<div dir="ltr">On Tue, Dec 3, 2013 at 1:50 PM, unsolicited <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:unsolicited@swiz.ca" target="_blank">unsolicited@swiz.ca</a>></span> wrote:<br><div class="gmail_extra"><div class="gmail_quote">
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">Thanks Khalid, remind me ...<br>
<br>
One plugs their traditional phone handset (could be a multi-handset cordless base station) into one of these doohickeys, and the doohickey plugs into your local computer and/or network (non-wi-fi)? i.e. Even with network, plugging into usb will let you choose configuration options if so desired.<br>
</blockquote><div><br></div><div>Both the MagicJack and the Ooma (as well as Nettalk), have an RJ11 where you connect your phone to. It does not matter if it is an old set or a cordless phone base with or without an answering machine.<br>
<br></div><div>The newer MagicJack can connect to both Ethernet and Wifi without any additional kits. <br><br>The Nettalk has two modules (I think, but I have not bother much with Nettalk since the feedback is negative perhaps due to requiring opening ports in the router, ...etc.)<br>
<br></div><div>A computer is *not required* for any of them. The MagicJack *can* connect directly to a Windows PC via USB and used for calls via a program that it downloads, this is useful if you travel often, but does not work with a Linux PC.<br>
<br></div><div>The Ooma has Ethernet only, but you can buy a WiFi adapter for $50 or so. In any case, I prefer a wired setup so that interference and signal strength are not a factor in reliability or quality.<br><br>You can check the Ooma features here, which are more than what MagicJack provides, for more money as well:<br>
<br><a href="http://www.ooma.com/how-ooma-works">http://www.ooma.com/how-ooma-works</a><br><br><a href="http://www.ooma.com/how-ooma-works/features">http://www.ooma.com/how-ooma-works/features</a><br><br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
- and/or uses the BT you noted. (How does one dial with a BT headset and net. only connection?)<br></blockquote><div><br></div><div>The Bluetooth thing is an Ooma exclusive feature. It allows you to connect a headset and use it to take calls. It also interfaces to your smart phone so it rings as well. This requires an extra Bluetooth adapter, but it is sold bundled with the unit, so you get it for free. Have not tried that feature since I don't have a headset. Some report that not all phones are working though.<br>
<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
- or, for that matter, when travelling and a hotel only has wi-fi?<br></blockquote><div><br></div><div>Ooma is kind of bulky for that. As large as a consumer router, with a separate power supply. <br><br></div><div>MagicJack is the most diminutive, and has a tiny USB power adapter, so suitable for travel, and has WiFi built in (latest models). So this is the most suitable if you travel a lot. If it is not plugged in, and someone calls you, you get voice mail attachment sent to your email.<br>
<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
It all just works for you? Plug and play and get on with your day? </blockquote><div><br></div><div>Mostly yes.<br><br></div><div>For Magic Jack the challenge was that you have to activate it from a Windows PC, and you have to be in the country that issued the credit card (did not work when I took an unactivated unit to Egypt, and tried to activate it. It worked on the first attempt after I was back in Canada). Once you do that, it works immediately with a new number that you choose. Porting your existing number takes time, and there are reports of delays and snafus, which discouraged me from going just MagicJack.<br>
<br>For Ooma, you go on their web site (from a Linux PC using Firefox), enter a code on the bottom of the device, and after a few clicks, you have it up and running. The confusion was that it has two RJ45 Ethernet inputs, since it can be setup between the router and modem to guarantee QoS priority to itself. Once you find the correct socket, things work fine. <br>
<br>The rest is from your account on their web site, which is really well thought out and pleasant to use.<br> <br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
Sufficiently good call quality, etc.?</blockquote><div><br></div><div>Yes. I can't tell the difference. Perhaps the DECT cordless handset is more of a factor than the fact it is VoIP.<br> <br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div><div class="h5"><br>
<br>
<br>
On 13-12-03 10:59 AM, Khalid Baheyeldin wrote:<br>
</div></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div><div class="h5">
On Dec 3, 2013 12:25 AM, "unsolicited" <<a href="mailto:unsolicited@swiz.ca" target="_blank">unsolicited@swiz.ca</a>> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<br>
FWIW, I've always thought it would be a bad idea.<br>
If part of the point of vendor selection is to be vendor<br>
independent, getting VoIP with your carrier, then maybe<br>
having to move, seems counter-intuitive - if there are<br>
other choices available.<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
I absolutely agree with this. Decoupling and minimizing dependencies is the<br>
best strategy. Bundling is bad, and makes moving away from a provider much<br>
harder.<br>
<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<br>
Khalid was looking into USB dongle VoIP thingies not long<br>
ago - perhaps they have a role in your calling, too.<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
Magic Jack is still the cheapest option. You can get the device for $50<br>
when on sale, add $10 if regular retail. For $30 a year you get free<br>
calling to Canada and the USA and a Canadian number with caller ID ...etc<br>
Moving your existing number to them is possible but some report delays and<br>
snafus that made me wary of doing so.<br>
<br>
I settled on Ooma Telo, which are more reliable and quicker to port<br>
numbers, and offer a 60 day trial period (hardware is 30 days return via<br>
Bestbuy).<br>
<br>
The monthly cost 3.99 a month for free Canada wide calling, and $10 more<br>
for USA which gives you an additional USA number, so relatives can call you<br>
for free, and many nice features. The device is $150 but is discounted to<br>
130 and bundled with blue tooth for a headset.<br>
<br>
Oh, and it is Linux based with the source on their web site!<br>
<br>
<br>
<br></div></div><div class="im">
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</div></div></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Khalid M. Baheyeldin<br><a href="http://2bits.com" target="_blank">2bits.com</a>, Inc.<br>Fast Reliable Drupal<br>Drupal optimization, development, customization and consulting.<br>
Simplicity is prerequisite for reliability. -- Edsger W.Dijkstra<br>Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. -- Leonardo da Vinci<br>For every complex problem, there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong." -- H.L. Mencken<br>
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