# How much would it cost to set up a line on which forum members can talk via voice? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 19, 2020, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096 "2020-04-19T01:20:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/1 "2020-04-19T01:20:12Z")
Please explain. I do not know if it is possible. I am a total newbie in all things related to video conferencing. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/2 "2020-04-19T01:36:33Z")
Video or voice? For voice, you could just make a Discord channel for free. > **[Discord | Your Place to Talk and Hang Out](https://discord.com/)** > > Discord is the easiest way to talk over voice, video, and text. Talk, chat, hang out, and stay close with your friends and communities. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/3 "2020-04-19T01:37:39Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Video or voice? For voice, you could just make a Discord channel for free. > > [https://discordapp.com/](https://discordapp.com/) Thanks. Learning Discord. I have one friend there already. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/4 "2020-04-19T12:55:19Z")
And for video, most folks nowadays are using Zoom, which can also be used for free (there’s a paid version with extra features, but you probably don’t need them). ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/5 "2020-04-19T13:14:12Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > And for video, most folks nowadays are using Zoom, which can also be used for free (there’s a paid version with extra features, but you probably don’t need them). Is it only for classes? Can I just talk to people on Zoom? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/6 "2020-04-19T14:32:02Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > Can I just talk to people on Zoom? Yup. You can also use Facetime, Facebook messenger, WebEx, and a half dozen other platforms. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/7 "2020-04-19T18:35:02Z")
Zoom is for “meetings”. One person involved has to set up the meeting, and then send an ID code to everyone else (via phone, text, email, whatever). Everyone else then uses that ID code to join that meeting. The “meeting” could be a class (in which case it’s probably set up by the teacher), or it could be just friends chatting, and set up by whichever one of them wants to set it up. My extended family had a big Zoom meeting on Easter, set up by one of the cousins who happened to have the paid version (I think that allowed a larger number of people in the meeting-- My family is very large). ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/8 "2020-04-19T18:41:17Z")
Also Skype: > [@](#): > > Skype (/skaɪp/) is a telecommunications application that specializes in providing video chat and voice calls between computers, tablets, mobile devices, the Xbox One console, and smartwatches over the Internet. Skype also provides instant messaging services. Users may transmit text, video, audio and images. Skype allows video conference calls… > > Skype allows users to communicate over the Internet by voice, using a microphone, by video using a webcam, and by instant messaging. Skype implements a freemium business model. Skype-to-Skype calls are free of charge, while calls to landline telephones and mobile phones (over traditional telephone networks) are charged via a debit-based user account system called Skype Credit. > **[Skype](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype)** > > mobile applications > Skype (/skaɪp/) is a proprietary telecommunications application operated by Skype Technologies, a division of Microsoft, best known for VoIP-based videotelephony, videoconferencing and voice calls. It also has instant messaging, file transfer, debit-based calls to landline and mobile telephones (over traditional telephone networks), and other features. It is available on various desktop, mobile, and video game console platforms. > Skype was created by Niklas Zennström, Janu... ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/9 "2020-04-19T19:16:15Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The “meeting” could be a class (in which case it’s probably set up by the teacher), or it could be just friends chatting, and set up by whichever one of them wants to set it up. My extended family had a big Zoom meeting on Easter, set up by one of the cousins who happened to have the paid version (I think that allowed a larger number of people in the meeting-- My family is very large). My friend is a college professor, so he used the academic license for Zoom to host a Passover seder. But because his license was associated with his class, it appeared in the class schedule and a couple of the TAs crashed the virtual seder. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/10 "2020-04-19T19:27:44Z")
My friends mostly use Google Hangouts. That only allows about 10 people at a time if you are doing video, though. My family and bridge group have been using Zoom, but if you want to include more than 2 people or more than 40 minutes, someone needs to pay for a license. It’s about $15/month and only one person in the group needs it. Discord is harder to set up, but it’s free and does good video or voice or screen sharing. At work I’m using Microsoft Skype and Teams, but I think those require paid software these days. If you want something like Zoom but free, where groups of people can gather in the breakout room of their choice (video only in the breakout rooms, text in the entry-way) you could try the MIT media labs (free) Unhangouts. [https://unhangout.media.mit.edu/](https://unhangout.media.mit.edu/) But it only works with the latest version of Chrome and one other browser (I forget which, but I had a lot of trouble getting into it because I was using an older version of Chrome.) What’s your goal? Do you just want a place for members of this board to hang out. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/11 "2020-04-19T20:46:23Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Yup. You can also use Facetime, Facebook messenger, WebEx, and a half dozen other platforms. Thanks. Which is the easiest to learn in your opinion? ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/12 "2020-04-19T20:47:40Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > My friends mostly use Google Hangouts. That only allows about 10 people at a time if you are doing video, though. My family and bridge group have been using Zoom, but if you want to include more than 2 people or more than 40 minutes, someone needs to pay for a license. It’s about $15/month and only one person in the group needs it. Discord is harder to set up, but it’s free and does good video or voice or screen sharing. At work I’m using Microsoft Skype and Teams, but I think those require paid software these days. > > If you want something like Zoom but free, where groups of people can gather in the breakout room of their choice (video only in the breakout rooms, text in the entry-way) you could try the MIT media labs (free) Unhangouts. > [https://unhangout.media.mit.edu/](https://unhangout.media.mit.edu/) > But it only works with the latest version of Chrome and one other browser (I forget which, but I had a lot of trouble getting into it because I was using an older version of Chrome.) > > What’s your goal? Do you just want a place for members of this board to hang out. Thanks. Indeed, I must learn Zoom. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/13 "2020-04-19T20:49:16Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Zoom is for “meetings”. One person involved has to set up the meeting, and then send an ID code to everyone else (via phone, text, email, whatever). Everyone else then uses that ID code to join that meeting. > > The “meeting” could be a class (in which case it’s probably set up by the teacher), or it could be just friends chatting, and set up by whichever one of them wants to set it up. My extended family had a big Zoom meeting on Easter, set up by one of the cousins who happened to have the paid version (I think that allowed a larger number of people in the meeting-- My family is very large). Thanks. I will learn Zoom. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/14 "2020-04-19T20:50:25Z")
A paid subscription to zoom is something like $15/month, but it’s extremely easy to use, and I haven’t seen a real failure yet (where a failure is someone who wants to join and isn’t able to.) ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/15 "2020-04-19T20:50:54Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > My friend is a college professor, so he used the academic license for Zoom to host a Passover seder. But because his license was associated with his class, it appeared in the class schedule and a couple of the TAs crashed the virtual seder. Thanks. I am also Jewish. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/16 "2020-04-19T20:51:57Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > A paid subscription to zoom is something like $15/month, but it’s extremely easy to use, and I haven’t seen a real failure yet (where a failure is someone who wants to join and isn’t able to.) Sadly, I am stuck with Forums – Internet of the year 2000 CE. I will learn Zoom. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/17 "2020-04-19T21:52:11Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > Thanks. Which is the easiest to learn in your opinion? They’re all pretty easy to use for the basic service. If your group is on Facebook, then Messenger is probably the easiest. But Zoom and Skype are pretty straightforward. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/18 "2020-04-20T04:43:15Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > My friend is a college professor, so he used the academic license for Zoom to host a Passover seder. But because his license was associated with his class, it appeared in the class schedule and a couple of the TAs crashed the virtual seder. :lol: I’ve been using an academic zoom license for some stuff (although we used my brother’s license for Passover) but thankfully, it’s just associated with the university, not with any particular class. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/20 "2020-04-20T05:13:35Z")
Shopiwave reported for spam. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2020, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096/21 "2020-04-20T13:09:52Z")
> [@](#): > > Quoth **puzzlegal** : > > My family and bridge group have been using Zoom, but if you want to include more than 2 people or more than 40 minutes, someone needs to pay for a license. I think that was true a few weeks ago, but with so many people using it, they’ve expanded what you can do with the free version. As of April 4th, I had a meeting of an hour and 15 minutes, that I set up using the free version. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-it-cost-to-set-up-a-line-on-which-forum-members-can-talk-via-voice/852096.md?page=2)