adding on to my lightning strike annoyances threads below, it appears the device for my VoicePulse VOIP line is dead also. a new one from them is about $55.

i've been intrigued by the Ooma threads on the forum but i think the initial outlay is a bit too much with the new TV purchase looming. i'm thinking about getting a Magic Jack instead of continuing VoicePulse. VP has been great but it runs$180 a year.

i don't talk on the phone all that much landline or mobile. if i lived by myself i might just forgo a landline at all at this point but with a teenager at home i need an alternate way call him when his mobile phone is out of earshot or juice.

if i go the route of a new number with MJ or Ooma, i am going to get a googlevoice number to link it to. that way, if i ever need to change service providers, i won't need to give out a new phone number.

so, back to my original query, anyone here using MagicJack care to share your opinion of it?

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"Those in power write the history, those who suffer write the songs."
Frank Harte

MagicJack quality is usually good, but not great.
To make or get calls, it has to be on a computer that is on at all times. If the computer is off you get an email with the voicemail attached.

GoogleVoice is a great addition to anything. I actually get the cheapest, no long distance, limited calling home hone $10-$15/month and use Google voice to initiate all outgoing class, which appear as incoming calls for telephone company purposes. The other advantage is that if anyone calls my GV number, all my phones ring and I answer the best one. You could answer your cell, and then press * and you can transfer/retrieve the call to any other of your GV phones options.

I love my MagicJack for travel out of the country.

I have grown more fond of a free service--that works on iPhone (with push notification) and Mac called Whistle Phone. It makes free calls. if you listen to a short advertisement.
[www.whistlephone.com]

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Ken Sp.
MagicJack quality is usually good, but not great.
To make or get calls, it has to be on a computer that is on at all times. If the computer is off you get an email with the voicemail attached.

GoogleVoice is a great addition to anything. I actually get the cheapest, no long distance, limited calling home hone $10-$15/month and use Google voice to initiate all outgoing class, which appear as incoming calls for telephone company purposes. The other advantage is that if anyone calls my GV number, all my phones ring and I answer the best one. You could answer your cell, and then press * and you can transfer/retrieve the call to any other of your GV phones options.

my computer is always on but not always awake. does MJ work when the computer is sleeping?

i've had a GV number from back when the service was Grand Central. i use the number i have for business purposes. it's been a great service except for the weirdness in the last few minutes where i got a voicemail message emailed to me but my phone sitting next to me never rang. hmmm. we all have our moments i suppose. at any rate, i'd get a second GV number if i went the Magic Jack/Ooma route.

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"Those in power write the history, those who suffer write the songs."
Frank Harte

get the OOMA. Refurbs can be had for 130 or so.

I already reovered 1/2 of the cost since March. next year I will be already ahead.

In fact I bought another box that I haven't set up yet. I might activate it and give it to my family. or keep it as a second line

and where does one look for an Ooma refurb?

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"Those in power write the history, those who suffer write the songs."
Frank Harte

slickdeals, where else?

I've been using magic jack now for six months. It works great and if for some reason my computer is not on, it just goes to voicemail and I get an e-mail. The only downside was that I could not get a local number for my town. Small price to pay for dirt cheap phone service.

I recommend it!

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sunfalcon
I've been using magic jack now for six months. It works great and if for some reason my computer is not on, it just goes to voicemail and I get an e-mail. The only downside was that I could not get a local number for my town. Small price to pay for dirt cheap phone service.

I recommend it!

Please - someone define ON. if Energy Saver puts your Mac to sleep will Magic Jack calls come through or will it go to voicemail?

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"Those in power write the history, those who suffer write the songs."
Frank Harte

.....when it comes to cars....I know nothing....never even used a regular jack so a Magic one is off limits.....did get some magic beans once......

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____________________________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

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graylocks

Quote
sunfalcon
I've been using magic jack now for six months. It works great and if for some reason my computer is not on, it just goes to voicemail and I get an e-mail. The only downside was that I could not get a local number for my town. Small price to pay for dirt cheap phone service.

I recommend it!

Please - someone define ON. if Energy Saver puts your Mac to sleep will Magic Jack calls come through or will it go to voicemail?

voicemail. On means any non-sleeping/non-off state. i.e., the state in which your computer would need to be in order to use it for anything.

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clay
voicemail. On means any non-sleeping/non-off state. i.e., the state in which your computer would need to be in order to use it for anything.

Thank you. now, what would I be trading off for not sleeping a computer?

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"Those in power write the history, those who suffer write the songs."
Frank Harte

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graylocks

Quote
clay
voicemail. On means any non-sleeping/non-off state. i.e., the state in which your computer would need to be in order to use it for anything.

Thank you. now, what would I be trading off for not sleeping a computer?

if you keep a computer ON at ALL TIMES just to get phone calls, soon the electric bill (not only what the computer uses, but also the AC uses to remove that heat from your house) would be significant, I say just get a stand alone solution.

There are also other options, like a [www.voipvoip.com] account, and you can get a cheap VOIP box on eBay, even an unlocked Sunrocket should work.

So Many Jacks, so little time ......

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“Stay Hungry Stay Foolish"
"Call now and get the Big Schticky for free ~!~"
"There are only two mantras yummm and yuk "
"There is a fine line between a rut and a groove"
"I am the only person that can prevent the Bozo explosion" Steve Jobs
"I got to that part and I knew there was going to be some weapons grade stupid to follow"Lux Interior




Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/23/2010 08:33PM by haikuman.