BS: Cheap Internet Phone Calls

Subject: BS: Cheap Internet Phone Calls
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 09:44 AM

No. It's not about music.

My computer came with a microphone. I recall reading in a magazine about cheap (practically free) telephone calls via the internet. The only hitch was that the magazine didn't belong to me. It was in a waiting room somewhere. (I would have ripped out the page, of course, but the receptionist didn't take her eyes off me.)

Does anyone have experience with this? How does it work? How do the calls sound? Are there any tricks to it. Who are the providers? What are their websites? Thanks in advance.

All the best,
Dan Milner

Subject: RE: BS: Cheap Internet Phone Calls
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 12:02 PM

Dan...the only one I am sure of is this one there are LOTS of varitations on the theme, but this is the first one I've seen that 'seems' to be really free..(no, I have not actually tried it yet..)

Subject: RE: BS: Cheap Internet Phone Calls
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 12:09 PM

(ps, I have used IPhone, which is a computer-to-computer thing, but requires each party to own the software. It does work, and fairly well, and I guess you could eventually save money on it, but you can't just call anyone unless the have the software...)

also, you really need a combo mic and headphone(s), as using speakers to listen can cause feedback, as well as not being private..(not expensive, though)

Subject: RE: BS: Cheap Internet Phone Calls
From: alison
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 03:33 AM

Hi

If you have a mic... you can use Mediaring, or Microsoft Netmeeting, and talk backwards and forwards (as long as the other person has a mic ... and a compatible sound card)...... and they are free

Mediaring is great for sending voice mails... but breaks up a lot for "chatting"

Netmeeting (do a search)works very well for "chatting".... I have had conversations with the US and Scotland with no problem at all...... I hope to do a link up to home at Christmas... If you also have a camera connected to your computer you can see people too (like you see Max and Bert on the radio program.)

Subject: RE: BS: Cheap Internet Phone Calls
From: alison
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 03:35 AM

We did try a phone one at one stage but it was so disjointed that you lost all track of the conversation... maybe the distance between Australia and Ireland had something to do with that though...

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: BS: Cheap Internet Phone Calls
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 11:44 AM

MediaRing aso has a prepay program which you use your computer for. You can make regular long-distance phone calls, using your computer, to any phone, for a penny a minute. I am not sure, though, if it is only for in the US or not.

Kendall and I ahd a visit using MediaRing's free call from PC to PC, last night, that wasn't too bad, although we did both break up a little.

The magazine you saw it in might have been the latest, or the one just previous to that, issue of Reader's Digest. They had an article on it with several URLs listed and I forgot to save it. You could probably find it at their online site.

kat