Re: Low cost internet phone service

[Guest guest]

Just a suggestion for another option. I use Magic Jack and have for over a year. I paid $40 for the unit that plugs in to my USB port. It has its own hard drive where your contacts are kept so you can take it with you and plug it in to any computer and use it just like at home. It cost $20 a year PERIOD. That includes voice messaging, call waiting and all the other perks including unlimited local and long distance. It's just like having a home phone except you must leave your computer on all the time just as with any "VOIP". I love it and with our budget $20 a year is a very nice deal. You can use any house phone with it. We have a V-Tec with two receivers that we got at Wally world for about $25. I was able to toss my cell and home service saving about 100 per month. And it works awesome. If you want to see who you are talking to then SKype is the way to go but if you just want cheap home phone service I think magic jack is the best.

Sunny 51 PF '09, Lupus/Sjogrens/Arthritis/Asthma '04, GERD '04, Barrett's Disease '08, Hyperthyroid '08, CAN '09, Hiatal Hernia '09, Idaho

From: Cuyler Griffith

Sent: Monday, July 20, 2009 5:34 PM

To: Breathe-Support

Subject: Low cost internet phone service

I've seen several posts on the use of Skype as a means of communicating thru the computer in a manner similar to the common telephone.I can make a couple suggestions for anyone interested:1) You'll need a microphone unless you have a webcam with a built-in mike. These are available at the local Wal Mart. In my area, they're about $8.50 plus tax. If no local Wal Mart, similar products available online thru Buy.com at very reasonable costs. Or your nearest electronics store, but possibly a tad higher.2) Speakers are not necessary assuming your PC/Laptop has built-in speakers. But if you do have them, the conversation is more lifelike.3) You will need to download and install the free software that enables the use of the PC as an 'internet telephone'. The most widely used these days is Skype. I myself use Yahoo Messenger for the reasons outlined below. Either is easily found with a Google search.4) Once the software is downloaded and installed, you can call & talk PC to PC for free, anywhere in the world.5) You can also call PC to landline/cell phone for a small cost. On Yahoo Messenger, it's 60¢ per hour. On Skype, I think the price is $1.20 per hour.6) Simple instructions on how to do these functions available online at the web site of the downloaded software.7) If you want to see the person you're talking to, you will need a webcam. Available from $20-$60 depending on a laundry list of extra features. These will work with both of the software options mentioned above.Will be happy to assist anyone needing add'l info on this process. I've been an online internet phone user for 6 months now and love it. I use it not only for PC to PC calls, but also all my long distance and local toll calls. For those that may have unlimited cell phone minutes 24x7 or evening hrs unlimited, you may prefer staying with that option.By the way, calls to the UK with Yahoo messenger also 60¢ per hour. China slightly higher at 90¢ per hour.Cheers!Cuyler

[Guest guest]

Barb I am such a ditz... when you sigh up on skype you assign yourself a skype name and that is what we would call you on. Go to Skype and read about it.. FUN Love and Prayers, Peggy IPF 2004, FloridaWorry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up. Hey, Peggy! Hope you are having a good day. How do you "call" your daughter? Do you need to pre-arrange a time to meet on Skype, or do you somehow ring her computer? Just trying to understand how it works..... Regards,B Barbara McDIPF, Sept 08Beautiful Western NC Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 To: Breathe-Support Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 11:06:01 AMSubject: Re: Low cost internet phone serviceHi Barb, I signed up to Skype.. I just talk while my computer is on-- it has speakers. I also have a camera built in so if the other person has a camera we can see each other while talking. But no nothing special.... I do have road runner high speed but don't think that is a requirement.In the eve. I call my daughter in tampa on the computer just because we can.. lolLove and Prayers, Peggy IPF 2004, FloridaWorry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up.<1.854425375>Pardon my ignorance, but do you have a separate provider for high-speed internet? To reach you by "phone", do people pick up their phone and dial, or do they need to "dial" via computer? Barbara McDIPF, Sept 08Beautiful Western NC Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 From: "rpickel1 (AT) msn (DOT) com" <rpickel1 (AT) msn (DOT) com>To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 9:11:27 AMSubject: Re: Low cost internet phone service Just a suggestion for another option. I use Magic Jack and have for over a year. I paid $40 for the unit that plugs in to my USB port. It has its own hard drive where your contacts are kept so you can take it with you and plug it in to any computer and use it just like at home. It cost $20 a year PERIOD. That includes voice messaging, call waiting and all the other perks including unlimited local and long distance. It's just like having a home phone except you must leave your computer on all the time just as with any "VOIP". I love it and with our budget $20 a year is a very nice deal. You can use any house phone with it. We have a V-Tec with two receivers that we got at Wally world for about $25. I was able to toss my cell and home service saving about 100 per month. And it works awesome. If you want to see who you are talking to then SKype is the way to go but if you just want cheap home phone service I think magic jack is the best. Sunny 51 PF '09, Lupus/Sjogrens/ Arthritis/ Asthma '04, GERD '04, Barrett's Disease '08, Hyperthyroid '08, CAN '09, Hiatal Hernia '09, IdahoFrom: Cuyler GriffithSent: Monday, July 20, 2009 5:34 PMTo: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. comSubject: Low cost internet phone service I've seen several posts on the use of Skype as a means of communicating thru the computer in a manner similar to the common telephone.I can make a couple suggestions for anyone interested:1) You'll need a microphone unless you have a webcam with a built-in mike. These are available at the local Wal Mart. In my area, they're about $8.50 plus tax. If no local Wal Mart, similar products available online thru Buy.com at very reasonable costs. Or your nearest electronics store, but possibly a tad higher.2) Speakers are not necessary assuming your PC/Laptop has built-in speakers. But if you do have them, the conversation is more lifelike.3) You will need to download and install the free software that enables the use of the PC as an 'internet telephone'. The most widely used these days is Skype. I myself use Yahoo Messenger for the reasons outlined below. Either is easily found with a Google search.4) Once the software is downloaded and installed, you can call & talk PC to PC for free, anywhere in the world.5) You can also call PC to landline/cell phone for a small cost. On Yahoo Messenger, it's 60¢ per hour. On Skype, I think the price is $1.20 per hour.6) Simple instructions on how to do these functions available online at the web site of the downloaded software.7) If you want to see the person you're talking to, you will need a webcam. Available from $20-$60 depending on a laundry list of extra features. These will work with both of the software options mentioned above.Will be happy to assist anyone needing add'l info on this process. I've been an online internet phone user for 6 months now and love it. I use it not only for PC to PC calls, but also all my long distance and local toll calls. For those that may have unlimited cell phone minutes 24x7 or evening hrs unlimited, you may prefer staying with that option.By the way, calls to the UK with Yahoo messenger also 60¢ per hour. China slightly higher at 90¢ per hour.Cheers!Cuyler

[Guest guest]

I'm silly, I should have said that I have Time Warner Road Runner Cable Internet. People call me and I call out just like I would on any phone service. They do not do it via the computer except that it is plugged in to a USB port and the computer must be on. It does take messages when the computer is off though. I personally love it and since I got a free year through PCWorld Magazine I don't have a phone bill until 2010 and I would have the internet bill even if I had a different phone so it just makes good economic sense for me.

Sunny 51 PF '09, Lupus/Sjogrens/Arthritis/Asthma '04, GERD '04, Barrett's Disease '08, Hyperthyroid '08, CAN '09, Hiatal Hernia '09, Idaho

From: Barbara McD

Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 7:07 AM

To: Breathe-Support

Subject: Re: Low cost internet phone service

Pardon my ignorance, but do you have a separate provider for high-speed internet? To reach you by "phone", do people pick up their phone and dial, or do they need to "dial" via computer?

Barbara McD

IPF, Sept 08

Beautiful Western NC

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

From: "rpickel1 (AT) msn (DOT) com" <rpickel1 (AT) msn (DOT) com>To: Breathe-Support Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 9:11:27 AMSubject: Re: Low cost internet phone service

Just a suggestion for another option. I use Magic Jack and have for over a year. I paid $40 for the unit that plugs in to my USB port. It has its own hard drive where your contacts are kept so you can take it with you and plug it in to any computer and use it just like at home. It cost $20 a year PERIOD. That includes voice messaging, call waiting and all the other perks including unlimited local and long distance. It's just like having a home phone except you must leave your computer on all the time just as with any "VOIP". I love it and with our budget $20 a year is a very nice deal. You can use any house phone with it. We have a V-Tec with two receivers that we got at Wally world for about $25. I was able to toss my cell and home service saving about 100 per month. And it works awesome. If you want to see who you are talking to then SKype is the way to go but if you just want cheap home phone service I think magic jack is the best.

Sunny 51 PF '09, Lupus/Sjogrens/ Arthritis/ Asthma '04, GERD '04, Barrett's Disease '08, Hyperthyroid '08, CAN '09, Hiatal Hernia '09, Idaho

From: Cuyler Griffith

Sent: Monday, July 20, 2009 5:34 PM

To: Breathe-Support@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: Low cost internet phone service

I've seen several posts on the use of Skype as a means of communicating thru the computer in a manner similar to the common telephone.I can make a couple suggestions for anyone interested:1) You'll need a microphone unless you have a webcam with a built-in mike. These are available at the local Wal Mart. In my area, they're about $8.50 plus tax. If no local Wal Mart, similar products available online thru Buy.com at very reasonable costs. Or your nearest electronics store, but possibly a tad higher.2) Speakers are not necessary assuming your PC/Laptop has built-in speakers. But if you do have them, the conversation is more lifelike.3) You will need to download and install the free software that enables the use of the PC as an 'internet telephone'. The most widely used these days is Skype. I myself use Yahoo Messenger for the reasons outlined below. Either is easily found with a Google search.4) Once the software is downloaded and installed, you can call & talk PC to PC for free, anywhere in the world.5) You can also call PC to landline/cell phone for a small cost. On Yahoo Messenger, it's 60¢ per hour. On Skype, I think the price is $1.20 per hour.6) Simple instructions on how to do these functions available online at the web site of the downloaded software.7) If you want to see the person you're talking to, you will need a webcam. Available from $20-$60 depending on a laundry list of extra features. These will work with both of the software options mentioned above.Will be happy to assist anyone needing add'l info on this process. I've been an online internet phone user for 6 months now and love it. I use it not only for PC to PC calls, but also all my long distance and local toll calls. For those that may have unlimited cell phone minutes 24x7 or evening hrs unlimited, you may prefer staying with that option.By the way, calls to the UK with Yahoo messenger also 60¢ per hour. China slightly higher at 90¢ per hour.Cheers!Cuyler