[Shop-talk] Off topic VOIP phones and services

[Bob Spidell]

I have Vonage and overall I'm happy with it.  Major difference with Skype is that Vonage is a hardware service and Skype 
is software; i.e. it requires a computer.  My Vonage service came with a Linksys router--similar to the ubiquitous 
WRT54--that plugs into an ethernet connection and has two RJ-11 jacks for phones and/or a FAX (I hang it off a port from 
a WRT54).  My Vonage router came pre-configured for my phone number. It's completely transparent.  Once in a while the 
audio quality will deteriorate and I'll have to power cycle the Vonage router to regain it.  Think VOIP requires about 
80Kbps.

Haven't kept up on Skype--last I heard they were going to start charging for calls.  Unless they've developed a hardware 
solution, the Vonage service should be less hassle--it will be 'on' as long as you have an Internet connection--but more 
expensive.  I get 400 min of domestic calling for about $25/mo.  International will, of course, be more (if they don't 
offer a discount for service members, they should).

We appreciate your service, even if we don't show it enough.


Bob



eric at megageek.com wrote:
> As you know, I'm stuck here in Afghanistan.  I have been tasked with 
> finding a VOIP provider and phone to use.
> 
> Since I have no friends back home that want to talk to me, I haven't used 
> any of these services to any extent.  I do have a free "Voxalot" account 
> to call an IP phone in my house to talk to the housesitter, but it's a 
> pain to use and maintain.
> 
> So my first questions is, can anyone tell me which is better Vontage or 
> Skype?  (and why?)
> 
> I have a pretty good internet connection here finally (1mb down and 512 
> Up), but we need a REALLY good speaker phone for calls back the US.
> 
> Which company is better and which speakerphone works the best with them? I 
> know that "magic jack" lets you use any standard phone, but it has 
> advertising built into its paid service.
> 
> So if you can recommend a speakerphone as well, that is cool.
> 
> Price really isn't a big deal as I would image the phone and service 
> shouldn't be more than $500.
> 
> (BTW, I'm looking into getting a Polycom system as well, is there one of 
> those that works on VOIP?)
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Moose (Who still has no idea how long I'll be stuck here.  I even started 
> to take Dari language lessons!)
> 
> "Be as beneficent as the sun or the sea, but if your rights as a rational 
> being are trenched on, die on the first inch of your territory." Ralph 
> Waldo Emerson



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Bob Spidell           San Jose, CA            bspidell at comcast.net

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