I have been playing with VoIP (voice over IP) software for quite awhile to dodge long distance phone charges with some talkative relatives. Lately some new projects have been maturing, making things more interesting. For best results, you will want a reasonably fast computer and a good headset (a normal microphone will work but you will have an echo off your speakers unless you use headphones). The quality of your headset will greatly affect the overall audio quality. Most of the best VoIP programs are based on the sip protocol allowing you to use your own client if you want (maybe I will go over some of those later). As an alternative to software phones, hardware sip clients (linksys makes a router that you can plug standard phones into) can be used, replacing the computer completely.
Anyway, on to the different services:
Free world dialup is among the older, free VoIP services. I have been using it for quite awhile and it is my service of choice. One of the biggest advantages is that it allows you to use the client and codecs of your choice, allowing people on older systems to use it. Unfortunately, it is also among the most difficult to configure. Configuration is done by either using the pulver communicator client (I haven't tried it) or using your own sip client. The directions for doing this can be difficult to find on the new website so you will want to look here after signing up for a number on the front page. I strongly recommend the xlite client which can be downloaded for the three major oses here. At this point you just have to install xlite, fill in the values from the configuration guide (use the settings button in xlite) and try it out.
Start by calling 613 (type 613 and press the green button, just like on your cell phone) which is an echo tester (it repeats what you say). From there you can look at this pagefor some other test numbers or call another user. Toll free land line numbers are free (for 1800 numbers, put an * in front of the number you are calling). If you want to interact with the landline telephone network, the easiest thing to do is buy a phone card and call its 1800 number from your free world dialup softphone. If you explore the website further, you will find voicemail settings and peering numbers (more on these later). Many of the other features mentioned for the other services are also available, depending on the client you use.
Skype is another, less standards based service that has been taking the internet by storm. Skype has clients for all the major desktop operating systems (Linux/Windows/OSX) as well as a Pocket Pc client. Unfortunately, the windows client only supports the more recent NT based versions (but some versions do run on 98, see the forum for more info). Whatever client you use, you will need at least a 400 mhz celeron class machine. Setup is simple, just download the client from their downloads section and install it. The first time you run the client it will prompt you to make an account. I find that the audio quality is pretty good, but that since it is a P2P (peer to peer) based program, your contacts don't always show up as online. The client also requires you to authorize any new contacts, a procedure which can sometimes be troublesome. For a fee, skype can connect to the normal telephone network to send and receive calls. It also supports conference calls. The pocket pc client seems to work well (unlike most of the generic pocket pc sip clients), but is a bit slow even on my 624 mhz Axim. Skype claims to work over dialup but I haven't had good luck with this.
Project Gizmo is a relative of sipphone, run by the ceo of linspire. In the last few months it has matured greatly. The windows version works very well and the audio quality is great. The Linux version is a bit behind but has been become usable recently. Like skype, setup is very simple, just install the client and make an account the first time you run it. The nice thing about gizmo (as opposed to skype) is that it is still sip based. While you get a nice instant messenger like name, you can also get a number that can be used to peer with other networks (like free world diaup). Gizmo's peering numbers can be found here. Like skype, gizmo users can interact with the normal telephone network for a fee. Currently new members get 25 cents worth of credit to call normal telephones (just type a phone number in the box at the top of the UI and press the green call button).
Stanaphone is another sip based service, similar to Free World Dialup. There are preconfigured clients (based on sjphone) for Windows and recent Pocket PC operating systems, or you can use your own SIP client based on the setting given to you after logging in to the website. Before downloading the client, be sure to register and get a phone number on the website. The real advantage to Stanaphone over the others is that you get a free phone number that can be called from the normal telephone networks (you can choose from one of several area codes). Incoming calls and faxes from any phone are free, as are calls with in the stanaphone network, and calls to free landline numbers like 1800 numbers (for computer to computer calls you get a separate number to comply with the new 911 regulations). For diaup users, stanaphone supports some codecs that should allow VoIP even over dialup, although you will need to install them your self (there are some guides in the community forums).
Gmail Talk, is a light weight, jabber based instant messaging client that works with your gmail account and supports voice. It seems to work very well, and "sort of" works over dialup (maybe people with better phone lines would do better). The UI is very clean, and presents you with the option to call or instant message without all the extras of the other options. Unfortunately, it doesn't support communication with other phone networks right now and doesn't work with very many operating systems. That said it is still worth a look. If you need a gmail invite to try it out, feel free to email me
.YAK, is a new service that has only been around a few weeks (to my knowledge). I haven't tested it yet but it offers video along with audio. It looks to me like they are using some form of Xlite or Xpro for a client. Unfortunately, they want absurdly fast computers on both ends (1.7 ghz).
Something to keep in mind is that, if you pick one of the sip based services, almost all of them peer to most of the other major networks, allowing you to call your friends that use free world dialup from gizmo and vice verse (also applies to a huge number of other services). Look around on the website of whatever service you prefer for numbers to call other services (usually a couple digits in front of number you want to call).
For the gamers out there (me included), you might want to look at teamspeak. Teamspeak is a client/server voice program targeted at gamers. One user must setup a server (not hard) and the others just need to download the client and connect to your server. There are also some public servers. From a client's point of view, teamspeak does work over dialup and tunnels over vpns well. If you want more info on how to set it up, complain in the comments and I will see what I can do (it doesn't really fit well with this article)
Many of you may have noticed that all the major instant messaging protocols now support voice and video. In my experience it doesn't work well (if at all) so you are better off going with a dedicated voice service. It is worth noting that MSN's video service works even with a voice conversation using free world dialup over my slowish dsl connection. I have not been able to make the msn audio service work.
Feel free to comment. I am not sure of how detailed I should be since I don't have a preexisting audience yet. Please let me know of any errors also. The next post will probably be on Virtual Private Networks.
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