Basically you need a SIP provider and a SIP client. I can do all of this out of the box using Google for both. And it’s free with Google. Most providers you’d have to pay.
Check out C3
I used it heavily when I was working in building where I got little to no cell signal. While it is pushed mainly for gamers, you can use it to make domestic calls and it’s free.
>> I guess using SKYPE is one way to do this, but not to call someone else who has a real telephone...
Skype will do this (it’s called SkypeOut), but it costs extra; I forget how much.
You can also get a “SkypeIn” number; that’s $60/year.
It works pretty well if you have good bandwidth.
That’s apart from the question of whether all of your calls are then stored on some gubmint server. :-)
Actually, you can use Skype to make calls to people with traditional phone systems. I used it when it was called a “SkypeOut Number”, don’t know what it’s called today. You can use “credit” or buy a plan for about $3/mo. When I used it, it worked very well.
Easiest solution is MagicJack - it now plugs directly into your router, you don’t have to worry about keeping a computer on, price is about $12 a year, with $35 for the first year (including hardware.) You can find it at OfficeDepot, etc. Great use of a coupon if you’ve got one for one of the office stores.
We just hooked ours up to a 3 handset base station. Works like a champ.
I’m using MagicJack as a business line. I have my business phone landline hooked up to it. Been using it about 3 years. You can’t use it to dial into conference calls, since you can’t dial toll free withit.
All in all, it is great for dialing out, and not so hot for folks dialing in. I bought five years at a flat rate of $64 and I can call everywhere with it in the US. You can buy time for foreign countries fairly inexpensively.
Skype’s OK, but you have to trade handles before you can use it. I use it for conferencing with our own offices. You can now share desktops with it. Excellent service, you can use it internationally, and it costs nothing.
Between MJ and Skype, my office works pretty well I guess. I won’t renew MJ to pursue something cleaner.
I’m still waiting for the telepathic phone where you can carry on a conversation completely silently.
Google Voice has a completely free service for US and Canada and they will let you choose a phone number. Their international rates are very good.
But....Google, Skype and others have that problem whereby they allow others to monitor and record your phone calls. I don’t like that and look forward to a development where the eavesdroppers are shut down.
You use a phone? For what?
Somebody please answer this. A year or so ago, I was able to make a skype/computer to skype/computer call without involving any land line number. I would sit here at my computer and click on a call button and was able to make a free call to my daughter in Paris, France. Now, when I go on Skype, the only thing I find is a video to video option. I only want voice to voice. Has skype removed this or am I not doing something right?I just want to talk without video. Oh, and BTW, this was all done at no charge.
I use Google talk. I’ve used it for years, it well, other than paying $10 (I think) to get a Google number, it’s free.
I recently got a second account and got rid of my land line. This time I wanted to use my old number and I had to first transfer the number to a cell phone and from the cell phone to Google. That was a pain, but I wanted to keep my old land line number and that’s the only way I could do it. So I bought a track phone for $20 which was an extra expense.
I use Google talk. I’ve used it for years, it well, other than paying $10 (I think) to get a Google number, it’s free.
I recently got a second account and got rid of my land line. This time I wanted to use my old number and I had to first transfer the number to a cell phone and from the cell phone to Google. That was a pain, but I wanted to keep my old land line number and that’s the only way I could do it. So I bought a track phone for $20 which was an extra expense.
Obihai is good.
Okay. I’ve been in telecom 30 years.
Get Magic Jack. It’s a great service and has a predictable fixed cost(19.95)
911 is not a problem and it is a problem.
When you sign up for service they will ask for your physical address. This for two reasons; they need to know where to send any written correspondence(they don’t mail you a bill. Everything is done online) but the really important reason is so they can assign a PSAP for number. This will enable emergency services to come to your aid.
Now, you can have a billing address seperate from your physical address.
Very important!!!!!!! If you take your magic jack or similar device to some ither location and call 911 they will not know you are in Manhattan and they will show up to your home in Boine-Boine, Idaho.
If you use Voip from the location listed in your PSAP agreement they will show up and help you.
The point is, if you are somewhere else and need 911 use a local phone. It also has a PSAP and the emergency services will show up if you are unable to convey relevant information due to being incapacitated.
Magic Jack and similar services can be installed via some sort of dongle or simple software.
You can use their version of a phone that will display on your screen.
If you have further questions, ping me.
Okay, so what is the big difference between Ubuntu Studio and DreamStudio distributions?