[kwlug-disc] Unlimitel/ATA pricing

[unsolicited]

L.D. Paniak wrote, On 03/11/2009 10:28 PM:
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> 4) Do *not* use soft-phones in any environment where you are trying to
> convince someone that VOIP is a replacement for Bell.  They will never
> leave Bell.  Voice quality is nowhere near what you can get with even a
> basic ATA and a cheap analog phone.
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Lori, I suspect I get why you say this. K.I.S.S., pick up the handset, 
get dial tone.

To what extent do you say this because of all the fiddly bits with 
soft phones? e.g. Did you remember to turn the volume up? Vs. just 
picking up a handset.

I wonder because I think ultimately video calls will become the norm. 
Perhaps with the video displayed on one's home TV. In the office, 
either displayed on your phone (with a PDA sized screen), or 
automatically routed to the computer screen nearest you.

If that's a growing trend, I would think soft phones are going to 
become more prevalent. Rather than a separate (VoIP) phone, the 
computer will be your 'phone'.

Or is this only to say that soft phones aren't there yet - they need 
to become better, easier, more intuitive, and provide a more seamless 
overall user experience? [Just as Linux is slowly creeping into the 
world's mindset as 'normal', 'VoIP' is on the same path?]