How do i use my computer as a phone

~~ut2k4wikichici~~ · May 16, 2005, 01:53 AM

Hello DH peeplz i was wondering how i get my computer to dail other phones so i can talk to people.

ive got a lucent win modem and a working microphone how do i use my computer as a phone ?

thanks.

Tipstaff · May 16, 2005, 02:00 AM

Well, I don't personally know of any free programs. I know that Skype is your best bet for free Skype to Skype calls. Great program actually. There is one function of Skype though called SkypeOUT. For a low fee you can use Skype to call people on their regular phone lines. Rates depend on areas. You can check out the rates HERE. Just pick the currency (Euros, Australian Dollar, or Canuck buck), then the destination you want to call.

Wish I could think of something else for ya. Sorry.

-Tip

The_Neon_Cowboy · May 16, 2005, 03:22 AM

it's not free any more most places charge now a days like a pay phone or long distance fee... per minute

not worth it

Son_of_Thunder · May 16, 2005, 03:44 AM

vonage is a broadband long distance service, i suppose you could check them out.

Tipstaff · May 16, 2005, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Neon_Cowboy

it's not free any more most places charge now a days like a pay phone or long distance fee... per minute

not worth it

Exactly. In Skypes case if you use the PC to PC calls it's free, but anything from PC to lan line (analog/cell phones) then you're gonna get hit with a 'cell phone' per min charge. There used to be a lot of free ones around, but those companies didn't understand the costs involved to convert and connect calls to lan lines from digital data, and went under within months.

My local telephone company, Bell, is offering a 'Digital Phone Serivce', but they charge about $38 CAN a month for it. It's essentially the same idea, however they give you a handset to use (this was another thing that came and went in other forms from other companies).

Anways, like Neon said, there are no free ones anymore. Just free PC to PC (p2p) programs.

-Tip

BWX · May 16, 2005, 04:30 AM

There used to be one that was free to call from PC to land line- I remember using it to cal my GF wen she went away for business one time. That was like 5 years ago though, I am sure it is gone now.

Edit- wow I just regained confidence in my memory- I remembered the name of it from 5 years ago
http://www.net2phone.com/

I remember making free long distance calls with this.. not anymore.

**dj_stick** · May 16, 2005, 06:07 AM

you can get programs like media ringtalk (i think) that use the standard phoneline/modem combo and you can make phonecalls with it

rico01 · May 16, 2005, 12:53 PM

Well, not sure how it is in other countries but here in Sweden there are TONS of broadband service companies who is now in a fierce battle to gain customers to the IP-telephony business. The thing is, this is a service just like any other. It is free when calling within the network but costs (but waaaay less than ordinary land line charges) money when calling a land line telephone or mobile. I use it exclusively and have absolutely no complaints.

Oh, and I use X-Lite, with a SIP protocol provided by a broadband telephone company.