technical or philosophical.

Sam

Issues meaning i don't like how the idea works. I prefer an actual phone. A phone that would come out of my computer


Vonage. They have unlimited local, long distance and international dialing for over 60 countries.

I have it. Not as portable as Magic Jack.

[samalex]

Issues meaning i don't like how the idea works. I prefer an actual phone. A phone that would come out of my computer.

Skype has several devices that'll let you either plug your standard home phone into the computer and use Skype or handsets that work directly on your wifi network to make Skype calls. Personally I hope to tie the second twisted pair in our house to Skype so any phone we have with a Line 2 can use Skype and Line 1 will be regular ol' Ma Bell.

They have tons of options -- http://shop.skype.com/phones/

Sam

[themarker0]

Skype has several devices that'll let you either plug your standard home phone into the computer and use Skype or handsets that work directly on your wifi network to make Skype calls. Personally I hope to tie the second twisted pair in our house to Skype so any phone we have with a Line 2 can use Skype and Line 1 will be regular ol' Ma Bell.

They have tons of options -- http://shop.skype.com/phones/

Sam


All of which cost much more then the phone i can pick up for 9 dollars :/

[samalex]

All of which cost much more then the phone i can pick up for 9 dollars :/

True... but I don't know much about MagicJack or how it works. I'd hate to become dependent on it then the service change or be pulled all together. Skype is somewhat more stable and as more options/features, so it does come down to which grade of service you want.

MagicJack $40 plus $9 for wired phone to plug into the unit
Skype $2.99/month ($35.88/year) plus $30 for a wired phone that plugs into computer (http://www.philips-store.com/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayProductDetailsPage&Locale=en_US&SiteID=rpeusb2c&productID=111043700), $99 for a cordless phone (http://shop.skype.com/phones/cordless-router/rtx-dualphone-3088-extra-handset/), or around $40 (http://reviews.cnet.com/networking-and-wi-fi/zoom-model-5900-phone/4505-3243_7-32459650.html) for a Skype-Phone gateway that'll let you plug any phone or even your home phone network into Skype so any phone in your house will work with it.

So yes MagicJack could get you out the door for a few bucks less than Skype, but being Skype is a large company that anymore handles more calls internationally than landlines. They gotta be doing something right :) I just visited the MagicJack website, and it honestly looks like a huge infomercial. No where on the site does it say how much it is, just keeps talking about "Free Trial".

But to each his own I guess.

Sam

[ubunterooster]

Hmm. nobody mentioned ooma (http://ooma.com) yet. only payment is startup, you don't need the PC to be always on, you don't have the spyware concerns that MJ continues to have, and the device is much prettier than any of the competition.

PS: please don't ask about their tech support

[samalex]

Hmm. nobody mentioned ooma (http://ooma.com) yet. only payment is startup, you don't need the PC to be always on, you don't have the spyware concerns that MJ continues to have, and the device is much prettier than any of the competition.

PS: please don't ask about their tech support

I hadn't heard of Ooma, but *yikes* at the $249 to get going.

Ideally my goal is to find a Skype gateway that works with the existing phone network in the house but connects directly to the router without needing a PC. The few gateway devices I've found require a computer but all seem to be discontinued now that I'm reading more into it. I wonder why?

If we do go with this idea I may just have to invest $170 into one of the phones that doesn't require a computer since having a computer running 24/7 adds another point of failure plus chews away at the electric bill as well. Just seems like a device that works with existing phone lines in the house and works with a router as opposed to a PC would be a huge seller for people who want to keep it simple.

Sam

[themarker0]

True... but I don't know much about MagicJack or how it works. I'd hate to become dependent on it then the service change or be pulled all together. Skype is somewhat more stable and as more options/features, so it does come down to which grade of service you want.

MagicJack $40 plus $9 for wired phone to plug into the unit
Skype $2.99/month ($35.88/year) plus $30 for a wired phone that plugs into computer (http://www.philips-store.com/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayProductDetailsPage&Locale=en_US&SiteID=rpeusb2c&productID=111043700), $99 for a cordless phone (http://shop.skype.com/phones/cordless-router/rtx-dualphone-3088-extra-handset/), or around $40 (http://reviews.cnet.com/networking-and-wi-fi/zoom-model-5900-phone/4505-3243_7-32459650.html) for a Skype-Phone gateway that'll let you plug any phone or even your home phone network into Skype so any phone in your house will work with it.

So yes MagicJack could get you out the door for a few bucks less than Skype, but being Skype is a large company that anymore handles more calls internationally than landlines. They gotta be doing something right :) I just visited the MagicJack website, and it honestly looks like a huge infomercial. No where on the site does it say how much it is, just keeps talking about "Free Trial".

But to each his own I guess.

Sam

I did get a better deal then that, i got 20 a month for an american number. Magic jack is like a small usb tool you stick in your usb port, then put in you regular phone jack. Its quite good. If you stay in hotels, you don't even need to take a phone. :) I sent one to my family over seas, and they will call ours so its local calling. I also gave one to their daughter in BC. Its quite cheaper/easier then skype. (Considering some of these family members are 50+)

[samalex]

I did get a better deal then that, i got 20 a month for an american number. Magic jack is like a small usb tool you stick in your usb port, then put in you regular phone jack. Its quite good. If you stay in hotels, you don't even need to take a phone. :) I sent one to my family over seas, and they will call ours so its local calling. I also gave one to their daughter in BC. Its quite cheaper/easier then skype. (Considering some of these family members are 50+)

I agree, in the simplistic category MagicJack wins hands down, and when traveling, students, or someone calling from abroad to avoid LD charges it is a great solution. My concern is for people who want a dependable, always available home phone (alternative to AT&T for example) or want a static phone number that won't disappear in a year or two, I don't know if MagicJack is a good solution.

Also leaving the computer on 24/7 for either Skype or MagicJack can actually cost more in electricity than what you'd be paying for the service:



250 Watts x 744 Hours
--------------------- * .13 (cost per KwH) = $24.18/month
1000

-- Estimating 250 Watts PEP from computer
-- 744 Hours in a Month (24*31)
-- .13 per KwH (which is about what we pay)

This itself trumps what MagicJack or Skype would cost for almost half a year, but they don't tell you that. That's why I'm looking for an option that doesn't depend on an always-on computer. Even with Skype if the computer was only on for part of the day, the calls can be redirected to a cellphone or voicemail which is a nice feature. I'm not sure if MagicJack can do that...

Sam