Very OT: Vonage

[Rich]

Anybody have an opinion (good or bad) on Vonage? Good connections, clear
reception etc.?

http://www.vonage.com/

Thanks,

--
Rich

Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
Custom Graphics and Advertisements
http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com

[Michael Evangelista]

HEY!
I just signed up for Vonage... Sunday
(did you know that?)

So far I have been told that quality on the other end is muddy, choppy... but what I hear on my phone sounds fine.
Planning to use it more in the next few days, maybe even try a different router setup, etc, and see what happens.

I bought in to the system after hearing many good reviews from people in the us and mexico, most of whom have ditched their home
phones altogether.

--

Michael Evangelista, Evangelista Design
www.evangelista-web.com

"Design for Designers" & Custom NOF Support
** Fusion Site Templates made to order!
http://www.gotfusion.com/services/
--


"Rich" <Rich at graphicsmechanic dot com> wrote in message news:dqkb5k$16p1@news01.netobjects.com...
>
> Anybody have an opinion (good or bad) on Vonage? Good connections, clear reception etc.?
>
> http://www.vonage.com/
>
> Thanks,
>
> --
> Rich
>
> Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
> Custom Graphics and Advertisements
> http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com
>

[Tammy]

One thing to remember - you won't have phone access in the event of a power
outage (unless you also have a cell phone.)

--

Tammy Blalock
www.tmbwebdesigns.com
"Rich" <Rich at graphicsmechanic dot com> wrote in message
news:dqkb5k$16p1@news01.netobjects.com...
>
> Anybody have an opinion (good or bad) on Vonage? Good connections, clear
> reception etc.?
>
> http://www.vonage.com/
>
> Thanks,
>
> --
> Rich
>
> Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
> Custom Graphics and Advertisements
> http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com
>

[dwolf]

I use it... Very happy.. $15 a month.. not too shabby.
I was having problems in the beginning because I often download, (legal
downloads) live music with bittorrent, and that was stealing my bandwidth.
With research I found that a different router could take care of that. A
linksys wrt54g. It has qos settings... don't ask me about qos.. look it up
if needed. Vonage paid for the router...
Overall it's not as perfect as your regular phone line, but most of the time
it is... plus the savings is very nice
"Michael Evangelista <Evangelista Design>"
<contact_me_online_@evangelista-web.com> wrote in message
news:A921.1137575370.561@gfwebforum.com...
> HEY!
> I just signed up for Vonage... Sunday
> (did you know that?)
>
> So far I have been told that quality on the other end is muddy, choppy...
> but what I hear on my phone sounds fine.
> Planning to use it more in the next few days, maybe even try a different
> router setup, etc, and see what happens.
>
> I bought in to the system after hearing many good reviews from people in
> the us and mexico, most of whom have ditched their home phones altogether.
>
> --
>
> Michael Evangelista, Evangelista Design
> www.evangelista-web.com
>
> "Design for Designers" & Custom NOF Support
> ** Fusion Site Templates made to order!
> http://www.gotfusion.com/services/
> --
>
>
> "Rich" <Rich at graphicsmechanic dot com> wrote in message
> news:dqkb5k$16p1@news01.netobjects.com...
>>
>> Anybody have an opinion (good or bad) on Vonage? Good connections, clear
>> reception etc.?
>>
>> http://www.vonage.com/
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> --
>> Rich
>>
>> Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
>> Custom Graphics and Advertisements
>> http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com
>>
>
>
>
>

[Rich]

Hi Michael,

>I posted about Vonage in the webdevbiz.net forum, you might want to check
>that out.

Thanks, I'll scoot over there and check it out.

--
Rich

Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
Custom Graphics and Advertisements
http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com
"Michael Evangelista <Evangelista Design>"
<contact_me_online_@evangelista-web.com> wrote in message
news:A921.1137602850.562@gfwebforum.com...
> Hi Rich... funny coincidence (again!)
> I posted about Vonage in the webdevbiz.net forum, you might want to check
> that out.
>
> I also have the Linksys, but plugged it right into my netgear as an
> 'access point' rather than as my main router.
> Might have to try switching it to be the main router and see if the
> quality picks up a bit.
>
> The Skype 'yapperbox' device just didnt live up to its calling, and with
> Skype, you can't get caller id displayed for your calls, so
> people were not answering cause it said 00123456 fo the phone number.
> ALso, the dialing protocol was complex and the switch didnt
> always switch back... just a mess.
>
> WIth Vonage, there are tons of features, and I actually have a line in,
> with a Utah (435) phone number.
> (my local phone company tried to charge me $45/month just to have a
> business line, let alone features and long distance rates!)
>
> So, I am still on Skype for European calls, but for anything in North
> America, I can simply pick up the phone and dial like normal.
> ( But I Do have two phones on my desk now, 3 if you count the cell!)
>
> --
>
> Michael Evangelista, Evangelista Design
> www.evangelista-web.com
>
> "Design for Designers" & Custom NOF Support
> ** Fusion Site Templates made to order!
> http://www.gotfusion.com/services/
> --
>
>
> "Rich" <Rich at graphicsmechanic dot com> wrote in message
> news:dqlqau$1gf6@news01.netobjects.com...
>> Thanks to all who replied, I'll definitely consider them for service.
>>
>> Michael, last I knew you were using Skype. I'll definitely check out
>> Vonage.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> --
>> Rich
>>
>> Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
>> Custom Graphics and Advertisements
>> http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com
>>
>>
>> "Rich" <Rich at graphicsmechanic dot com> wrote in message
>> news:dqkb5k$16p1@news01.netobjects.com...
>>>
>>> Anybody have an opinion (good or bad) on Vonage? Good connections, clear
>>> reception etc.?
>>>
>>> http://www.vonage.com/
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> --
>>> Rich
>>>
>>> Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
>>> Custom Graphics and Advertisements
>>> http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>

[Allison Moore]

> One thing to remember - you won't have phone access in the event of a power
> outage (unless you also have a cell phone.)

Actually, you may not have your cell phone either, depending
on the extent of the outage.

In the last few years, I've experienced two situations in
which cell phones were useless. The first was 9/11. Although
I was in the Boston area at the time, the only way I could
reach my employer in New York or my family in the South was
via the landline in my hotel room. Even the pay phones were
out. The second instance was the big blackout that covered
the northeastern and midwestern US. In that case, thanks to
my landline in New York, I was able to listen to emergency
info and updates on my sister's TV in North Carolina.

Allison

[Rich]

Thanks to all who replied, I'll definitely consider them for service.

Michael, last I knew you were using Skype. I'll definitely check out
Vonage.

Thanks,

--
Rich

Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
Custom Graphics and Advertisements
http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com


"Rich" <Rich at graphicsmechanic dot com> wrote in message
news:dqkb5k$16p1@news01.netobjects.com...
>
> Anybody have an opinion (good or bad) on Vonage? Good connections, clear
> reception etc.?
>
> http://www.vonage.com/
>
> Thanks,
>
> --
> Rich
>
> Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
> Custom Graphics and Advertisements
> http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com
>

[Michael Evangelista]

Hi Rich... funny coincidence (again!)
I posted about Vonage in the webdevbiz.net forum, you might want to check that out.

I also have the Linksys, but plugged it right into my netgear as an 'access point' rather than as my main router.
Might have to try switching it to be the main router and see if the quality picks up a bit.

The Skype 'yapperbox' device just didnt live up to its calling, and with Skype, you can't get caller id displayed for your
calls, so
people were not answering cause it said 00123456 fo the phone number. ALso, the dialing protocol was complex and the switch
didnt
always switch back... just a mess.

WIth Vonage, there are tons of features, and I actually have a line in, with a Utah (435) phone number.
(my local phone company tried to charge me $45/month just to have a business line, let alone features and long distance rates!)

So, I am still on Skype for European calls, but for anything in North America, I can simply pick up the phone and dial like
normal.
( But I Do have two phones on my desk now, 3 if you count the cell!)

--

Michael Evangelista, Evangelista Design
www.evangelista-web.com

"Design for Designers" & Custom NOF Support
** Fusion Site Templates made to order!
http://www.gotfusion.com/services/
--


"Rich" <Rich at graphicsmechanic dot com> wrote in message news:dqlqau$1gf6@news01.netobjects.com...
> Thanks to all who replied, I'll definitely consider them for service.
>
> Michael, last I knew you were using Skype. I'll definitely check out Vonage.
>
> Thanks,
>
> --
> Rich
>
> Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
> Custom Graphics and Advertisements
> http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com
>
>
> "Rich" <Rich at graphicsmechanic dot com> wrote in message news:dqkb5k$16p1@news01.netobjects.com...
>>
>> Anybody have an opinion (good or bad) on Vonage? Good connections, clear reception etc.?
>>
>> http://www.vonage.com/
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> --
>> Rich
>>
>> Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
>> Custom Graphics and Advertisements
>> http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com
>>
>
>

[LWD]

I don't know anything about Vonage, but I was interested to read that you've
switched to it, Michael.

I've only used Skype a few times and it works for me, but I just tell people
to set up Skype on their end. My next step will be to get a wireless
headset so that I'm not tied to the computer, but I don't think I'll go the
extra number route yet.

Coincidentally, because, after adding a new computer, I couldn't get my
network to work to save my life, I bit the bullet and headed off to Office
Depot to buy a new router: A Linksys WRT54GS because I have the Linksys
wireless card for my laptop.

The 'S' apparently stands for 'speed booster' and it worked right out of the
box - for both wired and wireless with zero problems.

L.

[BigGreenFurryThing]

Been into VOIP for a few years (I used to work for Vodafone) but I don't
reckon the technology is quite there yet for pure business use although it
has a place as a backup service and a means of contacting international
contacts cheaply. I even flirted briefly with an opensource VOIP server to
bring togehter all the phone lines.

To ensure the best performance, the VOIP device *must* be set up as the
primary router to give precedence to VOIP traffic. This can cause problems
with connecting out i.e. site log ons though it's rare. Of more concern is
security. The Linksys is fine as it's part of the Cisco family and therefore
fairly robust but cheaper devices i.e. Grandstream boxes are susceptible to
locking when attacked or even probed heavily.

Personally I find Skype give the best quality sound and the most reliable
service but unfortunately requires a PC and uses a proprietary protocol
rather than the industry standard SIP.

Currently I'm using Sipgate, a German based company offering VOIP in the UK
www.sipgate.co.uk. Sipgate has a reciprocal free calls arrangement with many
other VOIP companies but sadly not with Vonage yet. I'm not sure if Vonage
have a similar agreement with anybody. :-(

After 6 months of trying out all the retail VOIP services I worked out that
in the UK, it can be cheaper to
- pay your currently PSTN provider for a free bundled call service (£10 per
month with Telewest = all UK geographic numbers free), or
- register with www.1899.co.uk and get free calls if you're on BT (3p
connection) or ridiculously low call rates if supplied your PSTN service
from someone else (.5p per minute with Telewest)

So check out normal phone deals and do your maths carefully before
committing to VOIP. Don't forget to take into account the cost of the extra
kit, the hassle of setting it up and reduced quality of the service or
service drop out.

Then there's all the voice chat options via IM....

Mark
www.BigGreenFurryThings.com


"Michael Evangelista <Evangelista Design>"
<contact_me_online_@evangelista-web.com> wrote in message
news:A921.1137602850.562@gfwebforum.com...
> Hi Rich... funny coincidence (again!)
> I posted about Vonage in the webdevbiz.net forum, you might want to check
> that out.
>
> I also have the Linksys, but plugged it right into my netgear as an
> 'access point' rather than as my main router.
> Might have to try switching it to be the main router and see if the
> quality picks up a bit.
>
> The Skype 'yapperbox' device just didnt live up to its calling, and with
> Skype, you can't get caller id displayed for your calls, so
> people were not answering cause it said 00123456 fo the phone number.
> ALso, the dialing protocol was complex and the switch didnt
> always switch back... just a mess.
>
> WIth Vonage, there are tons of features, and I actually have a line in,
> with a Utah (435) phone number.
> (my local phone company tried to charge me $45/month just to have a
> business line, let alone features and long distance rates!)
>
> So, I am still on Skype for European calls, but for anything in North
> America, I can simply pick up the phone and dial like normal.
> ( But I Do have two phones on my desk now, 3 if you count the cell!)
>
> --
>
> Michael Evangelista, Evangelista Design
> www.evangelista-web.com
>
> "Design for Designers" & Custom NOF Support
> ** Fusion Site Templates made to order!
> http://www.gotfusion.com/services/
> --
>
>
> "Rich" <Rich at graphicsmechanic dot com> wrote in message
> news:dqlqau$1gf6@news01.netobjects.com...
>> Thanks to all who replied, I'll definitely consider them for service.
>>
>> Michael, last I knew you were using Skype. I'll definitely check out
>> Vonage.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> --
>> Rich
>>
>> Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
>> Custom Graphics and Advertisements
>> http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com
>>
>>
>> "Rich" <Rich at graphicsmechanic dot com> wrote in message
>> news:dqkb5k$16p1@news01.netobjects.com...
>>>
>>> Anybody have an opinion (good or bad) on Vonage? Good connections, clear
>>> reception etc.?
>>>
>>> http://www.vonage.com/
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> --
>>> Rich
>>>
>>> Custom FileMakerPro DeskTop Database Solutions
>>> Custom Graphics and Advertisements
>>> http://www.GraphicsMechanic.com
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>