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Excellent! There is a 3rd party piece of software not created by the MJ guys called MagicFeatures Plugin that adds a bunch of cool features that MagicJack lacks. It includes caller ID, talking caller ID, speed dial, and a bunch of other things. It's not free, but it is extremely useful.
I would never ever leave my computer on 24/7. Plus, power outtages from storms mean that I can be without a cell phone. My landland has never failed me, so I choose to keep it.
I am thinking of getting rid of my land line to save $50 a month (I am living paycheck to paycheck right now). My DSL meets the speed requirements. I hardly ever talk on the phone, anyways.
My brother uses it but it does have a tendency to have a less than clear connection and the other downside is that I believe your computer has to be runnng for it to work...so...are you really saving if the computer is on all day/night, 24/7? Not so much.
But as a phone, it is a good backup, so long as you don't expect it to be clear - some clicks/cutouts during your conversation can be annoying but it does work.
right now the "magicjack plus" is available to purchase, and you don't need a computer; just an internet connection .
You still have to plug it into the wall. I'm wondering if the call quality is more clear than majicjack. The biggest complaint that I have is that it is hard to hear with it unless you and the recipient speak loud. I've adjusted the settings on the mj and it helped some. If you try to turn it up all the way, you get echoing and skipping.
You can't beat the price but it would be nice if those kinks were worked out.
Magic Jack is VOIP, and since you need a network connection, in my experience it will go out in a few hours after a power outage.
I keep a hard-line (copper twisted pair line) to the central office running. ATT/Bell Labs had it right; their backup system made it so that you would always have phone service (unless above-ground lines were taken out by trees, etc).
Personally, I can't stand VOIP, and this is coming from a guy that designed it for years.
The reason you have to keep your computer ON for majic jack is when you signed up, you gave them permission to install a progarm on your computer that copies all your web site traffic, emails, and documents. When you make a call or their software does a "upgrade", it's sending that copied info back to their office. You also gave them permission to listen in on your calls to determine sales opprtunites of products. They use this to build profiles and sell that to other vendors for a host of reasons. Majic Jack is the ultimate in anti-privacy telecommunications. The sad thing is they get around the wiretap and eavesdropping laws because you actually gave permission for them to do this. Sadly most don'tt read the full TOS.
Wow...that's VERY interesting. Thank you for posting. No majic jack for me.
If you have a Gmail account, look at the left menu under "Chat" and click "Call phone". It will enable you to download software in a few seconds, free, that will enable you to dial any number free, and use your computer mic and speakers to talk to the called party.
However, this does not give you an incoming phone number that will allow someone with a conventional phone to dial you.
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