Hi all!
I’m wondering if anyone here is using “free internet calling” and how well it works. I’m considering trying it from home and was wondering what the best program is. The one linked to above says it is completely free- free calls within the US. It also says it is full duplex calling, meaning you can talk at the same time as your party, as opposed to “walkie talkie” style.
Feedback, geeks. What’s the best? Are they really just like a telephone?
If you are using one of these packages, what are your computer specs (specifically modem speed, processor)
There are companies which have this same service, but you don’t have to pay for it. Try http://www.dialpad.com or download MSN Messenger, the chat program which has free calling as an option (ironicly enough, powered by Net-2-Phone!).
The problems with these two are the connection, which can come in fits and starts, often with a lag of several seconds, and the fact that both of them keep a window open while you talk making it hard to do anything else on your computer (though I d-loaded a program which can take care of that).
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I tried it once, although it might have been a different product, I’m not sure. Anyway, while it was nice to avoid long-distance charges, the person I was calling (she was on her phone, I was using my computer), said she heard a distinct echo to everything I said. It’s possible that was my set-up though. I’d probably use it again, for short conversations. Beats giving the money to the phone company.
If you’re using a regular PC mic and speakers, you’ll usually get an echo because her speech from the speakers goes back into the mic. You should invest in a $20 headset or you can also turn the speaker volume and/or mic sensitivity down.
That’s actually what I was thinking. On the other hand, my SO found an article saying the echo is caused by using the product during peak0usge hours. How bandwidth shortages cause echo I don’t know, but that’s what it said. Unfortunately, I have no idea where she found the article