magic jack

[lookup09]

not able to install the magic jack device , any help on this would appreciated
thanks

[Neal ManBear]

I believe that's a windows only device.

[Was_Just19]

There was some discussion about getting it operating on PCLOS previously.

There are some members who use the device .... don't know what OS though.

EDIT

Just noticed this is a duplicate thread
http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php?topic=60640.0

[Bald Brick]

In this interview: http://blog.laptopmag.com/magicjack-inventor-plans-linux-support-improved-customer-service-and-more, the inventor of magicJack states:

because the of the similarities between the Mac and Linux OSes, we should be able to support Linux fairly soon.

[zapjb]

It's not soon. That article is from 04/28/08.

[chiefjim]

not able to install the magic jack device , any help on this would appreciated
thanks

Perhaps not the reply you're looking for, but consider Ooma instead.  Stand alone device connected either to your cable modem, or router.  No monthly or annual fees.  I can attest to the fact it is well worth the initial investment.

[zapjb]

$40 vs $200 isn't worth it at least for me.

[ElCuervo]

I can attest to the fact that Skype is worth the investment, too. It's in the repositories. If you just gotta have a "real" phone, you can get a USB adapter to hook up your old handset. I paid $30 for a phone number for a year.

Works in Winders, too.

[Bald Brick]

I can attest to the fact that Skype is worth the investment, too. It's in the repositories. If you just gotta have a "real" phone, you can get a USB adapter to hook up your old handset. I paid $30 for a phone number for a year.

Works in Winders, too.

And phoning other Skype users is free. You just have to pay if you telephone "regular" phones.

[YouCanToo]

Something I do not understand.

If you are using Voip you have to have access to some sort of internet connection. For example here to have DSL you must have a phone line. So what is the deal of using VOIP if I have to have a phone line to have DSL to use something like Skype? For $38.00/mo. I have unlimited calling and long distance within the US. I hae no need to call anywhere outside the US. Can anyone enlighten me why there would be a need to have VOIP?

[Old-Polack]

Something I do not understand.

If you are using Voip you have to have access to some sort of internet connection. For example here to have DSL you must have a phone line. So what is the deal of using VOIP if I have to have a phone line to have DSL to use something like Skype? For $38.00/mo. I have unlimited calling and long distance within the US. I hae no need to call anywhere outside the US. Can anyone enlighten me why there would be a need to have VOIP?

I connect to the internet through the cable TV line. I do not have a regular phone line. Using VOIP, I speak to people around the world, as well as the US, Canada, and Mexico, and it costs me nothing extra, as long as they have a computer, and VOIP also.

[Was_Just19]

Something I do not understand.

If you are using Voip you have to have access to some sort of internet connection. For example here to have DSL you must have a phone line. So what is the deal of using VOIP if I have to have a phone line to have DSL to use something like Skype? For $38.00/mo. I have unlimited calling and long distance within the US. I hae no need to call anywhere outside the US. Can anyone enlighten me why there would be a need to have VOIP?

That is your situation and if you do not have the need then fine.
Others do not have the same setup nor indeed the same charges/costs you have.

For instance if my wife wishes to speak to her sister in Australia I have a choice ... use the landline at more than $1 equivalent per minute or use the VOIP at 2 cents per minute.

My son used the VOIP the other day to phone a friend who is travelling the US for the summer. His 20 mins call cost less than $0.35 equivalent ...... the landline charge would have been more than $20

I regularly use VOIP to speak with friends and have no worry about tying up the land line or duration or cost.
Once the router is switched on I can make and receive VOIP calls from my phone.

It is not a matter of needing DSL to use VOIP ...... it is more a matter of making better, more expanded use of the existing DSL connection for other purposes.

I can set up a specific 'number' for specific purposes (no cost) and issue that number, for instance, to this forum. When I no longer wish to receive calls from this forum I just delete the number. Presently I have about 8 active numbers, but can add and delete numbers as is my wish.

So yes if you did not have internet connection at all then it is probable that it would not be cost effective to get it just for VOIP. On the other hand there are likely locations where it would be cost effective. Most countries do not have call costs similar to the US.

regards.

[deancicca]

Something I do not understand.

If you are using Voip you have to have access to some sort of internet connection. For example here to have DSL you must have a phone line. So what is the deal of using VOIP if I have to have a phone line to have DSL to use something like Skype? For $38.00/mo. I have unlimited calling and long distance within the US. I hae no need to call anywhere outside the US. Can anyone enlighten me why there would be a need to have VOIP?

I have 13 VOIP numbers 2 of which are international numbers ( 1 UK and 1 Italy) neither of which are available through my local phone company. If I had to order even the 11 numbers through the phone company my bill before even making any phone calls would be close to if not over $100.00. I pay 99 cents for each U.S. number and $7.00 for the international numbers per month. It cost me only 1 cent per minute for the call. 1 number (my home number) I pay $12.00 per month with unlimited calling anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. Granted I use most of these numbers for business but the cost savings over landline phone companies is beyond comparision.

I also can multiple concurrent calls on one number that is not possible with traditional landline numbers as they only alot at maximum 2 calls with call waiting. I have had up to 10 calls at one time going off of one number.

Personally I would never get dsl as it is much slower than cable IMO. With as many lines I have active at my desk at home (8 lines) dsl just doesn't have enough bandwidth to handle the upload needed for mulitple calls and use of the computer at the same time.

The dsl provider in my area is now offering the service without a phone line for $29.99 per month. If you are not a heavy phone user it would make sense in that instance to still use voip over getting the landline as the cost would be minimal regardless if you choose an unlimited or per minute plan.

There are many companies out there offering VOIP that are way cheaper and better than those like Vonage. Companies such as Vonage are extremely expensive and service from what I hear is not that great plus you have to purchase their equipment which is locked to their service. I have spoken to people using magicjack and that alone was enough for me to steer clear.

[chiefjim]

$40 vs $200 isn't worth it at least for me.

That $40 is what I was paying per month for my landline not including actual long distance charges.  So to be fair it took me 5 months to break even.  From that point on I've been ahead.

Beauty of the Ooma system is it being independent of the computer itself.  Mine is connected to the router and back fed into the regular wiring.  As such my phone service is available at every extension throughout the house.

I opted for the Premier package as well.  The multi-ring feature is wonderful.  If I'm away I can shut down the house electrically and still get all calls that would have been made to the house on my cellphone.  Obviously the same benefit applies during power outages.

[zapjb]

I mean $40 MJ vs. $200 Ooma. Besides tommorrow to 08/15/09 Page Plus Cellular will release it's Unlimited Talk n Text + 20MB Monthly Plan for $39.95. Page Plus Cellular is a Verizon MVNO nationwide. I'll up my PP plan to unlimited & not renew MJ. Photo from http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?p=12894999#post12894999

$40 vs $200 isn't worth it at least for me.

That $40 is what I was paying per month for my landline not including actual long distance charges.  So to be fair it took me 5 months to break even.  From that point on I've been ahead.

Beauty of the Ooma system is it being independent of the computer itself.  Mine is connected to the router and back fed into the regular wiring.  As such my phone service is available at every extension throughout the house.

I opted for the Premier package as well.  The multi-ring feature is wonderful.  If I'm away I can shut down the house electrically and still get all calls that would have been made to the house on my cellphone.  Obviously the same benefit applies during power outages.

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