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by Jason Parker (11-2005)
Long-distance telephone services constantly work to get us to sign up with their services, but there's a new kid on
the block undercutting anything the big companies could offer. It's called Voice over IP (VoIP) and it
promises to make long-distance cheaper than ever, or, if you set it up right, completely free. It's also
incredibly easy to set up a conference call with people using the same software, a service for which big
telephone companies charge a premium. Internet telephone companies offer software that lets you talk for
free when communication is from PC to PC, or for very reasonable rates communicating from your PC to a telephone.
To take advantage of this technology, we've put together a guide to get your computer ready to connect
to friends and family around the world.
First,
you need to get the right software and hardware. Though a simple microphone and your PC speakers will suffice,
we recommend you check out some of the many headsets and regular handset phone setups that can be used
with your computer. A great place to start is here at CNET. Check out some headsets
with attached microphones.
 Headsets
are both convenient and functional because they leave your hands free to continue working. However, if you
feel more comfortable with the traditional handset telephones, you can get one that hooks up to the USB
port on your computer. Internet telephone company Skype offers a
handset for sale via its Web site.
Of the many Internet telephone companies, some of the top contenders include the aforementioned
Skype,
GloPhone, and BuddyTalk.
Most programs of this type let you talk for free with anyone in the world, but there's a catch.
The other person has to have the same software installed on his or her computer. To use the software to call
regular telephones, you'll need to open an account with the Internet telephone company and pay a
per-minute fee. Prices vary depending on service and location called, but they generally beat major U.S.
telephone companies, coming in at rates more comparable to calling cards.
 If you
opt for a USB handset, you only need to plug it into one of your free USB ports. For a microphone, you will
need to locate your computer's microphone jack, which is usually on the back of your computer case, and
often marked with a microphone icon and a pink plastic ring around the 1/8" jack. When you're all
plugged in, click your Start menu, open the Control Panel, and choose Sounds and Audio Devices. Then,
go under the Voice tab and click the Test Hardware button to bring up a wizard that will help you find
out if the microphone is detecting your voice. Play with the volume levels to make sure you have the best
sound quality possible without distortion or feedback.
Now you can download and install some Internet telephone software. You can choose from a number of products,
including Skype,
BuddyTalk, and
GloPhone.
Once you've downloaded and installed your chosen software, launch the program and complete the setup process.
You'll need to create a username and password, and you can usually set the program to launch during your
computer's start-up so you'll be able to receive calls whenever your computer is on and connected to the
Internet.
 
With everything installed and your account set, you are now ready to make some calls. Most programs offer
an interface that looks a lot like popular chat programs. If you've convinced friends or relatives to
install the same software, you can add them to your buddy list, just as you would with an instant messenger.
There also should be a dial pad or some way to enter an actual phone number if you want to call a regular
telephone.
To make a phone call, simply select the user you wish to call from your buddy list or dial the number
using the phone interface. If everything is set up properly, your call should go through. Most programs
also let you select multiple users for conference calls, which can come in handy for business, planning
events, or even online gaming. |
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