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May 31, 2006

Avoid Rush Hour with VoIP

You're sound asleep, relaxed and dreaming when that dreaded alarm clock goes off. You bolt upright in bed, drag yourself to the shower, and get ready to head out for work. The sun isn't up yet, but you think you can see it peaking up over the horizon somewhere in the distance. Once you're ready, you grab a coffee for the car, flip on the stereo, and settle in for the hour-long commute.

This scenario or one like it plays out in the houses of many Americans on a regular basis. Most people are constantly looking for a better way. Well, VoIP might just give you the chance to fulfill your dream of working from home. Working from home can give you a sense of freedom, it can boost your morale, and believe it or not, it can even increase your work output. However, in the past it's given off a less-than-professional vibe, but the article Want to Work from Home? is quick to point out:
"With high-speed internet access available almost everywhere and VOIP technology, it becomes possible to answer a phone from anywhere...VOIP is not the same thing as working from your cell phone. VOIP is working transparently. Customers don't know employees are fielding calls while they are out of the office or working from home."
The benefits of working from home are clear to the individual whether they're self-employed or part of a larger organization. How will allowing employees to stay at home to use their VoIP set-up benefit companies? According to VoIP Magazine, incidents like the transport workers union strikes in NY have companies thinking about shifting to VoIP and to the home:
"'Setting a VoIP system up at home will ensure work productivity, granting flexibility to work from home seamlessly...'"
Strikes are not the only things that have companies thinking about setting their employees up from home. Scares over the bird flu and other health concerns have prompted many businesses to seek out mobile alternatives and ask the simple question:
"Who can work at home? Who needs IT upgrades in advance to make that possible?" (From the Washington Post)
Strikes and fear will always send businesses looking for alternatives. However, paranoia about an epidemic is not required to set up a home office. For those of you who are simply looking for a way to avoid that bumper-to-bumper traffic in the morning and those of you who just want to work in your robe, VoIP might be the answer.

Posted on May 31, 2006 at 11:10 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-05-31

"Using its voice recognition technology, my people gives you access to your favorite content.  For example, just pick up the phone and say “weather” or “horoscope” and my people will promptly deliver your goods."

"In 2006, "Voice" is still an application, although some regulators think otherwise. The promise of "voice" as an application knows no boundaries. But boundaries are well defined if voice is treated as a regulated 'service.'"

"Is it possible that the U.S. could be violating its World Trade Organization commitments (under the WTO Basic Telecommunications Agreement) by supporting the efforts of AT&T and Verizon to bar new entrants from providing broadband access services using their networks?"

"For way too long, most of the attention on VoIP has focused on how it's a cheaper telephone replacement option -- which a few people have pointed out is the wrong lesson to take from VoIP."

In the same way that web services have been built in to a variety of devices and applications, so too are similar integrations blurring the lines of VoIP. A couple of other examples besides gaming consoles that come to mind include Instant Messaging clients and Click-to-Call web applications."

"The Philippines’ House of Representatives has ratified a bill designed to deregulate voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) telephony."

Posted on May 31, 2006 at 05:58 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May 30, 2006

Must-Have VoIP Feature of the Week

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. Normally, yesterday would've been spent informing you of the latest VoIP features that you need to get the most out of your phone, but as most people were probably more concerned with barbecue and potato salad than phone features, I figured I would wait until today.

Since its inception, the home phone has served a simple purpose. Beyond allowing you to make and receive calls, there's not a whole lot else you've been able to do with it. Until now. Along with helping you stay in touch with your friends and family, your phone can help you stay in touch with all the news that's important to you with My Content from my people.

My Content
Did the Mavs beat the Suns last night? How did the NASDAQ perform? With Mercury in retrograde is it really the perfect time to find love? My Content can answer all of these questions and more:
"Don't have time to watch the local news for the latest current events, weather, stocks or sports? Let my people deliver it to you over the telephone or over the web. my people will keep you in touch with the world!...my people can make your home phone another information center. News, sports, weather or horoscopes can be delivered to you by my people however you want it, whenever you want it."

Using its voice recognition technology, my people gives you access to your favorite content.  For example, just pick up the phone and say “weather” or “horoscope” and my people will promptly deliver your goods. 

It's time to put the IP back in VoIP. Use the power of the Internet and your phone to stay informed, or at least to stay entertained. Look for the must-have features feature to return to its normal Monday spot next week.

Posted on May 30, 2006 at 11:07 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-05-30

"It's been a while since we've talked about the ongoing battle over net neutrality. But the topic is still the leading story in VoIP news."

"VOIP telephony, a technology that allows employees to work from home, could be the most important measure a business takes today in preparing for the possibility of an avian flu pandemic."

"The puzzle fits neatly together. MSN will never support an open internet. It's making far too much money from European walled gardens, and it plans to move its act to the U.S."

"Thus, it isnt surprising that AT&T donated to the charity associated with Representative Bobby Rush since Rep. Rush is one of the key member of the committee overseeing the overhaul of the Telecommunication Act. In fact, I would be surprised if Net companies don't play a similar game...they would be silly not to."

"Over a period of nine months, the percentage of British adults who said that they has heard of VoIP or had made telephone calls through and internet connection has increased from over one third to nearly half."

"VoIP is a really hot discussion topic these days, but depending on who you're talking to, VoIP truly does mean something different to everyone. We hear people, or analysts, say VoIP isn't ready for prime time, or that it has security problems, but even the analysts are often unclear about which VoIP variant they're talking about. All this ambiguity leads to some large misconceptions and misunderstandings about the viability of VoIP as a service."

"Voice over IP is becoming ubiquitous as the cheapest way to make phone calls."

Posted on May 30, 2006 at 05:54 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May 26, 2006

Soft Drinks, Capitalism, VoIP, and You

It's been a while since we've talked about the ongoing battle over net neutrality. But the topic is still the leading story in VoIP news. The two sides remain at odds, and policy makers and writers from both sides continue to peck away at each other. For many on the outside, the issue doesn't seem like an issue at all. As Susan Crawford said:

"If you took your average cyber-utopian and plunked him down in a bar in Milwaukee and told him to get everyone excited about net neutrality, he'd be lucky to get out of there unscathed."

Her point that typical consumers simply don't see how all of this affects them is well taken, and whether you're a Brewers fan, a Cubs fan, or even a Dodgers fan, you're probably not spending the 7th inning stretch worrying about net neutrality, equality, or whatever else it might be called. Crawford, like many others, realizes that this is indeed an issue that people across the country should be concerned with. She suggests that:

"In order to get the point across in 2007, we're going to need an affirmative campaign that is neither geeky or wonky or particularly detailed. Something about protecting America's future, or the importance of public investments in critical resources (water, electricity, internet access) -- those kinds of messages might work."

Will a shift in tone will get the message across? In many cases, people will fail to react until they see something that they take for granted change right before their eyes. You might call that the "New Coke theory". Unless, of course, you're too young to remember New Coke. But that's a whole other matter.

The issue over net neutrality was actually summed up quite succinctly by Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee (as relayed by Digital Common Sense):

"Recent attempts in the U.S. to try to charge for different levels of online access Web were not 'part of the Internet model,' he said."

The article goes on to break down the beliefs of Mr. Berners-Lee and those who agree with him:

"The open Internet model...is based on the concept of network neutrality, where everyone has the same level of access to the Web and that all data moving around the Web is treated equally."

To gloss over nuance for a second, those who disagree might suggest that a company that pays more should get more, and that it's merely capitalism working as it should. Of course, when it comes to telecommunications behemoths, capitalism tends to look the other way on the whole monopoly issue, so that might not be the best argument.

Regardless of where you stand, you still have a chance to state your opinion in a creative manner that could be a lot more effective than constant policy talk. Check out Jeff Pulver's "Save the Net Contest" to see how you can make a movie and maybe even make your voice heard.

Fortunately, all of this may be a step closer to being a non-issue after today's 20-13 vote by the House Judiciary Committee  approving a bill that would require broadband providers to abide by "strict" net neutrality principles. That pushes nondiscrimatory operating procedures closer towards being law:

"The lack of competition in the broadband marketplace presents a clear incentive for providers to leverage dominant market power over the broadband bottleneck, to preselect, favor or prioritize Internet content," said Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, a Wisconsin Republican who heads the committee.

In an unusual twist, many members of the committee said they were voting for the legislation not because of strong concerns over Net neutrality--but instead because of a turf battle. They said they were worried that a competing proposal already approved by a different committee last month would diminish their own influence in the future.

With that in mind, enjoy the three-day weekend. We'll be back on Tuesday,

Posted on May 26, 2006 at 05:56 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-05-26

"VoIP has introduced the idea of customization into the world of home and business phones. With far more service options and features it's becoming easier to implement a plan that works for you."

"It used to be that hotels gave the service away for free, or at most $10 per day as a way to differentiate themselves. On recent trips, I have been forced to cough up $20, sometimes $30 for Internet service. It is a rip off, but relative to placing a call via the in room phone or mobile roaming charges, it’s not an obscene rip off. So I wonder if the hotels have already gotten the message that business travelers are starting to use VoIP to make roaming calls when possible, and are seeing this in their financial reports."

"Don't overlook the human element in planning your VoIP implementation."

"VoIP, in fact all uniified communications, is a very expansive topic that's often only partially covered by any article. This seems a good opportunity to make a couple of counterpoints."

"World famous writer and thought leader Marc Robins has joined the family of TMC bloggers with a blog titled Beyond VoIP."

"CMP claims a right to exclusively use the term web 2.0, kind of like a trademark, and they've sent O'Reilly a cease and desist order regarding the matter."

"With all due respect to Jeff Pulver and to the rest of the gang (including yours truly) that have been breathing life into the idea of Net Neutrality, we in the tech industry have done a lousy job framing the debate with the telcos."

Posted on May 26, 2006 at 05:45 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May 25, 2006

Making VoIP Personal

There is nothing quite like receiving something that is made just how you wanted it. It could be a perfectly tailored suit or dress or just a pizza that manages to include all of your favorite toppings. You know, one where you don't have to pick off all of the stuff you don't like. Unfortunately, technology doesn't always work like pizza or dresses, and you're often stuck with generic products and services that don't take your particular needs into account at all. Traditional home and business phone lines are perfect examples of this. When dealing with a major provider you generally have two or three plans to choose from, and each offers only a slight variation on the others. You are often stuck paying too much money for too little service.

VoIP has introduced the idea of customization into the world of home and business phones. With far more service options and features it's becoming easier to implement a plan that works for you. NCCW reported on the expanding options available with VoIP technology.

"A number of key players in the business are now releasing packages with many more features than traditional telecom packages. The days of the land line and expensive long distance service are at an end, and the VOIP customer has many more options than in years prior."

While VoIP's special features can help you get more out of your home phone than you ever imagined possible, the benefits for business can be even greater. The article goes onto point out that:

"Another advantage of VoIP is that, this technology allows a company to train employees over the Internet in real time. There are some VoIP service providers who even allow textual communication side by side with the verbal communication."

Sci-Tech Today recently explored how integrating VoIP can affect a company's network and its ability to work with customers:

"Another plus is increased network efficiency. The technology allows for a centralized, virtual point of configuration and control over remote contact centers. Adding voice operations to a data network can reduce costs because businesses are no longer responsible for managing two separate networks...Network convergence might enable a sales staff, for instance, to enter crucial data on a customer that will appear on screen whenever he calls."

VoIP gives you the opportunity to pay less money for more options. You or your business can finally implement a phone service that's a bit more personalized than the usual and that provides the options you need. If you're truly adventurous you can even explore some of the VoIP "hacks" that are out there in order to transform your phone or just entertain yourself for a while.

Posted on May 25, 2006 at 01:16 PM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-05-25

"VoIP offers you a variety of ways to protect yourself from third party eavesdropping whether the NSA or an individual conducts it."

"The Web should remain neutral and resist attempts to fragment it into different services, Web inventor Tim Berners−Lee has said. Recent attempts in the U.S. to try to charge for different levels of online access Web were not 'part of the Internet model,' he said."
"The Federal Communications Commission has authority under current law to ensure that broadband-access providers -- currently mainly cable and phone companies -- do not discriminate against Web-based providers of content, search services and applications, FCC commissioner Michael Copps said Tuesday."

"Tower Hamlets Council is using a voice over IP (VoIP) system and hotdesking technologies to reduce the desk space needed for employees by 25 per cent."

"The FCC recently released a long-anticipated ruling clarifying the obligations of interconnected VoIP providers under the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (“CALEA”) and establishing applicable compliance deadlines. "

"While other golf accessories try to help your game, Hammacher Schlemmer knows how bad your slice is and has some glasses that assist in finding lost golf balls."

"Protesters lined streets on both coasts Wednesday to bring public awareness to the telecommunications policy debates currently going on in Washington, D.C., and to show opposition to the phone companies reportedly providing customer records without a court order to the National Security Agency." 

Posted on May 25, 2006 at 05:52 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May 24, 2006

Who's on the Other Line?

Perhaps you remember a time when you were younger and you forced one of your friends to call a boy or girl that you liked while you sat holding your breath on a phone in another room. This is the most basic form of telephone eavesdropping and it has been carried out by new generations of junior high students for decades. It's pretty harmless, and let's be honest, the boy or girl you liked totally knew you were listening.

Listening into calls has evolved over the years, and unfortunately it's generally carried out with malicious intent. Recent reports on the government wiretapping practices have also created a stir among Americans, and many are looking for alternatives to companies that have supplied the government with phone records:
"While the NSA supposedly received records from three largest phone companies, the agency doesn't have the wherewithal to contact smaller VoIP vendors, which has prompted some consumers to switch to other carriers... VoIP companies...offer greater anonymity since PC to PC calls are more difficult to track, and since customers only have to provide an email address to get an account." (From Marketing Shift)
Now, there are two sides to this debate, and some will agree with the companies that provide the government with what they want. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, though, privacy should be a concern, because it's not only the government that can be listening in. Security guru Bruce Schneier has written in depth accounts of VoIP privacy issues and solutions, and he had this to say:
"Encryption is one of the essential security technologies for computer data, and it will go a long way toward securing VOIP...Basically, the government likes the idea of everyone using encryption, as long as it has a copy of the key. This is an amazingly insecure idea for a number of reasons, mostly boiling down to the fact that when you provide a means of access into a security system, you greatly weaken its security...Fortunately, there are many VOIP-encryption products available."
One such product that's been garnering a lot of attention of late is Phillip Zimmerman's Zfone:
"What sets Zfone apart from comparable systems is that it does not require a web of computers to hold the keys, or long numbers, used in most encryption schemes. Instead, it performs the key exchange inside the digital voice channel while the call is being set up, so no third party has the keys." (From The New York Times)
There's no doubt that the government will have something to say about Mr. Zimmerman's latest product. However, it's designed for everyone, and its mere conception demonstrates the concerns that most people have about privacy. VoIP offers you a variety of ways to protect yourself from third party eavesdropping whether the NSA or an individual conducts it. Who knows, it might even cause 'tweens to eliminate the middleman and talk directly to the person they're after.

Posted on May 24, 2006 at 02:53 PM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-05-24

"'Speak to dial' separates your VoIP service from others out there, and it's one of the many features that are revolutionizing the industry. Your calling options include dialing the number, speaking the number or saying the name of the person or business that you would like to call."

"National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation will be devoting a segment of time to Voice over IP, this Friday, during the 3 o'clock hour (EST)."

"How do you not take notice at such a number? On World says that by 2011 there will be one hundred million mobile VoIP users."

"If you took your average cyber-utopian and plunked him down in a bar in Milwaukee and told him to get everyone excited about net neutrality, he'd be lucky to get out of there unscathed. (Possible reality show?)"

"Since the launch of our Viral Market Contest to Save the Internet, I've been mapping the viral spread of the news of our contest around the Blogosphere, in the media and around the world. Special thanks to EVERYONE who is helping to make this the viral marketing contest that we had hoped this would become."

"I’ll set it a bit more simply, because I say this about ten times a week. Networking is glorified plumbing."

"I find it rather bizarre that I did not mention earlier here that the VoIP Security Alliance (VOIPSA) has launched a new group weblog. I find it especially odd since I am the one spearheading the initiative. "

Posted on May 24, 2006 at 05:25 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May 23, 2006

VoIP: The Future has Finally Arrived

Old movies that are set in the "future" are always good for a laugh. They all seem to have us in flying cars by the year 2000, hoverboards are common toys, and there's usually at least one group of people who communicate using only their minds. While the hoverboard has yet to be produced  -- unless they're hiding it from us -- some of the gadgets and concepts in old futuristic movies are finally available.

There's always a moment when the hero of the film has to make some sort of future phone call. There's typically a large screen involved and absolutely no dialing. All he has to do to reach the person he's looking for is say that person's name. Ah, what a beautiful thing. You'd never have to worry about forgetting a phone number again, and you wouldn't even have to get up to dial. Well, the future has arrived in the form of "Speak to Dial."

Some cell phones have featured voice command capabilities, but the old-fashioned landline and even VoIP phones have not offered users the chance to save time, eliminate forgotten numbers, and step into the world of Sci-Fi. In fact, here is how the FCC describes the VoIP dialing process:
"Depending on the service, one way to place a VoIP call is to pick up your phone and dial the number, using an adaptor that connects to your existing high-speed Internet connection. The call goes through your local telephone company to a VoIP provider. The phone call goes over the Internet to the called party's local telephone company for the completion of the call. Another way is to utilize a microphone headset plugged into your computer. The number is placed using the keyboard and is routed through your cable modem."
That doesn't have to be the case anymore, as VoIP Magazine reported back in February:
"my people has launched a nationwide voice over IP service employing interactive voice response (IVR) technology...The service represents a significant step towards the long-anticipated goal of selling residential VoIP not only on price competitiveness but on the innovative features an IP-based services infrastructure makes possible."  (Only VoIP Mag subscribers can access articles. Subscriptions are free, though)
"Speak to dial" separates your VoIP service from others out there, and it's one of the many features that are revolutionizing the industry. Your calling options include dialing the number, speaking the number or saying the name of the person or business that you would like to call:
"my people services include all the traditional features such as voice mail and caller ID plus many enhanced features not found anywhere else such as one call tell all, speak to dial, my remote and reminder Calls. This service will change the way you use your phone as it delivers content upon voice command." (From VoIP Review)
VoIP can help those movie images of the future become a reality. At least the images that involve phone calls. Now if we can just get someone to hurry up and invent the hoverboard and the flying car.

Posted on May 23, 2006 at 11:58 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-05-23

"Don't settle for a service that doesn't give you much more than a standard landline. Put the IP back in VoIP, and give your loved ones the special ring pattern they deserve."

"I’ve noticed that a group of commenters to blog posts related to network neutrality tend to say the same things over and over again. What’s interesting is that there’s a core group of the same commenters that show up time and again saying the same thing."

"A number of people posted blogs about VON Europe Spring 2006."

"Now he is again inviting government scrutiny. On Sunday, he released a free Windows software program, Zfone, that encrypts a computer-to-computer voice conversation so both parties can be confident that no one is listening in."

"We have our fair share of worldview framing and conceptual problems in telecom as well."

"SightSpeed will release a beta version of its popular video conferencing software this week that will include support for true VoIP and PSTN calling."

"The Namibian Police arrested five foreign nationals, one woman and four men for illegally (selling) VoIP service."

Posted on May 23, 2006 at 10:20 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May 22, 2006

Must Have VoIP Feature of the Week

Monday has arrived once again. Instead of feeling blue and worrying about how you're going to make it through the week, just sit back and enjoy learning about another must-have VoIP feature.

Standard landlines have fallen short when it comes to the little things. While your cell lets you create a variety of ring tones for everybody who calls, at home you're usually stuck with one ring. If you're not standing right in front of the caller ID, you have no idea who is calling. On top of that, one ring just isn't fun. Friends, family, and significant others should have a ring that gets you excited to pick up your phone, while those people who are always trying to get you to subscribe to various newspapers and magazines that will probably never even show up should have a ring that gives you fair warning. In order to help you get the most out of your VoIP service, we at my people allow you to create multiple customized ring patterns.

Customized Ring Patterns
"my people believes everybody who calls you is special. Well, special in their own way. So we've added a great feature that allows you to assign different ring patterns for different telephone numbers, area codes or specific exchanges so you'll receive a distinctive ring. You decide what ring is assigned. Perhaps two short rings for dear Aunt Mabel, and something else for the I.R.S."
Don't settle for a service that doesn't give you much more than a standard landline. Put the IP back in VoIP, and give your loved ones the special ring pattern they deserve.

Posted on May 22, 2006 at 11:18 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-05-22

"As podcasts and over-the-phone interviews continue to grow in popularity and people are looking for new ways to get their music out there, a number of services have been created to use in conjunction with your VoIP phone." 

"The concerns about the NSA, wiretapping, and phone records could be the best thing that could happen to VoIP and voice chat companies." 

"Congressman Sensenbrener of Wisonsin introduced draft legislation in the Judiciary Subcommittee. This bill would make it illegal for broadband network carriers to favor one service provider over another." 

"Mike sees a significant “loophole” in the bill’s network neutrality protections. He bases this on a careful reading of the bill’s language (always a good idea with legislation) and some creative thinking about company strategies." 

"This month I started what can only become a series of articles delving into a current issue termed Network Neutrality. This first 10-page article presents a survey of several published thoughts and opinions from around the Internet and sets the stage for future exploration into how this issue might impact corporate business." 

"MacSaber is a charming piece of software for Mac OS X that uses the built-in motion sensors of the MacBook and MacBook Pro (but not earlier Apple notebooks, at least not in this beta release) to make the sounds of the all familiar Lightsaber as the MacBook is twirled majestically through the air."

Posted on May 22, 2006 at 10:09 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May 19, 2006

VoIP and the Audio Revolution

If you're a blogger, a member of a promising local band, or just someone who loves music, audio, or the sound of your own voice, VoIP will change your life. As podcasts and over-the-phone interviews continue to grow in popularity and people are looking for new ways to get their music out there, a number of services have been created to use in conjunction with your VoIP phone. They give you the ability to make your blog stand out. They can also get your music heard. Not to mention they're fun to play with.

The "Virtual Audio Cable" is one gadget that makes it easier to record VoIP interviews and conversations:
"Virtual Audio Cable is a Windows WDM multimedia driver allowing you to transfer audio (wave) streams from one application to another. It creates a set of "Virtual Cables" each of them consists of a pair of the waveform input/output devices. Any application can send audio stream to an output side of a cable, and any other application can receive this stream from an input side. All transfers are made digitally, providing NO sound quality loss...If you are using some Voice Over IP (VoIP) and/or Internet Telephony applications...you can use VAC to record your calls and conversations."
If you're interested in creating a quick and easy podcast or adding brief audio to a traditional blog, you won't need much more than your VoIP phone:
Recording audio has never been easier! Simply call us using your phone or a VoIP client. No microphone or audio editing software required...Add audio content to your blogs! (From Gabcast)
Other services interact with VoIP in similar ways, allowing you to not only create but to easily find and share audio recordings that suit your tastes, so you can:
Post audio to your blog using your phone

Add voice to your online profiles

Search spoken words and meet new people

Record family stories for posterity
(From Evoca)
The right VoIP service and audio software can turn anyone into a broadcast journalist, historian, or, perhaps best of all, a rockstar. Get started recording today and join the audio revolution, or at least find some good stuff to listen to.

Posted on May 19, 2006 at 01:48 PM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-05-19

"Before the dog days get into full swing, there are a few gadgets that you should know about. They're designed specifically to make your summertime a little more relaxing and enjoyable." 

"A key goal of the telcos internationally is to find a way to "upgrade" the internet from a network optimized on innovation (layer independence, unauthenticated use allowed, open interconnection) to one optimized for billing (IMS, NGN)."

"The rock stars, Moby and Michael Stipe are shockingly in favor of government involvement. While a group of hardware manufacturers went as far as sending a letter to House Majority Leader Dennis Hastert and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi strongly opposing government meddling with the Internet." 

"According to the Information Security Forum (ISF), Record Management is becoming a costly legal and technology minefield that is further complicated by email and Instant Messaging (IM) technologies along with the increasing business use of other forms of messaging such as mobile SMS and even IP voice." 

"VON Europe Spring 2006 was a transformational event and brought together quite a number of the people from the European IP Communications industry." 

"The speakers on the call all took turns to state their case, which is basically that the Internet should remain free and open, and we should not let big business take ownership and become the gatekeepers." 

  

"Let’s assume for a minute that you own a webcam but have always wanted to be able to use it in the dark for some noble reason. With a little elbow grease, you can turn that run of the mill webcam into a nighttime fun generator by making it work in the dark."

Posted on May 19, 2006 at 09:06 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May 18, 2006

Summertime and the Living is Easy

The sound of children screaming at the tops of their lungs and throwing papers into the air. School bells ringing for the last time. The smell of hotdogs emanating from baseball parks around the country. College seniors realizing that the dream is over and they have to get a job. Ahhh, summer is finally here. Before the dog days get into full swing, there are a few gadgets that you should know about. They're designed specifically to make your summertime a little more relaxing and enjoyable.

Ask Men featured the NHT Outdoor All Weather Speakers:

"These speakers ensure that you will take pleasure in rich, full-range sound no matter where you mount them. They're built to resist humidity and temperatures ranging from -20F to 140F...

Productivity factor: Whether you're planting a vegetable garden or renovating your yard, having music in the background is a great way speed up your work."

Of course, you can just listen to them as you relax by the pool, shunning any kind of work all together.

Well, we've seen what the boys are suggesting, so we should also check in with the girls. Gadget Candy is advertising a way for you to combine gadgets and fashion, which is usually a difficult thing to do:

"The folks over at Knomo have lifted the lid on their Spring/Summer 2006 range of laptop bags. For those of you who have yet to encounter the purveyors of oh-so-fine frippery, that's your cue to give your credit card a polish. Knomo's collections are typically full of drool-worthy arm candy and this is no exception..."

If you have no intention of leaving the deck this summer, don't worry, because you can still enjoy all of your entertainment outside:
 
"With summer just around the corner, why not splurge on the Outdoor Entertainment Island by Frontgate? The entire system comes with a 42" JVC plasma TV, four 6" Clarion surround-sound speakers, a built-in subwoofer, a DVD/CD player, an FM/AM tuner, Sirius satellite radio compatibility and an A/V coaxial input." (From Ubergizmo)

The summer will also bring some new gadgets to all of the VoIP lovers out there:

"The Voyager 510-USB is the first 100% plug and play solution Bluetooth headset. One of the nice features is the ability to switch between VoIP connectivity, cellphone connectivity and desk phone connectivity seamlessly with a push of a button. The Voyager 510-USB supports all leading VoIP software..." (From Gizmodo)

Alright. I now feel confident that you're ready for summer. Hey, if all else fails, you can shake off all the new stuff and just settle for a good old-fashioned raft. Few summer gadgets can live up to it.

Posted on May 18, 2006 at 09:11 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-05-18

"It's funny how jumbled a few words can get when kids cup their hands over their friends ears to whisper something. Before you know it, people are accused of being French and wearing pants, and you know that's going to cause some giggles. What's not funny is dealing with playground-level breakdowns in clarity when you're all grown up and using an actual phone." 

“Ferris estimates that storing one hour of voice calls takes up about 5 megabytes. So if a user is on the phone for an hour 200 days a year, that adds up to 1 gigabyte of storage a year.” 

“Now that we're getting closer to the mid-term elections, suddenly everyone's wondering about the impact of those crazy youngsters with no land lines. So, how did the Associated Press find out about those mobile-only voters?” 

“There are lots of people out there saying ‘we need to treat all VoIP alike, all video alike, and all blogs alike.’ For them, that's network neutrality. That's not what I hope we'll end up meaning by net neutrality.” 

“A new report says that because of VoIP, traditional voice service will soon not be the primary revenue generator for traditional telecom operators in developed nations.” 

“In the strange bedfellows department, the concept of network neutrality has gained two new supporters.” 

Posted on May 18, 2006 at 08:58 AM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May 17, 2006

Let's Play Telephone!

Sally: Did you hear? Johnny asked Janie to the dance.

Tim: Did you hear Donny told Jamie she can’t dance?

Billy: Did you hear Donny and Jamie wore pants?

Lisa: Come here. Donny and Timmy flew to France.

Michelle: Stay clear. Donny's French and he's full of romance.

Donny: I am not French!

It's funny how jumbled a few words can get when kids cup their hands over their friends ears to whisper something. Before you know it, people are accused of being French and wearing pants, and you know that's going to cause some giggles.

What's not funny is dealing with playground-level breakdowns in clarity when you're all grown up and using an actual phone. Unfortunately, our cells cut out for no reason, and even the good old fashioned home phone can have its own problems, so we’ve grown accustomed to accepting less than perfect service.

Since the inception of VoIP, the most frequently asked questions have been about sound quality. Close to a year ago, Dharmesh Thakker, senior product manager for service level solutions at Keynote, had this to say:
"VoIP reliability and audio clarity are important factors limiting the widespread adoption of VoIP in consumer markets. Consumers are unsure whether VoIP can live up to the dial-tone reliability and crystal-clear communication quality they have come to expect with traditional phone service over the years."
While there were doubts in the beginning, VoIP clarity has vastly improved, and things are only getting better. There have been several recent reports on the subject including this one from VoIP Review:
"VoIP voice quality has dramatically improved over the past few years to have reached the level of a landline phone and sometimes even superior to it. However, it differs from provider to provider and also depends upon the speed of your broadband connection. You may consult other users of a provider (see: user reviews, forums) before signing up..."
At my people, we encourage you to ask: How does the sound quality compare to my current phone? And we can confidently respond:
"You'll find the quality is usually better! Because signals are transmitted and received digitally over the Internet, the quality may very well exceed your current service."
Don't get stuck playing an old-fashioned game of "telephone." Get a VoIP service that ensures you hear exactly what's being said...even if it does have to do with Donny's penchant for romance.

Posted on May 17, 2006 at 03:42 PM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Daily VoIP Links for 2006-05-17

"The evolution of the phone is much like any other evolution...In order to fully appreciate where we are, let's take a look back at where we came from."

“I’ve got a metaphorical set of antennae on my head hunting for the elusive “Telco 2.0”. What does this mean? Anything that blows apart the traditional Telco 1.0 vertical silo business model where connectivity and service are integrated, with cross-subsidy and strict exclusion of rival services.”

“MORE than 600,000 Australians are expected to be using internet-based telephone services by mid-year, according to research by Market Clarity.”

“VoIP service providers are now targeting German market as the use of VoIP in that country has increased remarkably.”

“On May 24, Chicago Media Action is organizing a big pro-Internet demonstration called, ‘AT&T: Bringing us to Tiers,’ 4PM, intersection of -- appropriately enough -- Congress and Federal.”

"'They are violating federal law, which mandates a minimum penalty of $1,000 for every person whose records have been disclosed,' Afran said, adding that many who have called his office are 'outraged' by the government's and phone companies' actions."

Posted on May 17, 2006 at 03:23 PM in , , , , , , , | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May 16, 2006

2006: A VoIP Odyssey

The evolution of the phone is much like any other evolution. It starts