www.CostaRicaTicas.com

There's a review of 6 different Internet voice-chat and teleconferencing options, including the newest from Skype at:

www.download.com/2300-2152_4-10000352.html

It's the lead article this week on their Windows home page.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

This review seems to center on video capable ones...

It completely ignores things like magic jack, which I personally love...

Brother QBF--True enough and a horse on me for not saying that. MJ has never been reviewed by Download.com though there are links to the official and a re-seller site there. There is a small downloadable applet called MagicBlock which blocks the MJ Softphone window from popping up everytime your phone is used. It's a 4-star rated applet, found by keying in "MagicJack" on the DL Website.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

so, what is a good service?

yahoo?

msn?

magicjack?

skype?

pluses?

minuses?

thank for any input.

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

I sent away for 2 magic jacks for use in CR. I had a hell of a time trying to get either one to install. Never did. Next I tried yahoo messenger with voice. Easy peasy, 1 cent per minute for calls to the US. Hardly ever a problem, friends tell me I sound like I'm next door. I have ICE's ADSL internet connection with a 512 download speed, in 2 years that service has given me 2 or 3 times I've had to call ICE's English speaking customer service to fix the problem (always over the phone).

I was never able to get MJ to work with Vista. Fortunately was able to sell if, for what I paid for it, to a neighbor. He has windows XP and it works fine for him.

I have used Vonage for about 3 years now and it works great.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

ok, now, if Yahoo is about 2 or 4 dollars a month, plus the charge per minute, would one not save over some of the other services with higher monthly charges but perhaps lower costs per minute of use?

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

Calidude, I put a $25 credit on my account with yahoo and I'm only charged the penny per minute, that was the deal when I signed up. Is it different now?

i was figuring in the extra charge to have a permenent number assigned so other people could call you.

otherwise, i believe you are correct, for dialing out, all you need is a credit in your account.

i am just fishing for info from people that might have permenent numbers for incoming calls from the US even though they are living out of the country.

the whole voice over IP thing is something I want to use instead of a regular land line number from providers like AT&T.

of course, i'll still need a internet connection.

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

You're right, my deal is for calls out of CR to the states. For extra $$ Yahoo offers a call in number. My calls are infrequent so call out only is fine for me. I have Windows XP Professional on my notebook, and I wished I could get that magicjack to work. I'm even thinking about offering a reward if someone could get it to work.

I have been using Skype for a period of time now and am very happy with the cost and the service.

You can pay monthly, every three months, or yearly for unlimited US and Canada calling. Also an incoming phone number is available with many different area codes within the US.

You can set up an incoming phone number with your local area code in the US and receive calls anywhere you are in the world.

Better yet you can select the option to use the number you have purchased as your outgoing number also and it will show up on caller ids of the phone numbers you are calling.

Incoming number cost was $12.00 for three months, and the unlimited US and Canada plan was $7.95 for three months. Total $19.95 for three months of phone service with unlimited calls to US/Canada numbers. Also anyone in the US can call my incoming number with a US area code for no charge and reach me wherever I am in the world.

Skype to Skype users can talk free all the time. There is video available also which I do not use, but know others who use it and it is very good quality.

I purchased a plug in USB phone for $30 and it works great. Looks like an older "candy bar" style cell phone with a cord to plug into the USB port.

_________________
"I found my inner Ch*ld and he is a mean little F~CKER."

thanks, that is good info.

I am thinking about getting rid of a AT&T landline with DSL service and using a SKYPE number.

I do get a free wireless signal from next door at home and I suppose I could also get an intro price Comcast cable internet service, all for less than what AT&T charges for a landline with DSL.

It seems that with SKYPE or similar services, I could have a permenent number wherever I go in the world as long as I have internet service.

Plenty of places have free wireless and doesn't SKYPE have voicemail?

_________________
The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

Tapping wireless is considered illegal in most states. I hate relying on someone else for my internet but anyone that doesn't secure their wifi is just stupid. I would also recommend checking on Verizon FIOS. I have had it for a couple years now and it is honestly one of the best services for broadband. I have had two failures in that time. One was my own fault as I wiped the memory on the modem by rebooting it to fast. The second was the modem just flat out failing. Had next day service in both cases.

_________________
[url=http://www.amishrakefight.org/gfy/]

Yes voice mail is included in the package I have.

_________________
"I found my inner Ch*ld and he is a mean little F~CKER."